Completion Form

2023

During FY 23 fenced WMA's were maintained throughout the year to ensure property boundaries were secure and signed.  Future HC proposals will continue to be brought forward to address aging fence concerns throughout the region.

Yankee Meadows restrooms continue to see significant use and are managed under a cleaning contract with Cedar Superior Cleaning. The fence at Yankee Meadow received significant damage this past year with trees burned in the Brianhead fire beginning to come down on it.  A majority of the fence had trees removed so this wouldn't occur but the couple of sections that they were not removed are proving to be a problem and we are seeking options to remove trees on those sections as well.

The Elbow Ranch was a bit more self sustaining with the livestock permittee handling all the irrigation at the pivot, the maintenance crew was utilized to help maintain the headgates by assisting to remove debris.  They also designed and built a screen to place below the clean out headgate to make the diversion a more effective fish barrier.

The Black Cedar Hill unit of the Fillmore WMA received some extra attention this year as a boundary discrepancy was discovered and we had a need to build a new boundary fence of about a half mile. This fence was built utilizing the habitat maintenance crew.  The crew also spent a good bit of time at the shooting range on the Black Cedar Hill unit doing cleanup and improving fire resisitance.

Road closures both seasonal and permanent were worked on at both the Fillmore and Parowan Front WMA's.  This included some new gates that make the seasonal closures much easier to implement.  Also included a drift fence to prevent go-arounds on the Summit Unit of the Parowan Front WMA.

A new cattleguard was installed at the Halfway Hill unit of the Fillmore WMA to help control grazing due to some challenges created by the Halfway Hill Fire. Fence improvements are still in need of funding to get this area back in shape.  A cattleguard was also purchased to install at the South Creek Unit of the Beaver WMA and will be installed during FY24.

At Indian Peaks we worked on the roads with both the county and a private contractor to help make it easier for a road grader to navigate without being damaged.  Maintenance at the cabin on this property also included a deck re-build.

Weeds are controlled on an as needed basis with the biggest emphasis continuing to be ongoing work to combat a thistle infestation on the Summit Unit of the Parowan Front WMA.  The patch appears to be shrinking as a result of the diligent and consistent efforts of the crew.

Guzzler maintenance sees Mike Jenson continue to handle the role and continuing to fulfill the needs with assistance from the habitat seasonal crew as needed.  Mike has continued to learn and utilize the guzzler maintenance collector app and we continue to be excited about its utility in helping collect and pass on information. Some of the guzzlers Mike performed some significant maintenance to include Bob Jones, Gasline, Mormon Gap, Mud Springs, Parowan Gap and School Wash. The seasonal crew helped Kendall Bagley with several guzzler installs that are connected to habitat treatments he has completed, including one at Lost Creek.

Gary Bezzant

08/29/2023 07:28:07