Project Details

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

In working with Management Plans I have included the following:

1)To increase upland game and waterfowl habitat in the Sevier Valley that will allow sustainable pheasant population in the area. Continue to provide open space for the community and surrounding areas. 
2) Increase public access for hunting purposes of upland game and waterfowl, increase hunter retention and recruitment. Youth hunting and mentoring programs for young hunters. 
3) Increase additional areas to raise pheasants through the "Day old Chick" programs.  Increase awareness for WIA programs for adjacent landowners.
4)Control Invasive weed species that are damaging to wildlife habitats in the area by working with Sevier County Weed Dept.

1.) As stated in the Richfield and Annabella WMA Plans, the purpose of the  WMA is to provide good habitat for upland wildlife and waterfowl.  As stated within the WMA plan; the main habitat objective  is to conduct mechanical and natural treatments to provide improved upland and waterfowl habitat. This treatment will aid our efforts to achieve that objective. 
2)The objective of Utah's upland game management program is to provide recreational hunting opportunity for sportsmen within the limits of the annual harvestable surplus for each species. The most recent upland game report shows decline in harvest of both ring-neck pheasant and California quail. This project will improve habitat for both. 
3.) The Sevier County General Plan states; Hunting and fishing are integral parts of the culture and lifestyle in Sevier County. At certain times of the year virtually all of the economy of Sevier County is focused on hunting, fishing and related seasonal activities. This project will increase habitat for upland game, thus increasing hunting opportunities and economic growth in Sevier County
4.) The Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds states; after invasion by an aggressive weed species and subsequent successful control/management activities, the objective is to return the site to a desirable species composition, if possible. This project will restore these sites to a desirable species composition.

Utah does not have a management plan for pheasants.  However, in general, this project supports objectives found in the UDWR Strategic Plan.  The Utah Upland Game Annual Reports show a decline in pheasant hunting and hunters, especially since 1979.

The National Wild Pheasant Conservation Plan identifies hunter participation as an important component in pheasant conservation and long term support of hunting in general.

**I have uploaded the UDWR Pheasant Habitat Requirements in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value.

California Quail:
California quail thrive in brushy areas where they have ready access to water. They need dense brush where they can escape from predators, but prefer more grassy, herbaceous cover to nest in. Seeds, grains, berries, and especially clover make up their diet. They can actually live without water if they can eat enough moist, leafy greens-but in the desert that is very uncommon.

**I have uploaded the UDWR Wild Turkey Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value.

**I have uploaded the UDWR Chucker Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value.

I have uploaded the UDWR Monroe Mountain Deer Management Plan in the Image and Documents Tabs which will give additional information and management suggestions on habitat use and value for Mule Deer.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

With this project fire and fuel loading is an issue as it pertains to the location of the property, this property is located southeast of Richfield UT, and is comprised of rabbit brush, Russian Olives and Salt Cedar along with dry land vegetation.  Fire may be an issue due to the location, but there is a chance due to the nature of local farming practices in the spring that the risk of fire could happen. This would be one case as private landowner's conduct seasonal burning of crop lands to reduce old vegetation, clean ditches, and fence lines.  Communities at risk will be Annabella Town to the south property is surrounded by homes, buildings and livestock sheds and corrals. Fire and the reduction of heavy fuels can be beneficial to this WMA if utilized properly, reducing old vegetation, creating new young grasses, forbs and shrubs for upland game birds and waterfowl which would create mosaic patterns across the landscape. If we were able to reduce older stands of vegetation we would ask for assistance from the Sevier County Fire Warden to conduct a burn plan on the property

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Monitoring of this project will consist of photo points, before and after photos of the property and rabbit brush before and after treatments, also showing food plots for upland game and waterfowl birds.  Raising of upland game birds such as Ring Neck Pheasants, and or Quail and release of pheasants on the Annabella WMA Property, survey for post season and winter survival surveys on pheasants on the property.  We will be involving local schools, BSA, FFA chapters on different projects associated with outdoor recreation/wildlife science. We would continue to monitor the return of rabbit brush and utilize a spot spray detail to help keep it in check after the mowing has occurred. Continue to have support from local and state SFW and DU Chapters to help with the rehab process on the Annabella WMA. We have worked with local DH to help trap these WMA in doing so we are hopeful to reduce the amount of predation on the released pheasants and chuckers.  The Sevier County Commissioners have also added additional funding to help remove raccons, skunks and red foxes within the valley.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.