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Show maximum wildlife benefit. Important management concerns include water supply, water quality and disease management. Water shortages are very detrimental to wetlands and wildlife. USFWS would like to augment natural flows of the Bear River during July and August. A project to supplement these low flows with Willard Bay water was negotiated, but the project was not constructed. Future water development projects on the Bear River that are currently under consideration include plans for the Honeyville area, but there is no authorization for this dam to date. Disease management focuses on botulism outbreaks and attempting to understand ideal conditions by linking losses with water conditions and habitat indicators. Peak avian botulism losses seem to occur during above- average water years, according to USFWS. Water quality and sediment contamination have been investigated in BRMBR and in proposed acquisition areas. " Soil and water analysis from this study did not identify any toxic constituents, although further sampling of soil, water and fish tissues may be warranted in the Black Slough area to determine the source( s) or extent of DDT contamination," according to the contaminant study of Waddell et al. ( 1990). Also, salts were present in high levels in both water and sediments. Layton Wetlands Preserve Layton Wetlands Preserve is a mosaic of over 2,100 acres of wetlands, playa and upland habitats. It is owned and managed by TNC. An additional 800 acres of adjacent property is managed by TNC for URMCC. TNC continues to look for opportunities to protect important wetlands and uplands around GSL. Management of the preserve is conducted within the context of identifying conservationally important species and communities, identifying stresses or threats to those conservation targets and developing strategies to minimize the stresses or threats. One of the primary conservation strategies outlined in the plan is to allow the dynamics of GSL to act naturally upon the landscape in this undiked area. To address management issues on the preserve, TNC is also developing visitor management, weed management and community outreach plans. Wetland restoration activities are being conducted on the preserve. Much of the work is accomplished with volunteer help and the assistance of local experts. Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve This 4,500 acre reserve was developed by KUC to mitigate for the tailings modernization and expansion project completed in 1993. The reserve provides a large contiguous area for nesting and resting habitat for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. The Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve is surrounded by private duck clubs, the Gillmor Wildlife Sanctuary and the SLCIA Mitigation Project, all of which provide wildlife habitat. The reserve has three water sources, including Goggin Drain, Lee Creek and the North Point Canal. They circulate brackish water through marshes and mudflats to maximize invertebrate populations as food for visiting birds. A unique sand dune environment exists on state sovereign lands adjacent to the reserve ( Neville, 1998). Once COE approves the mitigation project, which is expected in 2002, KUC plans to allow greater public access. 91 |