MANAGEMENT PLAN
SIERRA DIABLO WMA
December 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. Property Name and Mission Statement
2. Property Description
A. Location
B. Legal Description
3. Administration
A. Funding Sources
B. General Administration
C. Personnel
D. Legal Considerations
4. History
A. Prehistoric Summary
B. Historic Summary
C. Acquisition
II. RESOURCES
1. Natural Resources
A. Environment
B. Climate
C. Topography
D. Geology
E. Hydrology
F. Flora
G. Fauna
2. Cultural Resources
3. Facilities
A. Buildings
B. Roads
C. Fences
D. Utilities
E. Public Access
III. MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS
1. Cultural Resources
2. Surface Use Agreements
A. Easements/Agreements/Cooperatives
B. Mineral Rights
3. Threatened, Endangered Species and Species of Special Concern
IV. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN
1. Mission Statement
2. Goals in Prioritized Order
3. Objectives and Strategies
A. Resource Management
B. Research
C. Interpretation
I. INTRODUCTION
AND
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. PROPERTY NAME AND MISSION STATEMENT
A. PROPERTY NAME – Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area
B. MISSION STATEMENT – Operate and maintain the Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area as required to protect the resource and capital investments, facilitate research investigations and demonstrations, and provide for maximum public use consistent with compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
2. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
A. LOCATION
The Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area (SDWMA) is located in the Trans-Pecos Ecological Region in Culberson and Hudspeth counties, approximately 26 miles northwest of Van Horn, Texas. The SDWMA is bounded by the Beach and Baylor Mountains to the South and the Guadalupe Mountains to the North. The wildlife management area (WMA) consists of 11,165.8 acres in four noncontiguous tracts scattered approximately 16 miles along the rim of the Sierra Diablo Mountains. The SDWMA headquarters complex is accessed by county and private roads from Allamore, Texas just off Interstate 10, 11 miles west of Van Horn.
B. LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Legal description available on request.
3. ADMINISTRATION
A. FUNDING SOURCES
Funding for the management Area is provided by two sources. These include the Federal Aid in Wildlife restoration Program and Fund 9 of the State of Texas. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program or Pittman-Robertson Fund originates from excise taxes on sporting arms, handguns, ammunition and archery equipment. The federal funds are distributed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the form of a grant by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal grant provides 75% of the funding for the area. The remaining 25% is provided by Fund 9, also known as the Texas Game, Fish and Water Safety Fund. The funds are generated from hunting license sales and registration fees.
B. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
All management area administration responsibilities are coordinated through the Wildlife Division, Region 1 Director in San Angelo, Texas.
C. PERSONNEL
The SDWMA is staffed by one biologist/assistant project leader with an office in Alpine, Texas. This staff member spends the majority of his time on the SDWMA but has other Project responsibilities. The Sierra Diablo WMA is part of a complex of WMAs that comprise the Trans-Pecos Wildlife Management Area Project. Project personnel include wildlife biologists/assistant project leaders and wildlife technicians. These staff includes:
Project Leader - Michael T. Pittman - Alpine Assistant Project Leader - Clay Roberts - Sierra Diablo WMA/Alpine Assistant Project Leader - Froylan Hernandez - Elephant Mountain WMA Wildlife Technician - Dale Burns - Elephant Mountain WMA Wildlife Technician - Cody McEntire - Elephant Mountain WMA Assistant Project Leader - Dewey Stockbridge - Black Gap WMA Wildlife Technician - Travis Smith - Black Gap WMA Wildlife Technician - Vacant - Black Gap WMA
D. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Environmental Policy Guidelines govern WMA activities: This policy includes but is not limited to the following acts - National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; Texas Natural Resource Code; Clean Water Act; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Code; Texas Water Code; Solid Waste Disposal Act; The State Clean Air Act; Texas Administrative Code; Texas Pesticide Control Act and Texas Agricultural Code; and the Endangered Species Act.
Activities and facility construction are also governed by the National Environmental Policy Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act where applicable.
4. HISTORY
A. PREHISTORIC SUMMARY
To be added later.
B. HISTORIC SUMMARY
The SDWMA is surrounded by large cattle ranches. Agricultural grazing of the acreage comprising the Area was never feasible because of the terrain and scarcity of permanent livestock water. Prior to State acquisition, the Area was utilized primarily for mule deer hunting.
The Area was established to maintain and protect the existing native desert bighorn sheep population in the Sierra Diablo Mountains and to restore the bighorn sheep to its former status. However, the native sheep population had been decimated to the point where it could not sustain itself before the Area was established. The last native bighorn sheep were sighted in the Sierra Diablo Mountains in 1960. Since its acquisition, the management of the Sierra Diablo WMA has been directed toward restoration of desert bighorn sheep to their former range.
C. ACQUISITION
The Sierra Diablo WMA was originally set aside as a refuge for the last remaining population of desert bighorn sheep in Texas. Purchase of the area was authorized by State Legislative Bill H.B. 453 and signed by the Governor of Texas on May 24, 1945. Formerly public school lands and private holdings, original acquisitions of the property occurred in 1947, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1967. The original purchases consisted of 5,335 acres of public school lands at $1.00 per acre. The property on which the Area headquarters is located was acquired from T.A. and Mabel Beard in December 1957 adding 2,456.0 acres the Area. These properties were owned by the General Land Office or purchased by the State of Texas and granted to the Game, Fish and Oyster Commission by virtue of application filed in the General Land Office under the provisions of H.B. 453, Forty-ninth Legislature, 1945.
Property adjacent to Victorio Canyon was acquired by trade, donation and purchase. Mr. Nelson Puett traded Section 22, Block 42 ½, Public School Lands, Culberson County for TPWD Section 11 and donated Section 21 to the Department in 1987. An additional 2,560 acres were purchased from Alpha-21 Corporation in June 1990. The last addition to the Area consisted of 174.47 acres from the General Land Office. Currently, the Sierra Diablo WMA consists of 11,165.8 acres.
The present Area was acquired in six transactions. The Department makes payments in lieu of taxes to Culberson and Hudspeth Counties when an assessment is received from either County.
II. RESOURCES
1. NATURAL RESOURCES
A. ENVIRONMENT
The Sierra Diablo WMA consists of 11,165.8 acres within the Chihuahuan Desert. The Chihuahuan Desert is the second largest desert in North America. It extends from southern New Mexico and far western Texas south and west almost to Mexico City. In Texas an area of some 19,000,000 acres from just east of the Pecos River to the Mexican border is the Chihuahuan Desert.
The Sierra Diablo WMA lies in a rough mountainous area consisting of rugged rimrocks and ledges, interspersed with deep canyons. Elevations range from 2,000 feet ASL along the desert floor to 6,320 feet ASL within the mountain areas. Soils are rocky loam of limestone origin and subject to heavy erosion. Permanent water on the Area is limited. Three major vegetation types are found on the Area. These include Sotol-Lechuguilla, Yucca-Juniper Savannah and Pinon Pine-Juniper.
B. CLIMATE
The climate of the Area is characterized by low rainfall, high winds and evaporation, and marked diurnal temperature variation. The average yearly rainfall is 10 inches with over half falling during July, August, and September. Temperatures average 90° F in the summer and 30° during the winter. The average growing season ranges from 224 to 231 days. Average first frost occurs November 10 and average last frost occurs April 2 (Kingston 1989). Radiational cooling is usually rapid at night and diurnal temperature variations are often as much as 50° F, primarily because of dry atmosphere and absence of cloud cover.
C. TOPOGRAPHY
The Sierra Diablo Mountains were formed approximately 950 million years ago from Precambrian volcanics. The mountain range rises gently from the west near Sierra Blanca, Hudspeth County, and climbs to an elevation of 6,578 feet ASL in Culberson County. After attaining an average elevation of 6,320 feet ASL, the topography breaks sharply with 2,000 foot drops to the desert floor to the east. The many canyons cutting into the mountain range are surfaced by shallow, stony soils.
D. GEOLOGY
To be added later.
E. HYDROLOGY
Continuous natural surface water within the management area does not exist. Natural water on the Area is limited to the numerous potholes which catch and hold rainwater for a brief period of time. Hydrological data for the WMA is not available.
F. FLORA
Three major vegetation types are found on the Area. These include: Sotol-Lechuguilla, Yucca- Juniper Savannah, and Pinon Pine-Juniper.
The Sotol-Lechuguilla association is usually found on the slopes of hills and lower canyons adjacent to creosotebush-acacia flats. Dominant plant species include stool, lechugilla and yucaa. Often associated with the dominants are catclaw, four-wing saltbrush, desert hackberry, coldenia, mormon tea, apached plume, coyotillo, javelina bush, althorn, range ratany, skelton leaf goldeneye and ocotillo. Grasses commonly found in this vegetation type are blue, sideoats, red, black, and hairy gramas; cane and silver bluestem; buffalo grass, curly mesquite, Arizona cotton top, threeawns, hairy and slim tridens; and fluffgrass.
The Yucca-Juniper Savannah vegetation type is found in draws and barrancas at elevations near 4,000 feet ASL and on mountain sides at higher elevations. This vegetation type is considered an ecotonal type because it has many of the plant species of the desert grassland below it and the Pinon Pine-Juniper type above it. Plant species common to this vegetation type are century plant, agarita, trompetilla, one-seed juniper, sacahuiste, and yuccas. Many grasses found in the Sotol-Lechuguilla vegetation type also occur in the Yucca-Juniper Savannah. Additional grass species includes bush muhly, sand dropseed, plains bristlegrass, sand muhly, ring muhly, and bull grass.
The Pinon Pine-Juniper association is usually found at elevations above 4,500 feet ASL in Texas. The dominant species are pinon pine, one-seed juniper, alligator juniper, and the weeping juniper. Bear grass, century plant, Texas madrone, agarita, stools, oaks, skunk bush, and evergreen sumacs are also present.. Many of the grasses common to the other vegetation types occur at this elevation too. Grasses unique to this area include little bluestem, Texas bluestem, big bluestem, deer grass, mountain muhly and mesa mulhy.
The high ridges above the escarpment of the Sierra Diablo WMA support stands of pinon pine, juniper, and several species of oak. Much of the acreage is located adjacent to the Sierra Diablo rim rock which consists of vertical bluffs approaching 200 feet high. This type of habitat is critical to the desert bighorn sheep in affording escape terrain and protection from the elements.
A more complete inventory of the Area’s flora was undertaken in 2005 when a full time staff member was assigned to the Sierra Diablo WMA. At that time, historical plant specimens were transferred to Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas for safe keeping and storage. Future plant specimens will stored at the University until a proper storage facility can be acquired. Completion of the vegetation baseline inventory will provide a more adequate description of the vegetation and habitat types present on the WMA. A preliminary checklist of vascular plants is available upon request.
G. FAUNA
The Sierra Diablo WMA offers prime desert mule deer habitat, supporting a deer population of 40-50 deer per 1,000 acres. Scaled quail and javelina are present on the Area, although marginal habitat exists. Predator species include numerous bobcats, coyotes, fox and an occasional mountain lion. Rabbits, hares, gophers and white-winged dove are plentiful on the Area. Large birds of prey, which are seasonally abundant, include the golden eagle and red- tailed hawk. The WMA, protected from unsupervised human and livestock encroachment for almost 40 years, represents a unique alpine environment in West Texas.
From the time of acquisition until 1970, the Area’s management was directed toward sanctuary for remnant native desert bighorn sheep. To enhance sanctuary status, domestic livestock were excluded from the Area; large predators were removed; human trespass was restricted; and rainwater catchments (guzzlers) were constructed for desert bighorn sheep as well as other wildlife species.
In 1970, after it was apparent that no native bighorn sheep existed in the Sierra Diablo Mountains, an eight-acre holding pen was constructed on the Area for propagation of bighorn sheep. The propagation of desert sheep was initiated because there were no assurances the numbers necessary for free releases would be available from other states. A total of three rams and five ewes from the Black Gap WMA brood pasture was placed in this pen from 1971 to 1978. From this effort a total of 14 bighorn sheep was released to range free in the Sierra Diablo Mountains.
In June 1983, a new brood facility was built on the Sierra Diablo WMA by the Texas Bighorn Society and donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The facility consists of four 10-acre pens designed to hold 40 ewes and four rams as brood stock. The 40-acre brood facility was designed to produce 20-25 lambs annually when fully stocked, thus making that many sheep available for release from the pens. Domestic born diseases in the desert bighorn sheep have hampered propagation efforts since 1983. Although full stocking of the new brood facility was never achieved, propagation efforts from 1983 through 1994 resulted in the release of 141 animals (41 ewes and 100 rams) into three mountain ranges in the Trans-Pecos Region. The facility was vacated in May 1997.
The release sites included two wildlife management areas owned by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a private ranch under the terms of the Beach Mountain Bighorn Sheep Cooperative. Self-sustaining desert sheep populations exist on the Sierra Diablo and Elephant Mountain WMAs and the Beach Mountains because of the brood stock produced in the SDWMA brood facility. Four additional rainwater catchments were constructed in strategic locations on the Sierra Diablo WMA commonly used by desert sheep.
The avifauna of the WMA is quite diverse. Annual point counts of avifauna for baseline inventory and a preliminary checklist of birds has been conducted. A preliminary checklist is being compiled by staff and volunteers. Presently, no known resident populations of rare, threatened or endangered avifauna exist on the area. A few of the common reptiles on the area have been collected and preserved at Sul Ross State University biology department. No baseline information has been collected.
Two exotic species, aoudad sheep and elk, are present on the WMA. Aoudads were released in the Davis Mountains approximately 60 years ago as an additional hunting source and have spread from this release, and possibly others, throughout the Trans-Pecos Region. Elk were released on a neighboring ranch approximately 8 years ago and have spread throughout the Sierra Diablo Mountains. The exotic ungulates are frequently sighted in desert bighorn habitats as well as utilizing critical water and forage resources. Aoudad have a preference for bighorn habitat, the ability to subsist on lower quality forage when necessary, are socially aggressive toward bighorns and have the potential to be reservoirs of parasites and diseases detrimental to bighorn sheep. Elk are large ungulates capable of consuming large amounts of critical water resources as well as having seasonal diet overlap with desert bighorns. Both aoudad and elk and their high level of adaptability pose a threat to native species and native ecosystems. All exotics on the WMA will be lethally removed when encountered.
2. CULTURAL RESOURCES
A. RECORDED ARCHEOLOGY SITES
Five archeological sites on the Sierra Diablo WMA have been identified. The sites were examined by a TPWD cultural resource specialist in March 1994. The assessment provided by the cultural resource specialist recommended a professional archeologist be engaged to fully survey the Area road system and to formally record all significant cultural resources likely to be impacted by day-to-day activities on the Area.
Five prehistoric burned-rock middens were located on Area roads. The sites are marked with metal T-posts and covered with caliche to prevent additional disturbance of sites resulting from road maintenance activities.
Once site requiring archeological review is located in a small overhang near the floor of Victorio Canyon west of the east boundary fence. Gunnar Brune (1981) in his book, “Springs of Texas”, Volume I, call the overhang a rock shelter and mentions pictographs of men, long- tailed deer, bighorn sheep, and the presence of burned-rock middens. An archeological clearance covering all maintenance and operation procedures on the Sierra Diablo WMA is that all future development projects (including tracts under one acre in size) involving “new” subsurface impacts need to be reviewed by the Department of Antiquities Protection. 3. FACILITIES
A. BUILDINGS
Buildings on the Area include a headquarters complex which consists of a 1,000 sq. ft. stucco bunkhouse, a 21’x17’ cinder block garage, a 10’x12’ tin shed, and a 6’x8’ light plant shed. Other facilities include a 30’x50’ metal barn and laboratory with a 15’x50 roof attached to east wall located southeast of the bunkhouse. Three small metal buildings (6’x10’, 8’x14’, 4’x6’) are located on the rim adjacent to the radio tower. A 12’x12’ historical wooden cabin (Burch Carson) occurs north of the headquarters.
B. ROADS
Approximately 10 miles of rough, natural surface roads exist within the management area which requires periodic maintenance.
C. FENCES
The majority of the Area is not fenced. The southern portion of the WMA where the headquarters complex is located does contain approximately 8.5 miles of fence. All boundary fences on this portion of the WMA were constructed of five strands of barbed wire and supported by steel or wooden posts and braces.
Two brood pen facilities for the propagation of desert sheep occur on the Area. An eight-acre pasture established in 1970, and a 40-acres facility established in 1983 by the Texas Bighorn Society.
D. UTILITIES a. Electricity - Electrical service is provided by Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. b. Water - Current water facilities include two 600’ water wells (one functional) which provides a supply of water to the headquarters complex, the bighorn brood facility, and three wildlife waters facilities on pipelines. A total of 8 above ground rainwater catchment devices (guzzlers) with float valve operated drinkers for wildlife exist on the WMA. c. Propane - At the present, one supply tank exists within the management area. The tank capacity is 1,000 gallons and serves the bunkhouse. d. Telephone Service - Telephone service to the bunkhouse is supplied by Dell City Telephone Cooperative. e. Solid Waste - Solid waste disposal is accomplished by hauling out all trash when departing the WMA.
E. PUBLIC ACCESS
There is no deeded public access to the Sierra Diablo WMA. As a result, all public access to the Sierra Diablo WMA is accomplished primarily by the Department’s Public Hunting Program. Public deer hunts have been conducted on the WMA since after acquisition and desert bighorn sheep hunts were initiated in 1988. Sierra Diablo WMA hunts are conducted by application and drawing.
III.MANAGEMENT
CONSTRAINTS
1. CULTURAL RESOURCES
To date, 5 sites have been recorded within the Management Area. The identification and protection of all archeological resources within the management area is a primary goal of management. The objective will be accomplished through the compiling of previous survey data, a 100% management area survey, protection of recorded sites and monitoring of all ground disturbances.
In the absence of an archeological survey, certain documents already in place will provide the general guidelines for actions taking place within the management area. Activities on lands controlled by the State of Texas will adhere to the Texas Antiquities Code. The memorandum of Understanding between The Texas Historical Commission/Department of Antiquities Protection and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department outlines interaction between the two agencies regarding stewardship of cultural resources on TPWD lands; all conditions set forth in that document will be strictly followed. In addition, any project involving federal funds will automatically necessitate consideration of the 106 review process.
2. SURFACE USE AGREEMENTS
A. EASEMENTS/AGREEMENTS/COOPERATIVES
1. A Right of Way Easement exists between TPWD and Rio Grande Electric Cooperative which allows RGEC personnel the right to enter upon the WMA to affect repair and maintenance of an electric transmission line or system. Approximately four miles of transmission lines were installed on the WMA in the 1960’s to provide electrical service for the bunkhouse, barn and radio tower.
2. A Right of Way Easement to construct a road leading from S.H. 54 to Marble Canyon located on the Sierra Diablo WMA in Culberson County was given to Western Marble Company in 1961. The road easement provides for the transportation to and from and across Section 20, Block 66, of Township No. 5 of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Survey to facilitate Western Marble Company activities.
3. Cooperative Agreements between SDWMA and three private landowners for the conservation and management of desert bighorn sheep in the Sierra Diablo Bighorn Sheep Management Unit were initiated in 1988 under the authority of Section 61.204 of the Parks and Wildlife Code. The Cooperative Agreements delineate responsibilities and privileges of the Department and respective cooperating landowners, and provide for the hunting of desert bighorn sheep and allocation of hunting permits. The three Cooperative Agreements between SDWMA and the private landowners were dissolved in the late 1990’s by the Department.
4. A Road License Agreement existed between TPWD and the owner of the Circle Ranch, Mr. Topper Frank. The road use agreement was initiated on July 17, 1989 and granted to the Department a revocable license to use the road for a period of ten years. The road is a bladed earth roadway from the County Road near the Circle Ranch Headquarters through the ranch and onto another private ranch. The Department used the roadway for ingress and egress to and from the SDWMA. Mr. Frank later revoked the agreement before the period ended.
5. Prospecting Permits are issued periodically by the General Land Office on Public School Fund (PSF) minerals. All minerals within the SDWMA are owned by the PSF. Most Prospecting Permits are issued for Section 20, Block 66, of Township No. 5 of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Survey. A plan of operations is required to be submitted to and approved by the General Land Office prior to commencement of any surface disturbing exploration activity. A copy of the plan will be forwarded to TPWD immediately upon receipt by the GLO.
6. Currently, two Cooperative Agreements between SDWMA and three private landowners adjacent and contiguous to the WMA are in effect for the conservation and management of desert bighorn sheep in the Sierra Diablo Bighorn Sheep Management Unit. The agreements were initiated in 1999 and delineate responsibilities and privileges of the Department and respective cooperating landowners, provide for management activities and hunting of desert bighorn sheep.
B. MINERAL RIGHTS
Mineral rights on the Sierra Diablo WMA are owned by the PSF.
3. THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
A. ENDANGERED SPECIES/THREATENED SPECIES
Based on all presently available information there are no known federally listed endangered species found on the WMA. Should new information confirm the presence of any endangered, threatened or species of concern, appropriate actions will be undertaken.
B. SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN
Sierra Diablo was acquired as a refuge for the last remaining population of desert bighorn sheep. If managed properly, these animals will continue to provide for public hunting opportunity, serve as a source of brood stock for other areas of reintroduction, and will provide a rare opportunity for public viewing and education about the species. As such, all present and future management and operations decisions must be carefully assessed in order to prevent adverse impact to the Area’s desert bighorn sheep population.
IV. INTEGRATED
MANAGEMENT
PLAN 1. MISSION STATEMENT
Operate and maintain the Sierra Diablo WMA as required to protect the resource and capital investments, facilitate research investigations and demonstrations, and provide for maximum public use consistent with compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Management of wildlife populations and habitats is directed at perpetuating and enhancing these resources. An ecosystem management approach to enhance habitat diversity and resultant wildlife diversity is fundamental to achievement of SDWMA goals.
2. GOALS (IN PRIORITIZED ORDER)
A. PRIMARY GOALS (APPROVED DECEMBER, 1989)
1. To develop, manage, and restore wildlife habitats and populations of indigenous wildlife species.
2. To provide a site where research of wildlife populations and habitats can be conducted under controlled situations.
3. To provide for public hunting and appreciative use of wildlife in a manner compatible with the resource.
4. To provide areas to demonstrate habitat development and wildlife management practices to landowners and other interested groups.
5. To provide a natural environment and facilities for use by educational groups, naturalists and other professional investigators.
6. To provide a source of desert bighorn sheep brood stock for transplanting to depleted habitats.
3. OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
A. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
a. GOAL(s)
To develop, manage, and restore wildlife habitats and populations of indigenous wildlife species.
To provide a source of desert bighorn sheep brood stock for transplanting to depleted habitats. b.STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMPLISHING GOAL(s)
Objective 1:
Management of the SDWMA for increased populations of desert bighorn sheep cannot become completely effective without the cooperation of Sierra Diablo Mountain landowners, land managers and special conservation groups.
Strategy:
Schedule contact with Sierra Diablo landowners for review of management activities and cooperative measures required to ensure continuing enhancement of desert sheep populations. Coordinate habitat enhancement/restoration and management projects with special interest groups.
Objective 2:
Sites having open terrain, extensive vistas, and a generally uncluttered landscape are favored by desert sheep over those having a dense, shrubby or brushy aspect. Encroachment of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation is detrimental to sheep habitat and use of habitat. Dense vegetation around water will preclude bighorn sheep use. Bighorn sheep prefer water sources with unobstructed visibility in all directions.
Strategy:
Control the spread of juniper or other trees and shrubs in open terrain resulting from plant succession, regression, or exotic plant introduction with the use of fire. Control invading brush species around and adjacent to wildlife water facilities.
Objective 3:
Assist in the restoration and recovery of desert bighorn sheep in Texas by properly managing the habitat and population on the Sierra Diablo WMA.
Strategy:
a. Maintain or enhance the existing habitat located on the Sierra Diablo WMA in accordance with the Texas Desert Bighorn Sheep Restoration/Management Plan using the following practices and standards:
1. Crucial habitat zones will receive maximum protection. 2. Livestock grazing on the Area will be avoided. 3. Spread of junipers (Juniperus sp.) or other trees and shrubs into “open” habitats through plant succession, regression or exotic plant introduction will be controlled to preserve open habitat. 4. All area fencing will be constructed or modified to permit free movement of bighorns and other wildlife. Unnecessary fences will be removed. 5. Exotic ungulate populations will be controlled at the lowest numbers possible, with a goal of total elimination. 6. Predators will be controlled in order to protect brood stock and to ensure continue success. 7. Maintain water developments as needed to ensure the availability of water at all times. b. Utilize the area’s bighorn sheep population as a source of brood stock for other areas of reintroduction. c. Provide additional public hunting opportunity and program support through the harvest of surplus animals. d. Analyze the area’s desert bighorn habitat in order to determine proper carrying capacities, assess present status and condition, monitor trends, and evaluate management. e. Conduct annual inventories of habitat and populations in order to ensure that management is accomplished through sound biological decisions. f. Conduct research in order to ensure proper management. g. Continue off-site bighorn sheep educational programs.
Objective 4:
Acquisition of desert bighorn sheep for transplants and augmentation is needed to increase population numbers and distribution of bighorn sheep in Texas.
Strategy:
Utilize free ranging desert bighorns from Sierra Diablo WMA for transplant purposes.
Objective 5:
Boundary fences separating SDWMA and private lands are inadequate to prevent ingress of private livestock. Domestic livestock should be excluded from the Area to reduce resource competition (food and water) for bighorns as well as reduce spatial stress and disease probabilities. A 3-strand boundary fences was constructed in 1997 which has proved ineffective.
Strategy:
Construct fences as needed and add a 4th strand to the top of all 3-strand boundary fencing.
Objective 6:
Implement community based resource conservation and management, consistent with the Department’s Environmental Policy and TPWD Code, including management and restoration of natural communities, stewardship of native habitats, maintenance of bio- diversity and protection of critical or endangered resources.
Strategies: a. Utilize an ecosystem management approach in managing the Area’s natural resources. b. Utilize the Department Environmental Policy Checklist prior to the implementation of all projects.
1. Continue archeological surveys as needed to record all significant sites and to prevent adverse impact to the cultural resources of the area. All ground disturbances will be conducted in accordance with the MOU between the Texas Antiquities Committee and TPWD. c. Complete baseline inventories of the area’s natural resources through the use of approved methods and standards as provided by the Wildlife Division Baseline Inventory Committee. The inventories will be used to determine composition, present status and condition, monitor trend, and to evaluate management through time. Upon completion of baseline inventories, monitoring will be performed within representative sites at various intervals.
1. Complete site specific historic research including past land use practices. The research will provide an accurate historic overview for the site, assist in the documentation, identification and protection of significant cultural resources, assist in understanding the development of the area’s natural communities, and assist in choosing appropriate strategies for manipulating habitat for the benefit of wildlife.
2. A minimal sampling level will be conducted within representative community types which will be sampled annually. Other transect will be sampled at five year intervals. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be provided. In addition, voucher specimens will be collected.
3. Construct exclosures within all habitat types to assist in evaluation of habitat use.
4. Utilize GIS technology for storing and analyzing all baseline inventory data. d. Establish clear goals and objectives for each management unit. e. Implement appropriate management strategies according to the goals and objectives established for each management unit. f. In the event of conflict between a natural resource and public use, priority will be given to the resource.
Objective 7:
Utilize proven techniques for managing habitat and wildlife populations.
Strategies: a. Management strategies will vary according to the specific goals and objectives identified for a particular area. An assortment of management tools will be used including: the reintroduction of natural processes such as fire, predator control, elimination of exotics, vegetation clearing, reseeding, installation of water developments and others.
1. Develop a fire management plan in order to ensure that all natural or human induced fires are managed in a manner that will assist in achieving specific management objectives. The plan will provide acceptable prescriptions as well as guidelines for conducting safe and effective prescription burns throughout the WMA.
2. Implement predator control measures in order to reduce game losses due to predators.
3. Eliminate all exotic wildlife populations.
4. Install water developments as needed. b. Accelerate GIS technology to assist in resource management.
Objective 8:
Perform wildlife population surveys in order to ensure that harvest recommendations are based on sound biological data.
Strategies:
a. Increase levels of monitoring and censusing of all game animals to provide better information on which to base harvest recommendations. Methods will include annual spotlight counts, distance spotlight surveys, ground surveys, and aerial population surveys.
b. Revise area spotlight deer census lines as needed to correct for visibilities.
Objective 9:
Develop and maintain area facilities to accomplish resource management, research, and public use and maintenance goals.
Strategies:
a. Maintain all existing and proposed facilities in a clean, orderly, operative, well maintained manner.
b. Maintain area road system as needed.
c. Complete boundary survey and construct fences as needed.
c. Modify all facilities to comply with ADA requirements for visitors and employees.
B. RESEARCH
a. GOAL(s)
To provide a site where research of wildlife populations and habitats can be conducted under controlled situations.
b. STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMPLISHING GOAL(s)
Objective 1:
Maintenance and restoration of desert bighorn sheep habitat requires appropriate land- use management including water development. Research and development is needed to solve and facilitate habitat management problems.
Strategy: a. Submit proposals that have management application and provides information useful to land to land owners/managers. b. Conduct research that addresses: desert sheep and chronic mortality from diseases particularly lamb mortality, impact of domestic livestock and feral animals concerning animal density and competition for forage, space, water, and transmission of disease, seasonal nutritional requirements versus nutritional availability, habitat evaluation techniques, and methodology for mitigation and habitat improvement. Research will be accomplished using Department personnel and/or Universities through interagency contracts.
Objective 2:
Crucial areas for desert sheep must receive protection for managing sheep habitat and for sustaining viable sheep populations. Knowledge and location of lambing grounds, migration routes, seasonal movements, and mineral licks are unknown.
Strategy:
Conduct special studies and/or submit research proposals which will delineate crucial areas of desert sheep.
Objective 3:
The SDWMA has constructed eight rainwater catchments for desert bighorn sheep and other wildlife use. Documentation of the importance of water and its potential as an enhancement to desert sheep and other wildlife habitat is unknown.
Strategy:
Conduct field studies or research under contract to determine the impact of water development of wildlife resources particularly desert bighorn sheep. Conduct research to determine the correlation between the importance of water sources and the amount of rainfall. By season, document the extent and time intervals sheep use man-made water facilities.
Objective 4:
Administrative duties require significant time of field biologists. Time which should be used to design, conduct and evaluate research, monitor impacts of management practices, compile and analyze data, and disseminate findings through technical and non-technical meeting, programs and publications.
Strategy:
Provide additional staff and funding needed to accomplish management objectives.
Objective 5:
Evaluate the use of various management strategies.
Strategies:
a. Establish habitat manipulation and control sites for use in comparing treated and untreated areas.
b. Utilize various management strategies including: burning, brush clearing, herbicide use, reseeding, re-vegetation and others.
c. Demonstrate the results and benefits to land managers and other interested groups.
Objective 6:
Increase knowledge of the historic natural communities in order to document missing components and provide guidelines for restoration.
Strategies:
a. Conduct historic research and interviews concerning past land use history. Knowledge of past history will assist current managers in understanding the existing natural communities and in choosing appropriate management strategies.
Objective 7:
Use of entry permits by school groups, researchers, naturalists, and other professional biological investigators has been light.
Strategy:
Encourage use by Universities and other biological investigators. Strive to make the Area available for public use. Design projects for educational groups, universities and professional biological investigators if necessary. Obtain permanent public access to the Area to facilitate use by educators, universities, and other biological investigators.
C. Public Use
a. GOAL(s)
To provide areas to demonstrate habitat development and wildlife management practices to landowners and other interested groups.
To provide a natural environment and facilities for use by educational groups, naturalists and other professional investigators. To provide for public hunting and appreciative use of wildlife in a manner compatible with the resource.
To provide a site where research of wildlife populations and habitats can be conducted under controlled situations (by university and college students). b. STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMPLISHING GOAL(s):
Introduction:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department does not have deeded access to the Sierra Diablo WMA. Historical access has been controlled at the discretion of neighboring landowners and on a few occasions Department staff have been denied access to the WMA. Currently, primary access by road to the Sierra Diablo WMA occurs via the county road and through three private landowners.
The shortest and most convenient route to the headquarters complex and brood facility occurs via the county road and through three private landowners but no easement or agreement is in effect for this use. However, the landowner does allow the route to be used on occasion when hauling heavy equipment or when traveling time is critical to an activity.
The most convenient route into the Victorio Canyon portion of the WMA for staff activities and the hunting of desert sheep also crosses one private landowner for approximately 3+ miles. Historically, the Department had full access to Victorio Canyon through this property but the property changed ownership. Currently, only Department staff are allowed access to Victorio Canyon via S.H. 54 and the landowner/manager must be called in advance to arrange for the gate to be unlocked.
The degree of limited access at both points of entry to the WMA remains tenuous. Access issues concerning the Sierra Diablo WMA continue to affect staff activities, management, public hunting and outreach opportunities.
Future land acquisitions are necessary for continued conservation and enhancement of land adjacent SDWMA property that provide important habitat for desert bighorn sheep. Efforts should be made and appropriate funding provided by the Department to acquire additional land suitable for bighorn sheep in the Sierra Diablo Mountains as it becomes available or if the private use of the land comes in direct conflicts with the programs of the Area, and to provide permanent access to the Area. Land acquisitions will substantially increase WMA management, research and existing public hunting opportunities and will provide for wildlife viewing, public outreach and research opportunities.
Public hunts for desert mule deer are provided to prevent habitat degradation from increasing numbers of deer, to reduce competition between mule deer and desert sheep for food, water, cover and space, and to offer the general public quality outdoor recreation.
Thirty desert bighorn sheep hunts have been conducted in the Sierra Diablo Mountains since 1988. Of the thirty hunts, ten hunts have been conducted on the Sierra Diablo WMA. The ten hunts consisted of: six permits were issued to applicants/public hunters selected through the Department’s public hunting program; three were given to the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) for auction; and one permit was given to the Texas Operation Game Thief for auction. Funds from all auction permits are directed back to TPWD’s Sheep Account which is used solely for sheep management and restoration purposes.
Objective 1:
Permanent vehicular access is critical to future needs and use of the SDWMA. Public access problems continue to affect and/or prevent public hunting, public outreach opportunities, and appreciative use activities on the Sierra Diablo WMA. Future public hunting of desert sheep on state owned property in Victorio Canyon will continue to require additional time and expense.
Strategy:
Available funds provided by the Department or private conservation groups should be explored to purchase permanent access or easements to the Sierra Diablo headquarters complex and the Department property located in Victorio Canyon.
Objective 2:
Precise boundary definition of the Sierra Diablo WMA is unknown which makes demarcation for public recognition impossible.
Strategy:
Conduct a professional/certified survey to properly delineate property boundaries. Signs and boundary markers should be installed at specified intervals and maintained by Department personnel.
Objective 3:
The size of the Area is inadequate to produce sufficient numbers of desert sheep to meet public demand for desert bighorn sheep hunting in Texas.
Strategy:
Suitable habitat/property in the Sierra Diablo, Beach and Baylor Mountains should be acquired as it becomes available. Bighorn sheep cooperatives between the Department and private landowners in these mountain ranges should continue to provide for the conservation, management, and public hunting of desert sheep through the Department’s Public Hunting Program.
Objective 4:
Provide affordable public hunt opportunities consistent with the goals and objectives established for the site, and availability of the resource.
Strategies: a. Provide special permitted hunts for deer, javelina and other wildlife species based on resource availabilities. b. Reach new user groups and provide additional public hunting opportunities through the implementation of special youth hunts. c. Increase public hunting opportunities by issuing one desert bighorn sheep permit per year, based on resource availabilities.
Objective 5:
Adequate facilities for public outreach and research activities are not available on the WMA.
Strategy:
Construct facilities as needed to provide for public outreach meetings, and/or research students at the Area headquarters complex and in Victorio Canyon. The facility in Victorio Canyon will also facilitate public sheep hunts provided to the hunting public through the Department’s Public Hunting Program. Construct an interpretive display which highlights the SDWMA’s contribution to the restoration of desert sheep in Texas.
Objective 6:
Disseminate information on wildlife management practices to land managers, owners, and the general public that relate directly to the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
Strategy:
Provide technical information of proven and experimental wildlife management practices to land managers and the general public through bulletins, leaflets, brochures, and checklists.
Objective 7:
Educate private landowners/managers, and the general public about habitat enhancement techniques and activities for the management of desert sheep, mule deer, javelina and other indigenous wildlife.
Strategy:
Provide appropriate field days, seminars, and demonstrations which promote proven wildlife management practices for managing native wildlife in west Texas with particular emphasis on desert sheep. Identify negative wildlife practices and alternative management activities to attain positive wildlife and economic benefits. Establish day use only self-guided tours on the Area as needed.
C. INTERPRETATION
A. GOAL(s)
To provide for public hunting and appreciative use of wildlife in a manner compatible with the resource.
To provide areas to demonstrate habitat development and wildlife management practices to landowners and other interested groups.
To provide a natural environment and facilities for use by educational groups, naturalists and other professional investigators.
b. STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMPLISHING GOALS(s)
Objective 1:
Educate the public regarding the intended purpose, goals and objectives of the Sierra Diablo WMA.
Strategies: a. Develop and implement and interpretive plan for the Area. b. Develop brochures and other literature which reveals the Area purpose, goals and objectives to the general public. These should include:
1. Sierra Diablo WMA brochure 2. Sierra Diablo WMA species lists c. Develop appropriate interpretive programs.
Objective 2: Demonstrate habitat development and wildlife management practices to landowners and other interested groups.
Strategies: a. Provide technical assistance to land managers as needed.