Rabbit Gulch WMA Fencing Phase II
Project ID: 6024
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2023
Submitted By: 30
Project Manager: Pat Rainbolt
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northeastern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northeastern
Description:
Drill pipe fencing of the exterior WMA boundary.
Location:
West of Starvation Reservoir in Duchesne County, Utah.
Project Need
Need For Project:
The Rabbit Gulch WMA is bordered by multiple subdivided sections of "mini-ranches", oil well pads, and various other private properties. The existing fence around much of the WMA border is a t-post and barbed wire fence. It is easier for the bordering private property owners in certain locations to cut the WMA fence and make their own access road into their property instead of using their existing right of way. This is an illegal activity that diminishes the value of the WMA for wildlife use. Many of the bordering properties are bought sight-unseen and have no legal access other than foot or horseback. New property owners then contact UDWR expecting to obtain a right of way and they cannot. On several occasions, after denial, the property owner will proceed with constructing their own road across the WMA and the UDWR has pursued legal action and reclamation of the disturbed area. Over time, this activity has created a network of illegal roads and access points along portions of the WMA border that this project will address.
Objectives:
The Duchesne County Surveyor will perform the boundary survey, mark the border and section corners. A contractor will be hired to remove the existing non-functional fence and replace it with a drill pipe/succor rod type fence. This style of fencing has been used on other WMAs in Duchesne County with similar problems and has proven effective at stopping vandalism and illegal roads.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Threats to the property in absence of an upgraded fence include: habitat degradation beyond the point of reclamation, disturbance and displacement of wintering big game, spread of noxious weeds, a poor product that was invested in with sportsman's dollars, poor public image of UDWR WMAs. Displaced wintering big game will cause depredation issues on surrounding private agricultural lands.
Relation To Management Plan:
Rabbit Gulch WMA Habitat Management Plan Management Goals A. Protect the existing resource for wildlife from deterioration with emphasis on critical big game winter range values. B. Enhance and improve existing habitat through vegetative manipulation projects, access management, and maintenance of fences and cattle guards.
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
Decrease in sediment going into the Starvation Reservoir Watershed as a result of illegal roads and the use of those roads.
Compliance:
Fence will be replaced along the existing fence line and will not require any clearances.
Methods:
Fence will be constructed with 2 3/8" diameter steel drill pipe posts and top rail. The second and third rails will be lengths of succor rod held in place by clips on each post.
Monitoring:
UDWR Habitat Section will monitor the fence for compliance to wildlife friendly design during construction. Fence will be monitored annually for maintenance needs.
Partners:
Duchesne County Commissioners have been informed of our intentions to fence the border and are supportive. Private property owners in the affected area have been contacted and are aware of the project. The Duchesne County surveyor will perform the boundary survey and mark the border and section corners before construction. Dedicated Hunters will donate some of the construction materials.
Future Management:
Future maintenance needs will be performed by UDWR NER Habitat staff and Dedicated Hunters.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
The fence will aid in the protection of the property to help maintain the wildlife values for which it was purchased.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$40,000.00 $0.00 $40,000.00 $15,000.00 $55,000.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Contractual Services Construction of 4,000' of drill pipe/succor rod fencing $40,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Materials and Supplies Drill pipe and succor rod donation from Dedicated Hunters $0.00 $0.00 $15,000.00 2023
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$40,000.00 $0.00 $40,000.00 $16,565.86 $56,565.86
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
DWR-WRI Project Admin In-Kind $0.00 $0.00 $1,565.86 2024
El Paso E & P T045 $27.08 $0.00 $0.00 2024
Habitat Council Account QHCR $30,155.93 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Volunteers - Dedicated Hunters Material Donations $0.00 $0.00 $15,000.00 2023
Habitat Council Account QHCR $9,816.99 $0.00 $0.00 2024
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Elk R2
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Medium
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network Medium
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Cabin Communities / Development Low
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Medium
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Roads – Transportation Network High
Habitats
Habitat
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
OHV Motorized Recreation Low
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Soil Erosion / Loss Medium
Project Comments
Comment 08/23/2024 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 (if applicable) 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 09/06/2024 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
Thank you for submitting your completion form on time. I have moved this project to completed.
Completion
Start Date:
06/07/2024
End Date:
06/28/2024
FY Implemented:
2024
Final Methods:
A private contractor was hired during the summer of 2024 to remove the 1,550' section of old fencing and replace it with a welded pipe fence design. The project took 3 weeks to complete and is already helping curb the encroachment/trespass issue on the WMA.
Project Narrative:
The Rabbit Gulch WMA is surrounded by small, private, subdivided, recreation lots. Over the past decade, use of these lots has become popular and many have illegally used the WMA to access their private property. The boundary fence is a simple t-post and wire fence that can be easily cut and removed to make room for illegal access. This illegal access has created resource problems that involve erosion, weeds, dust, and general increased traffic and disturbance. This well-fortified fence will help clearly define the WMA boundary and eliminate the trespass and illegal access issue.
Future Management:
Future maintenance needs will be performed by UDWR NER Habitat staff and Dedicated Hunters.
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
1265 Fence Reconstruction Pipe
Project Map
Project Map