LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL H.C.R. 13
6 Approved for Filing: P. Owen 6
6 02-05-24 10:24 AM 6
1 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE DIVISION
2 OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
3 2024 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Carl R. Albrecht
6 Senate Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution pertains to the Division of Wildlife Resources.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 < acknowledges the role of the Division of Wildlife Resources in managing and
14 protecting Utah wildlife;
15 < highlights the cooperation between the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources,
16 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
17 < recognizes the potential harm from wolves in the state;
18 < thanks the Division of Wildlife Resources and others for coordinated efforts; and
19 < encourages the Division of Wildlife Resources to capture and return wolves to
20 Colorado.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
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25 WHEREAS, the Division of Wildlife Resources serves the people of Utah by managing
26 and protecting Utah wildlife;
27 WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has repeatedly determined that
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28 wolves no longer meet the standard for listing as a threatened or endangered species;
29 WHEREAS, Utah has consistently opposed reintroduction and management of wolves
30 in the state while wolves remain federally listed;
31 WHEREAS, driven largely by urban populations, Colorado voters narrowly approved a
32 referendum to transplant wolves to that state;
33 WHEREAS, the Colorado release of wolves in many ways allowed for wildlife
34 management to rightfully be led by the state and not by the United States Fish and Wildlife
35 Service;
36 WHEREAS, wolves that leave Colorado do not contribute to populations in that state;
37 WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that a
38 substantial separation between the Mexican wolves and the Northern Rockies wolves is
39 necessary to protect genetic integrity;
40 WHEREAS, under the agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and
41 Colorado, wolves in Utah with or without collars may be returned to Colorado;
42 WHEREAS, because of Utah's conservation efforts and more than $100,000,000 in
43 investments by private sportsmen and sportsmen groups, in the last 30 years in particular, Utah
44 is home to abundant populations and distribution of bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, mountain
45 goats, moose, bison, pronghorn, wild turkey, cougar, and black bear;
46 WHEREAS, unmanaged wolves can cause extensive damage and economic loss to
47 hunting and ranching communities; and
48 WHEREAS, the Division of Wildlife Resources biologists and Utah Department of
49 Agriculture and Food trappers have the qualifications to conduct wolf management related
50 activities:
51 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
52 Governor concurring therein, thanks the Division of Wildlife Resources, Colorado Parks and
53 Wildlife, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for their coordinated efforts to grant
54 Utah the right to return wolves found in Utah to Colorado as Colorado recovers their wolf
55 population.
56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
57 concurring therein, encourages the Division of Wildlife Resources, for the reasons provided in
58 this resolution and consistent with legislative directives, to capture wolves found in the state
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59 and return the wolves to Colorado, in accordance with agreements with the United States Fish
60 and Wildlife Services and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and numerous legislative actions in
61 Utah.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
63 concurring therein, encourages the Division of Wildlife Resources to follow this wolf
64 management practice until wolves are de-listed statewide and the legal and economic
65 challenges are resolved.
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