FY 2002 Columbia Plateau proposal 199106100

Section 1. General administrative information
Section 2. Past accomplishments
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
Section 4. Budgets for planning/design phase
Section 5. Budgets for construction/implementation phase
Section 6. Budgets for operations/maintenance phase
Section 7. Budgets for monitoring/evaluation phase
Section 8. Budget summary

Reviews and Recommendations

Additional documents

Title	Type
199106100 Narrative	Narrative
199106100 Powerpoint Presentation	Powerpoint Presentation
Columbia Plateau: Crab Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Columbia Plateau: Crab Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area (SLWA)
Proposal ID	199106100
Organization	Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Paul R. Ashley
Mailing address	8702 N. Division Spokane, WA 99218
Phone / email	5094562823 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	Jenene Fenton
Review cycle	Columbia Plateau
Province / Subbasin	Columbia Plateau / Crab Creek
Short description	Protect, increase, and maintain a viable sharp-tailed grouse meta population, re-establish a viable sage grouse population, increase mule deer use of the project site, and enhance shrubsteppe habitat for shrub-steppe obligate species.
Target species	Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sage Grouse, mule deer, shrub-steppe obligate species

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
		Point on northern boundary of the SLWA. Approximately 10 miles south of Creston, Washington.
		Point on southern boundary of the SLWA.
		Point on western boundary of the SLWA.
		Point on eastern boundary of the SLWA.
47.6245	-118.5363	Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agency	Action #	BiOp Agency	Description

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishment
1992	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 24 grouse displaying on 6 leks.
	Conducted baseline HEP surveys.
1993	Acquired the 4,208 ha (10,399 ac) Roloff property as the "core" sharp-tailed grouse area within WDFW's Sharp-tailed Grouse Management Zone 4 and Sage Grouse Management Zone 1.
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 41 grouse displaying on 6 leks.
1994	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 20 grouse displaying on 5 leks.
1995	Expanded the "core area" by acquiring the 2,478 ha (5060 ac) Welch/Anderson properties, the 97 ha (240 ac) Rustemeyer/Finch ranch, and adding the 1,214 ha (3000 ac) Tracy Rock parcel purchased by WDFW.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 193 ha (478 ac).
	Coordinated sharp-tailed grouse management activities with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM owns approximately 15,000 ac) adjacent to the SLWA project.
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 62 grouse displaying on 6 leks.
1996	Seeded 210 ha (520 ac)of agricultural land to native-like perennial grasses and forbs for sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood rearing habitat. Planted 18,400 shrubs and trees for sharp-tailed grouse winter forage and loafing/roosting cover.
	Seeded 97 ha (240 ac) to small grains in order to supplement sharp-tailed grouse winter feed while shrubs, trees, and native herbaceous cover is established (Finch Management Unit).
	Purchased 119 ha (295 ac) of habitat to preserve a sharp-tailed grouse lek site and adjoining nesting habitat as well as protect the area from further anthropogenic disturbance/development.
	Constructed 27 km (16 mi) of fence to protect habitat from livestock encroachment.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 367 ha (906 ac).
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 55 grouse displaying on 7 leks.
1997	Converted 12 ha (30 ac) of agricultural land to native-like perennial grasses and forbs for sharp-tailed grouse nesting/brood rearing habitat. Planted an additional 23,500 shrubs and trees primarily for winter forage and thermal cover. Seeded
	6 ha (15 ac) to small grains for sharp-tailed grouse supplemental winter feed (Roloff Management Unit).
	Developed 16 ha (40 ac) of sharp-tailed grouse nesting/brood rearing habitat on the Roloff West Management Unit.
	Purchased 321 ha (792 ac) of shrub-steppe habitat to link disjunct parcels and further protect habitat/wildlife values on SLWA.
	Established permanent monitoring and evaluation transects.
	Constructed 26 km (16 mi) of fence and repaired an additional 19 km (12 mi) of fence to protect habitat from livestock encroachment.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 342 ha (846 ac).
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 57 grouse displaying on 7 leks.
1998	Constructed 27 ha (17 mi) of fence and repaired an additional 7 km (4.5 mi) of fence to protect habitat from livestock encroachment.
	Obtained fire control contracts to protect shrub-steppe habitat from wildfires.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 223 ha. (552 ac).
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 48 grouse displaying on 8 leks.
1999	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 178 ha (440 ac).
	Completed the Cultural Resource Survey.
	Constructed 3.2 km (2 mi) of fence and performed routine maintenance on an additional 96 km (60 mi) of fence.
	Assisted Scotch Creek WA staff seed 162 ha (400 ac) to native-like sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood rearing habitat.
	Maintained seeded fields.
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 62 grouse displaying on 8 leks.
2000	Constructed 0.4 km (0.25 mi) of new fence and maintained 96 km (60 mi) of existing fence to protect habitat from livestock encroachment and vehicle trespass.
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse Lek surveys. Counted 49 grouse displaying on 8 leks.
	Conducted jackrabbit surveys. No rabbits were observed; however, tracks were detected.
	Captured and banded 15 ducks on the SLWA to compliment WDFW/USFWS migration tracking efforts.
	Conducted neo tropical bird surveys.
	Conducted hunter harvest surveys (mule deer, waterfowl, and upland birds).
	Replicated 1992 HEP surveys (results included in Part 2) and established permanent vegetation monitoring transects.
	Conducted fertilizer trials on restored grasslands (results included in Part 2).
	Constructed six bat boxes to mitigate for a razed structure that was used by little brown bats.
	Controlled introduced weedy vegetation on 101 ha (250 ac) of shrubsteppe habitat

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199609400	Scotch Creek Wildlife Area	Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives
1994044	Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area (Douglas County Pygmy Rabbit Project)	Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives
21034	Colville Tribes restore habitat for sharp-tailed grouse	Supports Tribal (CCT) and WDFW goals and objectives
199204800	Hells Gate big game winter range wildlife mitigation project	Supports Tribal (CCT) and WDFW goals and objectives

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Increase the number of sharp-tailed grouse from approximately 180 to 400 by 2010.	a. Translocate sharp-tailed grouse to the SLWA for genetic augmentation purposes to improve long-term population viability.	4	$5,000
	b.Monitor and control recreational use of project lands.	ongoing	$5,000
2. Implement management activities and schedules described in the SLWA Enhancement Plan	a. Control introduced vegetation.	ongoing	$50,000
	b. Maintain sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood rearing habitat enhancements.	ongoing	$35,000
	c. Maintain shrub and tree enhancements.	ongoing	$10,000
	d. Maintain 96 km (60 mi) of boundary fence to protect habitat from trespass livestock grazing and vehicle encroachment.	ongoing	$25,000
	e. Maintain all project related equipment and machinery.	ongoing	$20,000
	f. Maintain project infrastructure and physical improvements including roads, signs, culverts, wells, buildings etc., to the extent necessary to implement the management plan.	ongoing	$22,238
	g. Coordinate protection, enhancement, and maintenance activities with BLM, DNR, adjacent landowners, and public interests.	ongoing	$3,000
	h. Provide adequate fire protection to include surveillance and fire fighting resources.	ongoing	$5,000	Yes
	i. Conduct grassland fertilzer trials	3	$10,000
	j. Construct 2.5 miles of new fence	2	$20,000	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Increase the number of sharp-tailed grouse from approximately 180 to 400 by 2010.	2003	2006	$35,000
2. Implement management activities and schedules described in the SLWA Enhancement Plan	2003	2006	$775,548

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$210,137	$200,137	$200,137	$200,137

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1.Conduct research on sharp-tailed grouse on the SLWA through 2005 in conjunction with WDFW’s statewide sharp-tailed grouse research program.	a.Monitor sharp-tailed grouse leks annually.	ongoing	$12,000
	b. Search SLWA and adjacent areas for satellite/new leks annually.	ongoing	$5,000
	c.Conduct sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood surveys annually.	ongoing	$3,000
	d. Correlate population responses to habitat alterations.	ongoing	$5,000
2. Monitor wildlife and habitat response to protection, maintenance, and enhancement measures annually.	a. Conduct surveys for sage grouse.	ongoing	$1,000
	b. Conduct annual neotropical bird surveys.	ongoing	$3,000
	c. Conduct big game (deer) surveys.	ongoing	$2,000
	d. Conduct hunter harvest surveys.	ongoing	$4,000
	e. Monitor existing HEP and vegetation transects and establish new permanent vegetation transects.	ongoing	$30,000
	f. Conduct HEP analysis and establish vegetation transects on new acquisitions/project lands.	2	$15,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1.Conduct research on sharp-tailed grouse on the SLWA through 2005 in conjunction with WDFW’s statewide sharp-tailed grouse research program.	2003	2006	$100,000
2. Monitor wildlife and habitat response to protection, maintenance, and enhancement measures annually.	2003	2006	$175,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$80,000	$65,000	$65,000	$65,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: 2.5- Bio III (12 months), Bio II (9 months), Laborer (9 months), Bio IV (0.25 months)	$101,460
Fringe	For staff outlined under "Personnel"	$25,370
Supplies	Fuel, herbicides, maintenance materials, utilities, bldg. maintenance, signs, training, etc.	$82,015
Travel	Herbicide applicator license courses etc.	$2,000
Indirect	Computed at 25.2%	$54,393
Capital	N/A	$0
NEPA	N/A	$0
PIT tags	# of tags: N/A	$0
Subcontractor	Fire Districts (5,000), Fencing Contractor ($20,000)	$25,000
		$290,238

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$290,238
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$290,238
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$256,000
% change from forecast	13.4%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Fencing costs associated with new acquisitions and increased monitoring and evaluation activities.

Reason for change in scope

The scope has changed to include additional sharp-tailed grouse research and re-introduction strategies in order to facilitate sharp-tailed grouse population growth at the SLWA.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
WDFW	Assistance with wildlife and vegetation surveys and habitat enhancement planning (non project wildlife biologists, vehicles etc.).	$10,000	in-kind
WDFW	Washington Conservation Corps crew assists with fence maintenance etc.	$4,000	in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2001-6)

Recommendation:
Fundable - no response required

Date:
Jun 15, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. The rationale for this project is tied to protection and restoration of sharp-tailed grouse. These activities are related to a number of regional programs. The proposal provides much detail for monitoring and evaluation indicating awareness of issues missing from many proposals but discovered by the WDFW Crab Creek team. This is a very well prepared proposal that is thorough and comprehensive. Operation and maintenance costs for the area are about $15/A/yr for 2002, which is about the same that YN estimates for their land management operation and maintenance.

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Aug 3, 2001

Comment:

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2001-8)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Aug 10, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. The rationale for this project is tied to protection and restoration of sharp-tailed grouse. These activities are related to a number of regional programs. The proposal provides much detail for monitoring and evaluation indicating awareness of issues missing from many proposals but discovered by the WDFW Crab Creek team. This is a very well prepared proposal that is thorough and comprehensive. Operation and maintenance costs for the area are about $15/A/yr for 2002, which is about the same that the YN estimates for their land management operation and maintenance.

REVIEW:
NMFS Review

Recommendation:

Date:
Oct 1, 2001

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
N/A

Comments

Already ESA Req? N/A

Biop? no

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Jan 3, 2002

Comment:

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Decision

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Mar 6, 2002

Comment:

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

Project on track. Sponsor will check on accruals.

REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review

Funding category:
expense

Date:
May 2005

FY05 NPCC start of year:	FY06 NPCC staff preliminary:	FY06 NPCC July draft start of year:
$0	$265,137	$265,137

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website