Utah Admin. Code R652-50-1100 - Range Improvement Projects

1. Range Improvement Projects shall be submitted for approval on appropriate application forms. Range Improvement Projects shall be approved or denied by the division based on a written finding.

2. All range improvement activity shall be approved by the division in writing before construction begins. Line cabins and similar structures shall not be authorized as range improvement projects and shall be authorized by a special use lease pursuant to R652-30.

3. Division authorization for range improvement projects shall be valid for periods of time not to exceed two years from the date the applicant is notified of the authorization. Extensions of time may be granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

4. Range improvements constructed or placed upon sovereign land without prior approval shall become the property of the division.

5. Range improvements shall not be authorized if they would be:

(a) located on a parcel that the division has determined has potential for sale, lease or exchange and the possibility exists that improvements may encumber these actions.

(b) located on a parcel designated for disposal by division action or through the comprehensive management planning process.

(c) a project or structure that does not fill a critical need or enhance the value of the resource.

6. Range improvements which are necessary to rehabilitate lands whose forage production has been diminished by poor grazing practices or poor stewardship of the permittee shall not be considered a reimbursable improvement but rather a requirement to keep the grazing permit in effect.

7. Authorized Range Improvement Projects shall be depreciated using schedules consistent with typical schedules published by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. In the event of disposal of the property, the issuance of a permit to a competing applicant, or withdrawal of the property, the permittee shall receive no more than the original cost minus the indicated depreciation costs; or in the alternative, shall be allowed 90 days to remove improvements pursuant to section 65A-7-6(6).

8. If the range improvement project is designed to increase carrying capacity, the permittee shall agree to pay for the increase in AUMs annually starting no later than two years after project completion. The division may allow any increase in fees to be phased-in at 20% per year.

9. The division may participate in cost-sharing of designated range improvement projects, or maintenance of existing range improvement projects, by providing funding in amounts and at rates determined by the division.

10. The division's cost/share portion of the project may be in the form of project materials. In these instances, the permittee shall be required to provide all necessary equipment and manpower to complete the project to specifications required by the division.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R652-50-1100