Hardware Ranch WMA Drift Fence Project FY22
Project ID: 5682
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2022
Submitted By: 451
Project Manager: Bradley Hunt
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northern
Description:
The construction of a mile-long drift fence to prevent trespassing cattle from Coldwater Ranch coming onto the WMA. In exchange for providing the materials Coldwater's employees will construct the fence.
Location:
This project is located at Hardware Ranch WMA, 16 east of Hyrum, UT in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Coldwater Ranch shares our southern boundary, south of the lower hay meadows and SR-101.
Project Need
Need For Project:
Along the southern border which Hardware Ranch WMA shares with Coldwater Ranch, there is only one area where it is likely for cattle to trespass onto the WMA. The other areas have a steep enough aspect that the cattle avoid them. The drift fence will prevent the trespass of Coldwater cattle onto the WMA.
Objectives:
Construct a drift fence that will prevent cattle from trespassing onto Hardware Ranch WMA, and secondarily prevent the cattle from impacting haying operations.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Trespass cattle are removing grass from areas that could be utilized by deer and elk in the fall and winter months.
Relation To Management Plan:
This ties directly to the HRWMA Management Plan in administering a prescribed grazing program in designated areas. It also is in line with the FY21 Workplan for Hardware to be sure that the management of Hardware Ranch WMA is in compliance with the Use of Divison Lands Rule (R657-28).
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
N/A
Compliance:
Unknown if archaeology is needed for this project.
Methods:
HRWMA will provide the necessary materials for a 3-wire barbed-wire fence on T-posts to be constructed. This fence will need to be wildlife-friendly. The first or bottom wire will be 16" above the ground at each post, the second wire 8" above the bottom wire, the third wire 8" above the second, and the fourth or top wire 10" above the third. This spacing should enable mule deer and elk to navigate the fence with a minimized risk of getting tangled in the wire. Coldwater Ranch will construct the fence along the shared boundary between their property and the WMA. They will also maintain it in good condition following its construction.
Monitoring:
WMA manager and/or manager's representative will coordinate the purchase and delivery of the materials. The WMA manager and/or manager's representative will verify the fence is constructed to specs and completed before the end of FY22.
Partners:
Coldwater Ranch, LLC
Future Management:
The WMA manager and/or manager's representative will regularly inspect the fence to see that it is maintained in good working order.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
The fence, as well as aspects of the terrain, are used to hold cattle on Coldwater and prevent their trespass onto the WMA. Fencing is only being employed where the terrain is insufficient to prevent cattle from drifting.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$9,500.00 $0.00 $9,500.00 $10,000.00 $19,500.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Contractual Services Coldwater Ranch's labor to install designated drift fence on the shared boundary between HRWMA & their property $0.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 2022
Materials and Supplies T-posts, wooden posts, barbed wire, fencing stays, etc. to construct a wildlife-friendly fence between HRWMA and Coldwater Ranch $9,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2022
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$9,500.00 $0.00 $9,500.00 $10,000.00 $19,500.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Habitat Council Account QHCR $9,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Private Private landowner labor costs to install and complete the project. $0.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 2022
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Habitats
Habitat
Mountain Meadow
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) High
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native Medium
Project Comments
Comment 08/23/2023 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
This is just a reminder that completion reports are due August 31st. Expenses have been entered 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. 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. Thanks.
Comment 10/02/2023 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
Project has been moved to completed?
Completion
Start Date:
07/01/2021
End Date:
06/30/2023
FY Implemented:
2023
Final Methods:
Hardware WMA purchased needed T-posts, wire, and fencing stays for the drift fence project. Coldwater agreed by contract to construct and maintain the fence.
Project Narrative:
The HWMA manager and Coldwater managers met and drove the fence line to make sure the intended fence would be on the property boundary and not encroaching on WMA property. Coldwater used its skid steer to clear the fence line and begin installing the provided materials. Coldwater has until the end of October 2023 to finish the fence. The HWMA manager will check the completed fence and provided pictures after it is finished.
Future Management:
Coldwater agreed via contract to stand up and lay down the fence annually, and do any maintenance that is required in the future. HWMA will monitor its maintenance.
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
940 Fence Construction Barbed wire
Project Map
Project Map