DAR File No. 42965

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-3

Collection, Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Animals

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 42965
Filed: 06/11/2018 10:16:00 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 for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources� (DWR) animal program.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments to this rule: 1) remove the Certification Review Committee from rule, and 2) make technical corrections as needed.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-20-3
• Section 23-14-18
• Section 23-14-19
• Section 63-30-1
• Section 23-13-14

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These amendment remove the creation of the Certification Review Committee from this rule. DWR has determined that these amendments will not create any 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:

None--This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by this rule. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

None--This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to small businesses because they are not directly affected by this rule. Nor are small businesses indirectly impacted because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from them.

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

These amendments remove an internal committee from rule, therefore, this rule does not impose any additional financial requirements on persons, nor generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

These amendment remove an internal committee from rule language. DWR has determined that there is no additional compliance costs associated with these amendments.

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

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that these proposed rule changes will not result in a fiscal impact to businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office 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 stacicoons@utah.gov

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:

07/31/2018

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2018

Authorized by:

Mike Fowlks, Deputy Director

Appendix 1: Regulatory Impact Summary Table*

Fiscal Costs	FY 2019	FY 2020	FY 2021
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Person	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Costs:	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Benefits
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Persons	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0
Net Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0

 

*This table only includes fiscal impacts that could be measured. If there are inestimable fiscal impacts, they will not be included in this table. Inestimable impacts for State Government, Local Government, Small Businesses and Other Persons are described above. Inestimable impacts for Non - Small Businesses are described below.

 

Appendix 2: Regulatory Impact to Non - Small Businesses

These proposed changes to Rule R657-3 are not expected to have any fiscal impact on large businesses revenues or expenditures, because there are no services required from them in order to implement these rule changes.

 

The head of department of Natural Resources, Michael Styler, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

 

 

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-3. Collection, Importation, Transportation, and Possession of Animals.

R657-3-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah and in accordance with a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Department of Health, and the Division of Wildlife Resources, this rule governs the collection, importation, exportation, transportation, and possession of animals and their parts.

(2) Nothing in this rule shall be construed as superseding the provisions set forth in Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah. Any provision of this rule setting forth a criminal violation that overlaps a section of that title is provided in this rule only as a clarification or to provide greater specificity needed for the administration of the provisions of this rule.

(3) In addition to this rule, the Wildlife Board may allow the collection, importation, transportation, propagation and possession of species of animal species under specific circumstances as provided in Rules R657-4 through R657-6, R657-9 through R657-11, R657-13, R657-14, R657-16, R657-19, R657-20 through R657-22, R657-33, R657-37, R657-38, R657-40, R657-41, R657-43, R657-44, R657-46 and R657-52 through R657-60. Where a more specific provision has been adopted, that provision shall control.

(4) The importation, distribution, relocation, holding in captivity or possession of coyotes and raccoons in Utah is governed by the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Board and is prohibited under Section 4-23-11 and Rule R657-14, except as permitted by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

(5) This rule does not apply to division employees acting within the scope of their assigned duties.

(6) The English and scientific names used throughout this rule for animals are, at the time of publication, the most widely accepted names. The English and the scientific names of animals change, and the names used in this rule are to be considered synonymous with names in earlier use and with names that, at any time after publication of this rule, may supersede those used herein.

 

R657-3-25. Importation of Animals into Utah.

(1) As provided in Rule R58-1, the Department of Agriculture and Food requires a valid certificate of veterinary inspection and an entry permit number before any live animal may be imported into Utah.

(2)(a) All live [fish]aquatic animals, including marine aquatic animals, imported into Utah and not destined for an aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility must be accompanied by the following documentation:

(i) common or scientific names of [fish]the aquatic animals;

(ii) name and address of the consignor and consignee;

(iii) origin of shipment;

(iv) final destination;

(v) number of [fish]aquatic animals shipped; and

(vi) certificate of veterinary inspection, Utah entry permit number issued by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and any other health certifications.

(b) A person may import live fish destined for an aquaculture facility or fee fishing facility only as provided by Title 4, Chapter 37, Aquaculture Act and the rules promulgated there under.

(3) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to dead fish or crayfish caught in Lake Powell, Bear Lake, or Flaming Gorge reservoirs under the authority of a valid fishing license and in accordance with Rule R657-13 and the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking fish and crayfish.

 

R657-3-34. [ Certification Review Committee ] Division Responsibilities .

(1) The division[shall establish a Certification Review Committee which shall ], in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Health, will be responsible for:

(a) reviewing:

(i) petitions to reclassify species and subspecies of animals; and

(ii) [appeals of certificates of registration; and

(iii) ]requests for variances to this rule; and

(b) making recommendations to the Wildlife Board.

(2) [The committee shall consist of the following individuals:

(a) the division director or the director's designee who shall represent the director's office and shall act as chair of the committee;

(b) the chief of the Aquatic Section;

(c) the chief of the Wildlife Section;

(d) the chief of the Public Services Section;

(e) the chief of the Law Enforcement Section;

(f) the state veterinarian or his designee; and

(g) a person designated by the Department of Health.

(3)] The division shall require a fee for the submission of a request provided in Section R657-3-35 and R657-3-36.

 

R657-3-35. Request for Species Reclassification.

(1) A person may request to change the classification of a species or subspecies of animal provided in this rule.

(2) A request for reclassification must be made to the [Certification Review Committee]division by submitting an application for reclassification.

(3)(a) The application shall include:

(i) the petitioner's name, address, and phone number;

(ii) the species or subspecies for which the application is made;

(iii) the name of all interested parties known by the petitioner;

(iv) the current classification of the species or subspecies;

(v) a statement of the facts and reasons forming the basis for the reclassification; and

(vi) copies of scientific literature or other evidence supporting the change in classification.

(b) In addition to the information required under Subsection (a), the applicant must provide any information requested by the [committee]division necessary to formulate a recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

([3]4)(a) The [committee]division shall, within a reasonable time, consider the request for reclassification and shall submit its recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(b) The [committee]division shall send a copy of its recommendation to the applicant and other interested parties specified on the application.

([4]5)(a) At the next available Wildlife Board meeting, the Wildlife Board shall:

(i) consider the [committee]division recommendation; and

(ii) any information provided by the applicant or other interested parties.

(b) The Wildlife Board shall approve or deny the request for reclassification based on the issuance criteria provided in Section R657-3-14.

([5]6) A change in species classification shall be made in accordance with Title [63G,]63, Chapter [3,]46a, Administrative Rulemaking Act.

 

R657-3-36. Request for Variance.

(1) A person may request a variance to this rule for the collection, importation, propagation, or possession of an animal classified as prohibited under this rule by submitting a variance request to the [Certification Review Committee]division.

(2)(a) A variance request shall include the following:

(i) the name, address, and phone number of the person making the request;

(ii) the species or subspecies of animal and associated activities for which the request is made; and

(iii) a statement of the facts and reasons forming the basis for the variance.

(b) In addition to the information required under Subsection (a), the person making the request must provide any information requested by the [committee]division necessary to formulate a recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(3) The [committee]division shall, within a reasonable time, consider the request and shall submit its recommendation to the Wildlife Board.

(4) At the next available Wildlife Board meeting the Wildlife Board shall:

(a) consider the [committee]division recommendation; and

(b) any information provided by the person making the request.

(5)(a) The Wildlife Board shall approve or deny the request based on the issuance criteria provided in Section R657-3-14.

(b) If the request applies to a broad class of persons and not to the unique circumstances of the applicant, the Wildlife Board shall consider changing the species classification before issuing a variance to this rule.

(6)(a) If the request is approved, the Wildlife Board may impose any restrictions on the person making the request considered necessary for that person to maintain the standards upon which the variance is made.

(b) Any restrictions imposed on the person making the request shall be included in writing on the certificate of registration which shall be signed by the person making the request before its issuance.

 

R657-3-37. Appeal of Certificate of Registration Denial.

(1) A person may appeal the division's denial of a certificate of registration by submitting an appeal request [to the Certification Review Committee]consistent with R657-2.

(2) The request must be made within 30 days after the date of the denial.

[(3) The request shall include:

(a) the name, address, and phone number of the applicant;

(b) the date the request is mailed;

(c) the species or subspecies of animals and the activity for which the application is made; and

(d) supporting facts and other evidence applicable to resolving the issue.

(4) The committee shall review the request within a reasonable time after it is received.

(5) Upon reviewing the application and the reasons for its denial, the committee may:

(a) overturn the denial and approve the application; or

(b) uphold the denial.

(6) The committee may overturn a denial if the denial is:

(a) based on insufficient information;

(b) inconsistent with prior actions of the division or the Wildlife Board;

(c) arbitrary or capricious; or

(d) contrary to law.

(7)(a) Within a reasonable time after making its decision, the committee shall mail a notice to the applicant specifying the reasons for its decision.

(b) The notice shall include information on the procedures for seeking Wildlife Board review of that decision.

(8)(a) If the committee upholds the denial, the applicant may seek Wildlife Board review of the decision by submitting a request for Wildlife Board review within 30 days after its issuance.

(b) The request must include the information provided in Subsection (3).

(9)(a) Upon receiving a request for Wildlife Board review, the Wildlife Board shall, within a reasonable time, hold a hearing to consider the request.

(b) The Wildlife Board may:

(i) overturn the denial and approve the application; or

(ii) uphold the denial.

(c) The Wildlife Board shall provide the petitioner with a written decision within a reasonable time after making its decision.]

 

KEY: wildlife, animal protection, import restrictions, zoological animals

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [March 9, 2016]2018

Notice of Continuation: February 27, 2018

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-18; 23-14-19; 23-20-3; 23-13-14; 63G-7-101 et seq.