Currently most of the wetland area is protected by fences. In the fall as cattle trail off the mountain along the south boundary of the WMA the old fence creates a difficult situation in controlling livestock use of the WMA which impacts 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.

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 9,821 feet (1.86 miles) of old fence and building 11,406 feet (2.19 miles) of new fence.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 line.

UDWR would contract with 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.

UDWR will provide contract oversight, and fences will be checked and maintained through an annual fence maintenance program. Biologists will continue to provide nest counts and checks on the area for both waterfowl, fish and upland game.

UDWR has already been in consultation with Wayne County on the plans for this project and begun to establish contact with private landowners to be impacted as well.

Initially rest 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.

As stated previously 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.

01/08/2021

01/25/2021

2021

We completed the perimeter fence on the south side of the WMA to control livestock use of the area. Initially this means 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 completed the removal of 6,600 feet (1.25 miles) of old fence and building 7,920 feet (1.5 miles) of new fence. The land trades with the Taft family were not completed in time for this contract. We did receive additional monies to re-survey the land trade and the fences associated with that trade will be constructed at a later date.

The contractor brought a great crew and they worked quickly to complete the project. I have received several positive comments about how nice the new fence is. Part of this fence was constructed to protect the facilities at the Egan Fish hatchery. Hatchery staff helped route this portion of the fence to help with their disease concerns with trespass from the WMA. There are sportsman access fence crossings every 300 feet along the new fence. The crossings are constructed of well casing and there is no barbed wire in the crossing. This allows sportsmen wearing waders to cross the fence without snagging their boots.

No cattle use for the entire WMA, 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.