Proposal 199404400: Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area (SFWA)
|
1. Administrative 2. Location 3. Species 4. Past accomplishments 5. Relationships |
6. Objectives 7. Work elements 8. Budget 9. Future 10. Narrative |
Organization: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Short description:
Protect and enhance habitat to expand and protect pygmy rabbit, sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and other shrub-steppe obligate species populations as mitigation for habitat loss associated with the construction of Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams.
Contacts
| Contact name | Role | Address | Phone | |
| Dan Peterson | Form Submitter | WA Department of Fish and Wildlife 54 Moe Road Brewster, WA 98812 |
509-686-4305 | peterdjp@dfw.wa.gov |
| Paul Dahmer | Administrative Contact | WDFW 600 Capitol Way N. Olympia, WA 98501-1091 |
(360) 902-2480 | dahmepad@dfw.wa.gov |
| Marc Hallet | Form Submitter | WA Department of Fish and Wildlife 54 Moe Road Brewster, WA 98813 |
509-686-4305 | hallemh@dfw.wa.gov |
| Nathan Pamplin | Reviewer | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife |
Nathan.Pamplin@dfw.wa.gov |
Section 2. Location
Province: Columbia Cascade Subbasin: Columbia Upper Middle
Specific locations
| Lat/long | Location desc | Waterbody (lake or stream) | County/State | Subbasin | Resolution | Primary? |
| 47 40.632, 119 34.272 | Point within the Dormaier Unit of SFWA. Approximately 8 miles southeast of Mansfield, Washington. | Douglas Washington | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No | |
| 47 43.088, 119 32.600 | Point within the Chester Butte Unit of SFWA. Approximately 5 miles southeast of Mansfield, Washington | Douglas Washington | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No | |
| 47 56.552, 119 39.670 | Point within the Bridgeport Unit (north) of SFWA. Approximately 2 miles south of Bridgeport, Washington | West Foster Creek | Douglas Washington | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No |
| 47 58.719, 119 40.410 | Point within the Bridgeport Unit (north) of SFWA. Approximately 2 miles south of Bridgeport, Washington | Douglas Washington | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No | |
| 47 28.357, 119 40.805 | Point within the Sagebrush Flat Unit of SFWA. Approximately 15 miles northwest of Ephrata, Washington. | Douglas Washington | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No | |
| 47 59.183, 119 45.494 | The Dezellem Lake parcel of the Bridgeport Unit. Approximately 4.5 miles west of Bridgeport, Washington. | Dezellem Lake | Douglas WA | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No |
| 47 59.038, 119 43.622 | The McLean Lake parcel of the Bridgeport Unit. Approximately 3 miles west of Bridgeport Washington. | McLean Lake | Douglas WA | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No |
| 48 1.605, 119 42.161 | The Dezellem Road parcel of the Bridgeport Unit. Approximately 2 miles northwest of Bridgeport Washington. | Douglas WA | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No | |
| 48 0.227, 119 43.189 | Dyer Hill parcel of the Bridgeport Unit. Approximately 2 miles west of Bridgeport Washington. | Douglas WA | Columbia Upper Middle | area | No |
Section 3. Species
Primary: Wildlife: All Wildlife
Additional species: Pygmy rabbit, greater sage-grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Washington ground squirrel, mule deer and other shrubsteppe obligate and dependant species.
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| FY | Accomplishment |
| 1990 | Douglas County Pygmy Rabbit project approved by BPA |
| 1991 | WDFW acquires 97 ha (240 ac) of shrubsteppe habitat and cropland. |
| 1993 | Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission classifies the pygmy rabbit as an endangered species in the state of Washington. |
| 1994 | Seeded 40 ha (100 ac) of old cropland to native-like perennial grasses and shrubs and constructed low berms to increase suitable burrowing habitat for pygmy rabbits as well as nesting habitat for sage grouse. |
| 1995 | Purchased 360 ac of shrubsteppe habitat occupied by pygmy rabbits (Dormaier Unit). Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys. Estimated number of active burrows at Sagebrush Flat to be 229. Counted 10 active burrows on the Dormaier Unit. |
| 1996 | Conducted baseline HEP surveys on Dormaier Unit, DFW land and 3,500 ac of adjacent DNR property. Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys. Estimated number of active burrows at Sagebrush Flat to be 182. |
| 1997 | Acquired 3,500 ac of Department of Natural Resources land with WDFW funds in the "core" pygmy rabbit area in the state. Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys on Sagebrush Flat. Estimated number of active burrows to be 184. Monitored grazing use. |
| 1998 | Acquired 4,180 ac to protect shrubsteppe habitat with BPA funds. Seeded 401 ac of agricultural land to native-like cover to increase and protect pygmy rabbit and sage grouse habitat. Controlled weeds along 3.5 miles of road. Monitored grazing lease. |
| 1999 | Controlled weeds along 3.5 miles of roads and 18 ac. Removed an 8 ac apple orchard from the Bridgeport Unit.Completed baseline HEP surveys on the Chester Butte and Bridgeport Units.Estimated number of active burrows to be 92.Monitored grazing use. |
| 2000 | Constructed 15 miles of firebreaks in the Sagebrush Flat Unit to protect pygmy rabbit habitat. Acquired 360 ac of habitat with state funds to protect sharp-tailed grouse nesting and wintering habitat. Treated weeds along 7.5 mile of roads and 25 ac. |
| 2001 | Treated weeds along roadsides, 10 miles, and in 50 acres of old fields and shrubsteppe. WDFW spent much time working on pygmy rabbit /grazing issues. USFWS declared the WA pygmy rabbit endangered (emergency ruling). WDFW ended grazing on the SFWA. |
| 2002 | Began restoration of 60 acre field. Built 8 mi. of fence. Weed control on all units included 10 miles of roads, 30 acres of shrubsteppe and release of toadflax biogent. Planted trees and shrubs. Acquired 1,100ac with state funds. |
| 2003 | Planted 68ac with native plants, began rehab of 45ac field. Weed control included 10 miles of roads & 60ac of shrubsteppe & release of toadflax bioagent. Planted trees and shrubs, installed irrigation system for tree/shrub plot, built deer fence. |
| 2004 | Planted 45ac to native/shrubs/forbs. Irrigated shrub plot & 8ac grass site. Continued weed control on all unit, released 3,500 toadflax bioagents. Built rock weirs in West Foster Creek. Prepared grant proposal and presentation to secure money for habitat |
| 2005 | Began restoration of 100ac field. Interseeded 20ac in field planted last fall. Continued weed control on all units, released more bioagents. Built deer exclosures around riparian sites. Translocated 20 sharp-tailed grouse from Idaho to the Bridgeport Unit |
| 2006 | Began restoration of old ag. fields, 150 acres. Summer fallow 100 acres at Sagebrush Flat unit. Planted 4,000 willow stems. Built irrigated water birch plot. Weed control on 250 acres. Released 10 sharp-tailed grouse captured in UT. Wrote management plan. |
| 2007 | Summer fallow 250ac. Purchase native grass/forb/shrub mix for 250ac. Controlled noxious weeds on 430ac. Planted 400 trees. Removed interior fence;6 miles. Released 14 sharp-tailed grouse captured in UT and ID on the Bridgport unit. Follow-up HEP surveys. |
| 2008 | Planted 250ac to native grasses/forbs/shrubs. Contolled weeds;450ac and 32 miles of road. Installed new solar pump; Bridgeport unit. Released 14 sharp-tailed grouse captured in UT;Bridgport unit. Wrote successful grant for ag field restoration; $249,812. |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Project ID | Project Title | Relationship |
| BPA | 199106100 | Swanson Lake Wildlife Area Mitigation Project | Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| BPA | 199609401 | Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Mitigation Project | Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| BPA | 200600400 | Wenas Wildlife Area O&M | Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| BPA | 200103000 | Sharp Tailed Grouse Habitat | This project is administered by the Colville Confederated Tribes. The project complements WDFW projects on the Swanson Lake WA, Scotch Creek WA and Sagebrush Flat WA to protect and enhance sharp-tailed grouse populations in North Central Washington. These projects have worked cooperatively to enhance and protect habitat. Additionally, they have initiated population augmentation efforts by translocating sharp-tailed grouse from source populations in Idaho and British Columbia to their respective project locations. |
| Other: WDFW/Douglas County PUD No. 1 | [no entry] | Wells Wildlife Mitigation Project &PUD Project Land Management | WDFW owns and manages approximatley 8,000 acres in the vicinty and adjacent to the SFWA. Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| Other: Federal | [no entry] | WDFW Shrubsteppe Restoration Research | This research project evaluates the ability of restored agricultural fields to support native wildlife. The results of this research will help guide restoration and enhancement efforts on the Sagebrush Flat W.A. Several research plots are located on the W.A. The research is conducted by WDFW biologists and scientists. |
| Other: Federal | [no entry] | BLM - Shrubsteppe restoration and management/Wildlife monitoring and evalution | BLM acquires, restores and manages shrubsteppe habitat within the Upper Middle Mainstem (UMM) for shrubsteppe wildlife species. BLM owns more than 5,500 acres of shrubsteppe habitat adjacent to the SFWA. BLM's work complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| Other: The Nature Conservancy | [no entry] | Moses Coulee/Beezley Hills Shrubsteppe Preserve | The Nature Conservancy has acquired more than 25,000 acres of shrubsteppe habitat within the UMM. TNC property is adjacent to the SFWA. Their goal is to protect and restore large blocks of this habitat. Their work complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as our pygmy rabbit and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| Other: County, State and Federal | [no entry] | Foster Creek Conservation District Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) | The HCP will offer potential coverage to privately owned or operated agricultural lands in Douglas County. The Plan will include management recommendations for specific wildlife species and habitats including those identified as focal indicators within the UMM. Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| BPA | 199800300 | Spokane Tribe of Indians (STOI) Wildlife Mitigation | Potential sharp-tailed habitat/restoration. The STOI plans to restore a population of sharp-tailed grouse to its lands. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 200201400 | Sunnyside Wildlife Mitigation | Shrubsteppe habitat restoration providing habitat for sage grouse. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 200310100 | Colville Confederated Tribe Fish and Wildlife Enhancement | Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| Other: Federal, Provincial | [no entry] | Okanogan-Similkameen Conservation Corridor Program | This project advances the protection and restoration of shrubsteppe habitat and sharp-tailed grouse within the Okanogan River valley. It will provide a critical habitat and population link between the SFWA, Scotch Creek WA and British Columbia. |
| Other: Federal | [no entry] | Sharp-tailed grouse translocation | This project funds the capture and transportation of sharp-tailed grouse from Idaho, British Columbia and or Utah to Washington. Birds are released on the Swanson Lake W.A. the Sagebrush Flat W.A. and lands owned by the Colville Confederated Tribes. This project is essential to maintaining and expanding the population of sharp-tailed grouse in North-Central Washington. |
| Other: Federal: US Army Corps of Engineers | [no entry] | Chief Joseph Dam Wildlife Mitigation Project | Complements the shrubsteppe protection as well as the riparian enhancement and protection efforts of this project. The Corps project is located in the vicinity of the SFWA. |
| Other: Federal and State | [no entry] | Sage Grouse Translocation Project | This project funds the capture and transportation of sage grouse from Oregon and or Nevada to Central and North Central Washington. In the last two years birds have been released on the US Army's Yakima Training Center located in Kittitas County. Radio marked birds have been observed on nearby WDFW Wildlife Areas within Kittitas County. Additional translocation efforts are planned to take place in Douglas County by 2008. Units of the SFWA have been identified as release sites. This project is essential to maintaining and expanding the population of sage grouse in Washington. |
| BPA | 200600500 | Asotin Creek Wildlife Area O&M | Complements the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of this project. Potential for sharp-tailed grouse population protection and enhancement efforts. |
| BPA | 199204800 | Colville Confederated Tribes Wildlife Mitigation Project | Complments the shrubstppe protection and restoration efforts of this project as well as WDFW sharp-tailed and sage grouse population portection and enhancement efforts. |
| Other: Federal | [no entry] | NRCS - Conservation Reserve Program | This Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program resulted in the restoration of thousands of acres of farm ground to shrubsteppe habitat in the vicinity of the SFWA. |
| BPA | 200702700 | Colville Confederated Tribes Acquisition Project | Compliments the shrubsteppe protection and restoration efforts of WDFW projects on the Sagebrush Flat WA, Swanson Lakes WA and Scotch Creek WA. These projects have worked cooperatively to protect and enhance sharp-tailed grouse pupulations in north central Washington. This CCT project is actively securing habitat cirtical to maintain sharp-tailed grouse populations on the CCT Reservation. |
| BPA | 200723200 | Okanogan-Similkameen Habitat Protection Project - Fish and wildlife habitat protection through fee simple and conservation easement purchases | This project advances the protection and enhancement of shrubsteppe habitat and sharp-tailed grouse within the Okanogan River valley. It will provide a critical habitat and population link between the Sagebrush Flat WA, Scotch Creek WA and the CCT Reservation. |
| BPA | 199106200 | Spokane Tribe Wildlife Mitigation | This project acquires, protects and manages shrubsteppe and riparian habitat critical to sharp-tailed grouse. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 200600600 | Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) | Performs vegetation surveys and analysis on Sagebrush Flat WA lands. The data acquired provides managers with information to assess restoration efforts. |
| Other: USFWS | Hanford Mounment | Compliments protection and enhancement of shrubsteppe habitat. Important to sage grouse recovery efforts and potential range expansion of Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits. | |
| Other: US Army | Yakima Training Center | Compliments protection and enhancement of shrubsteppe habitat and sage grouse recovery. The YTC is one of two population centers of sage grouse in Washington. Douglas County is the second largest. All of the Sagebrush Flat WA is located in Douglas County. |
Section 6. Objectives
| Objective title | Description | Relevant subbasin plan | Relevant strategy(ies) | Page number(s) |
| Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population. | Enhance and protect existing habitat necessary for grouse life requirements. Establish seasonal closures to entry on critical areas of the SFWA. Continue translocation efforts begun in 2005. Secure birds from Idaho, Utah and or British Columbia. | Upper Middle Columbia | Shrubsteppe/Biological Objective 2: Implement existing management plans including but not limited to SFWA Management Plan, Sage Grouse Management Plan, WDFW Priority Habitat and Species recommendations. | 195 |
| Expand and protect the sage grouse population. | Enhance and protect existing habitat necessary for sage grouse life requirements. Establish seasonal closures to entry on critical areas of the SFWA. Initiate translocation efforts of sage grouse to Douglas county and the SFWA. | Upper Middle Columbia | Shrubsteppe/Biological Objective 2: Implement existing management plans including but not limited to SFWA Management Plan, Sage Grouse Management Plan, WDFW Priority Habitat and Species recommendations. | 195 |
| Protect and enhance riparian habitat | Riparian protection includes, but is not limited to: acquisition; reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors; maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle; construction of deer exclusion fence. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs, and riparian adapted shrubs and trees; construction of irrigation systems. | Upper Middle Columbia | Riparian Wetlands/ Biological Objective 2: Implement existing management plans. Manage habitat to reach recommended future conditions. | 196, 195 & 209 |
| Protect and enhance riparian habitat | Riparian protection includes, but is not limited to: acquisition; reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors; maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle; construction of deer exclusion fence. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs, and riparian adapted shrubs and trees; construction of irrigation systems. | Upper Middle Columbia | Riparian Wetlands/ Habitat Objective 2: Protect and conserve riparian habitat through government programs, acquisitions, easements and agreements. Emphasize connectivity of large blocks of existing habitat. Habitat Objective 3: Implement existing plans. | 195, 196 |
| Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | Habitat protection includes, but is not limited to; acquisition, reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors, construction and maintenance of firebreaks, maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs and shrubs. | Upper Middle Columbia | Manage habitat to reach recommended future conditions. | 91, 208 & 209 |
| Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | Habitat protection includes, but is not limited to; acquisition, reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors, construction and maintenance of firebreaks, maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs and shrubs. | Upper Middle Columbia | Shrubsteppe/Habitat Objective 2: Protect and conserve shrubsteppe through government programs, acquisitions, easements and agreements. Emphasize connectivity of large blocks of existing habitat. Habitat Objective 3: Implement existing plans. | 194 |
| Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | Release pygmy rabbits that have been bred and raised in captivity. The Sagebrush Flat unit has the greatest amount of suitable habitat for this effort. | Upper Middle Columbia | Shrubsteppe/Biological Objective 3: Implement existing management plans including but not limited to SFWA Management Plan, Pygmy Rabbit Management Plan, WDFW Priority Habitat and Species recommendations. | 195 |
Section 7. Work elements
| Work element name | Work element title | Objective(s) | Start date | End date | Estimated budget> | Sponsor performs work? |
| Develop Alternative Water Source | Improve wells | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 23,000 | Yes | |
| Description: Repair and maintain 3 wells to supply water for storage to be used for shrub and tree irrigation and fire suppression. Includes labor and time to deepen and line wells as needed. Purchase and maintain solar pumps. | ||||||
| Maintain Vegetation | Maintain grouse habitat - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 15,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintain protect and existing native riparian habitat with weed control, fence repair and replacement of shrubs and trees lost to mortality. Maintain photo points. Conduct annual assessments of shrubs and trees planted since 2000. | ||||||
| Maintain Vegetation | Weed control on all units of SFWA | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 70,450 | Yes |
| Description: Use integrated pest management techniques to control noxious weeds on 12,718 acre wildlife area. Evaluate prior efforts to assess condition and trends of vegetation. Maintain photo points. | ||||||
| Maintain Vegetation | Maintain restored fields. | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 15,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintenance will include mowing, re-seeding, irrigation and herbicide applications as needed. Inspect fields to assess condition and trends of vegetation. Maintain photo points. | ||||||
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Project | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 46,550 | Yes |
|
Description: This work element will help fund M&E efforts on all WDFW mitigation projects. Collect habitat and wildlife data on mitigation projects including response of key indicator species to enhancement and O&M activities. Data collected will be used to assess effects of habitat maintenance, weed control and enhancement efforts on focal species. Analysis of data will guide adaptive management strategies implemented on wildlife area.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Increase Instream Habitat Complexity and Stabiliza | Headcut repair and control - Chapman Draw and West Foster Creek | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 30,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Install instream structures to control headcutting in Chapman Draw and West Foster Creek and prevent habitat loss. Incised streambanks will be resloped and vegetated with native grasses, forbs, trees and shrubs.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/Structure | Survey wildlife area boundaries - Birdgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 33,000 | Yes |
| Description: Survey and mark up to 12 miles of property line on the Bridgeport Unit. | ||||||
| Provide Access and Public Information | Maintain roads, culverts, parking areas and related informational signs. | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 16,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintain roads, parking areas, buildings and other physical improvements. | ||||||
| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/Structure | Maintain fence | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 18,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintain and repair 50 miles of boundary fence as well as numerous gates on all wildlife area units. Protect the area from agricultural and livestock trespass and vehicular activity. | ||||||
| Manage and Administer Projects | General project administration | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 179,003 | Yes |
| Description: Project administration including producing reports, updating annual plans, monitoring budgets, writing and implementing plans, supervising personnel, monitoring public use and assessing habitat conditions/wildlife use. Additional tasks will include writing and monitoring lease agreements, fire suppression contracts, completing applications for grants and permits, providing information for cultural resource surveys, and continuing education to maintain pesticide application license. Also includes any time and expenses related to required travel. | ||||||
| Produce Pisces Status Report | Produce quarterly PISCES reports | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 3,750 | Yes |
| Description: Produce quarterly PISCES reports | ||||||
| Outreach and Education | Attend CAG and public meetings as needed | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 4,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Prepare for and conduct meetings of Widlife Areas Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) and public meetings as needed.Respond to questions from the public and agency personnel regarding the project.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Plant Vegetation | Equipment purchases | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 97,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Purchase/replace equipment as needed (Disc harrow, 60hp tractor, ATV, seeding drill, cultivators, tine harrow, roller packer etc). This equipmentwill be used during an extended period of time to maintain and enhance several hundred acres of habitat.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Herbicide reporting | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 6,814 | Yes |
|
Description: Provide environmental compliance documentation to BPA's environmental compliance group describing actual and projected herbicide on wildlife area.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/Structure | Maintain buildings, headquarters area and other developments. | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 21,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintain buildings, headquarters area and other developments. | ||||||
| Manage and Administer Projects | Lease 1-ton truck | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 23,580 | Yes |
| Description: Lease 1-ton truck for use on project. | ||||||
| Plant Vegetation | Replace noxious weeds and other non-native plants in old agricultural fields - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 130,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Convert approximately 200 acres of former agricultural fields to native perennial cover. Vegetation in these fields is currently composed of non-native grasses and weeds. Consequently they are of very low value to shrubsteppe dependant and obligate wildlife. Our goal is to replace the current vegetation with native grasses, forbs and shrubs. Establishment of a competitive perennial plant community will also help prevent weed re-establishment.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Plant Vegetation | Replace noxious weeds and other non-native plants in old agricultural fields - Chester Butte Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 65,870 | Yes |
|
Description: Convert approximately 100 acres of former agricultural fields to native perennial cover. Vegetation in these fields is currently composed of non-native grasses and weeds. Consequently they are of very low value to shrubsteppe dependant and obligate wildlife. Our goal is to replace the current vegetation with native grasses, forbs and shrubs. Establishment of a competitive perennial plant community will also help prevent weed re-establishment
Metrics: |
||||||
| Plant Vegetation | Add and create riparian habitat - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 27,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Plant trees and shrubs on the Bridgeport Unit to maintain, enhance and expand riparian habitat. Our goal is to increase the amount of available winter habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. We will focus on planting native species such as water birch, woods rose and serviceberry.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Remove vegetation | Remove exotic tree species - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 15,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Cut down and remove Russian olive and Lombardy poplar trees currently growing in riparian areas of the Bridgeport Unit. Removal of these exotic trees is essential to the success of our objective to increase the amount and distribution of winter habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. One to two years of follow-up control to eliminate resprouting will be required prior to planting these sites with native trees and shrubs.
Metrics: |
||||||
| Maintain Vegetation | Construct deer fence - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 18,000 | Yes |
| Description: Erect deer fence, 7 feet tall, to protect newly planted riparian sites from deer browsing. Temporary physical protection from browsing is essential to the success of the tree and shrub plantings on this unit. We have erected deer fence at six sites using a plastic fence material that has proved to be durable and effective as well as easy and quick to work with. | ||||||
| Produce Other Report | Produce NPCC Proposal in 2012 | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat | 9/1/2011 | 9/30/2012 | 4,000 | Yes |
| Description: Produce NPCC Proposal in 2012 | ||||||
| Install Fence | Construct fence and gates - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 15,000 | Yes |
|
Description: Build fence to deter trespass and dumping problems
Metrics: |
||||||
| Other | Augment Columbian sharp-tailed grouse population - Bridgeport Unit | Expand and protect sharp-tailed grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 12,000 | Yes |
| Description: Continue augmentation of sharp-tailed grouse on the Bridgeport Unit and surrounding vicinity. Travel to source populations in Idaho, Utah or British Columbia and trap, transport and release sharp-tailed grouse on the Bridgeport Unit. This is essential to improve the genetic diversity, overall population and future recovery of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Washington. Birds are radio-collared and monitored over time. Blood samples are taken from all trapped grouse for genetic research and to sample for disease. | ||||||
| Other | Augment greater sage grouse population - Chester Butte Unit | Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 8,000 | Yes |
| Description: Augment greater sage grouse population on the Chester Butte Unit and surrounding vicinity. Travel to source populations in Oregon, Idaho or Utah and trap, transport and release sage grouse on the Chester Butte Unit. This is essential to improve the genetic diversity, overall population and future recovery of greater sage grouse in Washington. Blood samples are taken from all trapped grouse for genetic research and to sample for disease. | ||||||
| Maintain Vegetation | Maintain habitat at Sagebrush Flat Unit | Expand and protect the sage grouse population.<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat<br>Reestablish pygmy rabbits onto the SFWA | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 10,000 | Yes |
| Description: Maintain firebreaks at Sagebrush Flat to protect the unit from fire. | ||||||
| Remove Debris | Remove fence and other debris | Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 18,000 | Yes |
| Description: Remove old dilapidated interior fences, old corrals, collapsed buildings and other debris from all units of the SFWA. | ||||||
| Remove Debris | Remove trash and refuse dumped on wildlife area property | Protect and enhance riparian habitat<br>Protect and enhance shrubsteppe habitat | 10/1/2009 | 9/30/2012 | 6,000 | Yes |
| Description: Pick up and haul to county solid waste facility a variety trash including but not limited to: washers, dryers, water heaters, other appliances, chairs, couches, engine blocks, car and truck parts, wheels, tires, carpet, sheetrock and other waste from home remodel projects, food waste, pill bottles and other household waste. Wildlife area staff works with WDFW enforcement officers to identify and cite the "dumpers". | ||||||
| work element budget total: | 931,017 | |||||
Section 8. Budget
| Item | Note | FY 2010 cost ($) | FY 2011 cost ($) | FY 2012 cost ($) | |
| Personnel | 2.5 FTE: Manager 0.16 FTE; Assistant Manager 0.92 FTE; Trades Helper 0.37 FTE; Maintenance Mechanic 1 0.16 FTE; Temporary Laborers (2) 1.16 FTE. Increased 2010 estimate by 2.5% for subsequent years. | 104,318 | 106,925 | 109,599 | |
| Fringe Benefits | Includes agency cost for health insurance, retirement, social security benefits, etc. Increased 2010 estimate by 2.5% for subsequent years. | 30,042 | 30,793 | 31,562 | |
| Travel | Staff travel is limited to occasional meetings that require overnight stays and associated per diem costs. Increased 2010 estimate by 2.5% for subsequent years. | 1,000 | 1,025 | 1,051 | |
| Supplies | All-inclusive category for goods and services required for annual operation of the wildlife area. Examples of supplies are: Utilities and communications, fuel, vehicle maintenance, facility maintenance, office supplies, herbicides, seed, fertilizer, fencing materials, annual pesticide training and licensing, building supplies, signage. Increased 2010 estimate by 2.5% for subsequent years. | 74,144 | 76,160 | 78,064 | |
| Overhead | State FY '09 rate of 25.67% used. Not applied to capital equipment. | 53,700 | 55,042 | 56,418 | |
| Capital Equipment | Purchase weed control and field equipment including harrows, seed drills, sparyers, 60hp 4-wd tractor. | 42,000 | 30,000 | 25,000 | |
| Capital Equipment | Vehicle lease. In 2010 lease 1-ton flatbed truck. | 7,860 | 8,056 | 8,258 | |
| Itemized budget totals: | 313,064 | 308,001 | 309,952 | ||
| Type of funding source | Funding source or organization | Item or service provided | FY 2010 est value ($) | FY 2011 est value ($) | FY 2012 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Columbian sharp-tailed grouse augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 20,000 | 20,500 | 21,012 | Cash | Under Review |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Greater sage grouse augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 15,000 | 15,375 | 15,760 | Cash | Under Review |
| state | Washington Recreation and Conservation Office | Grant money for shrubsteppe improvement - approximately 335 acres | 83,287 | 83,287 | 83,287 | Cash | Under Review |
| federal | US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pygmy rabbit recovery efforts including captive breeding, research and meetings. (estimated cost) | 250,000 | Cash | Under Review | ||
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Surveys by DFW biologists of game and non-game wildlife on wildlife area lands | 5,000 | 5,000 | 6,500 | Cash | Confirmed |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Wildlife Area Habitat Conservation Plan | 5,000 | 5,125 | 5,253 | Cash | Under Review |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Planning, permitting and engineering assistance for headcut control structures | 1,000 | 1,025 | 1,050 | Cash | Under Review |
| federal | US Fish and Wildlife Service | Wildlife Area Habitat Conservation Plan | 5,000 | 5,125 | 5,253 | Cash | Under Review |
| federal | Bureau of Land Management | Columbian sharp-tailed grouse augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 10,000 | 10,250 | 10,506 | Cash | Under Review |
| federal | Bureau of Land Management | Greater sage grouse augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 5,000 | 5,125 | 5,253 | Cash | Under Review |
| tribal | Colville Confederated Tribes | Columbian sharp-tailed grouse augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 10,000 | 10,250 | 10,500 | Cash | Under Review |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Research, data analysis, meetings and general assistance by state grouse research biologist | 45,000 | 46,125 | 47,280 | Cash | Under Review |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Supervision by Regional Wildlife Program Manager | 5,000 | 5,125 | 5,253 | Cash | Confirmed |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Management assistance of CRP contracts by DFW biologist | 2,500 | 2,562 | 2,626 | Cash | Confirmed |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | GIS services and products for area management - DFW GIS section | 2,500 | 2,562 | 2,626 | Cash | Confirmed |
| state | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife | Pygmy rabbit augmentation/monitoring/genetic testing expenses | 5,000 | 7,500 | 7,688 | Cash | Under Development |
| federal | US Fish and Wildlife Service | Grant money for shrubsteppe improvement - approximately 800 acres | 173,350 | 177,684 | 182,126 | Cash | Under Development |
| Cost share estimate totals: | 642,637 | 402,620 | 411,973 | ||||
FY 2010-12 total cost share estimate: 1,457,230
Section 9. Project future
| Outyear budgets | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| 411,109 | 342,938 | 342,618 | 351,183 | 359,963 | 368,940 |
Note
For all years a 2.5% inflation factor was applied to 2012 base year. In FY 2013: construction of covered storage facility; $85,000. In 2014 complete lease of 1-ton flatbed truck and begin lease of 3/4-ton pickup truck to replace FY2000 truck.
Likely project termination/end date: Ongoing
Termination notes:
Long-term operation and management of wildlife habitat migitation projects is a necessary component of mitigating for the long-term operation of the Columbia River hydroelectric system.
Final deliverables:
Secured and protected high-quality habitat that, along with other projects, mitigates the wildlife impacts of the Columbia River hydroelectric system.
Reviews
ISRP final recommendation: Meets Scientific criteria? Yes
The sponsors have presented many useful data and analyses. Graphs and mapped data are well presented and clearly show the decline of focal species (pygmy rabbit, sage grouse, etc.) as well as efforts to restore those populations and their habitats. Land-use changes are described in detail. Work elements are linked to objectives, which are reasonable and use standard methods.
The project is on track, with a few exceptions noted below. These issues should be addressed in future annual reports and proposals.
1) The appendices include results and elements of project history.
a) It would be useful to analyze existing data so they may be used in an adaptive management strategy. For example p. 49 "Although the Sagebrush Flat Unit is monitored annually for breeding birds, the data is not yet available. Because the data has been collected over a longer time interval than the breeding bird surveys conducted as part of the shrub steppe restoration study, it should be useful for examining trends." In other instances clarification of statistical methodology would improve the proposal (e.g., p. 49 re western meadowlark "None of the data illustrated significant long-term trends, although the western meadowlark was close (slope of -0.0165, P = 0.0551)." The statement is equivocal.
b) WDFW biologists will monitor the progress of the recovery program and evaluate additional release sites including the Dormaier and Chester Butte Units (p. 11 - what methods?).
c) Generally, wildlife species were not monitored with much intensity, although radio-marked sage grouse and sharptails were released; any relocation of these individuals? If so, please summarize with survival rates for radio-marked birds and size of area used by marked birds.
2) The reduction in Conservation Reserve Program acres is of concern and the proposal would be improved by further explanation of how serious this issue is relative to overall progress of the project. Scientific guidance for restoration/enhancement and M&E comes from WDFW scientists. The sponsors should be complimented for bringing the researchers into their project as the publications resulting from the work are applicable to other WDFW Areas. However, the scientists must be stretched thinly to cover all M&E concerns at this area as well as the others in the state.
3) Could the authors present a citation for the statement in their presentation that 2 million sharp-tailed grouse were harvested in one year (1880's) in the Palouse alone and sent back East?
from May 19, 2009 ISRP 2009-17 report
ISRP preliminary recommendation: Meets scientific criteria? Yes
The sponsors have presented many useful data and analyses. Graphs and mapped data are well presented and clearly show the decline of focal species (pygmy rabbit, sage grouse, etc.) as well as efforts to restore those populations and their habitats. Land-use changes are described in detail. Work elements are linked to objectives, which are reasonable and use standard methods.
The project is on track, with a few exceptions noted below. These issues should be addressed in future annual reports and proposals.
1) The appendices include results and elements of project history.
a) It would be useful to analyze existing data so they may be used in an adaptive management strategy. For example p. 49 "Although the Sagebrush Flat Unit is monitored annually for breeding birds, the data is not yet available. Because the data has been collected over a longer time interval than the breeding bird surveys conducted as part of the shrub steppe restoration study, it should be useful for examining trends." In other instances clarification of statistical methodology would improve the proposal (e.g., p. 49 re western meadowlark "None of the data illustrated significant long-term trends, although the western meadowlark was close (slope of -0.0165, P = 0.0551)." The statement is equivocal.
b) WDFW biologists will monitor the progress of the recovery program and evaluate additional release sites including the Dormaier and Chester Butte Units (p. 11 - what methods?).
c) Generally, wildlife species were not monitored with much intensity, although radio-marked sage grouse and sharptails were released; any relocation of these individuals? If so, please summarize with survival rates for radio-marked birds and size of area used by marked birds.
2) The reduction in Conservation Reserve Program acres is of concern and the proposal would be improved by further explanation of how serious this issue is relative to overall progress of the project. Scientific guidance for restoration/enhancement and M&E comes from WDFW scientists. The sponsors should be complimented for bringing the researchers into their project as the publications resulting from the work are applicable to other WDFW Areas. However, the scientists must be stretched thinly to cover all M&E concerns at this area as well as the others in the state.
3) Could the authors present a citation for the statement in their presentation that 2 million sharp-tailed grouse were harvested in one year (1880's) in the Palouse alone and sent back East?
from Mar 26, 2009 ISRP 2009-7 report