Board approves risk‑based aquatic rule to allow limited stocking by growers with New Zealand mud snails

The Wildlife Board approved a proposed amendment to aquatic rules that directs a risk‑based, case‑by‑case approach for private aquaculture facilities that have detected New Zealand mud snails (NZMS).

What the rule changes do: Division staff proposed that instead of mandating a labor‑intensive purge of every load, growers with NZMS would obtain a certificate of registration (COR) for specific stocking events. Staff said the COR review would allow most stocking without purging, but the Division would require purging or deny a COR where stocking posed high risk to native spring‑snail populations or critical habitat. The rule language also clarifies an administrative section (R657‑3C(9)) to require effluent from holding tanks be managed to eliminate potential discharge into public waters, with private licensed aquaculture and fee fishing facilities exempted from an otherwise impractical absolute prohibition on discharge.

Why the change: Division staff said the policy balances industry recovery (some private growers lost out to neighboring states that restrict imports from NZMS‑positive farms) with safeguards for native spring snails (some are candidate species for federal listing). Staff cited coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Food and said the COR will be used already in other contexts to manage risk (e.g., cutthroat trout stocking).

Public comment and agency coordination: Two private growers and the state veterinarian (Amanda Price, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food) spoke to the board. Amanda Price said her office initially raised questions about implementation logistics and interagency coordination but had subsequent constructive review sessions and will support a transparent internal procedure describing COR criteria. Growers said the change is essential to restore market access — for example to Arizona — and asked the Division to streamline COR paperwork and online processing.

Board action and safeguards: The board approved the amended aquatic rule proposal, including the R657‑3C(9) clarification about effluent management. Staff committed to an internal COR process to ensure consistent, transparent decisions and to focus purging requirements where the risk to native spring snails is demonstrably high.

What’s next: Division staff will implement the COR review procedures and seek to streamline applications and payments. They will also work with the Department of Agriculture and Food to maintain fish‑health standards and to ensure decisions are transparent and protective of native spring snails.