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Bicknell Bottoms Fence Reconstruction Phase II
Region: Southern
ID: 5652
Project Status: Completed
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Project Details
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Need for Project
Currently most of the wetland area is protected by newly constructed fences. Cattle grazing can impact the upland, fishery and waterfowl use areas on the property. Having cattle in the wetland also contributes to water quality issues in the Fremont River that are a concern to Capitol Reef National Park. The primary reason for the land trade was to acquire more waterfowl/wetland habitat for the WMA. The upland area traded to the Taft's will be used for cattle grazing. The new fence is needed to manage the cattle and keep them from using the WMA.
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.
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Objectives
Complete the perimeter fence of the wetland area and provide an opportunity to control livestock use of the area. Initially this will mean no grazing for the entire area, but could include prescribed grazing (rest/rotation) in the future to assist meeting the management objectives of the property. The project calls for the removal of approximately 1848 feet (.35 miles) of old fence and building approximately 1584 feet (.30 miles) of new fence.
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.
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Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?)
Fencing a wetland presents many challenges associated with maintenance and life span of fencing. We plan to utilize a fence design that will mitigate for both of these factors. Drill pipe and taller posts should provide additional sturdiness as well as the opportunity to "add on" to the fence as it slowly sinks into the wet areas.
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.
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Relation to Management Plans
The Bicknell Bottoms WMA Habitat Management Plan provides for activities to improve wildlife habitat on the area. It specifically calls for the completion of boundary fencing to provide for livestock grazing management. Channel widening and impairments to fish habitats are a concern in the Bicknell Bottoms. Livestock use contributes to these issues.
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.
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Fire/Fuels
A wetland existing in a single older vegetative age class is more susceptible to catastrophic fire. Ideally we hope to diversify the age class with a rotating mosaic of age classes as young becomes old through time, and old becomes new through the use of either RX fire or prescribed grazing. Due to the quick growth nature of wetlands this rotation will occur on a shorter timeline than those associated with the uplands we more commonly work on. Completing boundary fencing will help us achieve this management objective.
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.
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Water Quality/Quantity
Wetlands act as natures great water filter resulting in higher quality water coming out of the outflow. They also act as a reservoir providing for storage of water and allowing downstream delivery later into the season. Capitol Reef National Park, USU and the Division of Water Quality have monitored Fremont river flows measuring E coli and TMDLs for a number of years. Some of the Fremont River is listed as 303d impaired. One bright spot in the Fremont River monitoring is the station just below the Bicknell Bottoms which usually has a better water quality report.
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.
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Compliance
Any required arch surveys prior to fencing would be carried out in house. A survey will also be carried out prior to fencing to ensure fences are on property lines.
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.
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Methods
UDWR would contract with a fencing contractor to install fencing in the identified areas. Fence design will provide for use of taller posts and drill pipe for braces and corners to provide a more sturdy structure and allow for future modifications and additions.
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.
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Monitoring
UDWR will provide contract oversight, and fences will be checked and maintained through an annual fence maintenance program. Biologists will continue to provide wildlife surveys on the area for both waterfowl, fish and upland game.
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.
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Partners
UDWR has been in consultation with Wayne County on the plans for this project. This fence is a result of a land trade with a private landowner.
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.
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Future Management
Management actions considered are initially rest from grazing for the entire area, but could include prescribed grazing (rest/rotation) and/or future RX fire to assist meeting the management objectives of the property. This determination will be made by UDWR habitat and wildlife staff as they evaluate the condition of the property and its ability to provide for the habitat needs of the waterfowl, upland game, and fishery on the property.
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.
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Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources
Prescribed grazing and/or prescribed fire may be used at some point in the future to help meet the habitat management objectives of the property.
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
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Habitats
Seed
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Completion Form
Project Summary Report