Ford Pasture Fuels Reduction/Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement

Vermillion Cliffs--Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Utah



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Ford Pasture Fuels Reduction/Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement

Project Description:
The proposed project is located on a previously treated site. In the 1970s the site was chained and seeded with introduced species. The original treatment reduced the cover of pinyon and juniper trees in the sagebrush community. At present, the sagebrush stand is being re-invaded by pinyon and juniper trees. This project proposes to reduce up to 90% of the standing pinyon and juniper trees in a mosaic pattern of treated and untreated vegetation. Two types of treatment are planned for the project area, bullhog for the dense stands of trees and hand thinning for the sparse stands. Use of these tools will expand the currently shrinking habitat for sage grouse in a known use area. The understory vegetation is thought to be adequate and no seeding is planned at this time. If no response is observed in the understory within two years of adequate rainfall, seeding will be reconsidered. Treatment is planned for winter of 2005.

Current Research:
This project will be an opportunity to test two different restoration treatment methods on the Monument. Although there is interest in using the bullhog as a restoration tool, it has not been used on the Monument and this would be an excellent chance to evaluate its' effectiveness. A graduate student is currently evaluating bird responses to these two treatments. Baseline bird and vegetation surveys were collected in 2005.

Future Research Needs:

Sage grouse use of the treatment area and movement within area
Response of understory vegetation to the two different treatments
Soil response to mechanical shredder treatment (bullhog)