Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources

Rule 24: Compensation for Mountain Lion, Bear, Wolf or Eagle Damage

Effective Date: 08/22/2026

Admin. Code Reference: R657-24

Rule Type: Current Rule

NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

TYPE OF FILING: Amendment

Filing ID: 58081

Rule or section number:

R657-24

1. Agency Information

Title catchline:

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Building:

DNR Complex

Street address:

1594 W North Temple

City, state:

Salt Lake City, UT 84416

Mailing address:

PO Box 146301

City, state and zip:

Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301

2. Contact Persons

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Staci Coons

801-450-3093

stacicoons@utah.gov

Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

3. General Information

A. Rule or section catchline:

R657-24. Compensation for Mountain Lion, Bear, Wolf or Eagle Damage

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources' (DWR) rules pursuant to compensation for mountain lion, bear, wolf, or eagle damage.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendment to this rule:

1) allows the DWR to designate who can submit a proof-of-loss form; and

2) designates who sits on the panel if there are disputes.

5. Fiscal Information

Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

The amendments to Rule R657-24 are administrative in nature, the DWR has determined that these changes can be initiated within the current workload and resources of the DWR, therefore, the DWR does not believe that these amendments would create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or the DWR's budget since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

B. Local governments:

Local governments are not directly or indirectly impacted by these proposed amendments because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact small businesses because a service is not required of them.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact non-small businesses because a service is not required of them.

E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency):

The proposed rule amendments do not have the potential to impact other persons seeking compensation for mountain lion, bear, wolf, or eagle damage in Utah, nor is a service required of them.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

The DWR has determined that this amendment may not create additional costs for those individuals wishing to receive compensation for mountain lion, bear, wolf, or eagle damage claims.

6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table

Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."

Fiscal Cost

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Cost

Fiscal Benefits

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Benefits

Net Fiscal Benefits

7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that this proposed rule amendment will not result in a measurable fiscal impact to businesses.

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Joel Ferry, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.

8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:

☒

9. Citation Information

Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:

Section 23A-8-201

11. Public Notice Information

The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until:

08/14/2026

12. Effective Date Information

This rule change MAY become effective on:

(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)

08/21/2026

13. Agency Authorization Information

Agency head or

designee and title:

Riley Peck, Director

Date:

06/18/2026

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-24. Compensation for Mountain Lion, Bear, Wolf or Eagle Damage.

R657-24-1. Purpose and Authority.

Under authority of Section 23A-8-201, this rule provides the procedures, standards, requirements and limits for obtaining compensation for damages to livestock by mountain lion, black bear, wolf or an eagle.

R657-24-3. Notification of Damage -- Payment of Damage Claims.

(1) When livestock are damaged by a mountain lion, bear, wolf or an eagle, the owner may receive compensation in accordance with Subsection 23A-8-201(1).

(2)(a) Notification must be given to the Division within 4 days of the damage.

(b) Notification may be made orally to expedite field investigations, but it must be followed with an unsigned draft [(unsigned) ]Livestock

Damage Proof of Loss form within 14 days of the conclusion of the field investigation.

(c) Final signed copies of the Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form must be submitted to the mammals program coordinator by June 1 except for damage that occurs between May 15 and June 30 for which the final signed copy of the Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form must be received by June 30.

(3)(a) Claims for damage payments received from July 1 through June 30 are assessed and accepted or denied based on information reported on the Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form.

(b) Claims accepted for damage payments are held until all damage claims for the July 1 through June 30 period have been collected.

(c) If the total amount of the damage claims exceed the appropriated funds for this purpose, damage payments will be prorated for all eligible claims.

(d) Payments for eagle damage claims [shall]may not be made until all accepted mountain lion, bear and wolf claims for a fiscal year have

first been paid.

(e) Payments for wolf damage claims will only be made for damage that occurs in areas of the state where wolves are removed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

(4)(a) Damage payments will be paid only for confirmed losses and only to livestock producers who have paid the required head [tax]assessment fee in accordance with Subsection 23A-8-201(1).

(b) Verification of the payment of the head [tax]assessment fee will be acquired from the Utah Department of Agriculture.

(5)(a) The division or [USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services specialists]other approved personnel will document on approved Livestock

Damage Proof of Loss forms the type and magnitude of livestock losses experienced by livestock producers.

(b) Where agreement with the type or magnitude of losses is not achieved by a [USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services specialists, a division

representative shall follow up with an additional field investigation to assess damage claims]Utah Department of Agriculture specialist, a panel will

be formed to determine the proper damage payment.

(c) the panel will consist of one person selected by the owner, one person selected by the Division, and a third person selected by the first

two panel members.

KEY: wildlife, damages, livestock

Date of Last Change: 2026[October 2, 2023]

Notice of Continuation: April 29, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-8-201; 4-23-7

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