conocophillips dogm earthday award nomination utah division of wildlife resources project: price...
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ConocoPhillips DOGM Earthday Award Nomination
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Project: Price River Drainage Wet Meadow Enhancement
Wet meadows are critical habitat for many species, including sage-grouse.
Important during nesting and brood rearing periods.
Concern: Loss of critical wet meadow habitat
Occurring though erosional downcutting of water courses around meadows
Concern: Loss of critical wet meadow habitat
Occurring through erosional downcutting of water courses around meadows
Leads to lowering of water table & desiccation of wet meadows, and subsequent alteration of vegetation
Project Goal: Protect and enhance critical wet meadow habitats within the Price River Drainage
Methodology:
• Grazing Management: Short Duration – High Intensity Rest Rotation system.
• Vegetative treatment – treat uplands to reduce brush cover and increase grass/forb cover which will maximize water infiltration and slow overland flow.
• Active in-channel projects to slow run-off, build sediment, and maximize ground water infiltration
• Vegetation Inventory
• ConocoPhillips provided initial $30,000 to map vegetation at a detailed level within the Drunkards Wash Field.
• Helped directly identify wet meadow areas needing treatment.
• Have found additional $44,000 for mapping more acres of critical wildlife habitat. Completed in March 2005 with > 700,000 acres mapped.
Grazing Management:
• Working with land owners and NRCS to develop grazing plan and cross fence pastures to improve grazing practices.
Vegetation Treatment:
• Treat upland surrounding wet meadows using mechanical & chemical methods
• Reduce shrub cover and increase grass & forb coverMaximize water infiltration & slow overland flow
Ely Chain
Lawson AeratorPipe Harrow
In-channel structures:
• Passive dikes: temporary hold water from heavy run-off events, allow sediment to drop out, increase ground water infiltration, and meter channel flow.
ConocoPhillips Contributions:
• Vegetation Survey $30,000• Surveying, engineering, materials, and equipment $55,000
Overall project budget $228,000 (not including vegetation mapping project)