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Correction

A previous version of this news release stated that both the boater registration fee and the aquatic invasive species fee could be paid at the DMV. That has been updated to show that only the boater registration fee can be paid at the DMV — the AIS fee can be paid on the DWR website.

Salt Lake City — A lot of bills were passed during the 2023 legislative session, and March 23 was the deadline for Gov. Spencer Cox to sign or veto them. There were several bills related to wildlife management that were signed into law this legislative session — here are just a few to know about.

SB2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act

Under this funding appropriation, the state received $56.8 million, which was needed to rebuild the Loa Fish Hatchery. The hatchery closed in November 2014 after it was infested by the New Zealand mudsnail, an invasive species. The original hatchery was built in 1936, and due to the age of the raceways and deterioration of the facility, removing the snails wasn't effective. The hatchery had to be closed to prevent the spread of the snails through fish stocking.

Over 1.1 million pounds of fish are raised and stocked in Utah annually, and the Loa Fish Hatchery historically had the capacity to produce the most trout of any of the state's 13 fish hatcheries. Its closure decreased fish production and stocking throughout Utah and put a strain on the other remaining hatcheries.

"Reconstruction of Utah's Loa Fish Hatchery will help provide the additional fish-rearing space needed to redistribute production, improve hatchery fish-rearing conditions and meet the annual angling demands for healthy, stockable fish," DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Roger Mellethin said. "A rebuild on the same site will allow us to take advantage of the area's remarkable local springs and build a cost-effective, secure hatchery that produces 350,000 pounds of fish annually, while returning clean water to the nearby Fremont River. The reopening of this hatchery will benefit the local economy by providing jobs in Wayne County and also by improving fishing in Utah."

This new law goes into effect May 3.

SB112 Aquatic Invasive Species Amendments

This bill made a few administrative updates to boating fees in Utah. Previously, boaters could pay their boat registration fee and their aquatic invasive species fee in the same payment and through the same process. However, in an effort to address fee-collection issues, this new legislation will require boat owners to pay their boat registration fee through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles and then to separately pay the aquatic invasive species fee online, resulting in two separate proof-of-registration stickers. Boaters will be able to pay the aquatic invasive species fee on the DWR website.

The aquatic invasive species funds are used to help prevent quagga mussels from spreading from Lake Powell to other Utah waterbodies.

This new legislation also requires boaters who live in Utah to take the annual quagga mussel awareness course, which can be found on the STD of the Sea website. Previously, the education course was only required for non-resident boaters.

This new law will go into effect July 1.

HB237 Hunting Mentor Amendments

Many limited-entry and once-in-a-lifetime hunting permits in Utah take years to successfully draw out or may only happen "once in a lifetime," as the permit name indicates. Under this new law, an individual who is being mentored by an immediate family member on a limited-entry or once-in-a-lifetime hunt can still take advantage of that hunting permit if the mentor dies prior to the hunt.

This new law goes into effect May 3.

HB341 Electronic Stamp Designation

In addition to having a hunting license, anyone hunting waterfowl in Utah is required to have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, and those 16 years of age or older are required to also have a federal duck stamp. Previously, duck stamps could only be purchased from a local post office, various license agents or by phone. This new law authorizes the DWR to sell duck stamps online on the DWR website, in order to make the transaction easier for hunters. The fee for an electronic duck stamp is $30.

Federal duck stamps help fund wildlife conservation across the U.S., with 98% of the purchase fee going directly to help acquire and protect wetland habitat and purchase conservation easements for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

This new law goes into effect May 3.

HB469 Wildlife Related Amendments

This new law makes a few wildlife-related rule changes including:

The DWR is still working through updating their rules to reflect these changes. This new law goes into effect May 3.

SB8 State agency fees and internal service fund rate authorization and appropriations

In August 2022, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a fee increase for hunting and fishing licenses and permits — for both residents and non-residents — in an effort to keep up with increased rising costs of operation. The legislature also passed this fee increase during the legislative session. License and permit fees fund most of the daily operations of the DWR. The DWR is currently 92% self-funded and receives only limited funding from the state's General Fund, which is appropriated for specific issues that impact all Utahns. Prior to this change, the last substantive fee increase for resident licenses was in 2014, and the last fee increase for non-resident licenses was in 2020.

This new bill will go into effect July 1.

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The National Weather Service on Sunday added an additional alert to the list of warnings, watches and advisories currently in place across the state during the first winter weather of the season.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been put in place for Salt Lake, Tooele and Rush valleys, where lake effect snow was accumulating Sunday morning.

While the heaviest snow was expected during the morning hours, NWS noted that roads could be affected throughout the day. The advisory also warned of stress on power lines due to heavy, wet snow.

In addition to the advisory, the National Weather Service also has a hard freeze warning in effect for the Salt Lake City area, as well as Tooele, Grantsville, Vernon, Brigham City, Snowville, Ogden, Bountiful, West Jordan, Sandy, Lehi, Provo, Payson, Duchesne, Roosevelt, Delta, Little Sahara, Nephi, Scipio, Fillmore, Manti, Ephraim, Mt Pleasant, Richfield, Salina, Price, Castle Dale, Emery, Green River, Goblin Valley, Beaver, Cedar City, Milford, Springdale, Panguitch, Circleville, Koosharem, Loa, Torrey, and Hanksville and Zion, Capitol Reef, and western Canyonlands national parks.

"To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly," according to the warning. "Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing."

Winter Storm Warnings also remined in effect for mountain areas in northern Utah, where between 1 - 2 feet of snow is expected to drop.

Here are all the warnings, watches and advisories in place as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday:

Alert: WINTER STORM WARNING

"Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph."

Locations: Mantua, Logan Summit, Alta, Brighton, Mirror Lake Highway, Moon Lake, Scofield, Indian Canyon and surrounding mountain areas.

Expires: Midnight Monday

Alert: WINTER STORM WARNING

"Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph."

Locations: Cove Fort, Fish Lake, Joes Valley, Brian Head, Alton and surrounding areas.

Expires: 6 a.m. Monday

Alert: HARD FREEZE WARNING

"Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 19 expected."

Locations: Tooele, Grantsville, Vernon, Brigham City, Snowville, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Sandy, Lehi, Provo, Payson, Duchesne, Roosevelt, Delta, Little Sahara, Nephi, Scipio, Fillmore, Manti, Ephraim, Mt Pleasant, Richfield, Salina, Price, Castle Dale, Emery, Green River, Goblin Valley, Beaver, Cedar City, Milford, Springdale, Panguitch, Circleville, Koosharem, Loa, Torrey, and Hanksville.

Begins/Expires: 2 a.m. - 9 a.m. Monday

Alert: FREEZE WARNINGS

"Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 expected."

Locations: Southeast Utah, Eastern Uinta Basin, Arches/Grand Flat and Canyonlands/Natural Bridges.

Begins/Expires: 2 a.m. - 10 a.m. Monday and 2 a.m. - 10 a.m. Tuesday

Road Creek Inn, located near Capitol Reef National Park, Fishlake National Forest, Canyonlands National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, is a historic hotel in Loa, Utah that now serves as Southern Utah University’s Capitol Reef field station.

The current building replaced the Loa Co-op originally built in 1904 that was destroyed by fire on Dec. 11, 1911. A fresh water pipeline supplying Loa with water from nearby Road Creek was finished in 1911, unfortunately, a fire hose had not been constructed yet or the old building might have been saved. The new Loa Co-op building would go on to house many merchants, including being a part of the Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) from 1912 to 1920 managed by W. Scott McClellan. Others operating in the mercantile business after McClellan were Loren Webster, Nelden Ellet and Reed Brian from 1920-1928.

In 1928, a Jewish immigrant from Russia by the name of Isaac Wachs, later changed to Wax, purchased the Loa Co-op store, at the time known as “Ikie’s Store,” and managed it from 1928-1940. Wax and his wife, Sadie, had four children; Harry (1906), Yetta (1908), Ida (1913), and Morris (1920). In 1945, after completing his military service, Harry bought the small company San Diego Janitor Supply and Chemical Company and was later joined in business by Morris. The company was renamed Waxie Sanitary Supply in 1954 and now has outlets in California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Utah, employing more than 800 people. Wax’s grandson, Charles Wax, is the current CEO of Waxie Enterprises.

“The Wax family was known for going above and beyond to care for their customers, and many people in the Utah communities still tell stories of their extraordinary customer service,” according to the Waxie Sanitary Supply website. “This is where our story begins.”

During the The Great Depression, dancing helped raise the spirits of Wayne County residents as one of the more affordable amusements. Wayne County High School teacher Sam Chidester organized the Chidester Orchestra in 1920 that would go on to perform 9,050 concerts and dances. The youth of Wayne County always knew where a dance was, and in Loa, they traveled to the Loa Co-op or old Billings Store to dance the polka, schottische, quadrille and Danish waltz. Locally accomplished performers such as Enoch Sorenson and Nettie Brian were crowd favorites, and dancers could move between the two floors on the same night for the price of one ticket.

Wayne County government officials also leased part of the building from 1912-1940 until the Wayne County Courthouse was constructed. The Waxs’ moved to Aurora in 1940 and sold the Loa Co-op to the Utah Poultry Association. Myrtus Adams and Virgil White maintained offices in the back of the building while candling eggs in the basement. In 1952, the building was sold to the Wayne County Poultry Association.

Dixie and Anne Leavitt purchased the historic building in 1979 and established the current Road Creek Inn. The hotel was completely renovated in 2012, and today, with 15 guest rooms, large gathering areas, and a full kitchen, Road Creek Inn is perfect for educational programs, family reunions, youth camps and conferences. Now more than 100 years old, Road Creek Inn offers state-of-the-art amenities such as Internet access, a sauna for relaxing after a day of hiking, in-room microwaves and refrigerators, standard king and queen rooms and two deluxe suites with three king-sized beds.

SUU’s Capitol Reef field station is now open to the community for rental, and to SUU student groups. This beautiful, quaint facility is the perfect getaway surrounded by several historic Mormon pioneer towns and buildings, national parks, lakes, Native American ruins and protected forest lands, and a great environment for student clubs and large groups to get away to another of Utah’s phenomenal outdoor activities. The acquisition of the historic Road Creek Inn hotel, located at 98 South Main Street, in Loa, further solidifies Southern Utah University’s title as the official “University of the Parks.”

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SALT LAKE CITY — Several wildlife-related bills passed in the most recent legislative session was signed into law by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. Here is a few to be aware of.

Funding to rebuild Loa Fish Hatchery

Under the New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act, or S. B. 2, Utah received $56.8 million to rebuild the Loa Fish Hatchery. It was closed in 2014 after it was discovered that it was infested by the New Zealand mud snail, which is an invasive species.

Originally built in 1936, the state was forced to close down the hatchery to avoid the spread of the mud snail.

Historically, the Loa Fish Hatchery had the ability to produce the most trout of any fishery in the state. According to a news release, its closure has put a strain on fish production and stocking throughout the state.

Other wildlife-related bills – Aquatic Invasive Space Species

S.B. 112 made a couple of administrative changes to boating fees around the state. Previously, boaters could make their boating registration fee and their aquatic invasive species fee as one payment.

This bill require boat registration to be paid through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. And then make a second and payment for the aquatic invasive species fee.

This bill was passed as a way to address fee-collection issues, according to the DWR news release.

Hunting Menting Amendments

H.B. 237 allows an immediate family member to participate in an limited-entry or a once-in-a-lifetime hunt if a mentor passes away before the hunt.

Such hunts can take years to successfully draw out for in Utah.

This law takes effect on May 3, 2023.

Electronic Stamp Designation

H.B. 341 now allows the DWR to sell duck stamps online at the DWR website. This was done to make the transaction more convenient for hunters.

In the past, duck stamps could only be purchased from a local post office, license agents or by phone.

Federal duck stamps provide funding for wildlife conservation around the country.

Wildlife Related Amendments

H.B. 469 makes a few rule changes to wildlife. This law will go into effect on May 3, 2023.

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Road Creek Inn, located at 98 S.Main St., in Loa – near Capitol Reef National Park, Fishlake National Forest, Canyonlands National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – is a historic hotel that now serves as Southern Utah University’s Capitol Reef field station.

The current building replaced the Loa Co-op originally built in 1904 that was destroyed by fire on Dec. 11, 1911.

Dixie and Anne Leavitt purchased the historic building in 1979 and established the current Road Creek Inn. The hotel was completely renovated in 2012, and today, with 15 guest rooms, large gathering areas, and a full kitchen, Road Creek Inn is perfect for educational programs, family reunions, weddings, youth camps and conferences. Now more than 100 years old, Road Creek Inn offers state-of-the-art amenities such as Internet access, a sauna for relaxing after a day of hiking, in-room microwaves and refrigerators, standard king and queen rooms and two deluxe suites with three king-sized beds.

SUU’s Capitol Reef field station is now open to the community for rental, and to SUU student groups. This facility is surrounded by several historic Mormon pioneer towns and buildings, national parks, lakes, Native American ruins and protected forest lands.

SERVPRO Extends PGA Tour Sponsorship through 2020

SERVPRO has extended its sponsorship with the PGA Tour through the 2020 season, retaining its designation as the official cleanup and restoration company of both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, said SERVPRO of St. George owner Bradley Tatom. SERVPRO’s first event of the 2018 PGA Tour season tees up this week with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

“We are proud, both personally and as a part of the SERVPRO family, to be associated with the prestigious and well-respected PGA Tour,” Tatom said. “This sponsorship allows us to showcase our capabilities not only to the communities where PGA events are held, but also to the huge television and online audience that follows the Tour.”

Sue Steen, Servpro Industries, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, said SERVPRO will have a presence at several PGA Tour tournaments in 2018, including The Players Championship and The TOUR Championship.

“In addition, we plan to be involved with First Responder events throughout the PGA Tour year,” Steen said.

For more information on SERVPRO of St. George, contact Tatom at 435-656-9061 or [email protected].

Bank of Utah delivers clothing, cash to charities

Bank of Utah delivered more than 200 large bags of warm clothing and blankets and cash to 10 charities in Utah over the past month. The locally-owned bank sponsored its annual Warm Bodies, Warm Souls coat drive Nov. 20 – Dec. 15, which encouraged the public to drop off new or gently-used coats, hats, scarves, gloves, socks and blankets at their locations across Utah. Bank of Utah’s Loan Office in St. George continued to accept donations throughout January and recently presented the donations to the Hope Crisis Center.

“We would like to thank those who donated for making Warm Bodies, Warm Souls bigger and better each year,”said Douglas L. DeFries, Bank of Utah president. “This is the sixth year that Bank of Utah has sponsored the donation drive, and we have been able to provide warmth to more people in need across Utah.”

Bank of Utah distributed donations to the following charities:

Hope Crisis Center – St. George

Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank - Ogden

The Lantern House - Ogden

Cache Community Food Pantry - Logan

Tremonton Community Pantry - Tremonton

New Hope Crisis Center - Brigham City

Tabitha’s Way - Orem

Crossroads Urban Center - Salt Lake City

The Road Home - Salt Lake City

Bountiful Community Pantry - Bountiful

For more information, visit bankofutah.com.