DWR-NRCS Farm Bill Biologists FY23
Project ID: 6100
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2023
Submitted By: 49
Project Manager: Danny Summers
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Salt Lake Office
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Statewide
Description:
Continue funding four wildlife biologist's in NRCS area/field offices throughout the state to help deliver Farm Bill programs to benefit wildlife.
Location:
Staff are located in NRCS field offices in Provo, Ephraim, Price and Cedar City. Work is performed statewide.
Project Need
Need For Project:
The purpose of these biologists is to ensure that needed technical assistance and biological expertise associated with the field work and administration necessary to implement the conservation programs under the Farm Bill.
Objectives:
The biologists will work with field office staff and individual producers to explain NRCS programs and program benefits to producers; ensure that producers are knowledgeable of conservation cost-share programs administered by NRCS; maintain producer case files and contract support documents; and provide direct technical assistance to plan, design, install, and evaluate wildlife habitat development plans, wetland restoration plans, and wildlife practices in other conservation plans. Funding will allow wildlife biologists that are already in place to continue working with private landowners and implement Farm Bill Programs. The biologists are familiar with both NRCS and DWR protocols and are able to find the best methods to complete projects that meet both the private landowners goal and are still beneficial to wildlife. These biologists are critical to work with the private landowners, especially in areas where there is potential conflict between privately owned winter ranges and wildlife. Continued efforts will improve wildlife habitat in these areas.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
N/A
Relation To Management Plan:
Efforts by these biologists will improve relationships between government and private landowners. Additionally, it will allow habitat improvement projects on many land types and areas that DWR may not have had access to previous to this cooperative effort. The biologists are familiar with multiple Farm Bill program funding sources and are able to identify wildlife projects and additional sources to leverage funding.
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
N/A
Compliance:
N/A
Methods:
DWR and NRCS will continue to match funding 1:1 to staff four wildlife biologists throughout Utah. The four biologists are DWR employees stationed in NRCS offices. They work directly with both DWR and NRCS staff.
Monitoring:
N/A
Partners:
NRCS and others depending on the project.
Future Management:
N/A
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Working with private landowners and permittees to benefit wildlife habitat and landowner interests.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$358,268.00 $0.00 $358,268.00 $0.00 $358,268.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Personal Services (permanent employee) $344,268.00 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Materials and Supplies $14,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$338,633.36 $0.00 $338,633.36 $0.00 $338,633.36
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Habitat Council Account QHCR $56,711.74 $0.00 $0.00 2023
DWR Restricted REST $112,604.94 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) A110 $169,316.68 $0.00 $0.00 2023
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Habitats
Habitat
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Brush Eradication / Vegetation Treatments Medium
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) High
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Channelization / Bank Alteration (direct, intentional) High
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Increasing stream temperatures Unknown
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native Medium
Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub
Threat Impact
Fire and Fire Suppression Medium
Desert Grassland
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Medium
Desert Grassland
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (historic) High
Desert Grassland
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native High
Desert Grassland
Threat Impact
Soil Erosion / Loss Medium
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Brush Eradication / Vegetation Treatments Medium
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Habitat Shifting and Alteration High
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Housing and Urban Areas Medium
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Problematic Plant Species – Native Upland Medium
Lowland Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Soil Erosion / Loss Medium
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Brush Eradication / Vegetation Treatments Medium
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) High
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (historic) Very High
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity Medium
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Problematic Plant Species – Native Upland Very High
Open Water
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Medium
Open Water
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native Medium
Open Water
Threat Impact
Sediment Transport Imbalance Medium
Riverine
Threat Impact
Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) High
Riverine
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) High
Riverine
Threat Impact
Invasive Plant Species – Non-native Medium
Riverine
Threat Impact
Fire and Fire Suppression Medium
Project Comments
Comment 09/15/2022 Type: 3 Commenter: Chelcey Larsen
Program #'s J. Hall E4Z235A26 S. Burleson E4Z235A27 S. Gurley E4Z236A44 E. Rees E4Z237A25
Completion
Start Date:
07/01/2022
End Date:
06/30/2023
FY Implemented:
2023
Final Methods:
The four biologists contacted landowners concerning Farm Bill programs, generated program applications, assisted with conservation plan development and managed multiple UPCD WRI habitat improvement projects. Our Cedar City biologist had the highest amount of NRCS obligated funds in the State, included NRCS employees. He has also been increasingly successful at getting Farm Bill funding for projects on federal allotments, which is increasing project work on public land. They were also able to provide additional assistance concerning wildlife and habitat needs for projects as requested from field or area office staff. They provided input and direction for funding several projects funded through the Sage Grouse Initiative. They are active with local sage grouse working groups, local UPCD WRI working groups and UACD Boards. Each biologist continues to attend professional training workshops and seminars. We replaced the Provo biologist this year. Kyle Cook was hired in the spring of 2023. Coordination meetings were held with NRCS in April and June. In June we had a farm bill biologist field day hosted by Stan Gurley. This meeting was held to increase the working relationships of our partner biologists.
Project Narrative:
These partner biologists have been very beneficial to work with private landowners and extend WRI projects across jurisdictional boundaries.
Future Management:
Currently these positions are contracted through 2024.
Map Features
N/A
Project Map
N/A