Bookcliffs Guzzler Repair
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Project ID: 4966
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2020
Submitted By:
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Project Manager: Pat Rainbolt
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northeastern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northeastern
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Description:
Repair of eight guzzler aprons that are no longer functional.
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Location:
Bookcliffs area in southern Uintah Coutny.
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Project Need
Need For Project:
Eight guzzlers in the Bookcliffs area have been identified as in need of major repair to the apron that helps collect water. These eight guzzlers are all at least 10 years old. They all have 1800 gallon boss tanks that are still in great condition. The apron design that was used was not adequate to resist damage from animals and the environment. The aprons have fencing around them that is in disrepair with most of the tin roofing detached, missing, or damaged. Supports for the aprons were not strong enough for the heavy snow loads and wind events in the Bookcliffs.
Objectives:
Objectives are to rebuild the eight aprons and increase the amount of water stored in the guzzler tanks. UDWR has updated the apron design over the past decade and eliminated the issues associated with the old style of aprons that are on these guzzlers. The new design eliminates the fencing altogether, is low profile, and heavily reinforced. Guzzlers using this updated design are not showing any of the maintenance issues of the old apron design.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Animals that use the existing guzzlers are at risk of entanglement in the damaged fencing. Without functioning aprons, the guzzlers catch only a small fraction of available precipitation, limiting the amount of water stored for wildlife. Guzzlers are well received by the public in the Bookcliffs and maintenance is needed to maintain the positive image of these water sources.
Relation To Management Plan:
Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan
III. Issues and concerns, Section B. Water Distribution
"Wildlife water developments (i.e., guzzlers) can help provide water to mule deer in arid areas, but need to be designed and placed in areas conducive to use by mule deer."
Fire / Fuels:
None
Water Quality/Quantity:
Water quantity available to wildlife will increase with functioning aprons on the guzzler tanks. Water quality in the guzzler tank will benefit from the addition of a small mammals escape ramp.
Compliance:
All eight guzzlers are on BLM surface. The original NEPA document for these guzzlers allows for maintenance within the same footprint. All work will remain within the existing footprint. Coordination with the Vernal BLM wildlife staff occurred during a December 2018 meeting.
Methods:
Each guzzler apron will take one day to replace. UDWR NER Habitat Section will deconstruct and remove the old apron parts and pieces. A new apron will be constructed and fitted to the existing tank.
Monitoring:
Guzzlers are annually monitored by UDWR staff. BLM, SITLA, ranchers, and general public also report issues that they might see. Any maintenance needs are prioritized and addressed by the UDWR Habitat staff and Vernal BLM.
Partners:
BLM has approved this maintenance and may contribute additional funds. A member of the general public brought these maintenance needs to the attention of UDWR.
Future Management:
Guzzlers will be monitored annually for functionality and needs will be addressed as they arise.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Multiple available water sources help more evenly distribute wildlife and domestic livestock across the landscape.
| Budget | WRI/DWR | Other | Budget Total | In-Kind | Grand Total |
| $18,000.00 | $0.00 | $18,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $29,000.00 |
| Item | Description | WRI | Other | In-Kind | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Services (permanent employee) | UDWR NER Habitat staff time for construction | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 | 2020 |
| Materials and Supplies | BLM contribution to project | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 | 2020 |
| Motor Pool | Motor Pool used during project | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1,000.00 | 2020 |
| Materials and Supplies | Guzzler apron materials @ $2,250 per guzzler | $18,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 |
| Funding | WRI/DWR | Other | Funding Total | In-Kind | Grand Total |
| $18,000.00 | $0.00 | $18,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $29,000.00 |
| Source | Phase | Description | Amount | Other | In-Kind | Year |
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| Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) | S023 | $1,444.58 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) | S025 | $1,238.75 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| Safari Club International | S026 | $1,651.92 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) | S027 | $1,444.58 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| Utah Archery Association | S052 | $825.62 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $6,000.00 | 2020 | ||
| Utah Wild Sheep Foundation | S022 | $825.59 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2020 | |
| BLM Wildlife | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 | 2020 | ||
| Utah Wild Sheep Foundation | S022 | $1,174.41 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 | |
| Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) | S023 | $2,055.42 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 | |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) | S025 | $1,761.25 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 | |
| Safari Club International | S026 | $2,348.08 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 | |
| Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) | S027 | $2,055.42 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 | |
| Utah Archery Association | S052 | $1,174.38 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2021 |
Species
| Species | "N" Rank | HIG/F Rank | ||||
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| Black Bear | ||||||
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| Bobcat | ||||||
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| Cougar | ||||||
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| Domestic Livestock | ||||||
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| Elk | R2 | |||||
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| Elk | R2 | |||||
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| Mule Deer | R1 | |||||
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| Mule Deer | R1 | |||||
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| Mule Deer | R1 | |||||
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Habitats
| Habitat | ||||
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| Lowland Sagebrush | ||||
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Project Comments
| Comment | 08/12/2021 | Type: 2 | Commenter: Alison Whittaker |
| This is just a reminder that completion reports are due August 31st. I have entered the expenses in the Through WRI/DWR column on the finance page. Please do not make any changes to numbers in the Through WRI/DWR column. Any "Through Other" or "In-kind" expenses will need to be entered by the PM or contributors. Update your map features and fill out the completion form. Be sure to click on the finalize button on the completion report when you have your completion report ready to be reviewed by WRI Admin. Don't forget to upload any pictures of the project you have of before, during and after completion. If you have any questions about this don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks. | |||
| Comment | 08/24/2021 | Type: 2 | Commenter: Alison Whittaker |
| Thank you for submitting your completion report on time. Don't forget to upload any pictures of the project you have of before, during and after completion. | |||
Completion
Start Date:
07/01/2019
End Date:
06/30/2021
FY Implemented:
2021
Final Methods:
Eight big game guzzler aprons were replaced in the Bookcliffs big game critical habitat area. The aprons were metal roofing, 480 square feet in size. All of the sites' tanks were in great condition and will continue to be used with the new aprons.
Project Narrative:
These 8 guzzlers were built over 10 years ago, when guzzler apron construction was in its infancy. The current design has evolved, eliminating common maintenance points, into a very well thought out and engineered design. These 8 early design aprons were updated with the new design and will last another 25-30 years.
Future Management:
Guzzlers are monitored annually by UDWR staff for maintenance needs.
Map Features
N/A
Project Map
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