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Show OilillifG Resources Emiiliasizcs Prorjpams To PrascpuG, Improve Utah Division of Wildlife Resources hopes to . . emphasize programs that will preserve or improve wildlife habitat." habi-tat." "Efforts to slow down habitat losses and the consequent decreases in wildlife populations are primary," according to Donald A. Smith, assistant director of the Division. "THE GOALS for 1976 also include the overall objective of perpetuating and, if possible, increasing the comprehensive utilization of all the state's wildlife resources." The new year brings about time for reflection on the accomplishments of the year gone by as well as time to project goals for the coming year. The ongoing battle of maintaining Utah's wildlife resources is a big job. And there are numerous projects ahead. MANY OF the Division's plans for 1976 include the priorities of establishing, maintaining and improving wildlife habitat. habi-tat. The Division will continue to emphasize land acquisition and habitat improvement programs. The time-consuming project of monitoring moni-toring a wide variety of activities and programs that tend to destroy wildlife and habitat will continue. A CONSTANT effort is required at present to prevent existing habitat from being destroyed by other interests and uses. Roads and power lines as well as almost any use of the land of water, directly affect wildlife populations. Smith said, "We are trying diligently to keep from losing the habitat we have." THERE ARE plans to initiate a "rather significant" program with respect to access ac-cess to both recreational land and water, without diminishing other values, such as the aesthetic beauty of any given area. Plans call for the continuation and further negotiations for expansion of the Division's participation in conservation pools. This participation helps to assure significant fishery programs by guaranteeing guaran-teeing uninterrupted water supplies in many reservoirs. ONE OF the major goals of 1976 for the nongame section will be the initiation of a study on the impact of coyote on Utah's deer herds. The Division will seek to gain a better working knowledge of the coyotes' effect on deer in various natural settings and conditions. Also on slate and already started is an investigation into the means by which the . state's pheasant population can be increased. DWR hopes to gain knowledge and implement programs that will lead to increased hunting opportunities on the state's nngneck population. LAW enforcement personnel will seek ways to continue to improve the efficiency of their enforcement program, focusing on the kinds of activities that are most detrimental to the resources of Utah. Continued training of the officers and restructuring assignments to more effectively effec-tively utilize officers' time are also in the planning. BOTH THE Fisheries and Field Ser- ' vices sections of the Division will continue to handle their full schedules of ongoing projects as well as investigate new programs and needs as the necessity and budget dictate. Fisheries hopes to complete both the Glenwood and the Mantua hatcheries while operating other hatcheries at optimum op-timum levels. Field Services has the usual construction and maintenance demands required by the Division's facilities. The Information and Education section will seek to continue programs which aim to keep the public abreast of current events. It will also expand efforts which will help educate people as to the needs and requirements of wildlife which are the basis for sound management decisions. Efforts will continue, too. to spread the effects of the hunter safety program. ACCOMPLISHMENTS not withstanding. withstand-ing. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources projects a year full of challenge and potential po-tential for the stale's resources and personnel. |
