Completion Form

2024

During FY 24 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. In addition this year seasonal staff helped develop a proposal for Rocky Mountain Rangelands to seek funding to convert old fencing to wildlife friendly specs.

Yankee Meadows restrooms continue to see significant use.  A new contract had to be solicited this year and it was awarded for the next 5 years to Crystal Clean Pros (who bought Cedar Superior Cleaning that had the previous contract). The fence at Yankee Meadow continues to receive significant damage with trees burned in the Brianhead fire coming 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 will continue to seek 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. Our maintenance crew has helped maintain some of the infrastructure as well as assisting with installation of a second pivot (under a different WRI project).

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.

New cattleguards have been installed on the Beaver and Fillmore WMAs. Fence improvements are still in need of funding to get the burned fence in Fillmore back in shape.

At Indian Peaks we worked on the roads with the county.  Significant time was also spent with reconstruction of the south boundary 4 miles of fence in conjunction with the Indian Peaks WRI project.

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  utilize the guzzler maintenance collector app and we continue to be excited about its utility in helping collect and pass on information. Mike and the seasonal crew have helped Curtis Roundy, Kendall Bagley, and Vance Mumford with the installs of several other WRI/HC funded new guzzlers.

Gary Bezzant

08/30/2024 11:58:01