Get Funding for Wildlife Habitat Monitoring Projects

A. Project Background Information: This project will establish baseline data to identify current Mule Deer distribution and habitat selection within the Jack Morrow Hills Coordinated Activity Plan (JMH CAP). Additional monitoring is required by the JMH CAP to determine impacts of ongoing and proposed activities in the area. This project will monitor the current distribution and habitat selection of female Mule Deer within the JMH CAP and Steamboat Herd Unit and compare the effects of wind farm complex construction, post construction and operations, as well as, the effects of new oil and gas construction and operations, recreation and other activities.B.

Project Objective: BLM has the jurisdiction for management of wildlife habitat on public lands. BLM has further committed to the monitoring of the Steamboat Mule Deer herd as specified in the Jack Morrow Hills CAP. Information gained is crucial to the management of the Mule Deer herd and providing informed decisions relating to continued energy development and rangeland management practices. This information will benefit the public by allowing BLM managers better information to base land management decisions to sustain or improve the health of biological communities on DOI managed land and improve the understanding of national ecosystems and resources through integrated interdisciplinary assessment.

This increased understanding of the ecosystem will influence resource use to enhance public benefit and promote responsible development. The recipient would benefit by being able to keep their highly-trained specialized employees working on important wildlife research projects.C. Statement of Joint Objectives/Project Management Plan: Recipient will organize the technical requirements of GPS collars and provide procurement. Recipient will organize Helicopter service (OAS approved), net gun capture and placement of GPS collars on female Mule Deer.

Recipient will provide monitoring of collared Mule Deer as needed and annual assessment of data. This project will provide for annual animal capture, GPS collar placement, monitoring, and data analysis as determined by available funding and the battery life of collars. A final report will be prepared for the BLM by the recipient. The recipient must commence work and make expenditures as quickly as possible consistent with prudent management.

The recipient will benefit by being able to keep their highly-trained specialized employees working on important wildlife research projects.Substantial involvement on the part for BLM is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, the BLM will need to work in cooperation with the recipient to develop study design protocols to meet management objectives. This will involve helping with selection of equipment, capture sites, necessary permits, and analysis tools. The BLM will also provide additional logistical support throughout the project, and review interim and final reports.

The BLM will work in cooperation with the recipient to share information and knowledge to interested parties and the general public. D. Period of Project: 1 award for 5 years.