Wildlife Board Meeting 3/10/2022

Utah Wildlife Board
Administrative Rule Public Comment Hearing
March 10, 2022, Eccles Wildlife Education Center
1157 South Waterfowl Way, Farmington, Utah

Thursday, March 10, 2022 – 9:00 a.m.

1. Approval of Agenda ACTION
– Kevin Albrecht, Chairman

2. Administrative Rule Hearing Request – Trail Camera Regulations ACTION
– Kevin Albrecht, Chairman

● On Jan. 4, 2022, the Utah Wildlife Board held a public meeting at which they considered changes to three administrative rules that deal with the use of trail cameras: R657-5, Big Game; R657-10, Cougar; and R657-33, Bear. This meeting was in addition to the five Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings held around the state prior to the Wildlife Board meeting.

● The proposed rule changes provided for a seasonal closure on transmitting trail cameras used to take — or aid in the take — of big game, cougar and bear.

● After considerable public comment, the Wildlife Board decided to place a seasonal closure on all trail cameras used to take — or aid in the take — of big game, cougar and bear. The motion passed with a vote of 4-3.

● Members of the public requested a public hearing on this matter under the provisions of the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act. This hearing is to collect more public comment on the issue. This public hearing is separate and distinct from the Wildlife Board and RAC hearings normally conducted by the DWR.

● The purpose of this hearing is for the Wildlife Board to hear and consider additional public comment, allow the DWR to respond to questions from the Wildlife Board and review the rule changes specific to the regulation of trail cameras used to take — or aid in the take — of big game, cougar and bear.

● The public hearing will include two parts — a public comment period and a Wildlife Board deliberation period. After the public comment period closes, the Wildlife Board will deliberate in open session. The Wildlife Board may: (1) decide to take no additional action, which will result in acceptance of the rule changes filed by the DWR; or (2) direct the DWR to amend the rule filing and indicate what changes are necessary. The Wildlife Board’s decision will be announced at the meeting.

● Members of the public may comment by attending the meeting in person and submitting a comment card. Comment time will be limited to two minutes per person. Those who wish to comment must submit a comment card between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. At approximately 9:05 a.m., five comment cards will be randomly selected. The individuals whose names are on the selected cards will be asked to line up by the designated microphone. After the fourth individual has presented, the next five individuals will be selected. These individuals should quietly line up at the podium — while the final speaker of the first group is commenting — so they are ready when their turn arrives. This process will be repeated until every comment card has been drawn. When commenting at this meeting, please provide your name and any relevant affiliations for the record.

'LIVE' text caption service provided by Google may contain incorrect audio translations.