FireTrax
LLC received the contract to cut the trees and carry out the
prescribed burns associated with the project, which has been
spearheaded by Keith Schoup of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Click on "Next
Slide" to start the slideshow
Free DHTML scripts provided by
Dynamic Drive
2004
Problem
Analysis
The
aspen communitites are primarily mature with areas of dead
(remnant) trees occurring throughout the stands. Moreover,
aspen regeneration (root suckering) is limited due to the
abundance of mature trees; consequently, coniferous species
and big sagebrush are encroaching. Presently, big sagebrush
and conifers dominate several aspen stands, and if these
stands, and addtional stands, are allowed to remain stagnant,
conifer species and big sagebruse will continue to encroach,
and eventually become the dominant species. Once these species
become dominant, aspen will decline on the landscape, and
the hydrologic functions within these areas will be adversly
affected.
Project
Objectives
The
primary goal is to set back succession in aspen communities
allowing for recruitment of young plants, creating uneven-aged
stands across the landscape, and improved hydrologic functions
within the Bates Creek Watershed. Moreover, we intend to
treat big sabegrush and conifer communities that have encroached
historical aspen communities, projecting that aspen will
expand back into those areas where it was historically located.
Secondary goals are to develop a basic aspen inventory,
and subsequent aspen regeneration treatment areas within
the Bates Creek Watershed.
The quantifiable
benefits to wildlife are to set back succession in aspen
communities, creating uneven-ages stands across the landscape;
improve hydrologic functions within the Bates Creek Watershed;
improve quantity and quality of herbaceous forages on elk
and mule deer summer and transitional ranges; improve elk
and mule deer parturition areas; and improve habitat conditions
for aspen-dependent wildlife species.
Project
Strategies
This
project will delineate aspen communitits that are in peril
within the Bates Creek Watershed, and develop treatments
to regenerate these stands. Regeneration will be accomplished
through mechanical (cutting) and natural (prescribed fire)
means. We intend to treat 350 acres of aspen over a five-year
timeframe. Furthermore, we intend to treat big sagebrush
and conifer communities that have encroached historical
aspen communities, projecting that aspen will expand back
into those areas where it was located historically. Moreover,
we want to restore the hydrologic functions within the Bates
Creek Watershed through the treatment of aspen, big sagebrush,
and conifers.
This project has been coordinated with Miles Land and Livestock,
Inc., Wyoming State Forestry, US Forest Service(USFS), and
US Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Funding has been provided
by Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
Wyoming Governor's Big Game License Coalition, and Bowhunters
of Wyoming. WGFD personnel, in cooperation with Miles Land
and Livestock, Inc., USFS, Wyoming State Forestry and BLM
personnel, will collaborate on the techniques used to enhance
aspen ciommunities for big game and other wildlife species;
improve watershed health within Bates Creek; and improve
hydrologic functions within the Bates Creek Watershed. Enhancement
techniques may include, but are not limited to, prescribed
burning, timber cutting, and chemical treatments.
|