Section 65A-8-215 - Wildland-urban interface fire prevention, preparedness, and mitigation(1) As used in this section: (a) "Prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund" means the Wildland-urban Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund created in this section.(b) "Suppression fund" means the Wildland Fire Suppression Fund created in Section 65A-8-204.(c) "Wildland-urban interface" means the zone where structures and other human development meets, or intermingles with, undeveloped wildland.(2)(a) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the "Wildland-urban Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund." (b) The prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund shall consist of: (i) interest and earnings from the investment of money from the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund;(ii) money received as direct payment from cooperative wildfire system participation commitments;(iii) money appropriated by the Legislature; and(iv) money transferred to the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund under Section 63J-1-314.(c) The division shall administer the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund to: (i) pay costs of prevention and preparedness efforts on wildland-urban interface within the state, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, including costs of an eligible entity that has entered into a cooperative agreement, as described in Section 65A-8-203;(ii) issue fire department assistance grants, which in the aggregate may not exceed 10% of the money in the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund each fiscal year; and(iii) in cases of catastrophic need as determined by the state forester, pay costs that could be paid from the suppression fund under Section 65A-8-204.(d) Disbursements from the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund may only be made upon written order of the state forester or the state forester's authorized representative.(3)(a) The division may by rule, made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, establish criteria for community wildfire preparedness plans addressing wildland-urban interface. The criteria shall require action that is: (i) qualitative and quantitative; and(ii) leads to reduced wildfire risk.(b) An eligible entity, as defined in Section 65A-8-203, shall agree to implement prevention, preparedness, and mitigation actions identified in a community wildfire preparedness plan addressing wildland-urban interface that is approved by the division.Amended by Chapter 77, 2024 General Session ,§ 6, eff. 5/1/2024.Added by Chapter 153, 2023 General Session ,§ 7, eff. 5/3/2023.