ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review"

Charlene Fox
5 years ago
Views:

ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: Southwest Project Proposal Title: New River Aleutian Goose Project Applicants(s): Mike

1 ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: Southwest Project Proposal Title: New River Aleutian Goose Project Applicants(s): Mike Knapp, Jim Kamph, Rick McKenzie, Alan Haga Date of Council Review: March 7, 2012 Type of Project: Access X Habitat X Other (specify) Motion: Bill Ryan moved to approve the project as proposed; Fred Craig seconded. Council Member Position Vote Betsy Smith Chair YES Bill Buswell Landowner Representative YES VACANT Landowner Representative VACANT Fred Craig Hunter Representative YES VACANT Hunter Representative VACANT Bill Ryan Landowner Representative YES David Montgomery Hunter Representative YES Disposition of Vote: 5-0; motion carried. Project Strengths: A chronic damage problem is addressed through public hunting. Project provides large area to hunt for the entire waterfowl season. This is a high quality hunting opportunity open to all hunters (not just youth). Project Concerns: Project is expensive. 1 of 13

2 2 of 13

3 APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS Access & Habitat Program Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Avenue NE Salem, OR I/We, Mike Knapp, Jim Kamph, Rick McKenzie, Alan Haga of Langlois, Oregon, hereby make application for financial assistance under the terms and conditions of the Access and habitat program in the amount of $ _49,500. The total cost of the project is $ _143,200, as shown on page 8. I/We understand that if this project is approved for funding by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, before we receive project funds we will be required to: Sign a Grant Agreement containing the terms and conditions upon which funds will be released including submission of necessary permits; Obtain landowner and maintenance agreements if needed; Sign a certification to comply with state, federal and local regulations if needed; Submit a completion report to the Board on project performance. I/We understand that if this application results in an access grant, ODFW will publicize my/our name, address and telephone number for the purpose of helping hunters locate private lands that may be open to hunting. Signature: Date: Position: For ODFW Administrative Purposes Only A&H Regional Advisory Council Review Date: Review Disposition: A&H State Board Review Date: Review Disposition: Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Review Date: Review Disposition: 3 of 13

4 ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Application for Grant Funds 1. Project Title: New River Aleutian Goose Project Applicant: Mike Knapp, Jim Kamph, Rick McKenzie, Alan Haga (If private nonprofit, attach IRS letter of 501(c)(3) status) Address: Mike Knapp PO Box 85, Rick Mckenzie PO Box 274 Jim Kamph PO Box 615 Alan Haga Green Gulch Ln. Bandon OR., City/State/Zip: Langlois OR, Phone: Knapp , Kamph , Mckenzie , Haga Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Signature: Date: 3. Location: ODFW Region (see attached map) Southwest Region ODFW Region / Watershed District / WM Unit: SW Region, Rogue Watershed District, Sixes Unit #25 County: Curry Township/Range/Section: T30S, R15W, Sec 14, 23, 27, 34, and portions of 13, 15, 22, 28, 33, as well as portions of T31S, R15W, Sec 3, and Type of Project (check): Habitat Improvement XX Access XX Damage XX Other (specify) 5. Number of Acres of Habitat to be Improved: 1, Number of Acres of Access to be Provided: 4,780 plus access to 500 acres of BLM 7. Proposed Start Date: September 1, Estimated Cost of Project: $ 143, Access and Habitat Fund Request: $49,500 (fertilizer) 10. Briefly explain what the project proposes to do: The project proposes to provide public waterfowl hunting by offering an agreed upon level of hunter access to a large private ownership shared by four landowners, with excellent access to an otherwise remote adjacent wetland area of BLM lands. The New River Bottoms area represents the only large scale waterfowl hunting opportunity on the Southern Oregon Coast south of Bandon. 4 of 13

5 The project proposes to reimburse the four New River landowners (the grant applicants) for providing public hunting access by providing them with fertilizer as an exchange. The fertilizer will be applied to fields traditionally used by Aleutian geese staging for their northward migration. The properties also have numerous wetlands that support a large duck population. This project is for 2 seasons, and Note: Filing of this application does not guarantee acceptance of the proposal nor any portion thereof. Applicants whose projects are approved by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will be notified by mail. Background: (Describe the wildlife habitat and/or access challenge or opportunity this project will address.) History, Population Status and Management The project area has always held large numbers of waterfowl of all types, and was a hunting club under previous ownership. The current owners use the area for pasture for livestock, and have suffered increased damage to pasture from staging Aleutian Canada Geese. The Aleutian Canada goose is a small subspecies of Canada goose that nests in the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska. Birds are known to be historically abundant, however, some time before 1936 arctic and red foxes were introduced to 190 breeding islands in the Aleutian Island chain to promote the fur trade industry. A subsequent decline of Aleutian Canada geese populations continued until 1967 when the bird s numbers dwindled to several hundred individuals. At that time the Aleutian Canada goose was put on the endangered species list, under the Federal Endangered Species Preservation Act. Foxes were systematically removed from most of the Aleutian Islands and nesting success began to increase for Aleutian Canada geese. By 1995, Aleutian Canada goose populations were estimated to be over 15,000. The Aleutian Canada goose was federally de-listed in 2001 and the state of Oregon de-listed in The current status population is 90,000 to 130,000. Migration and Damage It is notable that the Aleutian Canada goose has the largest over-water migration path of any North American Waterfowl. Their migratory path brings them south across the Pacific Ocean into Oregon and Northern California in winter. The majority of the birds over-winter in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in California. Upon their northward migration in the spring, the entire population stages in the New River area on the Southern Oregon Coast. The geese feed in the New River area for up to two months. The birds feed heavily on the pasture lands of local area ranchers. Birds frantically feed to store energy for their long over-sea flight back to the Aleutian Islands in April. Area ranchers receive significant damage to their pastures annually. The level of damage increases as the Aleutian Canada goose population increases yearly. Regulation California has reacted to their goose damage problems by implementing a two week long late season goose hunt within the pacific flyway season framework which ends on March 10 annually. This measure was first implemented in the season to deal with Aleutian goose damage issues in Northern California. Hunting pressure south of the border may result in earlier than normal movement of geese into Oregon. Consequently, Oregon has implemented a concurrent special SW zone goose hunt on private lands West of HWY 101 in Douglas Coos and Curry Counties. This measure ensures that hunting pressure is equal on both sides of the border. The measure is designed to avert damage 5 of 13

6 that would escalate if birds moved into Oregon earlier and stayed longer due to increased hunting pressure in California. The land owned and listed by the four landowners on this application represents most of the New River basin, and virtually all of the short grass pasture habitat currently being used by Aleutian geese in Oregon. An A&H contract would solidify public hunting access in this area. Past History: (Describe any past Access & Habitat project, especially if the proposed project deals with the same objectives.) This is a renewal of a project started in The project has been very successful in providing public hunting and reducing damage to crops. The following table shows the hunter days recorded for the waterfowl season. Knapp 200 Kamph 158 McKenzie 120 Haga 35 Total 513 Project Objective(s): (a) What is the objective of the proposed project? The project proposes to provide hunter opportunity by offering an agreed upon level of hunter access to a large private ownership shared by four landowners, with excellent access to an otherwise remote adjacent wetland area of BLM lands. The New River Bottoms area represents the only large scale waterfowl hunting opportunity on the Southern Oregon Coast south of Bandon. The project proposes to reimburse the four New River landowners (the grant applicants) for providing public hunting access by providing them with fertilizer as an exchange. The fertilizer will be applied to fields traditionally used by Aleutian geese staging for their northward migration. Fertilizer will be applied in the spring. Fertilizing fields will enhance goose habitat in short grass pastures. The action should help to reduce damage to the pastures as well as provide additional goose forage. (b) How will the project benefit wildlife habitat and/or public access? The project will benefit wildlife by providing high quality forage of fertilized short grass pasture that will be available for goose utilization before the Aleutian geese make their migration flight across the Pacific Ocean to the Aleutian Island chain. The area also supports a large population of migrating ducks in the associated wetlands. Duck and goose hunting is allowed from early October through March 10. Resident Great Basin geese that utilize the area will benefit from the increased forage throughout the entire year as well. The project provides public access to lands that Oregon s entire population of Aleutian geese has historically utilized as a staging area in the spring. That population is estimated to be 90,000 to 130,000 geese, stable to increasing annually. 6 of 13

7 (c) If damage related, how will the project alleviate/eliminate the problem? Currently, 90,000 to 130,000 Aleutian geese utilize lands represented by the applicants on a yearly basis. The landowners feel that hunting during the special spring season prevents large numbers of geese from staying on the property and markedly reduces damage to pasture. Project Location: (Attach a map and provide description of the location and how to get there from a major highway.) Knapp: Drive South on Hwy 101 to the Town of Langlois. Turn right (West) on 1 st St. Go West two blocks to the Gate at the entrance to the Knapp Ranch. House is 0.4 miles beyond gate. Kamph: Drive South on Hwy 101 South of Bandon. Turn right (West) on Bono Rd. Drive to the end of road (0.5 miles). Last House on Right is Kamph Ranch. McKenzie: Drive South on Hwy 101 South of Bandon. Turn right (West) on New Lake Road. Drive to the end of road (1.0 miles). Last house on right is Mckenzie Ranch. Haga: Drive South on Hwy 101 to the Town of Langlois. Turn right (West) on Allen Boice RD. Go West two blocks and turn left on Haga Ranch Road, ¼ mile to the Haga Ranch house on the right. Procedure: Specifically describe how the project will be conducted--use separate page for additional information, drawings or pictures. The project proposes to use A & H grant funds to purchase urea based fertilizer to be applied to short grass pastures owned by Kamph, Knapp, Mckenzie, and Haga. An early spring application of fertilizer at a rate of 200 lbs /acre will be performed in March-April, starting as early as ground conditions permit. Work will be done using personnel and equipment (tractor spreaders) provided by the landowners. Public access will be managed as follows: Knapp, Haga, and Kamph lands: Hunters will be allowed access, up to six hunters per day, open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the waterfowl season (mid-october through January, as per season structure). Mckenzie lands: Hunters will be allowed access, up to 10 hunters per day, open Saturday and Sunday throughout the waterfowl season (mid-october through January, as per season structure). All Lands will be open daily (except as precluded by farming operations) for the South Coast goose zone season, Late February March 10. Hunters will be allowed walk-in access from determined parking areas. Hunters will be managed using a ledger book reservation system. Reservations will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Hunters who make reservations to hunt during a particular week will not be allowed to make reservations for the following week. Maps of the area will be printed and made available to the public. 7 of 13

8 Permits: Have all of the appropriate permits been secured or applied for? (Examples: Water Resources Department for water rights, Division of State Lands for fill-removal or wetlands projects) No permits required Scheduling: What is the estimated project schedule? (a) Habitat Work Start Date: March, 2013 Habitat Work Completion Date: April, (b) Access Agreement Start Date: Sept. 1, 2012 Access Agreement End Date: March 10, (c) List major project activities and time schedule for each. Activity Public Public Time (month/year) Waterfowl Hunting: as per season framework, October 2012 through January Kamph, Haga, and Knapp lands open to public hunting Wed, Fri, Sat. Mckenzie lands open to public hunting Sat and Sun. Goose Hunting: late goose season, special SW zone. Late February through March 10, Kamph, Haga, Knapp, and McKenzie lands open to public hunting daily. Landowners Fertilize Fields (March, ) Participation: (Will other organizations participate in the project? If so, list and describe participation, and attach letters of commitment or verification of grant awards. You do not need to include individuals.) Participant Activity Public Waterfowl Hunting: throughout and seasons Oct.-Jan. Kamph, Haga, and Knapp lands open Wed, Fri, Sat. Six public hunters per ownership per day allowed on a first-call, first-booked reservation system. Mckenzie lands open to public hunting Sat, and Sun. Ten public hunters per day allowed on a first-call, first-booked reservation system. Public Goose Hunting: late goose season, special SW zone. Late February through March 10, Kamph, Knapp, McKenzie and Haga lands open to public hunting daily. Landowners Fertilize Fields (March, ) Funding: (a) List other sources and amount of project funds (include in budget on page 7). 8 of 13

9 Landowners apply about 115 tons per year (in addition to A&H provided = $43,700 x 2 years = $87,400. ODFW Rogue Watershed will pay for maps = $500. (b) Have any conditions been placed on the funds listed in (a) which may affect the completion of the project? If so, identify and explain. No conditions have been placed on funds. Project Maintenance and Monitoring: (a) Who will maintain the project and fund long-term maintenance and/or operation if needed? No maintenance will be required. (b) What element(s) of the project will be monitored, how often, for how long? Goose use of the pastures will be monitored by ODFW to determine changes in usage to determine treatment years vs non-treatment years 9 of 13

10 Project Cost Estimate (provide as much detail as possible) Category A&H Funds Other Funds 1 Total Cost Administration Construction Materials 2 Fencing Fertilizer $49,500 $87,400(landowners) $136,900 Seed/plants Other (itemize) Supplies Transportation Fuels Printing $500 ODFW Maps $500 Other (itemize) Contract Services 3 (itemize) Equipment 4 (itemize) Tractor and Spreader 116hrs x$50(landowners) $5800 $5800 TOTAL COSTS $49,500 $93,700 $143,200 1 List detail in funding (page 6). 2 Provide amounts and cost per unit. 3 Attach subcontractor estimates. 4 Individual pieces of equipment costing over $ of 13

11 Access and Habitat Program Project Evaluation Form Program Objective: The Access and Habitat Program s motto, Landowners & Hunters Together for Wildlife, conveys the program s basic mission to foster partnerships between landowners and hunters for the benefit of the wildlife they value. The program also seeks to recognize and encourage the important contributions made by landowners to the state s wildlife resource. Project Name: New River Aleautian Goose 2012 Project #: Access Acres "Welcome" Private By-Permission Private 4,780 Inaccessible Public* Accessible Public* Habitat Acres 1,800 Habitat Category: 3 Total Score: 17 (range: 1-6; see flow chart on page 4. Not applicable Total Possible: 36 to access-only projects) Instructions: Project Type General Criteria Complete these sections Access Criteria Habitat Criteria Access Only X X Habitat Only X X Access & Habitat X X X Mark 1 point in the corresponding "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met. Example: for question 2, if partnerships include 4 sports groups, award points for the first 2 criteria. Do not mark more than 1 point per box. Point schedule is designed to weigh access-only and habitatonly projects equally. Definitions: Inaccessible Public*: Accessible Public*: Access will be provided through private land to public land that is completely landlocked (surrounded) by private land, legally precluding public hunting access. Total area includes only public land within the boundary of private ownership. Access through private land will improve accessibility to public land. Public land may be extremely difficult to access otherwise, but is not legally surrounded by private land. Total area includes only public land that is closer (in linear distance) to the landowner's access point(s) than any other public access point. * Access to public land MUST be provided on a "Welcome to Hunt" basis General Criteria 1. Habitat Condition (mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met) Score 1 point only if the property contains the resource in sufficient abundance/quality to support target species referenced in questions 11, 15, 16 and 19 (during at least one season of the year). For habitat projects, use the predicted future condition. Justify your score. Project Score Private Land Access Fee Assessment Inacc. Public Food: Fertilized short grass pasture 1 1 n/a n/a Water: New River and associated wetlands 1 1 n/a n/a Cover: Wetland vegetation 1 1 n/a n/a Space: Open fields for geese, many wetlands for ducks 1 1 n/a n/a Acc. Public 2. Partnerships Partners contributing financial or in-kind support: 1 or more Sports groups. 3 or more Sports groups. Educational programs / non-governmental organizations. Other government agencies or ODFW programs (i.e. OWEB, R&E). 0 n/a n/a 11 of 13

12 Project 3. Matching Funds Total matching funds (monetary and in-kind) > 1% matching funds.. Score 1 > 25% matching funds 1 > 50% matching funds 1 Access Fee Assessment 1 n/a n/a 4. Under-rep. Location* Project is in an under-represented watershed in the A&H Program. 0 n/a n/a 5. Under-rep. Species* Project provides access to under-represented species in the watershed. 1 1 n/a n/a 6. Damage Project would mitigate current damage to private property: Wildlife damage occuring on private property. 1 Landowner participates in ODFW damage control programs Public Land Project located in Wildlife Management Unit with <50% public land n/a n/a * lists of under-represented watersheds and species opportunities will be created by A&H state coordinator and approved by A&H Board General Total 11 7 n/a n/a General Possible Access Criteria - Applies to access that would be provided under the proposed project. (mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met) 8. Private access Private land access type: Project would provide access to private land.. 1 Private land access would be on a "Welcome to Hunt" basis. 9. Public access Public land access type: Project would improve access to public land Project would provide access to otherwise inaccessible public land Special Access Project would provide special youth or disabled hunter access opportunities. 0 n/a n/a 11.Species Permitted Species groups include big game, waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, and predators/varmints. 2+ species groups available and permitted. 0 n/a n/a 4+ species groups available and permitted. 0 n/a n/a 12.Harvest Restriction Landowner would not restrict sex or species permitted for lawful harvest 0 n/a n/a 13.Season Restriction Landowner would not restrict access to any hunting season(s).. 0 n/a n/a 14.Dispersion Property would provide access to animals pushed off of publicly accessible land during hunting season n/a Access Total 4 1 n/a n/a Access Possible Payment Fee Total 8 n/a n/a Habitat Criteria 15.Location importance: (mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met) Applies to species that the habitat work will benefit. Question structured to equally weigh big game and game bird projects - score "1" if either item in each bracket is true: Area populations < 90% of management objective (deer and elk) { or: Project will increase wintering populations of upland birds/waterfowl { Area populations < 75% of management objective (deer and elk). or: Project will increase breeding populations of upland birds/waterfowl Project Score 12 of 13

16.Conservation Strategy Project addresses Oregon Conservation Strategy (OCS) concerns: Project action benefits Strategy Habitat or Strategy Species.

Population Impact Applies to the specific GAME habitat that the project will maintain or enhance. Use accompanying flow chart and definitions to determine habitat category.

13 16.Conservation Strategy Project addresses Oregon Conservation Strategy (OCS) concerns: Project action benefits Strategy Habitat or Strategy Species. [above] AND action occurs in Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) Project Score 17.Critical Habitat 18.Habitat Impact 19.Population Impact Applies to the specific GAME habitat that the project will maintain or enhance. Use accompanying flow chart and definitions to determine habitat category. Definitions are slightly amended from OAR Division 415 to be game-specific. Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories 1-2 Describes the predicted impact that the project will have on the habitat. Habitat work must benefit game species. Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >25% per unit treated 1 Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >50% per unit treated Description of habitat impact: by 25%. Fertilizing of pasture will increase quality and quantity of grass Describes the predicted impact that the habitat improvements (excluding external variables such as weather, etc.) will have on game animals on the project site. Provide estimates for all targeted species. Local abundance of at least one game species should increase >25%... Local abundance of at least one game species should increase >50%... Species Estimated Abundance Pretreatment Posttreatment Habitat Total 2 Habitat Possible 10 Grand Total 17 Total Possible Miscellaneous Describe other project details that may help with prioritization or fee assessment (i.e. current market value of similar hunting leases in the vicinity).... NO POINTS The 4 landowners estimate that their properties supported 513 hunter days during the season. Access to private hunting clubs in the area cost about $50 per gun per day. At that rate, the access component of this project would be worth $25,650 per year, $51,300 for 2 years. 13 of 13

ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review

ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: East Region / Malheur Council Project Proposal Title: Brown Access Project Applicants(s):