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Posted
Monday, September 8, 2003
SWOG meeting minutesAugust 21, 2003, Monticello, Utah Attending
Review: Dean reviewed roles of graduate student and Todd's new position and responsibilities. Updated annual progress report was reviewed, comments and suggestions made. A local landowner, Bruce Adams, has agreed to be a SWOG representative. Conservation plan update Todd has completed changes in the updated annual progress report for the Conservation Plan. A couple of sensitive items still need to be removed. Please review the copy provided, any other changes, etc. should be e-mailed to Todd by November 3, 2003. His e-mail is: tblack@cc.usu.edu Rangewide issues The Gunnison Sage-grouse Summit is September 24 & 25, 2003 in Norwood, Colorado. Two landowners are attending thus far. West Nile Virus — three confirmed cases in Northeast Wyoming. Dean to find out how best to test birds captured in the future for WNV. The Focus Group, as well as the Dove Creek group will all meet in Monticello on October 15, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Tentative location is in the County Commission conference room. Statewide issues Thirteen geographical areas in Utah are working towards establishing local working groups similar to SWOG. Dean would like minutes and meeting schedules posted on the DWR web page. Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA): An agreement between DWR and a landowner regarding conservation of habitat and/or any work identified in the Plan for grouse conservation. This demonstrates they are doing everything possible to help. If the bird does get listed, the landowner receives no repercussions. Dean would like us to implement this for Gunnison Sage-grouse as well as Greater Sage-grouse. Colorado is also looking into implementing this. Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA)
An agreement between DWR and a landowner regarding conservation of habitat and/or any work identified in the Plan for grouse conservation. This demonstrates they are doing everything possible to help. If the bird does get listed, the landowner receives no repercussions. Dean would like us to implement this for Gunnison Sage-grouse as well as Greater Sage-grouse. Colorado is also looking into implementing this. Research project Nesting season was unsuccessful. Three hens nested, two hens abandoned their suspected nests after 10-12 days, and one hen did not nest. Of the three hens who did nest, one nest hatched (6 eggs); however, chicks were never observed with the hen, the other two nests (8 eggs and 6 eggs) were depredated on or near hatching time by a suspected small mammal. Of the two hens who abandoned nests early, the nests were unable to be located. SWOG had a booth at the San Juan County fair August 13–16, 2003 to distribute information and answer questions about Gunnison Sage-grouse. I played a video about Gunnison Sage-grouse and community conservation efforts produced in Colorado. I displayed telemetry equipment and made a nest with sagebrush with eggs and feathers for the public to view. Utah Audubon Society (IBA) Wayne Martinson, representing Utah Audubon Society introduced the idea of Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat being nominated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The Audubon Society recognizes these areas as essential habitat both nationally and internationally. This listing requires a voluntary cooperative effort from a private landowner. The recognition could help with future additional funding. He attended the landowner meeting held that evening and presented the idea to the landowners that were present. Management strategies The appraisal was approved for an easement on Pehrson's. BLM will hold the contract. A grazing management plan will be written. A no grazing strategy was discussed. Other possible easements being considered include Hines and Sinners property in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Intermountain Joint Ventures. Tammy, Guy and TNC met with Hines to discuss a possible easement. Guy met with Sinner regarding an easement, on hold for now. Pursuing a lease option with Roring's was discussed. The Power Company and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife donated their time and equipment to place 50 triangles along 5 miles of the county road by Dalton's corrals thanks to Dave Ketron's initiative in pursuing this project in the hope of deterring birds of prey from perching and making a meal of Gunnison Sage-grouse. Predator management Wildlife Services placed 250 poisoned eggs during early nesting season (April) 2003. Most eggs were gone when checked. Several ideas were discussed for next year's nesting season to improve hatching success. Other business In the future, for GIS requests for SWOG, please contact DWR. Todd will send DWR (Dean) the following: 2000 Conservation Plan, Sarah's work, and baseline coverages. Dean will |