Summary
The proposed revisions to this rule: 1) streamline some of the internal processes, and the reporting of expenditures of the conservation permit program; 2) clarify that the permits be initially distributed through a competitive auction to the highest bidder; 3) allow for only one statewide conservation permit per species per year; 4) clarify that any weapon permits are restricted to a single season that the recipient must designate; 5) clarify reporting of retained revenue used for projects including any accrued interest; 6) amend the 90-day allowance for the funds committed to a project to be remitted to 60 days from the date of invoice; 7) clarify that retained revenue and accrued interest must be expended on approved projects or transferred to DWR by September 1 two years following the collection; 8) amend requirements for redundant information to be submitted by conservation groups; 9) require conservation groups to provide DWR with the name of the successful bidder, amount of the winning bid, and date of the event within 10 days of the event; 10) allow, in rule, for the successful bidder to designate the voucher to another person as long as the conservation group is notified, the winning bid amount is not decreased, and an affidavit is signed verifying that they are not profiting from the assignment; 11) clarify that DWR will not issue a conservation permit until the voucher information is received entirely, the recipient possesses a hunting or combination license, pays the permit fee, and is determined to be legally eligible to possess the permit; 12) clarify the same provisions for the Special Antelope Island Conservation Permit; 13) authorize the area conservation permits for turkey to be valid during the youth general season hunts if the holder qualifies as a youth; and 14) make technical corrections as needed.