Technical renumber of section for proper placement in Title and Chapter.
- (1) Before reintroducing a big game animal, turkey, wolf, or sensitive species to a new area in accordance with Section 23A-2-209, the Wildlife Board shall approve a mitigation plan for the area into which the animal is being transplanted.
(2)
(a) A mitigation plan described in this section shall:
- (i) identify the objectives of the reintroduction of an animal;
- (ii) provide conditions for issuing a permit to the landowner or lessee to take a big game animal, that is causing depredation, during a general or special season hunt authorized by the Wildlife Board; and
(iii) describe conditions for removal of a transplanted animal if:
- (A) transplant objectives identified in the mitigation plan are not met; or
- (B) property damage occurs.
(b) A mitigation plan described in this section may provide for:
- (i) the scheduling of a depredation hunt;
- (ii) allowing a landowner or lessee to designate a recipient who may obtain a mitigation permit to take a big game animal on the landowner's or lessee's land during a general or special season hunt authorized by the Wildlife Board; and
- (iii) a description of how the division will assess and compensate the landowner or lessee under Section 23A-8-405 for damage to cultivated crops, fences, or irrigation equipment.
- (3) The division shall specify the number and sex of the big game animals that may be taken under Subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b)(ii).
- (4) The division shall determine the number of animals taken under Subsection (2)(a) of which the landowner or lessee may retain possession.
(5) In determining appropriate remedial action under a mitigation plan described in this section, the division shall consider the:
- (a) extent of damage experienced;
- (b) use of landowner permits;
- (c) use of mitigation permits; and
- (d) objectives for the wildlife population.
Enacted by Chapter 198, 2023 General Session