Completion Form

2020

Seasonal habitat employees (three 2019, two 2020) were hired to assist with WMA management in the region. These seasonals are primarily responsible for weed control, maintaining fences and signs, maintaining irrigation, and other miscellaneous work on the WMA's. The seasonals are all licensed through the Department of Agricultural as pesticide applicator's. WMA maintenance funds were used to cover seasonal salaries ($21,683.07), mileage and fuel ($5,226.33) on two seasonal vehicles, a seasonal cell phone (~$150), associated costs with uniform and training (~$1100), and some travel (~$350). Both fall grains and spring crops were planted on both the Gordon Creek and Nash Wash Wildlife Management areas. Approximately $1,600 was spent on seed. In order to get fields planted, a John Deere tractor is rented. This costs $4,775 for a 6 month period.  A disc was purchased this year for $3,690 after the old one broke while preparing fields at Nash Wash.  Other maintenance on farm equipment was $335. Herbicide to control weeds cost ~$2,500.  New irrigation supplies for Gordon Creek and Nash Wash were purchased.  Much of the pipe, particularly at Nash Wash had broken. Replacement pipe was ~$3,600. New fencing materials for the WMA were acquired for ~$2,300. Work was required on the Matheson well which cost $500. The Summerhouse lease payment for the Gordon Creek WMA was $4,000. Other expenses from the project were used for small tools, protective equipment, equipment and supplies needed for ATVs/UTVs and heavy equipment and other supplies.

A majority of seasonal time is spent on the Gordon Creek wildlife management area where active farming and disturbance creates a niche for invasive species to establish. Primary weed species encountered include musk thistle, houndstongue, burdock, cocklebur, and whitetop. The knapweed patch near the irrigation pond at Gordon Creek will continue to monitored but is under control at this point. Crops include triticale,sorghum, fall forage blend (tritiucale, wheat, and barley), three-way grain (barley, wheat, and oats), prosper four-way (barley, wheat, oats, peas) corn, turnips, radishes and beets, alfalfa, sunflower, and oats. Corn at Gordon Creek was planted later than hoped and it was drilled without any tillage. Irrigating the fields at Gordon Creek and Bob Wright proves on the Division water rights on the property. The fence along the Forest Service boundary continues to need annual maintenance. There were several trespass cattle issues in summer 2020. The livestock permittee on the property grazed cattle in the South Pastures this year. 
 At Nash Wash, crops were planted and irrigated with available water. Natural gas to the property continues to be unreliable. The property is checked weekly and gas is only available part of the time. The Division did not have caretakers  on the property this year. There has been an increase in rodents without regular presence. GBRC is continuing to collect data on their cheatgrass herbicide study on the Property. GBRC worked with a researcher on a pot-hole trial on the Property in 2019.
The Hatt's Ranch on the Lower San Rafael continues to be leased as a commercial hunting operation. A new cooperative agreement was signed for another 5 years. On Fuller Bottom, two USU researchers hold SUPs on the property; one is studying beaver, and the other is studying native fish. Trespass livestock continue to be an issue with the checkerboard nature of the Lower San Rafael properties. 
On the Upper San Rafael recreation is increasing as people are drawn to the San Rafael Swell. Road maintenance and clarification is a current priority on the property. The property should be continually monitored for recreational impacts such as off-road travel and camping. Follow-up treatments on tamarisk may be needed in the future. Cottonwoods on the property are doing well. 
On the Matheson Wetland, weed maintenance continues to occur. The water meter was maintained on the property. Primary work on this property is occurring as part of a separate WRI proposal to improve the central pond for native fish production. Migratory bird day was cancelled this year due to Covid-19.
 At Lower Fish Creek, a weed reduction project was done in the spring on areas previously thinned to reduce fuels. Additional phases of this will continue in the future and are currently planned for Fall 2020.  Overnight camping on the upper section of WMA seems to be increasing. One incident with extended camping occurred during the spring bear hunt.  Signage needs to be improved in this area. Access on the Colton Mountain section of the property remains in question. The property is accessible by foot. The Habitat and Law Enforcement sections are working together to make sure roads are marked as closed prior to fall hunts in 2020.. Aspen stands are still planned to be treated in the future. Signs installed on the property to help hunters understand the difference in the three grouse species were removed and need to be replaced.

On the Cold Spring WMA, aspen work was completed as part of a separate WRI proposal. Horses have been gathered in the vicinity of the property on two occasions in the last year.  The local MDF chapter has interest in protecting water sources on the property and completed a project in early FY 21.

Makeda Hanson

08/21/2020 09:25:25