Effective 7/1/2021
23-14-21. Transplants of big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species.
23-14-21. Transplants of big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species.
- (1) The division may transplant big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species only in accordance with:
- (a) a list of sites for the transplant of a particular species that is prepared and adopted in accordance with Subsections (2) through (5);
- (b) a species management plan, such as a deer or elk management plan adopted under Section 23-16-7 or a recovery plan for a threatened or endangered species, provided that:
- (i) the plan identifies sites for the transplant of the species or the lands or waters the species are expected to occupy; and
- (ii) the public has had an opportunity to comment and make recommendations on the plan; or
- (c) a legal agreement between the state and a tribal government that identifies potential transplants; and
- (d) the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.
- (2) The division shall:
- (a) consult with the landowner in determining the suitability of a site for the transplant of a species;
- (b) prepare a list of proposed sites for the transplant of species;
- (c) provide notification of proposed sites for the transplant of species to:
- (i) local government officials having jurisdiction over areas that may be affected by a transplant; and
- (ii) the Resource Development Coordinating Committee created in Section 63L-11-401.
- (3) After receiving comments from local government officials and the Resource Development Coordinating Committee, the division shall submit the list of proposed transplant sites, or a revised list, to regional advisory councils for regions that may be affected by the transplants of species.
- (4) Each regional advisory council reviewing a list of proposed sites for the transplant of species may submit recommendations to the Wildlife Board.
- (5) The Wildlife Board shall approve, modify, or reject each proposal for the transplant of a species.
- (6) Each list of proposed transplant sites approved by the Wildlife Board shall have a termination date after which a transplant may not occur.
Amended by Chapter 382, 2021 General Session