Proposal is to partially fence the Blair Creek Wildlife Habitat Area, Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest. The intent would be to utilize the area (approximatley 10,000 acres) for a forage reserve to be used as alternate/temporary forage for livestock moved from other areas undergoing habitat improvement projects. In addition, the unit presently has no fences and is experiencing unauthorized livestock use from adjacent BLM and FS lands. Livestock grazing would only occur outside the Bridger Wilderness portion of this unit. The Unit could provide approximately 2.5 months grazing for 150 cow/calf pairs. Habitat improvement projects would benefit a variety of species although elk and reduction of brucellosis transmission would be emphasized. There is delineated elk Winter/Yearlong range in the southern end of the project area.It also includes Spring/Summer/Fall range for Moose and Deer.
Approximately 6 miles of fence is needed. Proposed fence would be built to wildlife specifications; 3 strands barbwire, 1 strand smooth wire, steel posts with wood H braces.
Background
This project will act to create a forage reserve providing opportunity to accomplish frequent, effective, and large-scale habitat treatments for wildlife where they are needed. Under current circumstances, there is little flexibility for movement of livestock from allotments to provide the needed 3-year grazing rest (1 pre-treatement, 2 post-treatment) for prescribed burns. Consequently, many of these habitat treatments have been planned and conducted opportunistically. Recently, some habitat treatments were cancelled due to lack of alternative space for livestock grazing.
This project will minimize livestock/wildlife conflict on G&F Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMA's), which have been identified as critical wildlife habitat. WHMA's have been used as forage reserves in some instances, however, there is potential for wildlife/livestock conflict with this practice, including elk/cattle commingling issues (i.e., brucellosis).
Increase opportunities for wildlife habitat improvement projects in the Wind River Range by providing a temporary grazing unit to affected livestock permittees. Prescribed fires designed to improve native habitat near elk feedgrounds can reduce elk dependency on supplemental feed and potentially reduce brucellosis transmission risk. Habitat improvement projects would benefit a variety of species although elk and reduction of brucellosis transmission would be emphasized.
Creation of a forage reserve is the first and most important step to accomplishing frequent, effective, and large scale habitat treatments for wildlife. Under current circumstances there is little flexibility for movement of livestock from allotments to provide the mandatory 3-year grazing rest (1 pre-treatment, 2 post-treatment) for prescribed burns. Consequently, some habitat treatments have been planned and conducted opportunistically. Recently, some habitat treatments were cancelled due to lack of alternative space for livestock grazing. Thus, the need for a forage reserve is emphasized if habitat enhancements are to be implemented both when and where they are needed. Prescribed fires designed to improve native habitat near elk feedgrounds can reduce elk dependency on supplemental feed and potentially reduce brucellosis transmission risk.
The economic benefit of a forage reserve is that it will improve facilitation of habitat treatments by providing an avenue to manage grazing, thus improving the end result of money spent on implementing habitat projects. It my also improve forage conditions for wildlife that may increase populations allowing higher harvest rates, which will produce more revenue through license fees. Ranchers may also see higher weight gains from improved forage conditions resulting in better prices paid for their product.
