The Utah Quality Growth Commission, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, recently announced that the commission is currently accepting pre-applications for funding from the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund.

This funding is critical to our efforts in the state to use our land and other natural resources wisely, Gov. Walker said. I am pleased we continue to see these dollars made available through the LeRay McAllister Fund.

Pre-applications are due to the commission by 5 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2004. Utah local governments, state agencies, and non-profit land trusts are eligible to apply.

The LeRay McAllister Fund was created by the state Legislature to help communities preserve critical lands. It is administered by the Utah Quality Growth Commission, and the Legislature appropriates the funds annually.

Commission members will evaluate pre-applications to ensure the projects meet the criteria for funding. Those meeting the criteria will be invited to submit a full application to the commission by June 25, 2004. For more information about the LeRay McAllister Fund and to obtain application materials, please visit the Quality Growth Commission’s Web site, www.qualitygrowth.utah.gov, or call the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, (801) 538-1027.

Since 1999, the fund has spent more than $9 million to preserve critical land all across Utah. This McAllister Fund expenditure has been matched by more than $39 million in other funding - local government, federal government and private. This money has been used to preserve or restore more than 35,000 acres of open and agricultural land in Utah.

3:50:36 PM    

Salt Lake City – With the summer season approaching, now is the time to purchase your Utah State Parks Annual Pass. The $70 Annual Pass waives day-use fees into most state parks. Passes do not discount overnight camping or special use fees, including golf.

Utah seniors, 62 and over, may purchase a Senior Adventure Pass for $35. The Adventure Pass offers the same benefits as the Annual Pass.

You may also request a free Utah Field Guide. This brochure offers vacation ideas, descriptions, photographs, and facilities at Utah’s 41 state parks.

If you are planning to boat, fish, picnic, or visit any state park museum, buy your pass and pick up your free Utah Field Guide. Passes may be purchased at any state park, region office, or the Salt Lake office located at 1594 West North Temple. For more information, please call (801) 538-7220.

6:59:33 AM    

PRICE — With the addition of an April 1 to June 15 shooting closure on white-tailed prairie dogs, all three species of prairie dogs living in Utah will receive protection this year.

White-tailed prairie dogs, the most abundant and widespread prairie dog species in the state, are found throughout much of eastern and northern Utah. Both the distribution and number of white-tailed prairie dogs have declined due to disease and changing land use, including conversion of rangeland to agriculture and suburban development.

The white-tailed prairie dog shooting closure occurs during their reproductive period and will promote the survival of young prairie dogs. The shooting closure applies to public lands only and does not preclude control of white-tailed prairie dogs that are damaging private lands.

The Utah prairie dog, found in southwestern Utah, has been protected under the federal Endangered Species Act for more than 25 years. Utah prairie dogs are protected from shooting year-round on both public and private lands. Since 2001, the shooting of Gunnison prairie dogs, which occur in Grand and San Juan counties in southeastern Utah, has been prohibited on public lands from April 1 through June 15. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been petitioned to place both Gunnison and white-tailed prairie dogs on the federal endangered species list.

Before they begin control operations, landowners who have agricultural and private lands that are being damaged by prairie dogs should contact the Division of Wildlife Resources for a clarification of regulations.

6:56:07 AM