Wildlife Board approves change to allow easier collection of non-venomous native reptiles, amphibians
SALT LAKE CITY — Spotting a lizard sunning itself on a rock adds a bit of excitement to any outdoor adventure. For some people, collecting amphibians or reptiles that they find in the wild is a popular activity. On Thursday, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a new rule that makes it easier to do just that.
Utah is home to approximately 61 native species of reptiles and 15 native species of amphibians. The rule change will simplify the process for the public to collect, possess and breed non-venomous native reptiles and amphibians caught in the wild. It will also allow for the sale of captive-born reptiles and amphibians.
Previously, people interested in collecting, possessing and/or breeding native amphibians and reptiles were required to obtain a Certificate of Registration. The process could be complicated, lengthy and sometimes expensive. And most of the highly sought-after native species in Utah were previously categorized as either “controlled” or “prohibited.”
“This proposal was a result of reptile and amphibian enthusiasts wanting easier access, bag limits and a permit to be able to use this natural resource,” DWR native species coordinator Drew Dittmer said. “They wanted to be able to take and engage with these species in a sustainable way and wanted to simplify the process and make it more approachable for the public.”
However, some requirements must be met before people can begin collecting. People interested in taking home a non-venomous reptile or amphibian found in the wild are required to take an online education course, which would cover the laws, safety considerations and conservation ethics. The education course certificate is valid for three years. People are also required to obtain a permit online.
Under the new rule, people are still not allowed to collect sensitive species, including the Gila monster, Mojave desert tortoise, Arizona toad, Western boreal toad, relict leopard frog and Columbia spotted frog.
There is also a set bag limit for the number of reptiles and amphibians that could be collected. The bag limit categories vary from species to species and include the following options:
Limited: 2 yearly bag limit with 4 total in a person’s possession at one time
Standard: 3 yearly bag limit with 9 total in a person’s possession at one time
Expanded: 25 yearly limit with 50 total in a person’s possession at one time
While this new rule is similar to laws that other states have in place, the DWR is including a unique rule that requires people who collect reptiles and amphibians to report online where they found the animals. The person would be required to report this information within 72 hours of capturing the reptile or amphibian. This will help biologists study the activity and distribution of many of the native species.
“There isn’t a good way right now to know how many there are of several of these species,” Dittmer said. “The online community science reporting is exciting and is the biggest thing I’m looking forward to with this new proposal. There are people out there who already monitor reptiles and amphibians in their spare time, so requiring them to report it will give us data that will help us better manage these species.”
This new rule will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
If someone is interested in collecting and possessing venomous reptiles like rattlesnakes, they are still required to get a Certificate of Registration. There is also an age requirement of 18 years old. However, even with a Certificate of Registration, people are required to follow their city ordinances to make sure they can legally keep venomous reptiles. And non-native venomous species are still not allowed in Utah without obtaining a variance from the Utah Wildlife Board.
Map of wild turkey transplant sites for next 5 years
The Utah Wildlife Board also approved new wild turkey transplant sites for the next five years. There are between 25,000-35,000 wild turkeys in Utah, and part of the current management plan includes improving hunting opportunities and decreasing human/turkey conflicts, which sometimes necessitates turkeys being trapped and relocated.
The new map identifies 267 locations where turkeys could be relocated in the next five years. Of those release sites, 210 are for existing turkey populations and 57 are new areas for turkeys.
The DWR has trapped and relocated about 10,000 turkeys over the last 10 years. Recording the transplant sites is required by state law, and in the past, they were tracked in a list format. However, DWR biologists felt that a map format would be better because it is more detailed.
“Some of the areas where these birds are transplanted are very big, so using a map allows us to be more specific, rather than using a text list,” DWR upland game wildlife coordinator Dax Mangus said. “These transplanted birds either bolster existing turkey populations or start new populations in an area, and these maps will help us better track them.”
THE DARLING FIRE
Premiere New Video
"Saints in Masquerade"
on Kerrang
New Album Dark Celebration
Out June 14th via Spartan Records
Pre-Orders Available At spr.tn/darkcelebration
Previously Featured on Billboard and Brooklyn Vegan
South Florida - June 7, 2019 - Indie rock band The Darling Fire is thrilled to share another song from their forthcoming debut album, Dark Celebration. Fans can check out new single and music video, "Saints In Masquerade," which features cello by Gordon Withers, alongside an exclusive interview on Kerrang. The video was dircted by Ian Fursa, and filmed in conjuction with The Modern Historic and Jensen Beach Bowl.
On "Saints In Masquerade," lead singer Jolie Lindholm shares: "This song has a lot of meaning for me personally, based upon life experience and I tend to channel my frustrations into every live performance of 'Saints' for that reason. We all do."
Dark Celebration is set to be released on June 14th via Spartan Records and has recently been featured on Billboard and Brooklyn Vegan. Pre-orders, which include an instant grat download of lead single "For The Loveless," are available now at spr.tn/darkcelebration.
Spartan Records proudly welcomed The Darling Fire to its esteemed and growing roster last year - a veritable mosaic of indie notoriety featuring Jolie Lindholm (The Rocking Horse Winner, Dashboard Confessional) on vocals/guitar, Jeronimo Gomez on guitar (The Rocking Horse Winner, As Friends Rust), Steven Kleisath on drums (Further Seems Forever, Shai Hulud), Gregg Moore on bass (Slap of Reality) and Matthew Short on guitar.
After years of individual success in some of the scene's most beloved bands, The Darling Fire was born of both deep struggle and deeper friendships. "Jeronimo and I had a particularly difficult end of the year in 2017," says Lindholm. "We'd been wanting to write music together for awhile, but life kept getting in the way. The tough time we were having made us realize that life is short and there was no better time. We didn't specifically set out to start a band, per se. It just began to materialize as things started changing, once we started to share what we were working on. It almost took on a life of its own and kept pushing us to move forward, to make this into a real thing."
Looking at the The Darling Fire's impressive roster, the band's debut release, Dark Celebration, is in many ways what you'd anticipate - energetic, powerful, melodic, and heavy; however, it is far more nuanced than you would imagine. The collective sum of the parts and the alluring heart-on-sleeve lyrics produce a more intimate, spacey and bewitching experience - an authenticity that speaks to the true cathartic nature of the project. "The album is really a celebration of dark themes and experiences that have occurred in our lives both personally and distantly," says Short.
Selecting the right producer to bring the Dark Celebration vision to life was of paramount importance. In all the band's discussions, there was one name that seemed appropriate for a project of this magnitude - J. Robbins. Aside from the list of impressive production credits (The Dismemberment Plan, The Promise Ring, Against Me!), Robbins was also a formative member of some of The Darling Fire's favorite bands (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Government Issue). The result of this collaboration was a powerful coalescence of artistry and vision - the record that five artists spent their entire careers waiting to make. "This band feels like a family," says Lindholm, "We're all facing the challenges of what is to come together, with eyes wide open. Regardless of where we are in our lives, there is always the opportunity to start anew - to find fresh inspiration and kinship."
Without evoking too many cliches, while the darkness can be disorienting, there is a beauty in its temporariness. It requires a great amount of courage to confront the unknown in its purest form, but rarely is regret the outcome of this process.
The Darling Fire will release Dark Celebration on June 14th, 2019 via Spartan Records. To pre-order, please visit: spr.tn/darkcelebration
For More Information, please visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedarlingfire
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fire_darling
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedarlingfireofficial
Website: www.thedarlingfire.com
Dark Celebration Tracklisting:
1. For the Loveless
2. Nevertwin
3. Omaha
4. Catatonia
5. Silver Spider
6. The Constant
7. Saints in Masquerade
8. In Twilight
Upcoming Shows:
6/14-6/15 - New York, NY @ Arlene's Grocery
7/20 - Palm Beach Gardens, FL @ Swampgrass Willy's
7/27 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
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Friday, June 7th Stories:
USDA Helps Farmers, Businesses and Ag Producers Cut Energy Costs
Contact:
Weldon Freeman (202) 690-1384
Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2019 – Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding 58 grants for projects in 17 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (PDF, 146 KB) to reduce energy costs for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions.
“Lowering energy costs helps businesses improve their bottom line and create jobs,” Baxley said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to increasing economic development in rural communities across the country through strong partnerships with rural businesses.”
USDA is providing the grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Congress appropriated $50 million for REAP grants and loan guarantees in fiscal year 2019. Under today’s announcement, USDA is investing $1 million in renewable energy projects. USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks.
Recipients can use REAP funding for energy audits and renewable energy systems such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower and solar. They also can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; insulation; and lighting and refrigeration, for example.
Here are examples of how some of the recipients will use their grants:
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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