SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 26, 2024) — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources director Justin “J” Shirley announced his retirement on Nov. 12 after 22 years of service with the division. His retirement will be effective Jan. 1, 2025. A resident of Stockton, Shirley joined the division in 2002 and became director in 2021 after serving as law enforcement chief since …
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 22, 2024) — The Utah Cutthroat Slam saw a record number of completions in 2024 and is releasing the newest medallion for anglers who complete the fishing challenge. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Trout Unlimited launched the slam in 2016 as a challenge for anglers and as a way to raise funds for cutthroat trout …
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 21, 2024)—The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released economic data for 2023, showcasing outdoor recreation’s significant economic impact on Utah. According to the BEA, Utah’s outdoor recreation economy grew to an impressive $9.5 billion in value-added, now contributing 3.4% of Utah’s GDP and supporting 71,898 jobs. “Outdoor recreation is a key …
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 19, 2024) – In relation to SB 34 (2023), the Utah Division of Water Resources has contracted with LRB Public Finance Advisors to complete a new study on water infrastructure funding. This study evaluates how property tax revenue is currently utilized in the supply, delivery and water infrastructure needs of Utah and neighboring states. It also explores best practices for the …
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 12, 2024) — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and other partnering agencies worked hard inspecting and decontaminating boats across the state this year to prevent the spread of invasive quagga mussels in Utah. Lake Powell is currently the only Utah waterbody infested with invasive quagga mussels. Statewide, aquatic invasive species technicians with the DWR, Utah …
VERNAL (Oct. 23, 2024) — A research team of paleontologists from Utah State Parks, Dinosaur National Monument, the University of Colorado, Loyola Marymount University, and Appalachian State University have described a collection of fossil teeth and a jaw belonging to a big, new mammal from the Cretaceous Period near the Colorado-Utah border. Unknowingly collected in 2016, and found during the preparation …
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 24, 2024) — Utah recently ranked fifth in the nation for energy efficiency, and the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) is poised to push that ranking even higher. OED has been awarded $1,811,730 through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program. OED will leverage its EECBG funding to support energy efficiency and conservation projects …
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 22, 2024) – Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed Emy Faulkner Lesofski as his new energy advisor and director of the Office of Energy Development within the Department of Natural Resources. “Emy’s extensive career in public service and deep expertise in energy policy make her exceptionally well-suited for this role in our administration,” Gov. Cox said. “Last …
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 21, 2024) – The Utah Division of Water Resources and the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management have partnered to create the State Facility Water Tracker. This new tool displays data related to water use specifically at state facilities. Visualizing this data helps us better understand water conservation efforts at these locations. Preliminary numbers show that …
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 17, 2024) – The Utah Senate, Utah House of Representatives, and Utah Department of Natural Resources brought together industry leaders, policy experts, elected officials, and stakeholders at the fourth annual Utah Water Symposium. “Over the last several years, we have made tremendous progress in the way we think about and manage water in the Beehive State,” …