Wildlife Inventory and Habitat Evaluation of Duck Valley Indian Reservation Project #32008 Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

Project Justification Reservation represents a data gap for fish and wildlife in Owyhee and Bruneau Subbasins (Saul et al. 2000) Several species of concern are present on the reservation but no surveys have been conducted to determine status and trend Important wetland complex (~120,000 acres) designated Priority Conservation Site by The Nature Conservancy Regional data sets on wildlife species incomplete: –Sage grouse –Spotted frog

Project Goals Gather information on wildlife species composition, distribution and relative abundance on Duck Valley Indian Reservation Assess condition of existing habitats Utilize information in Reservation and subbasin planning efforts

Plan Develop wildlife monitoring and habitat evaluation program Conduct two years of wildlife monitoring Vegetation mapping in FY2003 to determine FY2004 survey sites Habitat evaluation (HEP) in FY2004 Compile, analyze and share data with fish and wildlife management agencies in region and ICDC, NNHP

Monitoring Species that may warrant special conservation effort including intensive monitoring: –Ecological indicators –Keystone species –Umbrella species –Flagships –Vulnerable species

Species of Concern More intensive investigations will be conducted for species of concern: –Spotted Frog – USFWS candidate species –Sage Grouse – Species of concern –Bats – –Pygmy Rabbit – Endangered in Washington. –White-faced Ibis - –Waterfowl

Spotted Frog Occurrences – Nevada and Idaho

Collaboration with USFWS Tribes will work with USFWS in 2002 to survey 1-3 sites on reservation Determine survey sites for 2003 Review 2003 survey data with USFWS, IDFG, NDOW Modify plan as warranted

Presence/Absence Surveys (2003) Monitoring Protocol Engle, J Columbia Spotted Frog Great Basin Population (Owyhee Subpopulation) Long-term Monitoring Plan, Owyhee and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho. USFWS, Boise, ID. Suitable habitat searches; capture frogs using dip nets Record data, to include: gender, mass, SVL, GPS coordinates, habitat/land use ratings (Platts 1987) and water chemistry (temp, DO, Conductivity, pH) Photos of site Follow disease protocol (DATF)

Sage Grouse Leks – Current and Historic

Lek Surveys (2003-4) Aerial surveys conducted in March and April –GPS location of lek –Count males –Record 2004 monitoring may include radio- tagging birds (possibly in conjunction with IDFG project)

Cooperation with other entities: Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group –Governors Sage Grouse Plan Owyhee County Sage Grouse Working Group Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Sage Grouse Working Group Jarbidge Resource Area Working Group IDFG, NDOW, BLM

Relevance to other efforts in subbasin DVIR habitat enhancement program: –Will assist in identifying habitats/areas in need of restoration/enhancement/protection –Proper functioning condition (PFC) to be performed which will complement this monitoring activity Assess resident fish in Owyhee/Bruneau Subbasins: –Instream and riparian habitat monitoring is being conducted which will complement this research effort and afford opportunities to coordinate survey work

* ** 2003 Timeline