Management of Ogden Bay, Howard Slough, and Harold S. Crane Waterfowl Management Areas (WMA's) are primarily for waterfowl and pheasant production in the spring/summer, and more importantly as a migration stopover in the spring and fall for migratory birds. However, many of the 200+ wildlife species that utilize the WMA's benefit as well. The purpose of this project is to create, maintain, and enhance critical habitats for a plethora of wildlife on our WMA's. These areas are also managed to provide waterfowl and upland hunting opportunity to the public, creating consumptive and non-consumptive recreational opportunities. To improve the upland and waterfowl habitat at Ogden Bay WMA /Howard Slough WMA/ Harold Crane WMA funding is needed to do the following: 1. Control noxious weeds and encourage productive beneficial vegetation. 2. Manage water levels to maximize wildlife production and forage in wetland environments. 3. Maintain equipment to do all of the projects on these areas. 4. Repair or reconstruct failed/failing water control structures. 5. Infrastructure erosion control by planting wetland sod mats and/or plugs. 6. Lease 2 tractors each for a 6 month period to accomplish all of the above. 7. Lease a skid steer that will allow managers to load and unload shipments that come to the WMA, allow managers to auger holes when planting shrubs/trees, assist managers in mowing in hard to get to areas. The wildlife technician positions allow for the maintenance of existing habitat and the enhancement and development of additional habitat for these WMA's. 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. Technicians will assist the only two full-time employees at OBWMA/HCWMA/HSWMA by completing necessary habitat improvement projects such as noxious weed control, phragmites control projects. Habitat technicians will be responsible for dike mowing and general maintenance on the WMAs. They will also assist in keeping W.I.M.S. updated, various seeding/planting, habitat improvement projects. Technicians will play a key role in banding projects and predator control on the WMA's.

Noxious weeds will be controlled with herbicides and water control techniques to maximize the quality of wildlife habitat. Equipment will be maintained to accomplish all projects on the areas. Tractors will be leased to accomplish mowing, disking, planting. Technicians will assist with treating around 3,000 acres of Phragmites during the fall Phragmites project. During the spring and early summer, technicians will assist in treating around 500 acres of other noxious weeds such as: hoary cress, perennial pepperweed, Dyer's woad, poison hemlock, purple loostrife, salt cedar and various thistle species. Technicians will also assist with upland nesting habitat enhancements, and ground preparation for fall food plots. Water management is essential on the wetlands to enhance our vegetation diversity. Different areas will be monitored that will either be flooded or drought stressed. This task includes monitoring over 300 water control structures that require cleaning and maintenance. Technicians will be aiding managers in banding waterfowl as well as upland releases and relocation projects. The technician will also help us with our UDWR mandated W.I.M.S. system that tracks facilities maintenance. Finally, the technician will assist with predator control.

There are currently noxious weeds on all of the uplands that need to be controlled. Once the noxious weeds are sprayed and controlled, there is potential in many areas to seed with beneficial upland seed mix to provide cover for both nesting upland birds and waterfowl. Managing water levels with fully functional water control structures will make the area much more productive. Some of this money could go towards fixing or improving water control structures. Because if water control structures fail, there is a major threat of Phragmites and cattail encroachment. When dealing with farming equipment, there is always a physical risk if employees are not cautious in operating equipment. However, technicians will be trained in the use and safety of all equipment. There is also a threat when working around water. Proper precautions and training will also be implemented when working around water.

The proposed project meets the objectives in our Habitat management plans. Also, the proposed project meets objectives in the WAP, such as: 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. Habitat modification and loss are being mitigated by perennial plantings, food plots, and shrub rows. Objective #1 for Sediment Transport Imbalance Opportunities are found and taken to modify or remove reservoir infrastructure or modify outflow management to simulate or return natural sediment transport. The continual build-up of sediments in GSL wetlands is a major problem that can lead to decreased open water areas, shallower water depths that do not maximize the production of submerged aquatic vegetation and promotes invasive plant species. The WMA's management relies on water control structures that can be used to help pass through unwanted sediments and maintain a highly diverse and functional wetland. Objective #1 for Droughts Terrestrial SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. Drought condition over the past several years has reduced the resilience of highly functional upland habitats. In order to maintain and rehabilitate these upland habitats, renovation and reseeding is necessary in order to minimize the impacts of drought. Actions that this project will address include; 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 3.3.1 Develop a list of priority reintroduction species and locations Objective #2 for Droughts Aquatic SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. Drought conditions over the past several years have made it imperative that the WMA's have properly functioning water control structures to maximize water deliveries in order to maintain key wetland habitats. Actions that this project will address include; 2.3.6 Restore aquatic habitat complexity 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings.

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. Water quantity and impoundment levels will be monitored daily.

All areas that the soil will be disturbed in areas that it hasn't been disturbed will be coordinated with the archaeologist.

This is a fairly broad project and could consist of many methods for completion of various projects. Noxious weeds will be sprayed at the appropriate time each year so that the maximum kill per species is achieved. Woody species will be planted in areas that are close to a water source so that shelter-belts can be watered. Repair of eroding dikes may be a necessary addition to this project. Water control structures will also be constructed to replace failed structures. Technicians will assist with fall waterfowl bag checks, trash management, water management, predator control, waterfowl banding and dove banding. Technicians will be safely instructed on using a variety of trapping methods, tools and techniques that abide by all state Euthanasia guidelines to decrease predators and promote desired wildlife populations on the WMA's. Technicians will be educated/trained about plant I.D., sprayer use and maintenance, machine use, maintenance and safety while working on the WMA's.

Habitat assessments for Phragmites project success are done with a series of photo-point monitoring, and rapid habitat assessments through vegetation transects on treatment sites. Weed monitoring is done by recording the amount and then acreage of herbicide sprayed. The location and date of herbicide treatments are also recorded. Habitat technicians assist managers with waterfowl population monitoring by completing on-the-ground census. Habitat technicians assist managers with waterfowl harvest monitoring through hunter-bag-checks.

SFW

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. Cattle may be used in areas where Phragmites are growing, and water management and herbicide treatments are failing.

07/01/2023

06/30/2024

2024

With another incredible winter providing excellent precipitation and moisture to our state, the spring nesting conditions were again the best they have been in decades. We planted around 25 acres of food plots and irrigated them weekly to maximize growth and production. Nearly 110 acres of nesting habitat perennial grasses and forbs were planted in November, thanks to optimal planting conditions and additional help via Wyat Hansen and the Pheasants Forever habitat specialist position. There were over 500 shrubs planted in May to help establish woody and veggitation at Ogden Bay. Another wetland planting project was held in early June, utilizing wetland sod-mats and plugs to help erosion control on S. Bachman unit infrastructure and dikes. Noxious weeds were controlled all across the uplands. Target species were thistle, white top, cactus and poison hemlock. Water levels were managed to the best of our ability despite very above average spring runoff. Two tractors were leased for 6 months each. Those tractors allowed us to do all of the habitat work. Our leased skid steer allowed managers to load and unload shipments easily that came to the WMA. It was also utilized to dig auger holes when planting shrubs/trees, assist managers in mowing in hard to get to areas, and general habitat and area maintenance via roads and dikes. Equipment was repaired and maintained as well most notably was the mower and disks. Two six month technicians were funded with this money and play a major role in completing all that gets accomplished.

Ogden Bay WMA is a very important area for both nesting and migrating waterfowl, pheasants and quail. Managers have worked extremely hard to provide the best nesting cover, food plots and habitat for wildlife possible. Our goals were to create as much suitable habitat as possible. The pheasants forever habitat specialist was extremely valuable for the area and maximizing habitat improvements to reach management objectives. Wyat added so much value to what was done. His work allowed managers to complete other much-needed tasks on the WMAs. Equipment has played a vital role in the success of this project, and all it entails. Without the use of tractors, skid steers, pumps, vehicles, and other agriculture equipment, this project would be extremely limited in size and success of its entirety.

Managers will continue to do weed control, fall plantings, food plots and shrub plantings. Ogden Bay WMA is looking pretty incredible and is sure to provide excellent habitat for wildlife this fall, while also providing incredible opportunity to our hunters.