2016 Utah Code
Title 4 - Utah Agricultural Code
Chapter 18 - Conservation Commission Act
Section 109 - Public lands wildfire study and analysis -- Report.

Effective 3/22/2016
4-18-109. Public lands wildfire study and analysis -- Report.

• (1) As used in this section:
  • (a) "Conservation districts" means the conservation districts created under Title 17D, Chapter 3, Conservation District Act.
  • (b) "Public lands" means the same as that term is defined in Section 63L-6-102.

• (2)
  • (a) The commission shall work with Utah State University and the conservation districts to conduct a study and analysis of the environmental and economic impact of:
    • (i) potential catastrophic wildfires on public lands within Utah, including the impact to the state and the state's counties, of catastrophic wildfire on the state's watershed and air quality; and
    • (ii) changing rangeland and forest management practices to reduce the probability and severity of wildfires in Utah.
  • (b) The study and economic analysis described in Subsection (2)(a) shall:
    • (i) document historical acreage and severity of wildfires in Utah;
    • (ii) assess and document differences in state and federal wildfire preparedness activities;
    • (iii) update and expand upon existing studies of wildfire fuel loads on public lands, including consideration of insect damage, invasive species, grazing management, and timber management;
    • (iv) assess the relative size, probability, and severity of wildfires on public lands in Utah, including consideration of factors that lead to wildfires, including biology and characteristics of land;
    • (v) identify the most cost-effective wildfire preparedness actions; and
    • (vi) develop a statistical model that would allow public land managers to more efficiently allocate funds between wildfire expenditures and other expenditures.

• (3) The commission, in consultation with Utah State University and the conservation districts, may contract with another state agency or private entity to assist with the study and analysis required by Subsection (2).

• (4) Before December 31, 2016, the commission shall work with Utah State University and the conservation districts to submit a final report on the study and analysis described in Subsection (2), including proposed legislation and recommendations, to the Legislature's Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands.

Enacted by Chapter 166, 2016 General Session