Conservation Projects British Columbia Crown Range Wetland Enhancement Program 2010-11
Goals and Objectives
In cooperation with MOFR Range staff and ranchers, the program has identified the need for constructing new fences and storing more water. The 2010 proposed budget will construct fifteen kilometers of fence and one water retention project. The improved grazing management on the sites will include upland and wetland areas totaling 190 hectares of wetland and 650 hectares of upland habitat.
Measuring the success of the program will require an evaluation detailing the current status of the project sites (wetland and upland), the proposed infrastructure to be built, and the anticipated habitat improvements. Short term program goals will be measured by timely, cost effective construction of projects in 2010.
The long term success of the program will be monitored with follow up evaluations of the upland and wetland site conditions in five years. The well established DUC Project Proposal Sheet will document the biodiversity of the site and the status of the wetlands in the project area. The MOFR Forest and Rangeland Evaluation Protocol (FREP) will also be utilized. The Grasslands Conservation Council Grassland Monitoring Manual for BC – A tool for Ranchers, will describe upland habitat health where applicable.
Activities
A general project description was developed to specify the proposed infrastructure, and the details of the construction, including a map of the site, a description of the fence and water retention. A detailed project description will include an explanation of the current cattle grazing (numbers, dates etc) and a description of how the proposed infrastructure will change the cattle grazing patterns. Projects will either provide a period of rest during the grazing season to allow for habitat improvement, or they will exclude cattle grazing in certain areas.
In cooperation with BC Ministry of Forests and Range (MOFR) staff and local ranchers, the current habitat conditions will be described for the uplands and wetlands at the project sites. Each project will require a description of the anticipated habitat improvements (upland, wetland) resulting from the project. Increased water storage during the nesting season is a high priority and increased flooded acres will be recorded. The benefits of the project to the rancher(s) will also be documented, and may include ease of management, increased forage productivity, streambank stability or increased biodiversity.
Once the detailed project description is agreed upon in writing by the project coordinator, the rancher(s) and MOFR, the District Manager will issue a range agreement authorization to construct the infrastructure. The infrastructure and range improvements will be included in the Range Use Plan.
DUC will evaluate the project to determine the achievement of project objectives. DUC and/or MOFR will generally complete a biological inspection and monitor the project site, once every five years.
Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions
Wildlife Habitat Canada will assist with completing two project sites on Crown Land involving two tenure holders. For the two proposed sites, the tenure holders are the Alexis Creek Ranch and Stone Band First Nations. The two sites will involve fifteen kilometers of new fence, and a water retention project. The projects will restore and enhance the habitat and management of 190 ha of wetland habitat and 650 ha of upland habitat secured by a management plan recognizing waterfowl habitat.
Successful project implementation will also engage the Chilcotin Stock Association members (20 ranches) in extension activities, and the local outdoor sports enthusiasts who enjoy the area.
Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other Wildlife
The project will benefit a wide range of waterfowl and other water-associated species such as waterbirds and moose. The Cariboo-Chilcotin region supports the highest densities of breeding waterfowl in the BC Interior, and dozens of waterfowl pairs and broods will benefit from project activities. The region also serves as an important stop-over area for waterfowl traveling from southern and coastal wintering areas to breeding grounds in other parts of the Interior, the northern forests, prairie Canada and the USA. Key production areas in the Cariboo-Chilcotin are mostly in mid to low elevation wetland complexes such as the ones proposed in this project, and tend to support notably diverse communities. Twenty-six species of waterfowl have been recorded locally, a list which includes the typical "prairie duck” community (mallard, blue- and green-winged teal, northern shoveler, northern pintail, American wigeon, gadwall), plus a number of sea ducks such as bufflehead and Barrow’s goldeneye.
Large game species such as Mule Deer, Moose, and Bear, along with upland game birds and songbirds will benefit from the improved habitat conditions.
Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
DUC has a successful memorandum of understanding with MOFR and the BC Cattlemen’s Association to cooperate on the enhancement and conservation of priority wetlands on Crown Land. These agreements ensure support for the stewardship of wetlands and contribute to successful implementation of the BC Conservation Framework and the BC Water Plan, and help address habitat issues identified in "Taking Natures Pulse” the status of biodiversity in BC. In particular, the objective of this program is to improve grazing management in mid-elevation biogeoclimatic zones, where poorly managed grazing has impacted waterfowl habitat and biodiversity. Habitat for wildlife and waterfowl will be improved by the installation of fencing, and water retention on wetlands, in accordance with a management plan.
The proposed projects will be used as a site for educating local ranchers on range assessment techniques and demonstrating the improvement of rangeland and wetland habitat conditions resulting from an investment in fencing and following planned grazing systems. The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund has expressed an interest in financially supporting these extension activities in 2010.
Project Location
The Intermountain Region of BC is indicated here within the white outline, and DUC proposes to deliver this project within its Cariboo-Chilcotin priority area, highlighted in blue (top-most polygon). The most central municipality for this area is the city of Williams Lake. Migratory bird hunting is authorized on the specific project site locations.