Currently the secondary dike is only accessible by small off-road vehicles during dry conditions. Attempting to access the dike while wet would result in damage to the dike and trucks or equipment would be stuck in mud. Management staff at Ogden Bay WMA have many miles to cover during water management duties, and being able to drive trucks on the dike make work activities more convenient saving time and money. Graveling the top of dike will allow staff to access the dike during almost all weather conditions. Graveling the top of the dike will also improve the longevity of the dike by mitigating erosion problems, and will improve the overall "look" of the dike.

This project improves accessibility, longevity, condition, and aesthetic value to the secondary dike. The secondary dike at Howard Slough WMA was rebuilt, shaped and graded in 2018. There is a need to gravel it now. The dike is 9,300 linear feet and we would like to spread it 12 feet wide and have it 3" thick. Having gravel on the dike would allow managers to access the area at any time for management purposes.

If we do not complete this project access to the secondary dike is limited, the dike will erode at a faster pace, and we will damage the dike or bury our equipment while trying to access the dike. The threats and risks to not having gravel on the dike are that managers won't be able to access the area for management purposes.

This project helps us meet management goals in Howard Slough habitat management plan. Specifically, this project helps us meet our goal to protect existing resources, wildlife, habitat, public use and capital improvements from deterioration at HSWMA. Also, this projects helps us meet our goal to maintain, manage and enhance wetland habitat diversity for waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife associated with wetland habitats by providing us the infrastructure to do so. Finally, this project is directly related to a specific management objective in our plan which states that when possible we will restore, upgrade, and improve capital improvements found on our WMA. This project relates to Wildlife Action Plan threats and objectives as follows: Objective #1 for Sediment Transport Imbalance "Opportunities are found and taken, to modify or remove reservoir infrastructure, or modify outflow management, to simulate or return natural sediment transport." The continual build-up of sediments in GSL wetlands is a major problem that can lead to decreased open water areas, shallower water depths that do not maximize the production of submerged aquatic vegetation, and promotes invasive plant species. The WMA's management relies on continual monitoring and water management to help pass through unwanted sediments and maintain a highly diverse and functional wetland. Objective #2 for Droughts Aquatic SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. Drought conditions over the past several years has made it imperative that the WMA's have properly functioning water control structures to maximize water deliveries in order to maintain key wetland habitats. Actions that this project will address include; 2.3.6 Restore aquatic habitat complexity 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. Invasive plant species This project helps us manage invasive plant species by giving us the physical ability to access the area and manage the water. 1) Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. 2) Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic (ecologically and economically). Actions suggested by the WAP to achieve these objectives are 2.1.9 Establish or enhance fuel breaks in locations that are susceptible to large or intense fires. 2.2.2 Survey and inventory established and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.4 Contain established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.9 Avoid establishment of new invasive/problematic species through education, planning, management, and/or regulation.

N/A

This project has the potential to improve water quality by decreasing potential soil erosion into surrounding waters.

This project will not affect any waters of the United States, we will not be adding any fill material to wetlands, and we will not be affecting any surrounding cultural resources.

Our maintenance crew will prep the secondary dike by grading and shaping the dike with a road grader. I will work with State Purchasing to choose an appropriate contractor for the material. We will have the material delivered and stock-piled at the Howard Slough WMA near the dike. Our maintenance crew will spread the material on the secondary dike.

We will monitor the area for future maintenance issues.

SFW

The dike will be maintained and graded as needed.

N/A

06/01/2020

06/30/2020

2020

1,623 tons of commercial road base were purchased and delivered to Howard Slough Waterfowl Management area. The waterfowl maintenance crew will spread all of the material on the secondary dike the next time they are working on our areas.

There is a need to gravel all of the dikes possible on the WMA's so that they can be accessed at all times of the year for water management purposes. The dike where this gravel is going was recently rebuilt.

The dike will be monitored and repaired when necessary and graded annually.