ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review

Transcription

1 ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: East Region / Malheur Watershed Council Project Proposal Title: Alvord Access Area Applicants(s): Paul Davis Date of Council Review: February, Type of Project: Access X Habitat Other Motion: Ryan Peila motioned to approve with the condition that the north access remains open to vehicle traffic through to BLM. Kirk Davies seconded the motion. Council Member Position Vote Fred Hellbusch Chairman Yes Kirk Davies Landowner Representative Yes Ryan Peila Landowner Representative Yes Wannie Mackenzie Landowner Representative Absent Todd Dinsmore Hunter Representative Absent Jarod Lemos Hunter Representative Yes Andrew Shields Hunter Representative Yes Disposition of Vote: Motion passed : Project Strengths: Project provides access to,+ acres of public land Hunter check-in at the Hot Springs has been successful Project Concerns: Regional Council would like to see the north access remain open to vehicle traffic through to BLM.

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4 ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM. Project Title: Alvord Ranch Access Area Application for Grant Funds. Applicant: Paul Davis Phone: () - Grantee: Tom Davis Livestock Inc. (As will appear on contract/payments) If private nonprofit, attach IRS letter of (c) () status Address: Alvord Ranch Lane City/State/Zip: Princeton, Oregon Phone: () - alvordranch@gmail.com. Location: ODFW Region: East Region Watershed District / Wildlife Management Unit: Malheur Watershed / Steens WMU County: Harney Township/Range/Section: Multiple, see map. Type of Project: Habitat Improvement Access Damage. Number of acres of habitat to be improved: N/A. Number of acres of access to be provided:, acres Welcome to Hunt By Permission Other. Proposed Start Date: //. Proposed End Date: //. Estimated Cost of Project: $,.. Access and Habitat Fund Request: $,.. Briefly explain what the project proposes to do: This project proposes to pay Paul Davis $,. ($./acre) for Welcome to Hunt hunting on, acres of private property as well as a bonus payment of $,. ($./acre) significantly improving access to, acres of largely inaccessible BLM land along the east base of Steens Mountain for three years. Total annual landowner payment is $,.. This project provides access to, quail, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and predators.. Habitat and Landscape: Describe the habitat and landscape of the project area. The Alvord Ranch Access Area is located on the east side of the Steens Mountains and is characterized by steep rimrock, juniper, sage-brush steppe, brushy riparian, and rangeland habitat types. Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

5 . Background: Describe the project area and explain the wildlife habitat and/or access challenge or opportunity this project will address. Address how current management actions benefit public access and/or wildlife and their habitat needs. The Alvord Access Area is located in the Steens Mountain Wildlife Management Unit in Harney County, Oregon. The ranch is surrounded by BLM land that is very difficult or impossible to access from other locations. The Alvord Ranch lies between the County Road and Steens Mountain, making it extremely difficult to access Steens Mountain without going through the Alvord Ranch. Participation in the A&H Program has provided a tremendous benefit to hunters trying to access these public lands. This is one of the most popular areas in Southeast Oregon because of the diverse hunting opportunities it provides.. Past A&H History: Describe any past Access & Habitat project, especially if the proposed project deals with continuation or amendment to a past project. Originally, this property was part of the Alvord/Kueny Access Project (A&H Project #-). This project was a cooperative agreement with Ed Davis, who owned both the Alvord and Kueny Ranches.In, Ed Davis sons, Paul and Mike Davis, took over business operations and separated the business into two ranches (Alvord and Kueny Ranches, respectively). Separate agreements were established for each ranch but they both remained part of the same A&H Project. In, the Alvord/Kueny AccessProject (A&H Project #-) extended access for two additional years. In (A&H Project #-) the project was extended for an additional years with the assistance of Upland Bird Stamp funds.. Hunter Use Data: New Projects: Must give estimates of expected usage and how usage will be assessed. Old Projects: Use Access Area Permit data, vehicle or pedestrian counts, hunter interviews, etc. Since, The Alvord Hot Springs staff has recorded + users of the Alvord Access Area. Since, field staff has collected completed permits, hunters had an average Satisfaction rating of.. More permits were partially completed but those are not included in this figure oftentimes, because the B portion of the card, which has the satisfaction rating, was not returned. As a reminder, only a portion of the access roads have permit boxes so the totals reflected do not capture complete use. Also, hunters are not required to fill out a permit card only encouraged to. Hunter Satisfaction # of Hunters Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

6 . Project Objective(s): (a) What is the objective of the proposed project? This project would continue to provide open public access on, acres of private and public land in the Steens Mountain WMU. (b) How will the project benefit wildlife habitat? N/A (c) Select species that will benefit from habitat improvements: Big Game Upland Bird Migratory Game Bird Deer Chukar Ducks Elk Mountain Quail Geese Bear Valley Quail American Coot Cougar Pheasants Wilsons Snipe Pronghorn Forest Grouse Mourning Dove Bighorn Sheep Turkey Band Tailed Pigeon Mountain Goat Gray Partridge Sage Grouse (d) Length of time benefits provided <yr -yr >yr Examples of Project Benefit Duration Noxious weed...yrs Forage planting....yrs Aspen fencing...yrs Range fertilization yrs Forest thinning....yrs Aspen plant/fence.yrs Rx Fire-grassland..yrs Aspen (conifer removal).yrs Road closure..yrs Rx Fire-forested. yrs Juniper removal...yrs Road decommission.yrs Fence Removal yrs Water Dev. /Enhancement..yrs (Source: Blue Mountains Elk Initiative Project Evaluation Criteria) (e) How will the project benefit public access? If limited access, how many hunters will be permitted? Access would be provided on a Welcome to Hunt basis with hunters having to check-in at the Hot Springs prior to hunting. The project area provides hunting opportunities for a variety of wildlife species, including mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep,, California quail, Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

7 coyotes, rabbits, bobcats, and cougars. The project will provide Welcome to Hunt access to, acres of private land and improve access to, acres of BLM lands that would be very difficult or impossible to access otherwise. (f) Select species for which public access will provided: Big Game Upland Bird Migratory Game Bird Deer Chukar Ducks Elk Mountain Quail Geese Bear Valley Quail American Coot Cougar Pheasants Wilsons Snipe Pronghorn Forest Grouse Mourning Dove Bighorn Sheep Turkey Band Tailed Pigeon Mountain Goat Gray Partridge Sage Grouse Other: Coyote (g) If damage related, how will the project alleviate/eliminate the problem? N/A. Project Location: Attach a map and provide description of the location and how to get there from a major highway. Located on East Steens Rd (Co. ), miles north of Fields, OR. Please see attached map.. Procedure: Specifically describe how the project will be conducted--use separate page for additional information, drawings, or pictures. Signs directing hunters to check-in at the Alvord Hot Springs are at each access point. Maps will be generated by ODFW to describe hunt area, rules and regulations and hunt periods. ODFW staff will provide access area signs and assist landowner with posting. General access provisions will apply including: Camping by permission, No ATV s on Ranch Property, Access only on Designated Road, No Fires, No Littering, and Leave Gates As You Found Them. All users of the Alvord Access Area must check-in at the Alvord Hot Springs prior to using the access area. Upon presentation of a current hunting license hunters will receive the combination to the locks on the gates. The Alvord Hot Springs is staffed year-round and they will be responsible for supplying hunters with the combination.. 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. N/A. Scheduling: What is the estimated project schedule? Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

8 a. Habitat Work Start Date: Habitat Work Completion Date: b. Access Agreement Start Date: // Access Agreement End Date: // c. List major project activities and time schedule for each: Activity Time (month/year) Sign maintenance Summer - Hunter Access and Hunter Use Monitoring Seasonally - Traffic and Permit data analysis Spring -. Participation and Funding: Will other organizations or individuals participate in the project? If so, list and describe participation, and attach letters of commitment or verification of grant awards. Costs listed here must be included in Other Funds column of the Project Budget (Section ). Participant Activity Cost. Paul Davis Hunter Check-in administration at the Alvord $,. (inkind) Hot Springs, patrol, litter clean-up Have any conditions been placed on the funds listed above which may affect the completion of the project? If so, identify and explain. YES NO. Project Maintenance and Monitoring: (a) Who will maintain the project and fund long-term maintenance and/or operation if needed? ODFW will maintain permit boxes and signage. Landowner will allow access annually. Landowner will be responsible for administering Check-in at the Alvord Hot Springs. (b) What element(s) of the project will be monitored, how often, for how long? Hunter use, satisfaction, and harvest rates will be monitored by ODFW. Check-in stations will be monitored monthly during the hunting seasons to collect and resupply A&H Access Area Daily Permits and area maps. TRAFX vehicle counters will be monitored annually for the duration of the project. OSP will assist with hunter patrols when available. Landowner and OSP will monitor area regulation compliance. Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

9 . Project Budget Narrative: (Provide details, describe in-kind funding, provide narratives here of non-itemized entries in your worksheet.) Category A&H Funds Other Funds Total Cost Administration L/O In-kind $, $, (Project Admin.) Total $, $, Access Payment $,./year for years $,. $,. TOTAL COSTS $,. $, $.. PAYMENT SCHEDULE Access Year Payment Request for Funds Submitted: August, March, $, No earlier than August, August, March, $, No earlier than August, August, March, $, No earlier than August, Final Payment (% withheld until receipt of completion report and project ends) $, No earlier than March, Permit data: Perm it # Date Hunters in Party Hunting Intent Harves t Comments Satisfa ction / / // / / / / upland upland quail upland upland Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

10 / / // // upland upland upland // upland quail // upland quail // / / / / / / upland upland quail upland quail upland - Oct upland quail // no b side // no b side // // big big // big // big Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

11 // no b side // big // big // no b side // no b side // upland Alvord ranch // upland Alvord ranch / / / / upland / / upland/ small rabbits / / / / / / upland quail upland quail upland quail / / / / upland upland great program / / upland Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

12 / / / / / / / / upland upland upland upland not enough access-deal ends too soon / / upland // big // big // big x, x buck thank you! // // // No B side Scouting No B side // No B side // Scouting // No B side // No B side // big Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

13 // No B side // big // No B side // No B side // // // other scouting, saw lots of antelope No B side other hiking // upland s // upland s // // // // // // upland upland upland No B side No B side No B side // upland Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

14 // upland // upland // upland // predato rs/sg // other trapping on BLM // big // // // big // // not coming back // big // big // // big // big Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

15 // big // big // // // // // // // // // // // // other hiking other sightseeing other backpacking other atving trapping on BLM upland upland upland upland none upland none // upland/ predato r Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

16 // upland crowded // upland lots of people // upland/ predato r and rabbit Thanks Keenan! // upland s beautiful country // upland // checking traps on BLM // upland // // / / upland / / upland / / / / predato r/sg coyote / / I am trapping on BLM and plan to keep the B stub instead of filling out this form every time I check / / upland Great ground - no birds Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

17 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / upland upland upland didn't hunt upland upland upland upland upland / / upland / / / / / / / / / / upland forgot shotgun upland upland / / predato s Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

18 // upland // upland hunting / / / / // upland upland // upland // nothing // predato rs // // upland hunting / / / / upland hunting / / upland hunting / / upland hunting trench in road / / upland hunting / / upland hunting trench in road Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

19 / / upland hunting // // upland hunting // upland hunting no water/ no access/ no birds // upland hunting // big buck // big // big // big Nice for landowners to allow hunters // big nothin g // big mule deer Thank you for keep ATVs and Bike out // // // // Scouting n/a // big scouting deer Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

20 // scouting deer // // // big antelope // upland too much snow // upland // upland // upland // predato rs // upland, quail // // // // upland upland upland upland // upland // upland Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

21 // upland // sight seeing // upland // upland // // // upland upland // predato rs // upland, hun // // / / upland / / upland, quail / / upland, Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

22 quail / / // upland upland // // // / / upland upland Hey Rod, no birds, but had fun upland upland / / / / / / / / / / / / / / upland upland upland upland upland upland / / upland / / upland / upland quail, Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

23 / / / / / // // // // // // // // upland upland upland upland upland upland upland upland upland upland quail // upland quail, upland hunting zero, never even seen a bird upland Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

24 big Did not fill out B side Access and Habitat Application for Grant Funds

25 Form Revised July 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: Alvord Access Area Project #: Access Acres "Welcome" Private, By-Permission Private Inaccessible Public*, Accessible Public* Habitat Acres Habitat Category: Total Score: (range: -; see flow chart on page. Not applicable to access-only projects) Total Possible: Instructions: Complete these sections General Access Project Type Criteria Criteria Habitat Criteria Access Only X X Habitat Only X X Access & Habitat X X X Mark point in the corresponding "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met. Example: for question, if partnerships include sports groups, award points for the first criteria. Do not mark more than point per box. Point schedule is designed to weigh access-only and habitat-only 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. Habitat Condition (mark a "" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met) Score point only if the property contains the resource in sufficient abundance/quality to support target species referenced in questions,, and (during at least one season of the year). For habitat projects, use the predicted future condition. Justify your score. Access Fee Assessment Food: Shrubs, grass, forbs, adjacent ag n/a Water: Various seeps, springs, and creeks n/a Cover: Brushy draws, rims n/a Project Score Private Land Inacc. Public Acc. Public. Partnerships Partners contributing financial or in-kind support: or more Sports groups. or more Sports groups. Educational programs / non-governmental organizations. Other government agencies or ODFW programs (i.e. OWEB, R&E). n/a Page

26 Form Revised July Project. Matching Funds Total matching funds (monetary and in-kind) > % matching funds.. Score > % matching funds > % matching funds. Damage Project would mitigate current damage to private property: Wildlife damage occuring on private property. Landowner participates in ODFW damage control programs.. Access Fee Assessment n/a General Total General Possible Access Criteria - Applies to private land access that would be provided under the proposed project. (mark a "" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met). Public Land Project located in Wildlife Management Unit with <% public land.. n/a. Private access Private land access type: Project would provide access to private land.. Private land access would be on a "Welcome to Hunt" basis.. Public access Access through private lands would: improve access to public land provide access to otherwise inaccessible public land Special Access Project would provide special youth or disabled hunter access opportunities. n/a. Species Permitted Species groups include big, waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, and predators/varmints. + species groups available and permitted. n/a + species groups available and permitted. n/a.under-rep. Species* Project provides access to under-represented species in the watershed. n/a.harvest Restriction Landowner would not restrict sex or species permitted for lawful harvest n/a.season Restriction Landowner would not restrict access to any hunting season(s).. n/a.dispersion Property would provide access to animals pushed off of publicly accessible land during hunting season.. Access Total Access Possible Payment Fee Total n/a * lists of under-represented species will be created by A&H state coordinator and approved by A&H Board Page

27 Form Revised July Habitat Criteria.Department Priorities (mark a "" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met) Project Score Project is located within target area and will benefit target species identified in any of these Department programs: Mule Deer Initiative, Sage Grouse Initiative, Black-tailed Deer Plan Implementation..Location importance: Applies to species that the habitat work will benefit. Question structured to equally weigh big and bird projects - score "" if either item in each bracket is true: Area populations < % of management objective (deer and elk) or: { Project will increase wintering populations of upland birds/waterfowl { Area populations < % of management objective (deer and elk). or: Project will increase breeding populations of upland birds/waterfowl.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).Critical Habitat 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 to be -specific. Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories - Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories -.Habitat Connectivity Project will help facilitate local animal movement (fence removal, etc.).. Project will help establish or maintain a wildlife habitat corridor or otherwise reduce fragmentation on landscape level.. Description of habitat connectivity benefit (required):.habitat Impact Describes the predicted impact that the project will have on the habitat. Habitat work must benefit species. Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >% per unit treated Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >% per unit treated Description of habitat impact:.population Impact Describes the predicted impact that habitat improvements (excluding external variables such as weather, etc.) will have on species on the project site. Provide estimates for all targeted species. Local abundance of at least one targeted species should increase >%... Species Estimated Abundance Pretreatment Posttreatment Habitat Total Habitat Possible Grand Total 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 Page

28 Form Revised July Access and Habitat Project Evaluation - Appendix Under-represented Species Definition: species that exist in the watershed district in huntable numbers, but that the general public does not have reasonable hunting access to (via public land, current A&H properties, etc.) Watershed Species Watershed Species Malheur pheasant, waterfowl, turkey Deschutes waterfowl, valley quail,, dove South Willamette waterfowl, turkey, valley quail John Day upland birds North Coast predators, waterfowl Umpqua waterfowl, dove, turkey Grande Ronde upland birds Klamath waterfowl, quail Rogue dove, waterfowl North Willamette waterfowl A&H Habitat Category Flow Chart Note: These definitions have been amended from OAR Division to be -specific and applied on a watershed basis. Habitat Category designations made on this Evaluation Form are for Access & Habitat Program use only, and do not have any legal implications associated with OAR. Page

29 Alvord Access Area Payment Tables Table : Proposed Per-acre Access Payment Private Welcome to Hunt ($/acre) Private By- Permission ($/acre) Inaccessible public land ($/acre) Accessible public land ($/acre) Total Score: % % % % -: $. $. $. $. -: $. $. $. $. -: $. $. $. $. -: $. $. $. $. -: $. $. $. $. Table : Proposed Total Access Payment Calculator Access Type Score $/Acre Acres Payment Private Welcome $., $,. Private Permission $. $. Inaccessible Public $., $,. Accessible Public n/a n/a n/a Total Payment: $,.

30 Legend Public payment Alvord_kueny_AH Alvord_NoHunt. Miles

31 R.. E R. E Violat ion Re port R. E R. E R. E If you witness a violation, record information on this form and present it to an official. Littl e Number of persons involved Describe violation A Mail to: Police Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Division Capitol St. NE, th Floor Salem, Oregon Access Area Boundary - Kueny Ranch Portion No Hunting Zone Open Newton Cabin Roads County Road t tl e I nd ia n Steens Mountain Wilderness Area BLM Wilderness Study M Areas BLM Land Miles Littl e T.. S k Cr ee ul l Sk B o rls o n e ek T ac T OF I ELDS e ek T. S NGS NAT ALVORDHOT SPRI ECKI H C T S MU ord Cre )( ek A L V O R D D E S E R T Serrano Point McLean Place Dixon Spring Visit w w w. Ore gonhunt ingmap. com for an interactive map that is available on your cell phone or tablet. Download free GeoPDF maps before your trip to view your location, even when you do not have cell service. Acce ss Allow e d : Ye arround The Alvord/Kueny Access Area is a cooperative program between private landowners and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Access and Habitat Program to allow public hunting accesson private lands and increase access to public land. The Alvord/Kueny Access Area north of Fields, OR provides public hunting opportunities for deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, predators, quail,, and ground squirrels. All Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Regulations and Seasons apply. Al v o rd / Kue n y Acce s s Are a Alvord HotSprings Serrano Point Ranch re e Kueny Ranch Cr Cr.RD CO S N E ST E Reallis Homestead ANDREWS and T EAS ne Cre ek Ca Penland Ranch Wild h o r se k ree ree k ree k Alv k C rd sc M ir e Cr The Butte eek Butt ek o Alv Smith Flat S pr i n g C itch An dre w Belzar Spring Public Waterhole Twin Springs S Willow Spring Homestead yd Kuen T. S Penland Meadow Cre k oo d Mickey Springs E Ri en itz Bl nn er U nd Joe Huff Spring ek Cre Alvo rd C reek Cree k k Riley Huff Place e re nc ee Cr dia In p Sou th An k le e De Madarieta Cabin Newton Spring ve r Devine Rock NO HUNTING EAST OF FENCE LINE N. Cottonw ek. C re Cabin Bill Taber. Wildhorse Lake A nkl e T. S PrivateLand Willo w Big State Land C re ek ud Cre ek O Li The Hunters Cabin M k an Cree Big Indian Creek Access Area Boundary - Alvord Ranch Portion T N Witness Contact Information U iver Blitz en R EAST ST EENSCO.RD Squ Cold Spring number awlocation / road Cre ek S T. S Vehicle license & state Grant Place EA ST ST EE NS CO.R D Vehicle make, model & color Date I N E Time Are are gulat ions No A T Vs on or of froad Mot orize d ve h icle s only on road s m appe d and post e d as ope n acce ss road s No Cam pingor nigh t t im e use ofprivat e land No Fire s,be care f ul w it h cigare t t es No Lit t e ring,pick u pany t rash Re portany unlaw f ul act ivit ie s Re spe ctland ow ne rs righ t s and ne e d s Le ave all gat e s as y ouf ound t h em Hunters must check in at the Alvord Hot Springs () - to receive a combination to the gates on the Alvord Ranch portion of the Access area. No permission is required to hunt on the Kueny Ranch portion of the Access Area. You are responsible for knowing property boundaries. Do Not Trespass on adjacent private lands. The Alvord Access Area is adjacent Areas and Wilderness to Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Study Areas. You are responsible for knowing and following the regulations for these areas. NO HUNT I NG ONT HEEAST SI DEOFEAST ST EENSCO.RD NO HUNT I NG WI T HI NYARDSOFEA ST ST EENSCO.RD Hunting on private lands is a privilege, not a right. Private land hunting opportunities will remain in the future only if the property and rights of private landowners are respected! *This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for, or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Users of this information should review or consult primary data and information sources to ascertain the usability of the information. revised /