[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6542586,"mediaKeyId","3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e","parentId",3424165,"title","Utah moves enforcement of guides, outfitters and spotters to DWR; rule change approved amid heavy industry concern","audioSeconds",6098,"startMs",2895000,"endMs",8993000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e&start=2895&end=8993","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e/thumbnail_2895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542586/Utah/Utah-moves-enforcement-of-guides-outfitters-and-spotters-to-DWR-rule-change-approved-amid-heavy-industry-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542586-54421d1e033776cdef2385d4a5aefb31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985221&Signature=KDkepkD~oIC2WWrIlQr1ID~dwp~tMSbb8qwiLE9Exvx0ejgcnd7HbBzNUtqyEu02dLLEaWaI5epuGgsvdOwF94r0tgg7Tzalb0MP0bm6Kx9JigFv9Iq4Sw56zS9PNnD5B-yCrCK~pbrnjZm4PyYePUJ0DWiscO8CM0Lb09f3KH8Q3WWCVbLAUK9Z84J2zQNiPy73x22fmU2fwKM4fWN7r8At7jZBbaBSaYmdkgRf5XUlhC1setqWO8F-CKih4fSyH6Rr7Vy-b7a~8u0X~CW-vPZyILhUQUT~PChkLHNDlrjw01p~QIogIW7bOHF8zjxBqI4hVDHFVLbY6hC~6~3LbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T13:43:20.537Z","article","The Southern Regional Resource Advisory Council voted to approve rules implementing a recent state law that transfers oversight of guides, outfitters and spotters from the Department of Professional Licensing to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

The council approved the rule package with two edits: language adopted by the Northern Region clarifying the order in which federal special-use permits and state registration are obtained, and removal of a clause (section 3.2.e) that had required specific workers’-compensation and commercial-liability wording in the application materials. The motion passed with eight votes in favor and one abstention.

Why this matters: the law (enacted in 2025) shifts enforcement responsibilities to DWR law enforcement and gives the wildlife board rulemaking authority over registration, renewals and field requirements. Local outfitters and guides said the change introduces new annual registration, field reporting and enforcement processes and raised concerns about costs, contractor status (1099 vs W-2), insurance exposure and inconsistencies among federal land managers’ permitting processes.

What the RAC decided: the council directed DWR to implement the rule as written with the two edits and signaled support for forming a working committee to refine details next year. The council’s amendment mirrors language passed by the Northern Region: applicants for a state registration do not need to submit federal land-use permits with the initial state application, but must obtain applicable federal permits from the land-management agency and carry proof of that permit while operating on federal land.

Key concerns raised in discussion:
- Contractor status and taxes: several outfitters described differing legal advice about treating guides as independent contractors (1099) versus employees (W-2). Speakers asked for legal clarification so businesses are treated consistently under workers’ compensation and unemployment rules.
- Insurance requirements: outfitters said federal special-use permits and CWMU agreements already require liability coverage; they urged the division to avoid duplicative or prescriptive insurance language in the state rule.
- Timing and outreach: industry representatives and RAC members said the bill moved through the Legislature faster than the division and the public could respond; they requested an ongoing rule refinement process and a DWR-led convening of small and large outfitters, guides, federal land managers and DWR staff.
- Field enforcement: DWR law-enforcement staff said initial enforcement would emphasize education but that the registration gives them new enforcement tools for repeat or serious violations.

What follows: DWR and the Division of Law Enforcement said they will implement the registration system and work with federal land managers and industry representatives to refine application fields, renewal timing and how client/guide affiliation is recorded. The law takes effect July 1; the RAC requested a committee to refine implementation and recommended DWR coordinate with the Legislature if fee or statutory changes are needed.

Ending: The council’s action implements the Legislature’s directive while adding a narrowly targeted procedural clarifier for federal permits and removing prescriptive insurance language. RAC members and industry groups will continue to press for detailed guidance on contractor status, permit sequencing, fee structure and coordination with federal special-use permit offices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DWR RAC Meeting - Southern Region 5/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Southern Regional Resource Advisory Council approved rules to move oversight of guides, outfitters and spotters into the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, adding a clarification on federal permits and removing a workers’ compensation clause after extended public comment.","taxTitle","Great Salt Lake, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Government Divisions, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",77344,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6542578,"Votes at a glance: Southern RAC actions on rule amendments, variances and program updates",11522,584000,12106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e&start=584&end=12106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e/thumbnail_584000.jpg","/articles/6542578/Utah/Votes-at-a-glance-Southern-RAC-actions-on-rule-amendments-variances-and-program-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542578-5f9c2c1fb6ce80b333220694b791171a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985221&Signature=cfLJzCY24MqAd1yaLdA~yHorada7oxg9iL4lGG3BybC-FGGXL2BWkyq5wLr0uOxQHRLNGDbOb8YcQdtmry6FKp7p0E9HV2veBdb9mgcf-4oIZ6fUheOobxLcSVHRzYzE4MsxbO4uHRsYLjALRYGv5NPQNX7eJNpWRQJIX-eC95Dnh8jYRBZOkz~4Mg5o0Bb-PHsShaz2ZFf1aPgfgH~SoMx6XXWHedcMOlt6QnmlaRG3FbV7vWjJA-JmW6iuDyvUPxLClqy-x-2XCDLgygPMFYByqBfoVEaXs5~S61vckk8oesA2ECgMS7N5IF2UHKoVfVhy5tIKit22OLuXBN8KFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This is a concise listing of formal actions recorded by the Southern Regional RAC at the May 20, 2025 meeting in Richfield. All outcomes below were announced in public session.

Votes and outcomes
- Approval of agenda and minutes — motion passed unanimously (in-room and online votes combined reported as unanimous).

- Dedicated Hunter rule amendments (banking hours/term window) — motion to accept as presented passed unanimously. The amendment expands the window for banking service hours and follows a recent change that lowered required service hours from eight to six.

- Conservation permit program rule amendments — motion to approve as presented passed unanimously. The rule clarifies conservation-permit allocations and permits for special island conservation cases such as Antelope Island.

- Outfitters/guides/spotters rule (implementation of recent statute) — motion passed with edits: the RAC approved implementing the statutory transfer to DWR law enforcement, adopted Northern Region language clarifying that federal special-use permits are obtained from land managers (federal permits are not required with the initial state application), and struck a prescriptive insurance/workers’-comp clause (section 3.2.e). Vote recorded: 8 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention.

- CWMU public-land variance requests — four variances brought before the RAC were approved as presented by unanimous vote.

- WMA exemptions from license requirement (House Bill 309 implementation) — the RAC approved the proposed rules and added an explicit exemption to cover federal land-management employees conducting official duties; motion passed unanimously.

- Sage-grouse translocation (support for moving birds to bolster populations) — motion to approve the translocation program as presented passed unanimously.

- Possession and release of pen-reared game birds (disease-testing clarification and rule tweaks) — motion approved unanimously as presented.

- Sevier-Paiute big-game winter-range WMA habitat plan — informational presentation; no formal vote required.

- RAC leadership election — Austin Atkinson re-elected chair; Bryant nominated and confirmed as vice chair by unanimous consent.

Notes and next steps
- Several rule items require DWR implementation steps: application forms, IT registration workflows and coordination with federal special-use permit offices. The RAC asked for follow-up reports and recommended a working group for the outfitters/guides/spotters implementation.
- The outfitters/guides/spotters item generated the most public comment and requests for legal clarification (contractor status, insurance, fee structure); DWR and Division of Law Enforcement said early enforcement would emphasize education and planned outreach.","The Southern Regional RAC recorded votes on multiple agenda items May 20, 2025: adoption of several rule amendments, CWMU public-land variances, sage-grouse translocation and officer/exemption language for WMAs. Most motions passed unanimously; the outfitters/guides/spotters rule passed 8–0 with one abstention.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6542582,"DWR regional update: feral pigs removed, spring turkey transplants, fisheries and habitat projects reported",121,871000,992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e&start=871&end=992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424165-86fcf1cca148bbb85faa2df05797b73e/thumbnail_871000.jpg","/articles/6542582/Utah/DWR-regional-update-feral-pigs-removed-spring-turkey-transplants-fisheries-and-habitat-projects-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542582-1eb56dbfc8599bd372176c1402d8dd3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985221&Signature=YhLNuehjg2bmSj~ZlG8iWl9X2AvR4yvcLslJb1bnpqvri6XaTYLbG9sFSD9CXYuZiWVKna-wNhmszyt5DObj~jNDq6M~qELwMneVao8nEOHav9p34~-LvNuEU19J1iwhpJ5J9OXvbDMSOub7E86XB~Wz4YDfmQM57hkGGZvp~LqieiZ7ify90wGaaKgvSlvfIHBBfvQppN7~jPZfze0sW8wfTZGR4lCBKtOddaJLTc2o4AFM6T5Nkqm50PKZuA-ubuh6mAYw73VTNKp4FWCZjHYgp0ADWpxtNOiiqDMyJqekoKqhJmdndxl~XODMy-3eDfczXYhi~oOWt5m-fMV4QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DWR regional staff told the Southern Regional RAC that wildlife work across the region is benefiting from recent wet years, but managers are monitoring a mix of new threats and routine work.

Key points from the update: DWR confirmed feral-pig presence in the Santa Clara drainage in Washington County and partnered with the Department of Agriculture on an aerial removal that removed 43 feral pigs; continued monitoring and rapid response were described as priorities. Spring turkey transplants from Texas to Oak Creek were underway; biologists are comparing the transplanted Rio Grande birds to resident birds to study clutch size and survival. Bighorn sheep on the Mineral Mountains produced about 26 lambs and staff described a field rescue where biologists roped three sheep from a steep water hole and saved them.

On aquatics, DWR reported improved trout fisheries at Minersville and Otter Creek reservoirs, a new state-record wiper of more than 18 pounds at Otter Creek, and successful transfers of crappie and stable channel catfish populations at Newcastle Reservoir. At Panguitch Lake, DWR is coordinating a dam reconstruction this summer and plans to install a siphon to pull deeper, nutrient-rich water and reduce algal blooms.

Habitat and species work noted: Utah prairie dog counts and desert tortoise surveys continue where applicable; riparian restoration and spring-snail work are active in Washington County; southwestern willow flycatcher monitoring continues. DWR described establishing irrigation pivots at Elbow Ranch to provide forage for deer and elk and to help reduce depredation conflicts; staff plan to put the property out for bid to find an agricultural lessee to partner on management.

Law enforcement and outreach: officers received awards for service; enforcement is active on baiting and fishing compliance. DWR staff encouraged public reporting of feral-pig sightings and reminded the public that presentations and some materials are available online.

Ending: Staff offered to answer questions and to report back on monitoring results; RAC members praised the Elbow Ranch work and urged continued coordination with local landowners and federal agencies.","DWR staff reported confirmed feral-pig removals in Washington County, a small turkey transplant program, strong spring fishing reports across several reservoirs and ongoing habitat work including pivots at Elbow Ranch and riparian projects in Washington County.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utah moves enforcement of guides, outfitters and spotters to DWR; rule change approved amid heavy industry concern

Votes at a glance: Southern RAC actions on rule amendments, variances and program updates

DWR regional update: feral pigs removed, spring turkey transplants, fisheries and habitat projects reported