4-2-8.7 - Invasive Species Mitigation Account created. - Utah Statutes

4-2-8.7. Invasive Species Mitigation Account created.
(1) As used in this section, "project" means an undertaking that prevents catastrophicwildland fire through land restoration in a watershed that:
(a) is impacted by cheatgrass or other invasive species; or
(b) has a fuel load that may contribute to a catastrophic wildland fire.
(2) (a) There is created a restricted account within the General Fund known as the"Invasive Species Mitigation Account."
(b) The restricted account shall consist of:
(i) money appropriated by the Legislature;
(ii) grants from the federal government; and
(iii) grants or donations from a person.
(3) Any unallocated balance in the restricted account at the end of the year is nonlapsing.
(4) (a) After consulting with the Department of Natural Resources and the ConservationCommission, the department may expend money in the restricted account:
(i) on a project implemented by:
(A) the department; or
(B) the Conservation Commission; or
(ii) by giving a grant for a project to:
(A) a state agency;
(B) a federal agency; or
(C) a federal, state, tribal, or private landowner.
(b) A grant to a federal landowner shall be matched with at least an equal amount ofmoney by the federal landowner.
(c) In expending the money authorized by Subsection (4)(a)(i), the department shall useexisting infrastructure and employees to plan and implement the project.
(5) In giving a grant, the department shall consider the effectiveness of a project inpreventing:
(a) first, the risk to public safety and health from:
(i) air pollution;
(ii) flooding; and
(iii) reduced visibility on a highway;
(b) second, damage to the environment, including:
(i) soil erosion;
(ii) degraded water quality; and
(iii) release of carbon; and
(c) third, damage to:
(i) a local economy; and
(ii) habitat for wildlife or livestock.

Amended by Chapter 278, 2010 General Session
Amended by Chapter 378, 2010 General Session