Wildlife Inventory and Habitat Evaluation of Duck Valley Indian Reservation

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. Spotted Frog Occurrences – Nevada and Idaho

8. 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

9. Presence/Absence Surveys (2003) • 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) Monitoring Protocol Engle, J. 2001. Columbia Spotted Frog Great Basin Population (Owyhee Subpopulation) Long-term Monitoring Plan, Owyhee and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho. USFWS, Boise, ID.

10. Sage Grouse Leks – Current and Historic

11. 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)

12. Cooperation with other entities: • Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group • Governor’s Sage Grouse Plan • Owyhee County Sage Grouse Working Group • Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Sage Grouse Working Group • Jarbidge Resource Area Working Group • IDFG, NDOW, BLM

13. 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

14. 2003 Timeline * * *