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Utahs Blue Ribbon Fisheries An overview Craig Walker Special Projects Coordinator Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

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Topics 3) What is Blue Ribbon 4) Projects 5) Economic Value 1) History 6) Marketing 2) The Council

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History

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Protection of Utahs Fisheries -Then Governor Mike Leavitt created the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council in 2002 -Council tasked to advise UDWR on the identification and protection of fisheries that provided key economic benefits to rural communities in Utah

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Governor Leavitts Executive Order Specifically the Council was tasked to advising UDWR on: -Identification of Blue Ribbon waters in Utah -Actions to enhance and protect these fisheries -Promotion of angling at Blue Ribbon waters

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The Council

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Council Membership -Two coldwater representatives -One commercial member -Two warmwater representatives -Five regional members -Three At-large members -One UDWR representative

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Council Activities -Members meet monthly to review issues and projects related to Blue Ribbon waters -Council provides written recommendations to UDWR Director -Interaction with UDWR personnel fosters partnership development

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What is Blue Ribbon?

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Criteria Established -Quality of fishing -Habitat Quality -Quality of the outdoor experience -Economic benefits

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Use of Criteria -High scoring waters identified as Blue Ribbon -Currently 28 lakes (251,000 surface acres) and 28 streams (303 miles) are categorized as Blue Ribbon Fisheries -Proposed Blue Ribbon waters scored and compared by category

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Projects

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Project Funding -UDWR provides $450,000 to the Council annually -Restricted dollars

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Eligible Projects -Blue Ribbon or potential Blue Ribbon waters based on scoring -Access -Partnering -Enhancement or protection of fish populations, fish habitat, and water quality

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Proposal Review - Council reviews project proposals -Proposals scored based on review criteria -Council advises UDWR Director on use of funds for eligible, high ranking, Blue Ribbon projects

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Projects to date -Over $4 million invested since 2003 -Nearly $1 million used to restore more than 250 acres of riparian habitat and over 2,000 acres of reservoir habitat -$1.1 million used to secure angler access to over 7 miles of stream corridor and 6,000 acres of reservoir fishing

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Projects (continued) -Training of 20 UDWR biologists in stream restoration techniques

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Economic Value

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Two-year Study -Utah State University -State and local revenues derived by angler use of Blue Ribbon Fisheries exceed $470 million annually -These expenditures create 5,720 jobs annually -Figures also developed at the county scale

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Marketing

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Harnessing Economic Data -UDWR Outreach Section -Statewide packet with county-level inserts -Gain support of local and county officials and partners to protect and enhance Blue Ribbon waters

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Enhancing Use -Branding -Web portal for access points at Blue Ribbon Waters -Radio, TV, and social media to drive web traffic -Track web traffic after targeted releases

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