Completion Form

2024

The purpose for this project was increase wildlife habit primarily for greater sage grouse, but other wildlife including mule deer, elk, and pronghorn.  This project will also reduce erosion, slow runoff, increase pollinator habitat, reduce the risk of large-scale wildfire and provide quality range land for local livestock producers.
Seed was applied by Hammond Helicopter using both fixed winged and helicopter in December 2021.  Chaining started February 21, 2022 by Mike Kesler Enterprises using a set of John Deere 1050K bulldozers.   As planned this was a two-way chaining across all treatment areas.  A 240-foot Ely Chain was use.  Chain was provided by Great Basin Research Center. Chaining was completed 4 strand barbed wire fence with wildlife markers was constructed around the private land and SITLA sections to protect it from wild horse overuse and to provide better management of livestock grazing.  In addition to the fencing four 1,750-gallon water troughs have been place in the sections.  Water is supplied by a well on the private property.  The landowner/permittee installed the water system with assistance of BLM who installed the pipe and the permittee installed the water troughs, larger pump and addition solar panels to pump the water to the troughs. The planned herbicide application was not completed due to budget constrains in this project.  The forced decrease of the estimated cost during ranking and funding required over $80,000 additional dollars to be secured to complete the fencing.  WRI leadership recommended that the herbicide treatment be but in a separate proposal in FY25.  Funding is to be determined.  The NRCS funding is still contracted through the permittee for the herbicide.

Seed was delivered and aerial seeding started December 14, 2021. Seeding was completed on December 21, 2021.  Seed mix was provided by the GBRC and meet the specifications of the all parties.  The Chaining began with one set of John Deere 1050K bulldozers on February 21, 2022. The Chaining was completed March 14, 2022.  A 4-strand barbed wire fence with wildlife markers was constructed around the private land and SITLA sections to protect it from wild horse overuse and to provide better management of livestock grazing. Due to budget issues, the project managers estimates were decreased.  Additional funds were secured through SITLA and the Grazing Improvement Program. Fencing was delay into the summer of 2022.  Taylor Made Fencing was the successful contractor and started the fencing on June 23, 2022.  Fence was completed 8/23/2022.  Water system was installed by landowner/permittee in 2023.  The pipeline was ripped in by the Bureau of Land Management Cedar City Field Office in the spring of 2023 and the troughs were installed by the permittee in the summer of 2023.  The large pump and solar panels were installed by a local well servicing company through an agreement with the landowner.

Stan Gurley

09/03/2024 07:05:39