Middle Fork WMA acquisition
Project ID: 4195
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2017
Submitted By: 19
Project Manager: Stephen Hansen
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Salt Lake Office
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northern
Description:
Acquire a 2,074 acre parcel from a willing seller to provide crucial habitat for mule deer, elk, and moose, and to provide increased public access to the Middle Fork WMA.
Location:
Weber and Cache Counties north of Huntsville and Pineview Reservoir. T R and section
Project Need
Need For Project:
The Sunridge Summit Ranch is located primarily in Weber County approximately eight miles NNE of Hunstville in Ogden Valley, with approximately 200 acres located across the border in Cache County. The subject property adjoins the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which encompasses some U.S. Forest Service ("USFS") property. There is relatively little land available for public use in the area. At a December 2016 statewide meeting of DWR wildlife coordinators and habitat managers, four properties were voted on regarding the priority in which each property should be considered for acquisition. The Sunridge Summit Ranch was overwhelmingly voted as the top priority, due in part to the lack of sportsmen access in north central Utah. Informal word has spread about DWR's contractual right to purchase the Sunridge Summit Ranch and feedback received from the local area has been exceptionally positive. At its lower elevations, the Middle Fork WMA provides critical winter habitat for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) which reside on private lands during summer months. Without the WMA upon which big game overwinter, landowner-wildlife conflicts would result in high depredation payments being made by DWR, and increased demands for herd management, potentially including population reduction. The Sunridge Summit Ranch runs from a lower elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level to a higher elevation of 8,200 feet. Though the higher elevation of the Sunridge Summit Ranch doesn't lend itself to overwintering habitat of elk and mule deer, it is transitional habitat, and harbors populations of both species during the hunting seasons. The Sunridge Summit Ranch provides winter habitat for Shiras moose (Alces alces), and the property has been enrolled in the cooperative wildlife management unit program which provides a public permit for hunting bull moose. Moose, which has been a declining species in Utah, are commonly seen on the property year-round (please see the attached photos). Approximately four miles of the Left Fork of the Middle Fork of the Ogden River is located on Sunridge Summit Ranch, as well as ½ mile of the Right Fork of the Middle Fork. Though it has not been able to gain permission for surveying the Right Fork of the Middle Fork of the Ogden River, DWR's Aquatics Section speculates that there may be a refuge of pure strain Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki utah) located in the Right Fork of the Middle Fork. The entire Middle Fork of the Ogden River is on DWR's list of waters to potentially treat in the effort to restore the drainage back to pure Bonneville cutthroat trout habitation. Without DWR's purchase of the Sunridge Summit Ranch, the property will almost certainly be developed. Until DWR was able to secure a purchase contract on the property, Powder Mountain Ski Resort ("Summit Powder Mountain") was very interested in acquiring the property to add additional ski runs and high-end residential development.
Objectives:
The objective of this proposal is acquisition of the Sunridge Summit Ranch in fee interest. The Sunridge Summit Ranch will be incorporated into, and managed as part of, the Middle Fork WMA.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
The property is at exceptionally high risk for resort and residential development.
Relation To Management Plan:
Not applicable.
Fire / Fuels:
Not applicable.
Water Quality/Quantity:
Approximately four miles of the Left Fork of the Middle Fork of the Ogden River is located on Sunridge Summit Ranch, as well as ½ mile of the Right Fork of the Middle Fork. DWR's Aquatics Section speculates that there may be a refuge of pure strain Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki utah) located in the Right Fork of the Middle Fork. The entire Middle Fork of the Ogden River is on DWR's list of waters to potentially treat in the effort to restore pure Bonneville cutthroat trout (BVCT) in the drainage. DWR's Northern Region Aquatics Section is highly interested in developing the fishery on this property and lower stream reaches.
Compliance:
Not applicable.
Methods:
DWR has secured a contractual right to purchase the property. Settlement and closing is scheduled to occur on May 19, 2017.
Monitoring:
Not applicable.
Partners:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration, and private landowner through a bargain sale.
Future Management:
The property will be managed as part of DWR's Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Not applicable.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$2,737,465.00 $0.00 $2,737,465.00 $290,000.00 $3,027,465.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Other Property Purchase Funding $2,737,465.00 $0.00 $290,000.00 2017
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$2,737,465.00 $0.00 $2,737,465.00 $290,000.00 $3,027,465.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Habitat Council Account HCRF $391,866.00 $0.00 $0.00 2017
Federal Aid (PR) F1941 Grant W-194-L-1 $2,270,599.00 $0.00 $0.00 2017
Private Landowner donation. $0.00 $0.00 $290,000.00 2017
MDF Admin Expo Fund ($3.50) NS6713 $75,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2017
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Black Bear
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout N4 R1
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Low
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout N4 R1
Threat Impact
Loss of Genetic Exchange / Inbreeding Low
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout N4 R1
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Low
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout N4 R1
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network High
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout N4 R1
Threat Impact
Small Isolated Populations Low
Cougar
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Low
Elk R2
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Medium
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network Medium
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Snowmobiling Low
Moose R3
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Moose R3
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network Low
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Medium
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network High
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Snowmobiling Medium
Habitats
Habitat
Aquatic-Forested
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Aquatic-Forested
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Low
Aquatic-Forested
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network Medium
Aspen-Conifer
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Medium
Aspen-Conifer
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Low
Aspen-Conifer
Threat Impact
Utility and Service Lines Low
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Low
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network Medium
Project Comments
Comment 09/21/2017 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
This comment has been deleted by author or admin.
Completion
Start Date:
07/01/2016
End Date:
06/28/2017
FY Implemented:
2017
Final Methods:
This acquisition was completed on June 28, 2017 when the Special Warranty Deed placing the parcels in DWR ownership was recorded in Cache and Weber Counties.
Project Narrative:
The 2,074 Sunridge Summit Ranch parcel was acquired by DWR via Special Warranty Deed on June 28, 2017 to be managed in perpetuity as wildlife Habitat as part of the Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area. The parcels provide crucial wildlife habitats for mule deer, elk, and moose, as well as a myriad of other wildlife species in the area. This acquisition protects thousands of acres of open space that lie in a highly developing area adjacent to Powder Mountain Ski Resort and numerous mountain communities and cabins.
Future Management:
Will be managed in perpetuity by the Division of Wildlife Resources as wildlife habitat within the Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area.
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
5991 Easement/Acquisition Easement/Acquisition Fee title land acquisition
Project Map
Project Map