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.

Moab RMP and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) [USDI-BLM-2008]:

SSS-1
As required by the Endangered Species Act, implement recovery actions identified in Recovery Plans and in Conservation Agreements, Plans and Strategies in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), and other interested entities. The BLM will be an active participant in all recovery implementation teams (pg 117).

SSS-5
As required by the Endangered Species Act, BLM will conduct or cooperate in surveys to determine the extent of listed and non-listed plant and animal species and their habitat or potential habitat. Any listed or non-listed special status species survey must be conducted by qualified biologists, botanists, or ecologists that have been approved by the BLM (pg 118).  
SSS-7
As required by the Endangered Species Act, follow current and future recovery plans and manage habitat for T&E and BLM Sensitive species......(pg 118)
 * Final Recovery Plan Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) August 2002 Prepared by Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Recovery Team Technical Subgroup For Region 2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103

SSS-15
As required by the Endangered Species Act, plan and implement assessment and monitoring plans for T&E and BLM Sensitive species. (pg 198)

Final Recovery Plan Southwestern Willow Flycatcher - D. Stepdown Outline of Recovery Actions
6.8. Determine present and historical distribution of the subspecies through genetic work. The taxonomic
status and distribution of the willow flycatcher subspecies should continue to be refined, through genetic research. (page 132 of the Final Recovery Plan Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (2002)

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.

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.

Below is a summary of methods, see attached document in the Image/Document section for additional information:
Willow Flycatchers Surveys - Surveys will be conducted in riparian areas identified on aerial photographs that matched the descriptions of preferred Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat as described in Sogge et al. (2010). 
Willow Flycatcher Mist Netting - Using Colorado Plateau Research Station published Willow Flycatcher targeted capture technique, mist net at targeted location. 
Willow Flycatcher Blood Sampling for Genetics - From 10 May to 10 June of each year, we will capture, color band, and s for ample blood molecular genetic analysis.   
Willow Flycatcher Plumage and morphometric measurements - Measure reflectance spectra from 300-700 nm on the crown and back on live Willow Flycatchers using a JAZ spectrometer with a fiber optic reflectance probe and xenon pulsed light source, a state-of-the-art method for analyzing plumage coloration (Mahoney et al. 2020). Feather samples from the crown and back will be collected to provide a permanent record. Wing chord, tail length, the length of the 10th, 9th, 6th and 5th primary feathers, and tarsus length
Willow Flycatcher Plumage color and classification analyses - Analyze raw spectral data using the R-package Pavo (Maia et al. 2013). 
Willow Flycatcher Song measurements - Prior to blood and morphology sampling, we will record singing Willow Flycatchers  and sSong recordings will be made publicly available.
Willow Flycatcher Song analyses - Digitize Willow Flycatcher songs and quantify acoustic parameters of the "fitz-bew" vocalization. 
Classification models - Using classification models (LDA, Linear Discriminate Analysis) classify individuals to groups based on a combination of song, color variables, and morphometrics and compare morphology classifications to the genetic classifications.

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.

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.