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Jonah Field Funded Projects
Wildlife | Livestock | Wildlife/Livestock | Cultural Resources | Recreation | Air Quality
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Wildlife Mitigation Projects
JIO Goal: Maintain, preserve and/or enhance up to 90,000 acres of sagebrush-steppe habitat for native wildlife, with emphasis on sage grouse, antelope, and SGCN species; and ensure access to habitat by pronghorn.
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Cottonwood Ranch Bench Corral Conservation Project
Three part project including: 1. Conservation easement and conservation plan to preserve and/or enhance pristine wildlife habitat. 2. Water efficiency project that will allow improved irrigation and grazing management on 25,000 acres. 3. Funding for intensive grazing management on a large scale (25,000 acres) that will address BMP's for sagebrush obligates. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funding approved 2007. Conservation Easement and conservation plan are complete and in effect. Irrigation efficiency and intensive grazing management are on-going.
- Total Project Cost - $887,933
- JIO Funding - $559,900
- Total Project Acres - 27,000
Cottonwood Ranches II Conservation Project
Conservation easement and conservation plan on approximately 1,600 acres of private land; implementation of improved grazing management on adjacent BLM allotments, state leases and private lands; and implementation of water efficiency project designed to enhance grazing management implementation, increase forage production (for wildlife and livestock), and improve stream and riparian health over a two-mile stretch of Cottonwood Creek. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Partial funding approved contingent upon mutually agreeable conservation plan and matching funds. Applicant is pursuing matching funds.
- Total Project Cost - $1,841,250
- JIO Funding - $733,000
- Total Project Acres - 5,172
CRC Conservation Easement
Conservation easement on 2,571 acres of extremely valuable wildlife habitat in the upper Green River Valley that is at high risk for development. This property includes portions of the pronghorn antelope migratory bottleneck (the Funnel Bottleneck) at the head of the Upper Green River, sage grouse nesting and brood rearing habitat, approximately one mile of Green River frontage, elk winter range, moose crucial winter range, and other numerous wildlife habitat values. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Partial funding approved contingent upon mutually agreeable conservation plan and matching funds. Applicant is pursuing matching funds. A conservation plan has not been presented as of October 2008.
- Total Project Cost - $3,695,000
- JIO Funded - $1,300,000
- Total Project Acres - 2,571
Cross Lazy Two Ranch
Project involves (1) purchasing a conservation easement on the ±4,410-acre Cross Lazy Two Ranch and (2) working with the landowners, JIO and local NRCS office to design, implement, monitor and adapt a mutually-agreeable conservation/habitat management plan for the private and public property described above that includes annual monitoring and a communication plan to ensure regular review and adaptation as necessary. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funding approved contingent upon mutually agreeable conservation plan. Conservation plan is in development phase. A conservation plan has not been presented as of October 2008.
- Total Project Cost - $2,000,000
- JIO Funded - $2,000,000
- Total Project Acres - 51,156
Diamond H Ranch Conservation Project
Conservation easement and conservation plan on approximately 3000 acres of high quality wildlife habitat in and around undergoing significant small-tract home-site developments. Habitat fragmentation resulting from development activities are considered to be among the state's greatest threats to wildlife habitat and to traditional agricultural operations. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funding approved contingent upon a mutually agreeable conservation plan. Conservation plan is in development phase. A conservation plan has not been presented as of October 2008.
- Total Project Cost - $2,500,000
- JIO Funded - $700,000
- Total Project Acres - 4,598
Dynamic Message Signs
Funds are used to purchase 4 Dynamic Message Sign boards to be put in place along Sublette County highways to advise drivers of wildlife crossing concentration areas. These portable signs would be most beneficial during migration seasons. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals by protecting antelope migration corridors at highway crossings.
- Project Status - Funded 2007. Message signs are in use.
- Total Project Cost - $62,500
- JIO Funded - $62,500
Elk Mountain/Red Canyon Prescribed Burn
Project includes the improvement of upland plant communities for various wildlife species, including sage-grouse with prescribed burning of 20,000 acres (approximately half black) in a mosaic pattern in the Elk Mountain area. Approval of the Proposed Action is the most environmentally acceptable method of stimulating regeneration of desired plant communities (aspen, mountain shrubs and grasses). Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funding approved. Burn successfully took place fall of 2007. Project is complete and in monitoring phase.
- Total Project Cost - $90,000
- JIO Funded - $72,000
- Total Project Acres - 20,000
Habitat Improvement Pilot Project: Also referred to as: Arambel Reservoir Project
Treatment of four separate five acre test plots using Lawson Aerator; snow fence construction to add moisture for increased reclamation success; test of weed control methods; and repair of dam on Arambel Reservoir. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Partial funding approved 2006
- Total Project Cost - $868,685.25
- JIO Funded - $499,000
- Total Project Acres - Directly: 1,830 Indirectly: 73,518 (Size of Allotment)
Jonah Raptor Nest Platforms
Construction and placement of nesting platforms for ferruginous hawks. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2006 and is currently undergoing NEPA evaluation in the Pinedale BLM.
- Total Project Cost - $2,153
- JIO Funded - $1,725
MJ Ranch Conservation Project
Conservation easement and conservation plan on sagebrush habitat used by Sage grouse, Mule deer, pronghorn, and elk, and stream habitat used for spawning by Brown Trout. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats.
- Project Status - Funded - Conservation plan in effect
- Total Project Cost - $1,440,000
- JIO Funded - $484,171
- Total Project Acres - 4,836
Noble Cora Peak Wildlife Project
Project includes 3 separate components. 1. Upgrade an existing spring and install a diversion to divert sediments away from the spring. Spring will provide essential vegetation for sage-grouse brood rearing, and drinking water for all forms of wildlife, including sage-grouse and pronghorn. 2. Down the draw from the spring, drill and install a new watering well with facilities for wildlife and livestock. This well will allow water to run-off down into the draw and into an old reservoir potentially creating vegetation essential for sage-grouse brood rearing. This watering facility will also create clean drinking water for pronghorn, as this is in the migratory area. Potential exists to install a wildlife friendly fence around the spring and reservoir for wildlife use. 3. Drill well and install 2nd watering facility in northeast area of allotment. This well will provide drinking water for pronghorn and mule deer, especially during migrations, as well as livestock. Potential exists to develop plans for vegetation improvements if warranted. Project proponent will use the watering systems to implement a rotational grazing pattern throughout the allotment.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008 and is currently undergoing NEPA evaluation in the Pinedale BLM
- Total Project Cost - $64,640
- JIO Funded - $64,640
- Total Project Acres - 2,350 (Size of Allotment)
Range Improvement Water Trough Bird Ramps
Production and installation of wildlife escape ramps in all BLM range water improvement tanks in coordination with BLM Range and Wildlife Staff. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals for preserving and enhancing wildlife habitats, especially birds.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008 and is currently undergoing NEPA evaluation in the Pinedale BLM.
- Total Project Cost - $36,500
- JIO Funded - $36,500
Rock Creek Sub-Division Antelope Migration Fence Modification
Provide funding for modification of fences in the Upper Green Sub-division and in an important migratory bottleneck for pronghorn antelope. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goals by improving antelope migration corridors at fence crossings.
- Project Status - Funded and complete
- Total Project Cost - $15,000
- JIO Funded - $15,000
Ryegrass Mowing
Mechanical treatments (mowing) of sagebrush on the Ryegrass Individual and James Ryegrass allotments in a mosaic pattern which will restore the early-seral portion of the sagebrush community. This project will likely have a beneficial effect to sage-grouse and pronghorn by increasing grass/forb diversity in the understory vegetation. Project meets JIO mitigation goals my maintaining and/or enhancing sagebrush-steppe habitat for sage grouse and pronghorn antelope.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008 and complete
- Total Project Cost - $13,000
- JIO Funded - $13,000
- Total Project Acres - Directly: 1,600 : Indirectly: 5,685 (Size of Allotment)
Square Top Water Wells
Project includes improving 3 watering facilities in the Square Top Allotment and creating a “wildlife only area” for each location. An overflow on each well will create a pond or green-up zone that will be fenced for wildlife only access. The watering facilities will provide essential drinking water to wildlife and livestock and will improve livestock grazing distribution across the allotment. Project meets JIO goals by improving or enhancing wildlife habitat.
- Project Status - Funded 2007 - Project complete
- Total Project Cost - $67,223
- JIO Funded - $67,223
- Total Project Acres - Directly: 15 : Indirectly: 38,000 (Allotment)
Wildlife Friendly Fencing Initiative
Inventory fences within a portion of the pronghorn migration route identified by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Steve Cain, Joel Berger and Kim Berger from the Forest Service boundary to Trapper’s Point in Sublette County, Wyoming . Map each fence’s location; Evaluate which fences most affect pronghorn and other big game migration based on objective criteria developed by project partners (including private landowners and public land managers); Subject to the consent of the owners of such fencing and obtaining necessary access to do the work, modify, reconstruct and/or remove (if appropriate) those fences to facilitate better pronghorn movement within the route before the fall migration; and Monitor and evaluate the project’s effectiveness. Project meets JIO mitigation goal by improving antelope migration corridors at fence crossings.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008 contingent upon matching funds. Partial funding dispersed.
- Total Project Cost - $2,406,180
- JIO Funded - $1,000,000
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Livestock Mitigation Projects
JIO Goal : Reduce or eliminate livestock conflicts (death, illness, or loss of production) on the JIDPA between livestock and Jonah Infill related activities.
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Don Rogers Livestock Mitigation Project
Stud Horse Butte Permittee Don Rogers is directly affected by JIDPA development. Permittee would like to temporarily relocate livestock grazing from Stud Horse Butte Allotment to another location for a period of 5 years. This project requests livestock mitigation funding to pay for AUMs in alternative pasture. Temporary relocation would eliminate livestock losses due to the intensive development of the field. Not only will this project eliminate the conflicts between livestock grazing and gas development in the Jonah Field, it will assist with reclamation objectives by allowing reclamation sites a 2 year growing season prior to livestock grazing.
- Project Status - Funding occurring on an annual basis
- Total Project Cost - $67,500
- JIO Funded - $67,500
Rendezvous Ranches Livestock Mitigation Project
Rendezvous Ranches is a Sand Draw Permittee directly affected from JIDPA development. Permittee would like to temporarily relocate livestock grazing from the Jonah Field to another location for a period of 5 years. This project requests livestock mitigation funding to pay for AUMs in alternative pasture. Temporary relocation would eliminate livestock losses due to the intensive development of the field. Not only will this project eliminate the conflicts between livestock grazing and gas development in the Jonah Field, it will assist with reclamation objectives by allowing reclamation sites a 2 year growing season prior to livestock grazing.
- Project Status - Funding occurring on an annual basis
- Total Project Cost - $322,571
- JIO Funded - $322,571
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Wildlife/Livestock Mitigation Projects
These projects are partially funded from both wildlife and livestock mitigation funds.
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Sand Draw Water Wells
Development of 2 new watering facilities to provide wildlife and livestock drinking water south of the Jonah Field. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goal by improving habitat outside of the Jonah Field. Project meets JIO livestock mitigation goal by relocating livestock away from the Jonah Field and thus reducing the livestock impact.
- Project Status - Funding approved but on hold. Although this project has gone through NEPA and is ready for wells to be drilled, the NPL may create additional challenges in meeting the goals of the project by relieving pressure on livestock and wildlife in the nearby Jonah Field.
- Total Project Cost - $51,000
- JIO Funding Committed: $51,000
Sublette/Boundary Allotment Project
Project provides wildlife and livestock drinking water by drilling 2 new wells and upgrading 2 wells south of the Jonah Field. Project also repairs and extends wildlife friendly fencing between two allotments to reduce livestock drift from Jonah. Fence will also allow for grazing rotation which may improve habitat values. Project meets JIO wildlife mitigation goal by improving habitat outside of the Jonah Field. Project meets JIO livestock mitigation goal by relocating livestock away from the Jonah Field and thus reducing the livestock impact.
- Project Status - Funding approved 2007. Project currently undergoing NEPA evaluation in the Pinedale and Rock Springs BLM
- Total Project Cost - $181,000
- JIO Funding - $181,000
- Total Project Acres - Directly 5 : Indirectly: 42,000 (Size of allotment)
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Cultural Resources Mitigation Projects
JIO Goal: Enhance the understanding of archeological and paleontological resources that provide an integrated, holistic and meaningful view of the archaeology and/or paleontology of the Upper Green River Basin.
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Pronghorn Movement and Prehistoric Hunters
An archaeological investigation with implications for both understanding of prehistoric cultural behavior and modern pronghorn antelope management in the Jonah Field vicinity. Plan to determine the formation characteristics and antiquity of the most ancient level of the Trappers Point site. Use data gathered through site excavation and isotopic analysis of modern and prehistoric pronghorn remains to address whether the animals were killed in a single event and whether they may have come from migratory herds.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008
- Total Project Cost - $82,100
- JIO Funded - $82,100
Educational Prehistoric/Historic Rotating Artifact Display and
Creation of Traveling Exhibit
To educate the public about prehistoric and/or historic artifacts found in the Jonah Field and to display same in a user friendly environment. Project entails building or purchase of one permanent display case and building or purchasing a traveling exhibit.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008
- Total Project Cost - $50,000
- JIO Funded - $50,000
Wardell Buffalo Trap
Establishment of a drainage system to protect the Wardell Buffalo Trap site for preservation of an important archaeological site.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2007
- Total Project Cost - $40,000
- JIO Funded - $40,000
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Recreation Mitigation Project
JIO Goal: Enhance opportunities for the public to enjoy high quality outdoor recreation experiences through improvements to public access, recreation information, and facility enhancements that provide substantial recreational user benefits.
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New Fork, East Fork Rivers Confluence Boat Ramp and River Access
Modification/Upgrade existing access area. Currently there are problems with access roads and erosion. This project will provide for reclaiming of some roads, improving primary access road, developing a hardened boat ramp and parking area, constructing barriers to restrict vehicles from certain areas and signing. Phase II could add comfort station, additional parking, additional road improvements, modification of the river bank and tree planting.
- Project Status - Funding approved in 2008
- Total Project Cost - $92,000
- JIO Funded - $92,000
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Air Quality Mitigation Projects
JIO Goal: Improve conditions outside of the Jonah Field that may adversely affect visibility in nearby Class I airsheds.
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- Project Development In Progress
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