SF0134

Requires industrial facility applicants to pay wildlife mitigation impact costs to eligible entities, and establishes procedures for determining and distributing these payments.

• Creates a process allowing the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account Board to apply for wildlife impact payments from industrial facility applicants, with requirements for submitting applications containing specific wildlife impact information and mitigation efforts. (W.S. 35-12-120(a), Sec. 1)
• Permits eligible entities and industrial facility applicants to negotiate and reach agreements on wildlife impact payment amounts prior to formal application, with the agreement subject to public notice and comment at the Industrial Siting Council hearing. (W.S. 35-12-120(a)(iii), Sec. 1)
• Requires the Industrial Siting Council to hold a hearing, receive evidence on wildlife impacts from both the eligible entity and applicant, and determine the total dollar amount of unmitigated impacts and the wildlife impact payment using a preponderance of the evidence standard. (W.S. 35-12-120(b), W.S. 35-12-120(c), Sec. 1)
• Specifies that wildlife impact payments must be made by the applicant to the state treasurer, who distributes funds to the eligible entity according to the council's schedule and terms, and must be expended only for mitigating identified unmitigated wildlife impacts. (W.S. 35-12-120(e), W.S. 35-12-120(g), Sec. 1)
• Requires eligible entities receiving wildlife impact payments to maintain records of all payments and expenditures, and provide these records to the council, director, or administrator upon request. (W.S. 35-12-120(h), Sec. 1)
• Clarifies that wildlife impact payments are separate and distinct from impact assistance payments made under existing statutes related to local economic development. (W.S. 35-12-120(j), Sec. 1)
• Defines 'eligible entity' as the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account Board for purposes of wildlife impact payments. (W.S. 35-12-102(a)(xvi), Sec. 2)
• Authorizes the Industrial Siting Division administrator to provide technical assistance to eligible entities in preparing wildlife impact information and negotiating agreements with applicants.