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Appendix XI
BEAR CREEK, EAST FORK WILDLIFE HABITAT UNIT, FREMONT COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The East Fork Wildlife Habitat Unit is located 16 miles northeast of Dubois, Wyoming (T 42N, R 105W, S 4,5,9,16,17,19).Approximately 3 miles of Bear Creek is located on the 17,000 acre unit. The unit is accessible by vehicle from
early spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages the unit for big game winter use. The unit was initially purchased in 1946 but there have been several additions to the unit since then. The last addition to the unit was in 1978 and included 7,000 acres.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
The number of elk utilizing the unit during winter ranges from 1,300 to 1,900 animals, depending on the severity the winter. A small number of elk utilize the higher elevations of the unit during late summer and fall. The majority of mule deer in the area are found below the unit at lower elevations during winter months. Moose are occasionally found on the unit throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
The entire unit has not had authorized livestock grazing since the last addition to the unit in 1978. Other portions of the unit have not had authorized livestock grazing since there addition to the unit. There has been
some occasional use by trespass cattle throughout the years.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bear Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study area is approximately 7,300 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes, grasses, sedges, willow, chokecherry, aspen, cottonwood, and spruce. Upland vegetation includes grass, sagebrush, spruce, lodgepole pine, and some aspen. Several irrigated grass meadows are located adjacent to the stream on the unit.
Rangeland Improvements
Several rangeland treatments, including planting, fertilizing, range pitting, and prescribed burning, have been implemented to improve the quantity and quality of forage on the unit. Salt and mineral blocks have also been
used to distribute the animals throughout the unit.
Observed Impacts
Overall, the riparian and upland habitat is in good shape. There is evidence of some light browsing on shrubs along the stream but browsing has not been significant enough to cause a species composition shift in the riparian zone. There are periodic problems with stream quality related to sediment loading from upstream sources. The problem has not yet been attributed to any particular cause, but the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is addressing the issue. Elk feces was found mainly off of the riparian zone on upland hillsides. Elk
distribute throughout the unit and spend most of the time utilizing open slopes and ridges.
Potential as Field Study Site
Impacts on water quality from wild ungulate use may be difficult to assess due to the existing water quality problems caused from upstream sources. Within the unit, the majority of utilization by wild ungulates occurs off of the riparian zone on upland slopes. The animals are well distributed throughout the unit, therefore, utilization is relatively uniform and impacts on water quality may be minimal.
Potential as Experimental Site
East Fork Wildlife Habitat Unit could be used as an experimental site if erosion problems from above the unit are identified and solved. The unit is large enough that a small-scale or large-scale study could be conducted.
Administrative Contact
Chuck Clarke
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
260 Buena Vista
Lander, Wyoming 82520
(307) 332-2688
Appendix XII
TORREY CREEK, WHISKEY BASIN HABITAT UNIT, FREMONT COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study site on Torrey Creek is located on the Whiskey Basin Wildlife Habitat Unit, 9 miles south of Dubois, Wyoming (T 40N, R 106W, S 14,22). Approximately 1 mile of Torrey Creek is located on the 16,980
acre unit. The site is accessible by vehicle year-round.
Land Administrator
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department initially purchased the unit in 1954. There have been several additions to the unit since 1954 with the last purchase occurring in 1989. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department manages the unit for big game winter use.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 1,000 bighorn sheep and 250 elk utilize the unit throughout the winter. The majority of sheep utilize rocky cliffs and high ridges above Torrey Creek. Most elk utilization occurs on open wind swept slopes on the west side of the unit away from Torrey Creek. Some mule deer and moose are occasionally found along the stream throughout the year.
Livestock Grazing History
Whiskey Basin Wildlife Habitat Unit has not had authorized livestock grazing since 1954. There is no livestock grazing along Torrey Creek above the unit.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Torrey Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site approximately 7,500 feet. The riparian zone is in nearly pristine condition with exception to some very light utilization by moose. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, and willow. Upland vegetation includes grass, sagebrush, juniper, spruce,, and lodgepole pine. Torrey Creek runs through a glacial valley with steep rocky cliffs on both sides of the stream. Due to the rocky terrain adjacent to the stream, stream sediment loading from natural erosion and animal use is minimal.
Rangeland Improvements
Rangeland improvements, such as, planting, fertilizing,prescribed burning, range pitting, and spraying have been used to improve the quantity and quality of forage and better distribute animals to minimize interspecific competition between bighorn sheep and elk.
Observed Impacts
The riparian zone along Torrey Creek is in nearly pristine condition. Utilization by wild ungulates along the stream is minimal. Most utilization by bighorn sheep occurs on rocky outcroppings and ridges away from the stream. Elk utilization occurs on open wind swept slopes on the opposite side of the mountain from Torrey Creek. Stream quality related to soil erosion and fecal coliform contamination would be minimal within and above the unit the topography and geography of the area.
Potential as Field Study Site
Torrey Creek holds little potential as a field study site because of minimal use by wild ungulates. Most utilization occurs away from the stream on rocky ridges and open slopes. Wild ungulates would have minimal impact on stream quality.
Potential as Experimental Site
Torrey Creek holds good potential as an experimental site. Riparian vegetation and stream quality are in excellent condition. Impacts from wild ungulate use could be assessed exclusively because of the lack of livestock use and minimal sediment loading occurring above the unit.
Administrative Contact
Chuck Clarke
Habitat Management Coordinator
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
260 Buena Vista
Lander, Wyoming 82520
(307) 332-2688
Appendix XIII
BLUE CREEK ALLOTMENT, HOT SPRINGS COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
Blue Creek Allotment is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Grass Creek town-site in Hot Springs County (T 44N, R 101W, S 3,4,9; T 45N, R101W, S 33,34,35). The allotment includes all of Blue Creek and approximately 6 miles of Cottonwood Creek. The potential study area is accessible by four-wheel drive from late spring until late fall.
Land Administrator
Blue Creek Allotment is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management under a Coordinated Land Resource Plan (CLRP) which includes the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and 14 private land owners. The primary objective of the CLRP is to improve the range condition from "poor" to "good" and "excellent" status. The secondary objective is to provide critical winter range for elk.
Seasonal and Diurnal use by Wild Ungulates
Approximately 350 elk utilize Blue Creek Allotment during late winter and early spring. Some elk, mule deer, and moose also utilize the area during summer and fall.
Livestock Grazing History
Blue Creek Allotment received heavy livestock use until 1983 when the CLRP was put into effect. Livestock have been excluded since 1983, but will be reintroduced back on the allotment within the next 1-2 years.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blue Creek and Cottonwood Creek are classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,600 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, willow, cottonwood, aspen, fir, and spruce. Upland vegetation consists of big sagebrush, fir,
spruce, and limber pine. According to Ken Stinson of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Worland, Wyoming, streamside vegetation has greatly increased since the exclusion of livestock in 1983. Willow production has increased and streambanks are becoming more stable. Grass production on upland sites greatly
increased after annual prescribed burns starting in 1985.
Rangeland Improvements
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has prescribed spring and fall burns since 1985. More burning is planned in the future.
Observed Impacts
Streambanks were severely eroded by high stream flows during spring of 1991. Stream sediment loading from wild ungulate use would be difficult to assess due to natural bank erosion. Moose feces was observed occasionally along the creek while most elk and deer feces was limited to upland sites. Some fecal contamination may be occurring lower on the allotment during spring when water runoff and elk concentrations are highest.
Potential as Field Study Site
Blue Creek Allotment holds little potential as a field study site because of water existing quality problems caused by natural erosion. Also, reintroduction of livestock on to the allotment is planned in 1992 or 1993.
Potential as Experimental Site
There is little potential as an experimental site for the same reasons as mentioned above.
Administrative Contact
Joe Vessels
Grass Creek Resource Area
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Worland, Wyoming 82401
(307) 347-9871
Appendix XIV
MIDDLE FORK POWDER RIVER, ED OITAYLOR WILDLIFE HABITAT UNIT
JOHNSON COUNTY
The Ed O'Taylor Wildlife Habitat Unit is located approximately 25 miles west of Kaycee, Wyoming. The unit was not evaluated in detail because topography and accessibility limit the potential as an experimental site or a field study site. The middle fork of the Powder River on the unit is located at the bottom of a large, steep, and rocky canyon that is accessible by foot in limited areas.
Appendix XV
FONTENELLE CREEK, BRIDGER NATIONAL FOREST, LINCOLN COUNTY
Location and Accessibility
The potential study area on Fontenelle Creek is located in the Bridger National Forest, 35 miles north of Kemmerer, Wyoming (T 27N, R 116W, S 22,27). Approximately 2.5 miles of Fontenelle Creek is located on a 5,000 acre allotment which is designated for wildlife use. The lower portion of the stream is accessible by four-wheel drive from late spring until late fall and the upper portion of the stream is accessible by foot or horse.
Land Administrator
The U.S. Forest Service manages the allotment for wildlife use.
Seasonal and Diurnal Use by Wild Ungulates
Elk, mule deer, and moose utilize the area from early spring until early winter. The potential study area includes prime elk calving habitat and borders crucial elk and mule deer winter range.
Livestock Grazing History
The wildlife use area has not had authorized livestock grazing since 1989 when the livestock grazing permit was not re-issued. There is some trespass cattle use on the southern end of the allotment where there is no fencing. Domestic sheep and cattle grazing is permitted on Fontenelle Creek above and below the designated wildlife use area.
Wetland Classification
According to the classification system used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fontenelle Creek is classified as; SYSTEM Riverine, SUBSYSTEM Upper Perennial.
Description of Site
The elevation of the potential study site is approximately 7,700 feet. Associated riparian vegetation includes grass, sedges, and willow. Upland vegetation includes grass, sagebrush, aspen, spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine.
Fontenelle Creek flows through a narrow valley that has steep and timbered slopes rising up from the stream.
Rangeland Improvements
There have been no rangeland improvements or treatments done on the allotment. There has been some logging in areas adjacent to the allotment.
Observed Impacts
Impacts on water quality from ungulate use is limited. Streambanks are well vegetated and stable. Two moose and some moose feces were observed along the stream. Some elk and deer feces were observed on upland slopes.
Potential as Field Study Site
Fontenelle Creek holds little potential as a field study site because utilization from sheep and cattle above the allotment may be impacting water quality. Feasibly, there could be cattle use throughout the wildlife area due to the potential of cattle entering the allotment on the southern end where fences are absent.
Potential as Experimental Site
Fontenelle Creek holds some potential as an experimental site. Personnel from the U.S. Forest Service mentioned that they might be able to put up an electric fence on the bottom end of the allotment which is currently not fenced. The electric fence would enclose 5,000 acres of forest which is designated for wildlife use.
Administrative Contact
Jim Wickel
U.S. Forest Service
P.O. Box 31
Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101
(307) 877-4415
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