2025 Utah Code
Title 23A - Wildlife Resources Act
Chapter 2 - Administration
Part 2 - Division and Director
Section 209 - Transplants of big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species.

Universal Citation:
UT Code § 23A-2-209 (2025)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
Effective 7/1/2023
23A-2-209. Transplants of big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species.
  • (1) Subject to Subsection (7), the division may transplant big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species only in accordance with:
    • (a)
      • (i) a list of sites for the transplant of each particular species that is prepared and adopted in accordance with Subsections (2) through (5);
      • (ii) a species management plan, such as a deer or elk management plan adopted under Section 23A-11-301 or a recovery plan for a threatened or endangered species, provided that:
        • (A) the plan identifies sites for the transplant of the species or the lands or waters the species are expected to occupy; and
        • (B) the public has had an opportunity to comment and make recommendations on the plan; and
      • (iii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq. if the transplant involves a threatened or endangered species; or
    • (b) a legal agreement between the state and a tribal government that identifies potential transplants
      .
  • (2) The division shall:
    • (a) consult with the landowner in determining the suitability of a site for the transplant of a species;
    • (b) prepare a list of proposed sites for the transplant of species; and
    • (c) provide notification of proposed sites for the transplant of species to:
      • (i) local government officials having jurisdiction over areas that may be affected by a transplant; and
      • (ii) the Resource Development Coordinating Committee created in Section 63L-11-401.
  • (3) After receiving comments from local government officials and the Resource Development Coordinating Committee, the division shall submit the list of proposed transplant sites, or a revised list, to regional advisory councils for the one or more regions that may be affected by the transplants of species.
  • (4) A regional advisory council reviewing a list of proposed sites for the transplant of species may submit recommendations to the Wildlife Board.
  • (5) The Wildlife Board shall approve, modify, or reject a proposal for the transplant of a species.
  • (6) A list of proposed transplant sites approved by the Wildlife Board shall have a termination date after which a transplant may not occur.
  • (7) Before reintroducing a big game animal to a new area under this section, the Wildlife Board shall approve a mitigation plan that complies with Section 23A-2-210.


Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 103, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 198, 2023 General Session

Technical renumber of section for proper placement in Title and Chapter.
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