There is created the Sage Grouse Compensatory Mitigation Program to mitigate the impacts of development or disturbance of sage grouse habitat by:
Terms Used In Utah Code 79-2-504
Compensatory mitigation: means avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing, or eliminating impacts on sage grouse habitat by providing substitute sage grouse habitat through conservation projects or conservation banks. See Utah Code 79-2-502
Conservation plan: means the current version of the "Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah" developed by the state and approved by the governor. See Utah Code 79-2-502
Department: means the Department of Natural Resources created in Section 79-2-201. See Utah Code 79-1-102
Program: means the Sage Grouse Compensatory Mitigation Program created under Section 79-2-504. See Utah Code 79-2-502
Sage grouse: means the greater sage-grouse, or the species centrocercus urophasianus. See Utah Code 79-2-502
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
(a)
creating and preserving habitat for the long-term conservation of sage grouse in the state in a manner that minimizes impacts to economic growth;
(b)
establishing a mechanism by which conservation banks may operate in Utah to achieve compensatory mitigation; and
(c)
establishing a mechanism by which a person or a governmental entity may voluntarily complete compensatory mitigation.
the goals and objectives described in the conservation plan, including avoiding and minimizing habitat disturbances and mitigation impacts to sage grouse habitat; and
(iii)
to the greatest extent possible, any local programs for the conservation of sage grouse habitat.
(c)
Before making any rules under this chapter, the department shall:
(i)
create a plan by which the requirements of this chapter will be met; and
(ii)
before November 1, 2016, present the plan to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.
