Definitions.

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  • (1) "Division" means the Division of Wildlife Resources.
  • (2) "Floating access" means the right to access public water flowing over private property for floating and fishing while floating upon the water.
  • (3) "Impounded wetlands" means a wetland or wetland pond that is formed or the level of which is controlled by a dike, berm, or headgate that retains or manages the flow or depth of water, including connecting channels.
  • (4) "Navigable water" means a water course that in its natural state without the aid of artificial means is useful for commerce and has a useful capacity as a public highway of transportation.
  • (5) "Private property to which access is restricted" means privately owned real property:
    • (a) that is cultivated land, as defined in Section 23-20-14;
    • (b) that is:
      • (i) properly posted, as defined in Section 23-20-14;
      • (ii) posted as described in Subsection 76-6-206(2)(b)(iii); or
      • (iii) posted as described in Subsection 76-6-206.3(2)(c);
    • (c) that is fenced or enclosed as described in:
      • (i) Subsection 76-6-206(2)(b)(ii); or
      • (ii) Subsection 76-6-206.3(2)(b); or
    • (d) that the owner or a person authorized to act on the owner's behalf has requested a person to leave as provided by:
      • (i) Section 23-20-14;
      • (ii) Subsection 76-6-206(2)(b)(i); or
      • (iii) Subsection 76-6-206.3(2)(a).
  • (6) "Public access area" means the limited part of privately owned property that:
    • (a) lies beneath or within three feet of a public water or that is the most direct, least invasive, and closest means of portage around an obstruction in a public water; and
    • (b) is open to public recreational access under Section 73-29-203; and
    • (c) can be accessed from an adjoining public assess area or public right-of-way.
  • (7) "Public recreational access" means the right to engage in recreational access established in accordance with Section 73-29-203.
  • (8)
    • (a) "Public water" means water:
      • (i) described in Section 73-1-1; and
      • (ii) flowing or collecting on the surface:
        • (A) within a natural or realigned channel; or
        • (B) in a natural lake, pond, or reservoir on a natural or realigned channel.
    • (b) "Public water" does not include water flowing or collecting:
      • (i) on impounded wetland;
      • (ii) on a migratory bird production area, as defined in Section 23-28-102;
      • (iii) on private property in a manmade:
        • (A) irrigation canal;
        • (B) irrigation ditch; or
        • (C) impoundment or reservoir constructed outside of a natural or realigned channel; or
      • (iv) on a jurisdictional wetland described in 33 C.F.R. 328.3.
  • (9)
    • (a) "Recreational access" means to use a public water and to touch a public access area incidental to the use of the public water for:
      • (i) floating;
      • (ii) fishing; or
      • (iii) waterfowl hunting conducted:
        • (A) in compliance with applicable law or rule, including Sections 23-20-8, 73-29-203, and 76-10-508; and
        • (B) so that the individual who engages in the waterfowl hunting shoots a firearm only while within a public access area and no closer than 600 feet of any dwelling.
    • (b) "Recreational access" does not include:
      • (i) hunting, except as provided in Subsection (9)(a)(iii);
      • (ii) wading without engaging in activity described in Subsection (9)(a); or
      • (iii) any other activity.




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