Salt Creek and Public Shooting Grounds Waterfowl Management Areas (SCWMA/PSGWMA) are Division of Wildlife Resources managed areas located in Box Elder County, Utah. Management of these wetland/upland areas is primarily for waterfowl and pheasant production however, many of the 200+ species that use the areas have benefited as well. The purpose of this project is to create and maintain an area that meets life requisites and provides the best suitable habitats that will ensure the perpetuation and propagation of the wildlife species. These areas are also managed to provide waterfowl and upland hunting opportunity to the public. The wildlife technician positions allow for the maintenance of existing habitat and the enhancement and development of additional habitat for these WMA's. The current technician time is 0.78 of a Full Time Employee (FTE) which allows us to hire two for approximately 4.2 months annually. We are in the process of trying to increase tech time to 1 FTE which would allow us to keep two technicians on for 6 months each. With the increased pressure from an expanding human population, development of lands, changes in agricultural practices and increased recreational demands it is imperative to maximize the benefits on the areas for wildlife. Work will include planting and manipulating critical perennial habitat for nesting, rearing of young and creating a higher quality food resource. Some areas are in need of renovation to stimulate re-growth and increase plant vigor. Other areas need complete renovation and seeding. Trees and shrubs have been established and are being enhanced by irrigation systems and pesticide control efforts, which requires manpower and diligence. Perennial and annual food plots are planted annually on the areas to provide increased resources for wildlife and require efforts to prepare the soil, seed annuals and perennials and to annually create fire breaks to protect against unplanned fires and for prescribed burning. Weed control efforts are required to meet an obligation to the county and adjacent landowners for control of noxious weeds that occur throughout the area. Monitoring and adjustment of water levels throughout the WMA's is essential for producing a highly functional wetland along with protecting infrastructure. Additional demands and responsibilities placed on the Manager (Assistant Regional Wildlife Manager and Invasive Weed Project Leader) require more help from technician time to counter off site work requirements and facilitate WMA management activities.

The goal for the project is to protect, enhance and maximize the benefit for the wildlife resources and the public that use these WMAs. The management objective for this area is for species diversity and providing public use for those who enjoy Utah's wildlife. Management efforts are directed to provide a hunting opportunity for waterfowl and pheasant hunters to hunt in good quality habitat. This requires providing habitat that can sustain a viable population of diverse wildlife species. To develop habitat that will facilitate better over winter survival and recruitment of young wildlife species into the wild population of birds on the area. To provide a diversity of habitats in good functional condition for many of the 200+ wildlife species that visit the area. Maximize Productivity and Satisfaction: Habitat development, restoration, enhancement and maintenance are critical to conserving wildlife that use these areas. The wetland/upland habitats associated with these WMAs provide many needs for the 200+ species that use the area during some part of the annual cycle. Without continuous efforts these habitats decline in value and function. SCWMA is the only public land in Box Elder County that provides quality pheasant habitat and an adequate opportunity to hunt pheasants for pheasant hunters. This area provides an opportunity that is sought out by hunters from numerous counties within the state.

Reduced quality of habitat for wildlife use. More expensive methods will be required for long-term renovation and improvements. This project will address threats to two key terrestrial habitats (lowland sagebrush & desert grassland) and two key aquatic habitats (open water & emergent) that are listed in the WAP. The threats to these habitats that this project will address include; invasive plant species, altered fire regimes, sediment transport imbalance, invasive wildlife species, feral and domestic animals, and drought. This project will also address a number of SGCN and HIG/F species (see species list and threats for more details).

DWR Strategic Plan: Conserve, Protect and Enhance Wildlife and Ecosystems; Enhance Recreational Experience. The project as described above promotes this objective. WAP objectives and actions are described below. Invasive plant species 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. Control of invasive plant species will continue mostly through chemical applications. Native perennials will be planted in select areas to help reduce cover of invasive plants. Continual monitoring of the WMA's will continue to help minimize spread and control of new invasions. Inappropriate Fire Frequency "Fire is excluded from habitats in which potential burns now would be frequent, large, and destructive to soils and native vegetation; the habitats are being actively managed (treated) to reduce components or factors that promote risk of catastrophic fire, such as cheatgrass, excessive conifer encroachment, or unnaturally large stands of mature Gambel oak." Actions the WAP suggest for achieving this objective are 2.1.9 Establish or enhance fuel breaks in locations that are susceptible to large or intense fires. 2.2.5 Conduct mechanical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.6 Conduct biological control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.7 Conduct chemical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 2.3.9 Conduct fuels reduction through targeted grazing. Technicians will be responsible for weed control and containment mostly through chemical applications. They will also disk, plant and harrow perennial plantings and control weeds in these areas as needed. In doing so, they will also monitor the area for new invasions that need to be addressed. Fire breaks will be mowed where needed. Vegetation management through control of invasive plants that are highly susceptible to catastrophic fires (cheatgrass), planting of native perennials, and selected grazing will reduce this risk. Technicians will mow or disk fire breaks were needed, treat and reduce invasive weeds that are susceptible to high risk fires (cheatgrass), and plant native perennials that reduces the risk of catastrophic fires. Objective #1 for Droughts Terrestrial SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 3.3.1 Develop list of priority reintroduction species and locations Drought conditions over that past several years has reduced the resilience of highly functional upland and habitats. In order to maintain, and rehabilitate these upland habitats, renovation, reseeding, and in some cases, irrigation is necessary in order to minimize the impacts of drought. Other ecosystem modifications Objective #2 for Other Ecosystem Modifications Land management agencies and agents develop vegetation management projects that avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to species and habitats identified as vulnerable to these threats such as brush eradication and vegetation treatments. Habitat modification and loss is being mitigated against by native perennial plantings and food crops/plots and shrub-rows for cover and food resources for wildlife. Non-native Invasive non-native wildlife species are removed or controlled, or their adverse impacts are reduced, in priority habitats or locations." This objective and action also pertains to threats from feral and domestic animals. Feral cats are a problem for ground nesting birds and actions to remove and control them are needed. 2.2.4 Contain established populations of invasive/problematic species. Technicians are involved with predator management (Raccoons, Red Fox, Skunk, and feral domesticated animals). They are also involved with planting of shrub rows and perennial plants that will help provide cover for wildlife species and protection against predation.

Fire is an important tool that is used on the WMA's to remove dead vegetation and open wetland areas for increased germination of native plant species. Due to the continuing air quality issues in northern Utah, this tool is not used as much as we would like to use it. Firebreaks are created each season, as needed, to protect the WMA's and adjacent private lands in the event an unplanned fire occurs in the area.

Perennial plantings help prevent erosion and sediment runoff into waterways and impoundments.

Archaeology, Covered by categorical exclusions and SHPO MOU NEPA. Waterfowl Management Areas are covered under categorical exclusion.

Vegetation manipulation is an effective way to stimulate new growth and extending the long-term value of many plant species. It has been demonstrated that renovation efforts can nearly double the duration that good quality habitat can be maintained on these areas. Complete replacement of these habitats through ground preparation, weed control and planting is time consuming and expensive, and establishment to the desired growth form may take two or more years. Without some manipulation efforts taking place, the value of these new plantings last for about eight to ten years. The plan is for annual restoration or enhancement by seeding of perennial habitat and planting of annual food plots. Perennial plantings of mixed species of grasses (Russian wildlrye, pubescent wheatgrass, Siberian wheatgrass, Newhy wheatgrass, Great Basin wildrye), shrubs (forage kochia) and forbs (alfalfa, strawberry clover and yellow blossom sweet clover), will be planted throughout the area. Annual food plots consist of wheat, triticale, safflower, barley, corn, sorghum, sunflower, and/or millet. These areas are strategically located through the perennial habitats. Renovation techniques using fire, grazing, mechanical disturbance, chemical treatments, water regulation and re-seeding efforts will be used to improve existing habitats. Habitat manipulation will include the use of an agricultural tractor, light disking and/or spring tine tillage equipment for digging to remove annual grass. Burning will be used where conditions allow removing residual dead vegetation. Existing conditions at the time will determine the exact locations and acreage. A grazing plan has been completed and approved. Grazing treatments will be used to remove plant material, stimulate growth and remove non-desired competitive plant species. Paddock determinations will be determined based on fall assessments for the following winter/spring grazing period. Paddock formation is ongoing with the need to finish permanent gates and wings to be used in conjunction with removable electric fencing materials and natural barriers. Grazing has been used as a management tool on the areas for the past 19 years. Mowing up to approximately 100 acres may occur. Water developments will be developed and maintained for livestock and wildlife dispersion in order to reduce damage to riparian areas. Herbicide treatments will be applied in areas where noxious and invasive weeds are found to be competing with desirable plant species. Approximately 3000 acres throughout PSG/SCWMAs will be covered to detect undesirable species. These chemical treatments will be applied with backpack sprayers, agriculture equipment, track machines, UTV and/or ATV. The retention ponds and ditch systems that have been developed to collect return irrigation water will be maintained. This water is of higher quality and suitable for perennial cover, food crop and tree/shrub irrigation. Ditching systems also provide additional areas for tree and shrub planting. These areas provide travel lanes for wildlife movement and a degree of protection from avian predators. Predator control is an annual event prior to the nesting season. Trappers and DWR personnel remove Red Fox, Striped Skunk, Raven (by permit) and Raccoon to enhance the reproductive effort of numerous avian species. The Technician time requested is for anticipated work that will occur on several WMA's in the Northern Region. Salt Creek, Public Shooting Grounds and Locomotive Springs represent 34% of DWR managed wetlands in the State of Utah. The West Bear River Bay Access Area is located on east Promontory and is a public access to the Bear River Bay. The cooperative projects with BLM and DWR that are managed through this project are Blue Springs WMA, adjacent to Public Shooting Grounds and Salt Wells WMA. The cooperative areas require personnel time to meet the scope of the work defined in the agreements and to assist BLM personnel as requested and needed. With well over 100 water control structures between Salt Creek and Public Shooting Grounds there is a continual need to replace damaged and failing structures. We will be replacing two structures on PSGWMA and will use funds from this project to purchase HDPE pipe for these structures. The technician time would also provide the opportunity to enhance, maintain and develop habitat that would be beneficial for the wildlife resources that use these areas and create habitat for potential wildlife that could use a more diversified habitat. The work often requires that simultaneous events be occurring on the different WMA's in order to produce the optimal outcome. The primary need comes from the end of March to the end of November. The opportunity to hire just one individual during this time period is often limited, due to educational commitments, and can require that two or more individuals be hired.

Field observations and Standard Operational Procedures

N/A

Future management will follow directives and objectives listed within the WMA management plans. The WMA's will also continue to use technicians for habitat and wildlife enhancement efforts.

This project will continue to improve upland conditions for all recreational activities. Hunter and watchable wildlife opportunities continue to be improved with this project. Both Salt Creek and Public Shooting Grounds are grazed with domestic livestock when it is deemed necessary/practical by the WMA manager.

07/01/2021

06/30/2022

2022

Vegetation was manipulated to stimulate new growth and extend the long-term value of many plant species. Renovation techniques using grazing, mechanical disturbance, chemical treatments, water regulation and re-seeding efforts were used to improve existing habitats. Habitat manipulation included the use of an agricultural tractor, roller/packer, light discing, and/or spring tine tillage equipment for digging to remove annual grasses. Grazing was allowed on all of Public Shooting Grounds WMA and a small portion of Salt Creek WMA this fiscal year. Cows were allowed to graze on PSGWMA in the spring of 2022. The use of sheep to graze portions of SCWMA and PSGWMA as per the Jensen property purchase agreement was carried out as outlined in the agreement. Extreme drought conditions in FY22 extending into FY23 will more than likely result in limited to no grazing in FY23. Due to our inability to hire technicians in 2022, limited herbicide treatments were applied in areas where noxious and invasive weeds were found to be competing with desirable plant species. We were only able to cover approximately 70 acres on SCWMA. These chemical treatments were applied with UTV's and ATV's. The retention ponds and ditch systems that have been developed to collect return irrigation water were maintained. This water is of higher quality and suitable for perennial cover, food crop and tree/shrub irrigation. Predator control is an annual event prior to the nesting season. Trappers removed Striped Skunk, Coyote, Raven (by permit) and Raccoon to enhance the reproductive effort of numerous avian species. For FY22 we continued predator removal efforts for skunk, raccoon, feral cats and Ravens. Raven control was administered through USDA Wildlife Services. Again, due to our inability to hire technicians, DWR personnel were limited in the amount of time spent on predator removal for this year.

The goal for the project was to protect, enhance and maximize the benefits for the wildlife resources and the public that use these WMA's. The objective was to maintain high value habitat for an extended period of time. The need was to maintain existing suitable habitat and improve marginal habitat with renovation techniques. There still is a need to continue maintaining one of the State's premier wetlands for the public's use and enjoyment in a productive, functional and aesthetically pleasing condition. Perennial seeding efforts were accomplished on approximately 40 acres within Salt Creek WMA in FY22. This area was fallow since the fall of 2020 in an effort to minimize noxious weeds that have been a persistent problem in this area. Plateau herbicide was applied in the fall of 2020 with a follow-up application of glyphosate in the spring of 2021. Seeding occurred in the fall of 2021. At the time of this report, it is unknown if this project will be carried out in FY23 due to the extreme drought conditions. Food plots that were planted during the fall of 2021 had varying success. Our millet planting on the east side of Salt Creek did well and a variety of bird species has been observed using it. Several of the winter wheat fields planted in the fall of 2021, though stunted in growth, have been used heavily by Sandhill Cranes and other bird species. About 20 acres of winter wheat were planted in the fall of 2021 and about 7 acres of irrigated millet were planted in the spring/summer of 2022. Continued irrigation of existing perennial plantings was carried out throughout SCWMA. Water pumps of different sizes were utilized to accomplish watering efforts. Several of the irrigation systems were repaired as needed. Continued maintenance will be crucial for our irrigation systems. Our efforts were greatly reduced due to being unable to recruit wildlife technicians in 2022. With inflation of the economy having the impact that it has had, we could not compete with private businesses that were offering starting wages of $14/hour or higher. Added to this, the cost of fuel, those individuals that were interested in the positions could not afford to commute to our location or could not afford housing in the area.

Future management will follow directives and objectives listed within the WMA management plans.