Skip to Content
Main Menu
Search
Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative
Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative
Projects
Maps
About Us
Register
Login
Search
Saving...
Thank you for requesting access to WRI.
An administrator will contact you with further details.
Manti Meadows Wetland and Upland Habitat Improvement Project Phase 2
Region: Central
ID: 4811
Project Status: Completed
Map This Project
Export Project Data
Project Details
*
Need for Project
Historically there was more water on the Manti Meadows WMA property that filled several ponds for the benefit of wildlife. This water has dried up and so we are going to do some additional work to increase flow of water on the property. This water is essential to provide the value for waterfowl and other wildlife of this property. We will also drill seed desired vegetation into areas that we sprayed with Plateau last year to kill the cheatgrass. This is needed to help provide more food and cover for upland game birds and other wildlife. Lastly, we will plant more trees, shrubs, and wetland vegetation to improve the habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
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.
*
Objectives
1. Restore water to property that has been lost. 2. Increase ability to water livestock on property by having water and distributing it across the property. 3. Increase available habitat for upland game birds. 4. Increase available habitat for waterfowl. 5. Improve habitat for WAP and other high interest game species.
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.
*
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?)
Currently there is little water reaching the property that historically occurred. This loss of water has made the property lose its value for wildlife and ability to graze livestock effectively. If we do not do this project we will continue to lose the value of this property. Undesired weeds such as cheatgrass and undesired shrubs such as greasewood have filled the property where water once occurred. Negative impacts can occur to wildlife that are unable to use this property now that needed habitat has been lost. As well as loss of opportunity for grazing which will result in lost income for the division and lessees.
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.
*
Relation to Management Plans
The Wildlife Action Plan One of the main key habitats that we would be increasing would be open water. Our plan is to improve ponds where many species of wildlife can benefit. The water at this property has been impacted by usage and drought which is one of the very high threats identified in the Wildlife Action Plan. By improving wells we will be addressing this issue by bring water back to this area that has been lost likely from usage up stream. 2. The WAP identifies several species that will be benefited by this project. -Northern Leopard Frogs, addressing threat of habitat loss from piped irrigation. -Columbia Spotted Frog, addressing threat from habitat loss from water usage - Little Brown Myotis, addressing threat from water loss to livestock watering. We will have open water ponds and troughs that are open and allow drinking and feeding for bats. Mule Deer Management Plan- The spatial distribution of mule deer populations is often positively associated with availability of water in arid regions of western North America (Hervert and Krausman 1986, Boroski and Mossman 1996). This project will help to increase the availability of water and help to distribute mule deer across the landscape. Among the UDWR's directors office priorities are to increase waterfowl and pheasant hunting opportunity in the state. This project will increase the available habitat for waterfowl and pheasants and help to reach these priorities. North American Waterfowl Management Plan Habitat Objectives- 1. Acquired areas should be managed to improve habitat Quality, minimize risk of disease and increase carrying capacity of overwintering sites. 2. Agricultural and industrial practices that impact migration and wintering areas should be examined and alternative practices developed that benefit waterfowl and complement other land uses. 3.Private landowners should be encouraged to continue their important contribution of maintaining habitat for migrating and wintering ducks.
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.
*
Fire/Fuels
Increasing the water on this property will allow us to create fire breaks with water and wetland vegetation that is less likely to burn. Last year we sprayed Plateau herbicide to kill the cheatgrass and reduce that fire threat. This year we will plant perrennial grasses that will fill that niche and prevent cheatgrass from coming back.The spread of cheatgrass drastically increase the fire risk to the property and neighboring property owners. There are several buildings within in close proximity to the property that could be lost from fire. By planting perennial grasses that stay greener into the summer to replace cheatgrass we will help reduce the fire risk as well.
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.
*
Water Quality/Quantity
This project will help bring more water to the surface and allow it to be utilized by vegetation, wildlife , and livestock. One of the main objectives of this project is to increase the water quantity and should be considered when comparing it to other projects that increasing water quantity and quality is a secondary objective. The salinity in the remaining water on the property is likely higher due to the reduction in water that we have seen over the years. There are only a couple of seeps and springs that are very low that remain. Improving wells and springs will increase the amount of water available for use as well as help dilute the mineral content in the little water that exists, thus improving the quality as well.
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.
*
Compliance
All necessary cultural clearances will be conducted prior to work being done. All water rights and other permits required will be taken care of prior to project implementation as well. We have inspected the property with Eric Andersen, UDWR water rights specialist, and he has said that we will be able to work under existing water rights that we own for the property.
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.
*
Methods
We will dig out an existing spring heads that have dried up to try and get water flowing again into ponds and to flood fields to grow more wetland and upland vegetation. We will dig down about 20' and add a perforated pipe 4" sewer pipe and surround it with gravel. We will use the heavy equipment crew to dig these wells and dig ditches to direct the water where we want it to go. We will have them dig a series of small ponds to create a prairie pothole type area. We will purchase wetland sod mats and plant these along the banks of newly constructed ponds. We will plant more trees and shrub seedlings ton increase wildlife habitat. We will drill seed perrennial seed mix with a rangeland drill in the uplands to increase food and habitat for upland game birds like pheasants and quail.
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
The UDWR has full time employees who manage the Manti meadows property and will ensure that water systems are working properly and continue to maximize benefit for wildlfie and livestock. Photo points will be established before implementation of the project.
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.
*
Partners
The UDWR is the landowner of the property. This project will benefit those who in the future will lease grazing rights on the property. We will work with sportsman groups like Ducks Unlimited to help with implementation of the project. We have not extended the project beyond the WMA because adjacent land is agricultural and cannot be worked on.
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.
*
Future Management
The property will continue to be managed to maximize the benefit for wildlife and livestock. These water and vegetation improvements will be maintained with wildlife management area maintenance budgets and personnel as needed.
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.
*
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources
Domestic livestock will have water available for their use. Water will be more distributed across the property and allow for more effective grazing. Water will also be used to irrigate field which will increase the available forage for livestock. By removing cheatgrass and replacing it with perennial grasses it will increase the amount of available forage. This will increase recreational opportunities on the property by improving waterfowl and upland game hunting.
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.
Title Page
Project Details
Finance
Species
Habitats
Seed
Comments
Images/Documents
Completion Form
Project Summary Report
Saving...