Project funds would be used to modify 4 miles of fences in the Woodruff Cooperative Wildlife Management Area to allow passage by big game. The project area is within crucial winter range for mule deer and pronghorn and the fences do not permit safe movement of these big game species. The fences to be replaced have 5-6 barbed wires and dead big game animals have been observed tangled in the fences. Fences may be totally replaced or simply modified, whatever method is most cost efficient, to achieve the standards for fences in big game habitat as described in the BLM fencing handbook H-1741-1. Fences to be treated will be interior fences within the Woodruff Coop WMA or those along the eastern boundary where there are BLM-managed lands on both sides of the fence. Fences along Highway 16 will not be treated. Secretarial Order (S.O.) 3362 (Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors) emphasizes the importance of conserving and improving mule deer and pronghorn habitats. In particular, S.O. 3362 directs that the BLM "appropriately apply site-specific management activities, as identified in State land use plans, site-specific plans, or the Action Plan that conserve or restore habitat necessary to sustain local and regional big-game populations...". One management activity that the S.O. specifically mentions is the modification of existing fences that impede big game movements. Implementation of the proposed project will contribute to the conservation of big game species as directed in S.O. 3362.

Prevent death or injury of big game by modifying fence that does not allow for safe passage by wildlife.

Big game animals are being injured or killed by the fences. Delaying modifications will likely lead to additional mortality that could be prevented.

1. Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan Habitat Management Goal B. Objective 1. Strategy f.: Work with public land management agencies to ensure that any new fence construction within pronghorn habitat follows specifications published in the 2006 Pronghorn Management Guides (Autenrieth et al. 2006) or BLM Fencing Manual (1741). Remove or modify any fences that no longer meet installation objectives. The project would modify existing fences that are not meeting BLM Fencing Manual (1741) standards in an area that has been identified as crucial pronghorn habitat. 2. Utah Greater Sage-grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment (ARMPA) MA-LG-16: To reduce outright GRSG strikes and mortality, remove, modify or mark fences in high risk areas (Stevens et al. 2012) based on proximity to lek (e.g., within 1.2 miles of a lek), lek size, and topography, or as latest science indicates. Prioritize actions in SFA first, then PHMA. Employ NRCS fence collision risk tool (NRCS/CEAP Conservation Insight Publication "Applying the Sage Grouse Fence Collision Risk Tool to Reduce Bird Strikes"). The fences being treated would have fence markers added if not already marked and within the high risk area. If a treated fence already has markers, they will be maintained or replaced as necessary.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Cultural Resources - not applicable. Fences will be within existing fenceline footprints that have already been cleared for cultural resources, so no further cultural surveys will be necessary. ESA - not applicable. The project will have no effect on any federally listed species (no occurrence records or designated critical habitat), so no further action regarding the ESA is required. NEPA - A CX will be prepared later this spring.

Areas of fence that are not meeting BLM standards for pronghorn (Fencing Manual 1741) will be either 1. modified to meet the standard by removing strands, raising and replacing the bottom strand with smooth wire, or 2. entirely removed and replaced with new fencing that meets the BLM standard. The condition of the existing fence will dictate which method (modification or removal and replacement) will be used. Fences that are being treated in areas of high strike risk for sage-grouse (Stevens et al. 2012) will have fence markers added (or maintained, if the existing fence is already marked).

Periodic visual inspection.

BLM, UDWR and grazing permittees. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources supports the project as consistent with their Migration Initiative and will be included in project planning. Coordination with the grazing permittees using the project area will occur during project design and implementation.

Fences will be routinely inspected and repaired if needed to ensure they are functioning as intended.

The Woodruff Coop Wildlife Management Area is used for recreation. The project will improve the quality and quantity of this sustainable use by reducing mortality of big game species that provide wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.