DAR File No. 39978

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-9

Taking Waterfowl, Wilson's Snipe and Coot

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39978
Filed: 12/07/2015 09:36:28 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the division's waterfowl program.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed revisions to the above listed rule: 1) add Utah Lake to the list of areas requiring the use of nontoxic shot; 2) amend the age of youth to be "on July 31st of the year in which the youth hunting day is held"; and 3) amend the 600 feet closure on Gunnison Bend Reservoir to reflect "below the high water mark" instead.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-19
• Section 23-14-18

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment ensures the rule is consistent with the youth definition for other species, and clarifies restrictions at Utah Lake and Gunnison Bend Reservoir therefore, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or DWR's budget, since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

local governments:

Since this amendment has minimal impact on individual hunters and no impact on the local governments, the division finds that this filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

This amendment ensures the rule is consistent with the youth definition for other species, and clarifies restrictions at Utah Lake and Gunnison Bend Reservoir and therefore does not have the potential to generate a cost or savings impact to sportsmen or the small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This amendment ensures the rule is consistent with the youth definition for other species, and clarifies restrictions at Utah Lake and Gunnison Bend Reservoir and therefore does not have the potential to generate a cost or savings impact to sportsmen or the other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR determines that this amendment will not create additional costs for those who participate in wildlife related activities in Utah.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The amendments to this rule do not create an impact on businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

02/01/2016

This rule may become effective on:

02/08/2016

Authorized by:

Gregory Sheehan, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-9. Taking Waterfowl, Wilson's Snipe and Coot.

R657-9-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19, and in accordance with 50 CFR 20, 50 CFR 32.64 and 50 CFR 27.21, 2004 edition, which is incorporated by reference, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe, and coot.

(2) Specific dates, areas, limits, requirements and other administrative details which may change annually are published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-8. Nontoxic Shot.

(1) Only nontoxic shot may be in possession or used while hunting waterfowl and coot.

(2) A person may not possess or use lead shot:

(a) while hunting waterfowl or coot in any area of the state;

(b) on federal refuges;

(c) on the following waterfowl management areas: Bicknell Bottoms, Blue Lake, Brown's Park, Clear Lake, Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane, Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs, Manti Meadow, Mills Meadows, Ogden Bay, Powell Slough, Public Shooting Grounds, Salt Creek, Stewart's Lake, Timpie Springs; or

(d) on the Scott M. Matheson or Utah Lake wetland preserve.

 

R657-9-29. Season Dates and Bag and Possession Limits.

(1) Season dates and bag and possession limits are specified in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe and coot.

(2) A youth duck hunting day may be allowed for any person [15]17 years of age or younger on July 31st of the year in which the youth hunting day is held, as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-30. Rest Areas and No Shooting Areas.

(1) A person may only access and use state waterfowl management areas in accordance with state and federal law, state administrative code, and proclamations of the Wildlife Board.

(2)(a) The division may establish portions of state waterfowl management areas as "rest areas" for wildlife that are closed to the public and trespass of any kind is prohibited.

(b) In addition to any areas identified in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe, and coot, the following areas are designated as rest areas:

(i) That portion of Clear Lake Waterfowl Management Area known as Spring Lake;

(ii) That portion of Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area known as Desert Lake;

(iii) That portion of Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Area that lies above and adjacent to the Hull Lake Diversion Dike known as "Duck Lake";

(iv) That portion of Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area known as "Rest Lake"; and

(v) That portion of Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area that lies in the northwest quarter of unit one.

(d) Maps of all rest areas will be available at division offices, on the division's website, and to the extent necessary, marked with signage at each rest area.

(3)(a) The division may establish portions of state waterfowl management areas as "No Shooting Areas" where the discharge of weapons for the purposes of hunting is prohibited.

(b) No Shooting Areas remain open to the public for other lawful activities.

(c) In addition to any areas identified in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe, and coot, the following areas are No Shooting Areas:

(i) Within 600 feet of the north and south side of the center line of Antelope Island causeway;

(ii) Within 600 feet of all structures found at Brown's Park Waterfowl Management Area;

(iii) The following portions of Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area:

(A) within 600 feet of the Headquarters and Learning Center area; and

(B) within 600 feet of dikes and roads accessible by motorized vehicles;

(iv) Within 600 feet of the headquarters area of Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area;

(v) Within the boundaries of all State Parks except those designated open by appropriate signage as provided in Rule R651-614-4;

(vi) Within 1/3 of a mile of the Great Salt Lake Marina;

(xi) [Within 600 feet]Below the high water mark of Gunnison Bend Reservoir and its inflow upstream to the Southerland Bridge, Millard County;

(xii) All property within the boundary of the Salt Lake International Airport; and

(xii) All property within the boundaries of federal migratory bird refuges, unless hunting waterfowl specifically authorized by the federal government.

(4) The division reserves the right to manage division lands and regulate their use consistent with Utah Code Section 23-21-7 and Utah Administrative Code R657-28.

KEY: wildlife, birds, migratory birds, waterfowl

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [November 10, 2015]2016

Notice of Continuation: August 16, 2011

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-19; 23-14-18; 50 CFR part 20