County signs letter opposing proposed USFWS rule easing experimental population designations

The Utah County Commission authorized a letter Sept. 14 expressing the county's opposition to a proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that county attorneys said would ease placement of experimental populations of endangered species outside their historic ranges.

Ben Stanley of the county attorney's office told commissioners the proposed rule would reduce the level of scientific vetting the Fish and Wildlife Service must undertake and could make it easier to designate areas as habitat for experimental populations, potentially restricting local land uses. "This proposed rule makes it too easy," Stanley said, arguing the county and other jurisdictions have raised similar objections.

The drafted letter was written to read as though unanimous from the commission; staff said they could adjust the language or signature block if commissioners preferred. Commissioners agreed the letter should carry all signatures and authorized the chair to sign; the motion passed 3–0.

Staff and commissioners said they would coordinate with state officials and other counties that shared concerns before submitting the comment.