FY 2002 Columbia Plateau proposal 199404400

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
199404400 Narrative	Narrative
199404400 Sponsor Response to the ISRP	Response
199404400 Powerpoint Presentation	Powerpoint Presentation
Columbia Cascade: Columbia Upper Middle Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Columbia Cascade: Columbia Upper Middle Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Enhance, protect, and maintain shrubsteppe habitat on the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area (SFWA)
Proposal ID	199404400
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, and enhance shrub-steppe habitat necessary to maintian and expand viable populations of pygmy rabbits, sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and other shrub-steppe obligate species.
Target species	Pygmy Rabbit, Sage Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, mule deer, other shrub-steppe obligate species

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
47.9567	-119.6565	Point on northern edge of the West Foster Creek Unit of SFWA. Approximately 5 km (3 miles) south of Bridgeport, Washington.
47.9203	-119.6775	Point on southern edge of the West Foster Creek Unit
47.7379	-119.5328	Point on northern edge of the Chester Butte Unit of SFWA. Approximately 8 km (5 miles) southeast of Mansfield, Washington.
47.6811	-119.5529	Point on southern edge of the Chester Butte Unit.
47.6809	-119.5736	Point on northern edge of the Dormaier Unit of SFWA. Approximately 13 km (8 miles) southeast of Mansfield, Washington.
47.6624	-119.5734	Point on southern edge of the Dormaier Unit
47.4888	-119.6799	Point on northern edge of the Sagebrush Flat Unit of SFWA. Approximately 24 km (15 miles) northwest of Ephrata, Washington.
47.4385	-119.6799	Point on southern edge of the Sagebrush Flat Unit.

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
1990	Douglas County Pygmy Rabbit project approved by BPA
1991	WDFW acquires 97 ha (240 ac) of shrub-steppe habitat and cropland.
1993	Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission classifies the pygmy rabbit as an endangered species in the state of Washington.
1994	Seeded 40 ha (100 ac) of old cropland to native-like perennial grasses and shrubs and constructed low berms to increase suitable burrowing habitat for pygmy rabbits as well as nesting habitat for sage grouse.
1995	Purchased 145 ha (360 ac) of shrub-steppe habitat occupied by pygmy rabbits (Dormaier Unit).
	As a result of unusual high spring runoff, portions of the pervious years seeding project had to reseeded.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys on DFW land and adjacent DNR property. Estimated number of active burrows at Sagebrush Flat to be 229. Counted 10 active burrows on the Dormaier Unit.
1996	Seeded 4.4 ha (10 ac) of erosion prone areas with a mix of soil stabilizing grass
	Conducted comprehensive vegetation survey on DFW land and 1,416 ha (3,500 ac) of adjacent DNR property.
	Conducted baseline HEP surveys on Dormaier Unit, DFW land and 1,416 ha (3,500 ac) of adjacent DNR property.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys on DFW land and adjacent DNR property. Estimated number of active burrows at Sagebrush Flat to be 182.
1997	Acquired 1,416 ha (3,500 ac) of DNR property adjacent to initial DFW land as the "core" pygmy rabbit area in the state.
	Developed a Coordinated Resource Management Plan (CRMP) for the area addressing the needs and concerns of cattle interests, agencies, landowners, resource users, politics, environmental groups and pygmy rabbits.
	Constructed 1.9 km (1.2 miles) of new interior fence and gates necessary to create the grazing units as determined by the CRMP.
	Wrote 5 year grazing lease for 890 ha (2,200 ac) of Sagebrush Flat .
	Obtained fire control contract with Grant County Fire District 13 to protect pygmy rabbit habitat from wildfires
	Monitored grazing use on grazing unit 1.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys on Sagebrush Flat. Estimated number of active burrows to be 184.
1998	Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission classifies the sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse as threatened species in the state of Washington.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation along 5.6 km (3.5 miles) of roads.
	Create 1.9 km (1.2 miles) of 'green strip' firebreaks.
	Monitored grazing use on grazing units 1 and 2.
	Developed Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lease with adjacent landowner to reseed 93 ha (230 ac) of agricultural land on Sagebrush Flat.
	Seeded 93 ha (230 ac) of agricultural land on Sagebrush Flat to native-like perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs to increase suitable habitat for pygmy rabbits and sage grouse.
	Added 893 ha (2,206 ac) of habitat purchased by WDFW for sage grouse nesting, brood rearing and wintering. This area could also serve as a potential site for reintroduction of pygmy rabbits. (Chester Butte Unit)
	Developed Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lease with former landowner in order to reseed 69 ha (171 ac) of agricultural land on the Chester Butte Unit.
	Added 799 ha (1,974 ac) of habitat purchased by WDFW to protect an active sharp-tailed grouse lek, plus nesting and wintering habitat. (West Foster Creek Unit)
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys on Sagebrush Flat. Estimated number of active burrows to be 68.
1999	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation along 5.6 km (3.5 miles) of roads at Sagebrush Flat.
	Removed old windmill from west side of Sagebrush Flat
	Began reconstruction of 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of boundary fence at Sagebrush Flat
	Transferred administration of entire Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area from Columbia Basin Wildlife Area to Wells Wildlife Area.
	Obtained a contract with Washington State University (WSU) to conduct an evaluation of pygmy rabbit habitat ecology at Sagebrush Flat.
	Completed baseline HEP surveys on the Chester Butte and West Foster Creek Units.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 7 ha (18 ac).
	CRP lessee controlled non-native weedy vegetation on Chester Butte Unit.
	Monitored grazing use on grazing units 1 and 2 at Sagebrush Flat.
	Made repairs to spring and cistern system on West Foster Creek Unit
	Removed a 2 ha (5 ac) apple orchard from the West Foster Unit.
	Volunteer placed 4 kestrel boxes on West Foster Creek Unit.
	Conducted hunter harvest checks (mule deer and upland birds).
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse lek counts. Counted 17 grouse at 1 lek and 2 grouse at satellite lek.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys at Dormaier Unit. No active burrows were found.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys at Sagebrush Flat Unit. Estimated number of active burrows to be 92.
2000	Developed fire protection and response plan for Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Obtained fire control contract with Douglas County Fire District 8 to protect pygmy rabbit and sage grouse habitat.
	Constructed 27 km (17 miles) of fire breaks (30 feet wide) within and around the Sagebrush Flat Unit to protect pygmy rabbit habitat.
	Constructed water reservoir for use in the event of fire occurring on or threatening the Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Installed new water pump, generator, timer and cattle trough at south well site of Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Constructed new water overflow pit for cattle water and fire control at north well site of Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Removed old windmills from north and south well sites of Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Constructed and seeded mounds and berms on 6 ha (16 ac) in CRP field at Sagebrush Flat to enhance potential burrow habitat for pygmy rabbits.
	Cultural Resource Survey suggested that home at Dormaier homestead remain standing. This structure also provides habitat for bats, it will remain in place.
	Added 145 ha (360 ac) of habitat purchased by WDFW to protect an active sharp-tailed grouse nesting and wintering habitat. (West Foster Creek Unit)
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation along 12 km (7.5 miles) of roads.
	Controlled non-native weedy vegetation on 10 ha (25 ac).
	WSU graduate student began three year project to conduct an evaluation of pygmy rabbit habitat ecology at Sagebrush Flat.
	CRP lessee controlled non-native weedy vegetation on Chester Butte Unit.
	Monitored grazing use on grazing units 1 and 2 at Sagebrush Flat Unit.
	Volunteer placed 12 kestrel boxes on the Chester Butte Unit. A total of 19 young hatched, all of which were banded.
	Conducted hunter harvest checks (mule deer and upland birds).
	Conducted sharp-tailed grouse lek counts. Counted 13 grouse at 1 lek.
	Conducted pygmy rabbit burrow surveys at Sagebrush Flat Unit. Estimated number of active burrows to be 101.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199609400	Scotch Creek Wildlife Area	Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives
199106100	Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area	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
	Pygmy rabbit captive rearing project proposal	Rabbits will be obtained from and released on the Sagebrush Flat Wildlfie Area.
	Shrubsteppe/CRP mapping proposal	The SFWA will be evaluated if the proposal is funded.

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. Implement management activities and schedules described in the SFWA Enhancement Plan.	a. Control introduced vegetation.	ongoing	$31,189
	b. Maintain sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood rearing habitat enhancements.	ongoing	$22,000
	c. Enhance and maintain shrub, tree, and riparian habitat.	ongoing	$30,000
	d. Maintain boundary fences, construct 25.6 km (16 mi) of new fence, survey boundaries, remove dilapidated fence, construct shrub/tree enhancement deer fences.	1	$664,186	Yes
	e. Maintain all project related equipment and machinery.	ongoing	$4,000
	f. Maintain project infrastructure and physical improvements including roads, signs, culverts, wells, buildings etc., to the extent necessary to implement the management plan.	ongoing	$30,900
	g. Coordinate protection, enhancement, and maintenance activities with BLM, DNR, adjacent landowners, and public interests as required.	ongoing	$2,000
	h. Provide adequate fire protection to include surveillance and fire fighting resources including a fire contingency fund.	ongoing	$47,500	Yes
2. Increase the number of sharp-tailed grouse occupying the SFWA to 200 by 2010.	a.Translocate sharp-tailed grouse to the SFWA for genetic augmentation purposes to improve long-term population viability.	3	$1,000
3. Protect and increase the remaining pygmy rabbit population on the Sagebrush Flat Unit and vicinity to at least 500 adult rabbits and 100 adult rabbits on the Dormaier/Chesterbutte Units by 2010.	a. Educate the public regarding pygmy rabbit identification and habitat requirements.	ongoing	$8,000
	b. Manage and improve the quantity, quality, and configuration of shrubsteppe habitat as needed to benefit pygmy rabbits.	ongoing	$21,600
	c. Conduct searches on the Dormaier and Chester Butte Units to locate additional pygmy rabbit populations and/or suitable habitat for relocations.	1	$5,000
	d. Augment existing pygmy rabbit populations and establish new populations in suitable habitat through captive rearing or translocations.	4	$2,000
4. Establish a population of at least 400 sage grouse on the SFWA and adjacent lands by 2010.	a. Conduct research on sage grouse at the SFWA through 2005 in conjunction with WDFW’s statewide sage grouse research program.	4	$1,000
	b.Improve shrubsteppe habitat quality and configuration on the SFWA by 2005.	4	$25,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Implement management activities and schedules described in the SFWA Enhancement Plan.	2003	2006	$687,610
2. Increase the number of sharp-tailed grouse occupying the SFWA to 200 by 2010.	2003	2004	$2,200
3. Protect and increase the remaining pygmy rabbit population on the Sagebrush Flat Unit and vicinity to at least 500 adult rabbits and 100 adult rabbits on the Dormaier/Chesterbutte Units by 2010.	2003	2006	$139,040
4. Establish a population of at least 400 sage grouse on the SFWA and adjacent lands by 2010.	2003	2005	$85,800

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$236,363	$236,362	$235,263	$206,662

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1. Monitor and conduct research on sharp-tailed grouse, pygmy rabbits, and sage grouse on the SFWA through 2005.	a. Monitor sharp-tailed grouse leks annually (lek surveillance).	ongoing	$1,500
	b. Search SFWA and adjacent areas for satellite/new leks annually (site reconnaissance).	ongoing	$1,000
	c. Conduct sharp-tailed grouse nesting and brood surveys annually (field surveys and/or radio telemetry).	ongoing	$3,000
	d. Correlate population responses to habitat alteration using statistical models including covariance analysis.	ongoing	$500
	e. Monitor and control recreational use of project lands.	ongoing	$3,000
	f. Monitor and conduct research on pygmy rabbit populations, determine population viability, and evaluate population responses to habitat alteration and other management activities.	5	$1,000
	g. Monitor pygmy rabbits returned or released into the wild and evaluate the effectiveness of translocation techniques.	5	$1,000
	h. Monitor sage grouse population size, determine population viability, and evaluate population responses to habitat alteration.	ongoing	$2,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Monitor and conduct research on sharp-tailed grouse, pygmy rabbits, and sage grouse on the SFWA through 2005.	2003	2006	$13,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$13,000	$13,000	$13,000	$13,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: Bio. II-12 months, Bio III-2 months, Hab. Tech. 2-3 months, Equip. Opr.-3 months, WCC crew 2 months.	$100,000
Fringe	For staff listed above	$20,558
Supplies	Equipment, small hand tools, materials, herbicides, utilities, rent, infrastucture, training etc.	$60,000
Travel	Pesticide applicator courses etc.	$1,500
Indirect	Computed at 0.252%	$179,817
Capital	Tractor mower	$15,000
NEPA	N/A	$0
PIT tags	# of tags: N/A	$0
Subcontractor	Fence boundary surveying and construction and fire protection contracts.	$531,500
		$908,375

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$908,375
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$908,375
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$110,048
% change from forecast	725.4%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Contract fencing costs, inflation, increased staffing and enhancement activities.

Reason for change in scope

Increased the size of the project area by 110 percent and increased the number of biological objectives and enhancement activities.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
WDFW	Personnel, equipment, vehicles, etc.	$30,000	cash

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 only if response is adequate

Date:
Jun 15, 2001

Comment:

Fundable if adequate responses are given to ISRP concerns. The rationale for this project is tied to protection and restoration of pygmy rabbits, sage grouse, and 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.

The response needs to justify the budget including the large indirect costs - nearly twice that of salaries, and the major surveying and fencing costs - $530K - which are not adequately justified as to their need. Management of 8600 acres is involved here. Excluding fencing and surveying leaves about $400K for year 2002, which works out to about $46/acre for that year's management. Conversion of cropland is more costly than routine management, but this seems high compared to other projects.

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 response is adequate. The rationale for this project is tied to protection and restoration of pygmy rabbits, sage grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse. These activities are related to a number of regional programs. However, the priority of this project does not appear urgent.

The proposal provides much detail for monitoring and evaluation indicating awareness of issues missing from many proposals. Additionally, the ISRP recommends that terrestrial sampling on Fish and Wildlife Program lands follow a common sampling method and some common data collection protocols across the four States involved to enhance monitoring and evaluation of terrestrial systems on subbasin and basin scales. Perhaps the National Resources Inventory sampling procedures and data collection protocols would serve the region well. See the Proposals #200002300 and #200020116 and ISRP reviews.

The response included better description of budget items, but the cost still seems high compared to other projects.

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:

BPA intends to fund consistent with the Council's recommendation of 1/18/02

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

On track

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

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:
$249,362	$249,362	$249,362

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website