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CX Appendix C Burro Movem

CX Appendix C Burro Movem

1 B. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 2 Name and Address of Applicant or Applicant Organization: 3 Game and Fish Department 4 5000 W. Carefree Highway 5 Phoenix, AZ 85086 6 Evaluation of Burro Movements and Collisions along Roads Near Lake Pleasant 7 Herd Management Area 8 With burro populations above acceptable Herd Management Area (HMA) levels, burro- 9 vehicle collisions (BVC) have become an increasing problem for the travelling public on 10 roads in proximity to Lake Pleasant (LP) HMA. BVC in and around the LPHMA have 11 increased dramatically and exceeded 35 between October 1, 2015 and December 7, 12 2015, and will continue to pose a hazard to motorists. The Bureau of Land Management 13 (BLM) and its partners are seeking solutions to return the population to acceptable HMA 14 levels. Current BLM burro removal efforts cannot keep pace with the herd’s population 15 growth. Until long-term burro reduction strategies are implemented, there is an ever 16 increasing risk to the safety of both motorists and burros. The Arizona Department of 17 Transportation (ADOT) shoulders a bulk of the liability associated with BVCs. To help 18 mitigate risks to motorists and burros, an evaluation of burro movements and collision 19 locations is warranted. We propose to gather information on burro movements along 20 roads within and adjacent to LPHMA through the collection of 1) GPS movement data, 21 2) BVC hotspots and associated variables, and 3) burro roadway access point camera 22 data collection. Our analysis of this Information will 1) provide recommendations for 23 strategic reduction in BVCs while considering implications to wildlife connectivity and 2) 24 identify additional areas for burro removal efforts. The Arizona Game and Fish 25 Department (AGFD) working alongside ADOT has substantial experience in evaluating 26 and implementing measures for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions throughout Arizona. 27 GPS data from this study will complement data gathered through a concurrent USGS 28 burro demographic study. Collaborators will include local law enforcement and ADOT 29 maintenance personnel. 30 Name, official title, department, project responsibilities and time commitment: 31 Jeff Gagnon, Regional Supervisor, AGFD: project oversight, study design, data 32 collection, data interpretation, reports (15%) 33 Scott Sprague, Senior Project Manager, AGFD: project oversight, study design, data 34 collection, data interpretation, reports (15%) 35 Chad Loberger, Wildlife Specialist II, AGFD: field implementation, camera installation 36 and data collection, accident site analysis, reports (10%) 37 Kari Ogren, Wildlife Technician, AGFD: Camera data collection and review, field 38 implementation (15%). 39 Colin Beach, Wildlife Technician, AGFD: Camera data collection, field data collection 40 and digitizing, GIS analysis, assistance with captures, reports (25%). 41 Sue Boe, GIS Specialist, AGFD: Oversight of GPS analysis and GIS project 42 components (5%).

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43 C. RESEARCH PROPOSAL 44 45 BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program 46 Proposal for Collaborative Research Effort 47 48 1. Goals / Objectives / Hypotheses: 49 Goal: 50 The goal of our collaborative study with ADOT is to evaluate burro movements along 51 roadways within and adjacent to the Lake Pleasant Herd Management Area (LPHMA), 52 and determine possible reasons for burro road crossings and collisions. The information 53 gathered from this study will provide guidance in the development of strategies to 54 reduce burro-vehicle collisions (BCVs). This project will also dovetail with the concurrent 55 USGS demographic and survey studies; thus, allowing the studies to complement and 56 bolster each other by increasing the sample size of collared burros, which in turn will 57 result in more robust results for Schoenecker (2015) 58 Objectives: 59  Gather information on burro movements along roadways within and around the 60 Lake Pleasant HMA. Evaluate location, frequency, and variables related to 61 high burro crossing locations. Use movement data to supplement concurrent 62 USGS study (Schoenecker 2015) 63  Compile historic data on BCVs and combine with additional data throughout 64 the study. Evaluate location, frequency, and variables related to high BCV 65 locations. Work with local agencies to ensure consistent data collection 66 methodologies. 67  Collect camera data to document burros accessing roadways. 68  Combine information from collars, collisions, and cameras to provide 69 recommendations to reduce BCVs while still providing for wildlife connectivity. 70  Identify additional burro removal areas for future capture efforts. 71 Hypothesis: 72 We anticipate that this study will include the opportunity to test specific hypotheses as 73 well as include descriptive study components. 74 Hypothesis Statement: Burro movements along roads and incidence of BVC are not 75 spatially and temporally random. 76 77 To test this alternative hypothesis we will evaluate factors associated with burro 78 movements and collision locations adjacent to LPHMA through the specific aims, 79 objectives, and methods outlined below. 80 81 2. Specific Aims: 82 Year 1 (August 2016-September 2017) 83 a) Purchase collars and cameras 84 b) Coordinate with BLM and USGS to conduct burro collaring during existing 85 capture efforts. Place 25-30 collars on burro jennies beginning in October 2016. 86 c) Compile BCV data from all agencies. Conduct AGFD Road Kill App training for 87 all agencies to ensure accurate and consistent data collection.

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88 d) Install cameras at known burro problem locations. 89 e) Inventory fences along roads within the study area. 90 f) Identify burro crossing locations and collect information at these locations. 91 g) Begin evaluation of historic and current BCV hotspots and collect information at 92 these hotspots. Where obvious solutions exist (e.g. fence repairs), work with the 93 responsible agency to ensure concerns are addressed. Continue monitoring 94 these locations for reoccurrence. 95 h) Provide progress reports. 96 Year 2-3 (October 2017-September 2019) 97 a) Continue collecting data: GPS movement, collision and crossing and collision 98 location variables. 99 b) Continue camera data collection at problem locations. 100 c) Monitor areas where solutions to burro collisions and crossings have been 101 implemented to determine effectiveness. 102 d) Continue to provide recommendations for solutions to reducing burro access to 103 roads while still providing for wildlife connectivity. 104 e) Provide progress reports. 105 Year 4 (October 2019-September 2020) 106 a) Final meetings with TAC, complete data analysis and draft final report. 107 Year 5 (October 2020-September 2021) 108 a) Initial review by ADOT Research Center and Federal Highway Administration 109 (one year required). BLM review? 110 b) Revision and final review, publish final report. 111 c) Peer-reviewed publication(s) if appropriate. 112 113 3. Background and Significance/Preliminary Studies: (Not to exceed 4 pages) 114 As Arizona’s human population also grows, along with the associated increase in use of 115 its roadways, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is faced with the task of 116 providing the continued safe conveyance of motorists. A growing challenge relates to 117 the rising incidence of collisions between vehicles and animals, especially livestock, 118 burros, and large wildlife (e.g. elk (Cervus canadensis) and deer (Odocoileus spp.)), 119 causing millions of dollars in property damage, human injury, and loss of life in Arizona 120 and the U. S. each year (Huijser et al. 2008). Liability concerns associated with wildlife- 121 vehicle collisions have been heightened as the result of a jury award for a 1998 elk- 122 vehicle collision along (Booth v. State of Arizona, 2002). Burros (Equus 123 asinus), being large animals, may provide a similar potential liability for the State of 124 Arizona and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 125 With the limited ability to accurately detect burros during surveys, estimating actual 126 numbers can be difficult; however, it appears that burro populations are well above 127 acceptable Herd Management Area (HMA) levels (Griffin 2015). These increased levels 128 also appear to be related to the expansion of burros residing outside of the HMA. The 129 risk of burro-vehicle collisions (BVC) along multiple state, city, and county roads (Loop 130 303, Interstate-17, State Route 74, New River Road, and Castle Hot Springs Road) 131 around the Lake Pleasant (LP) HMA have increased for the travelling public. Burro

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132 removal efforts by the BLM, are ongoing but cannot keep pace with the ever expanding 133 burro population. Burro-vehicle conflicts in and around the LPHMA have been 134 increasing dramatically (35 conflicts between October 1, 2015 and December 7, 2015) 135 and are on track to exceed 140 BVCs in FY 16. They will likely continue to pose a 136 hazard to motorists traveling around the LPHMA (BLM unpublished data). 137 The BLM and its partners are seeking solutions to return the population to acceptable 138 levels within the HMA. However, in the interim, there is an increased risk to the safety 139 for both motorists and burros. Minimal information exists in the scientific literature on 140 burros (See Schoenecker et al. 2015 Proposal - Demography of 2 wild burro 141 populations in the western United States) and no studies, to our knowledge, have 142 investigated the relationship of burro movements along roadways as related to the 143 incidence of BVCs. To help mitigate risks to motorists and burros, an evaluation of burro 144 movements, collision locations, and behavior associated with roads is warranted, much 145 as we have done with wildlife in Arizona (Gagnon et al. 2011, Dodd et al. 2012a, Dodd 146 et al. 2012b, Gagnon et al. 2013). Information from this evaluation would be used to 147 provide recommendations for reducing BVCs while considering implications of these 148 recommendations to wildlife connectivity. The Arizona Game and Fish Department 149 (AGFD), working in collaboration with ADOT, has substantial experience in evaluating 150 and implementing measures for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions throughout Arizona 151 and may be able to apply identical methods to evaluating reduction of BVCs (Gagnon et 152 al. 2011, Dodd et al. 2012a, Gagnon et al. 2015). The AGFD and ADOT study will focus 153 on burro movements and collision locations which will complement information gathered 154 through a concurrent USGS burro study (Schoenecker 2015). Data from these two 155 projects will be shared to provide the best possible solutions for BVC reduction.

156 157 Figure 1. Study area (shaded blue boxes) and orientation to USGS demography and 158 survey studies (red outline).

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159 4. Experimental Approach: (Not to exceed 5 pages) 160 1) GPS Collar Data - During planned BLM capture efforts, we will work with the BLM 161 and the USGS to deploy up to 30 GPS satellite uplink collars on jennies dispersed 162 throughout the study area. Collars will conform to recommendations by the USGS 163 (Shoenecker personal communication), which are designed to reduce burro stress and 164 injury, and are pre-approved by the BLM. We will work with USGS to ensure 165 frequencies will not interfere with USGS burro collars that will be placed nearby. BLM 166 personnel (or contractors) will oversee captures and collar fitting in presence of 167 Biologist(s). GPS data collection schedules and analysis will follow those described by 168 prior AGFD studies (Dodd et al. 2007) to maximize information on road crossing 169 locations. We will utilize collars with a satellite uplink (e.g. Lotek, Iridium) that will collect 170 eight GPS locations a day for each burro. Collars will include both remote and timed 171 release mechanisms. These location data will allow for real-time retrieval of data, thus 172 providing locations for field crews to evaluate burro road crossing locations. The real- 173 time locations will also allow the USGS to find collared jennies for reproductive 174 evaluation and behavioral data collection in a more timely manner than would be 175 possible with VHF collars alone. AGFD will check on the welfare of burros on a monthly 176 basis using fixed-wing aircraft with VHF tracking capability. If a burro shows stress 177 related to collars we will utilize the remote drop off mechanism to release the collar from 178 the burro. We will follow animal care and use protocols outlined by USGS in their 179 demography and survey studies. Specifically, we will select adult jennies (≥3 years old 180 based on tooth wear) that are in good health and body condition (Henneke score of 4 or 181 greater, stratified by age class when possible (3-5, 6-9, >10 years old). To collar 25-30 182 suitable jennies, BLM (or BLM Contractors) will need to catch approximately 80 burros. 183 Collars will not be placed on any animals that appear unhealthy or deformed. For fitting 184 radio collars, BLM personnel or contractors will bring burros through a chute (possibly a 185 squeeze chute), collared, and given a freeze mark on the neck with a number for visual 186 individual identification. The freeze mark will consist of a unique BLM identifier using the 187 International Alpha Angle System, with the last four digits marked on the left croup 188 (conducted as part of BLM policy). 189 2) Burro-Vehicle Collision Data - Given the increasing number of BVCs in and around 190 the LPHMA, an understanding of where and why these collisions occur is warranted. 191 We will gather and compile all available historic BVC data from multiple agencies (BLM, 192 ADOT, DPS, MCSO, City of Peoria) and convert the data to a standardized format. We 193 will use these data to identify “hotspots” for BVCs and if possible, determine “hotspot” 194 causes. We will collect information that includes, but is not limited to, motorist behavior, 195 burro characteristics (sex and age), landscape and roadway characteristics, and 196 weather conditions during the accident. The AGFD and the ADOT will determine the 197 final factors used for analysis once funding is secured and agreements are finalized. For 198 ongoing collisions, we will work with all agencies involved to consistently collect data on 199 BVCs through the use of the AGFD Roadkill Application. Shortly after BVCs occur, we 200 will determine the cause and provide reduction/elimination solution recommendations to 201 the responsible agency. BLM is typically responsible for removal and discard of burro 202 carcasses. We will inform BLM of the incident if they are unaware.

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203 3) Camera Data Collection - The increase in BVCs indicate that burros continue to 204 access fenced right-of-way roadways despite BLM hazing. The methods by which 205 burros access fenced right-of-ways is only obvious (e.g. cut fences, open gates) in a 206 few cases. In the majority of cases, access point and the methods are speculative. The 207 ADOT can employ various methods to help reduce BVCs but further data are needed in 208 order to determine a effective solutions. The use of cameras can provide data that 209 document actual burro access locations. For example, there is speculation that burros 210 may be able to cross cattle guards or go over or through traditional right-of-way fences. 211 However, in order to efficiently use limited funding and time resources on costly 212 methods to eliminate these expected access points, solid evidence is needed. 213 Additionally, cameras can gather evidence at locations where fences are regularly cut 214 and also document the use of existing drainage structures by burros and wildlife. 215 4) Provide Recommendations for Reducing BVCs along Roadways – Using lessons 216 learned from prior animal-vehicle collision reduction efforts, combined with results from 217 this study, we will provide recommendations for the implementation of measures to 218 minimize BVCs within the study area. We will also provide recommended options for 219 BVC reduction along current and future roads in Arizona, while taking wildlife habitat 220 connectivity into consideration. 221 5) Identify Additional Capture Locations – Current burro capture and removal sites are 222 limited; thus, when burros are not found at these sites, alternative locations are seldom 223 known. Data from the GPS movement portion of this study will help to identify areas 224 where burros spend substantial time, both within and outside of the HMA. This can 225 provide information regarding the location of additional capture sites , subsequently 226 reducing time and costs associate with capture efforts. 227 228 5. Statistical Methods: 229 1) GPS Collar Data – AGFD has developed methods over the past 15 years to 230 accurately evaluate and address wildlife-vehicle accidents along roadways in Arizona. 231 We will use similar methods to evaluate burro movements associated with roadways in 232 this study. 233 234 We will divide each roadway within the study area into sequentially numbered 0.1-mile 235 segments corresponding to the units used historically by the ADOT and the DPS for 236 tracking collisions and highway maintenance; and identical to the approaches used by 237 Dodd et al. (2007) and Gagnon et al. (2013). To determine burro roadway crossings, we 238 will connect all consecutive GPS fixes and inferred roadway crossings where lines 239 between fixes cross roadways. We will compile individual animal crossings, by highway 240 segment, date and time, and calculate crossing rates by dividing the number of 241 crossings by the days a collar was worn. One outcome of this analysis will be a 242 “hotspot” histogram (Figure 2). We will calculate passage rates for collared burros, 243 which serves as a relative measure of highway permeability and is identical to the 244 methods used for wildlife-highway interaction projects throughout Arizona (Dodd et al. 245 2007, Gagnon et al. 2007). For an animal to cross the road, it must first make an 246 approach which occurs when a burro’s successive GPS fixes indicate that it traveled 247 from a GPS point outside a 0.15-mile road buffer zone to a GPS point within the 0.15 248 mile road buffer zone (Figure 3). The road buffer zone, or approach zone, corresponds

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249 to the road-effect zone associated with traffic-related disturbance (Rost and Bailey 250 1979, Forman and Deblinger 2000) and has been previously used for elk, white-tailed 251 and mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and American pronghorn in Arizona (Dodd and 252 Gagnon 2011, Dodd et al. 2011, Gagnon et al. 2011, Dodd et al. 2012a, Dodd et al. 253 2012b, Gagnon et al. 2013). We will calculate passage rates as the proportion of 254 highway crossings to approaches for those burros that had at least five approaches to a 255 given roadway. 256 257 Linear regression will be employed to assess the association between crossing and 258 passage rates versus mean corresponding traffic volume (where counters are 259 available), road conditions (traffic volumes, precipitation, line of sight, number of lanes), 260 burro sex/age, season, time of day, fence type (4-strand, 5-strand, chain link, none), 261 distance to water or other “attractive nuisances”, distance to fence gaps/gate/cattle 262 guards, burro densities (from USGS study), and any additional factors identified by 263 BLM, ADOT, or AGFD. Many of these variables have been analyzed and informative for 264 wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife movements and can be applied for BVC (Puglisi et 265 al. 1974, Finder et al. 1999, Hubbard et al. 2000, Haikonen and Summala 2001, Clayton 266 et al. 2003, Gunson et al. 2003, Seiler 2005, Ng et al. 2008, Lagos et al. 2012, Jensen 267 et al. 2014). 268 269 Because fence types have an influence on animal movements (Puglisi et al. 1974, Bellis 270 and Graves 1978, Falk et al. 1978, Harrington and Conover 2006, Karhu and Anderson 271 2006, Gulsby et al. 2011, Stull et al. 2011, Gagnon et al. 2015), we will compare mean 272 burro crossing and passage rates among roads with various fence types by GIS 273 analysis and assigned to these classes: 274  No fence 275  4 – strand game fence 276  5 – strand livestock fence 277  Chain link fence 278  Other (TBD) 279 280 We will derive values for individual burro road approaches and crossings and pool them 281 by fence type. We will use ANOVA to test the null hypothesis that no differences in 282 mean burro crossing and passage rates exist as a function of fence type. 283 284 We will graphically compare crossing (crossings/day) and passage rates at various 285 temporal scales, including time, day of week, month and season. 286 287 To account for the number of individual burros that cross each road at a given 0.10 mi 288 segment, as well as evenness in crossing frequency among animals, we will calculate 289 Shannon diversity indices (SDI; Shannon and Weaver 1949) for each segment using 290 this formula:

291

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292 Thus, to calculate SDI (or Hʹ ) for each road segment, we will sum all -(pi ln pi) for each 293 animal that crossed in the segment, where each pi is defined as the number of 294 individual collared burro crossings within each segment divided by the total number of 295 respective crossings in the segment. We will use SDI to calculate weighted crossing 296 frequency estimates for each segment, multiplying uncorrected approach frequency  297 SDI. Weighted highway crossings better reflect the number of approaching burros, and 298 equity in distribution among collared burros (e.g. Dodd et al. 2007, 2009). This method 299 reduces the potential for an individual burro that regularly crosses road to bias the peak 300 crossing locations of burros that cross less frequently. Locations with more individual 301 burros crossing less often at a given segment will rank higher than an individual burro 302 crossing multiple times at a given segment. 303

304 305 306 Figure 2. Example of road highway crossing frequency identifying “hot spots” by 0.1- 307 mile segment determined by GPS telemetry (from Gagnon et al. 2013). 308 309 310

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311

B

A

312 Figure 3. Above is an example using GPS locations and lines between 313 successive fixes to determine highway approaches and crossings in each 314 0.10-mile segment. The expanded section shows GPS locations and lines 315 between successive fixes to determine approaches to the highway 316 (shaded band) and crossings. Example A denotes an approach and crossing; 317 B denotes an approach without a crossing. 318 319 In addition to movements along roadways, we will visually examine GPS derived maps 320 to identify area where burros spend substantial time and provide this information to BLM 321 to enhance burro removal efforts. 322 323 We are still working with the ADOT Research Center Technical Advisory Committee 324 (TAC) on additional methods for the GPS analysis portion. 325 326 2) Burro-Vehicle Collision Data - Once collision locations are identified, we will collect 327 variables on motorist/vehicle, road conditions (traffic volumes, precipitation, line of sight, 328 number of lanes), burro sex/age, season, time of day, fence type (4-strand, 5-strand, 329 chain link, none), distance to water or other “attractive nuisances” identified through 330 evaluation of the study area, distance to fence gaps/gate/cattle guards, etc… 331 Many of these variables have been analyzed and informative for wildlife-vehicle 332 collisions and can be applied for BVC (Puglisi et al. 1974, Finder et al. 1999, Hubbard et

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333 al. 2000, Haikonen and Summala 2001, Clayton et al. 2003, Gunson et al. 2003, Seiler 334 2005, Ng et al. 2008, Lagos et al. 2012, Jensen et al. 2014). 335 336 We expect burro densities to influence rates of BVC. We will work with USGS to obtain 337 densities for the area where BVC’s occur to determine the validity of this expectation. 338 339 Once this data is obtained, we will conduct various categorical data analyses to 340 determine variables associated with BVC (e.g. multivariate, logistic, ANOVA, etc…TBD) 341 We are still working with the ADOT Research Center Technical Advisory Committee on 342 methods and variables for the BVC analysis portion to be included in ADOT/AGFD 343 agreement. For example, if the TAC agrees on a logistic regression approach, we will 344 add random sites for presence-absence comparisons. 345 6. Anticipated effects (Not to exceed 5 pages) 346 Since we will be working with the ADOT to provide collars to supplement the concurrent 347 USGS study, there will not be additional effects to burros. Collars will be placed on 348 additional animals during the initial USGS capture efforts and during traditional burro 349 removal efforts. Collars will conform to standards recommended by the USGS and 350 approved by the BLM to reduce negative impact to burros (e.g. weight, shape, padding, 351 release mechanism type). Study recommendations should have a positive effect for 352 burros and motorists by BVCs. It is anticipated that results from this study can be used 353 to reduce or mitigate BVC along other roads in Arizona. Burros likely cross roads in 354 other parts of Arizona for similar reasons. Once these details are identified, mitigating 355 burro-roadway interaction can be better addressed at a statewide level. 356 7. Pitfalls and Limitations: (Not to exceed 1 page) Assuming activities meet those proposed 357 in the current EA, our primary limitation would be the ability of the BLM to capture an 358 adequate number of burros for the ADOT portion of the study. The USGS recommends 359 that only jennies be captured; thus, BLM burro capture efforts would need to exceed the 360 100 removed burros by an additional 15-25 jennies outside the HMA and 10-15 within 361 the HMA. An additional limitation will depend on the ability of the BLM to capture burros 362 across the study area in as many herds as possible. Additional capture sites may add to 363 capture costs. 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381

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382 8. References: 383 Bellis, E. D., and H. B. Graves. 1978. Highway fences as deterrents to vehicle-deer 384 collisions. Transportation Research Record 674:53-58. 385 Clayton, K. N., R. G. Anderson, and M. D. Grund. 2003. Landscape Influences on Deer- 386 Vehicle Accident Areas in an Urban Environment. The Journal of Wildlife 387 Management 67:46-51. 388 Dodd, N. L., and J. W. Gagnon. 2011. Influence of underpasses and traffic on white- 389 tailed deer highway permeability. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:270-281. 390 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012a. Wildlife- 391 vehicle collision mitigation for safer wildlife movement across highways: State 392 Route 260. Final project report 603, Arizona Department of Transportation 393 Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 394 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Assessment of Elk 395 Highway Permeability by Using Global Positioning System Telemetry. Journal of 396 Wildlife Management 71:1107-1117. 397 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. C. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. 398 Assessment of pronghorn movements and strategies to promote highway 399 permeability: U.S. Highway 89. Final project report 619, Arizona Department of 400 Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 401 _____. 2012b. Wildlife accident reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 402 64. Final project report 626, Arizona Department of Transportation Research 403 Center, Phoenix, AZ. 404 Falk, N. W., H. B. Graves, and E. D. Bellis. 1978. Highway Right-of-Way Fences as 405 Deer Deterrents. The Journal of Wildlife Management 42:646-650. 406 Finder, R. A., J. L. Roseberry, and A. Woolf. 1999. Site and landscape conditions at 407 white-tailed deer/vehicle collision locations in Illinois. Landscape and Urban 408 Planning 44:77-85. 409 Forman, R. T. T., and R. D. Deblinger. 2000. The Ecological Road-Effect Zone of a 410 Massachusetts (U.S.A.) Suburban Highway. Conservation Biology 14:36-46. 411 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. 412 E.chweinsburg. 2011. Evaluation of measures to promote desert bighorn sheep 413 highway permeability: U.S. Highway 93. Final project report 677. Arizona 414 Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 415 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, R. E. Nelson, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. 416 E. Schweinsburg. 2013. Elk movements associated with a high-traffic highway: 417 . Final project report 647, Arizona Department of Transportation 418 Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 419 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K. S. Ogren, S. L. Boe, and R. E. 420 Schweinsburg. 2015. Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by 421 fencing between existing highway structures. Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248. 422 Gagnon, J. W., T. C. Theimer, N. L. Dodd, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. 423 Traffic Volume Alters Elk Distribution and Highway Crossings in Arizona. Journal 424 of Wildlife Management 71:2318. 425 Griffin, P. C. 2015. Estimated abundance of wild burros surveyed on Bureau of Land 426 Management Lands in 2014: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015– 427 1084, 42 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151084.

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428 Gulsby, W. D., D. W. Stull, G. R. Gallagher, D. A. Osborn, R. J. Warren, K. V. Miller, 429 and L. V. Tannenbaum. 2011. Movements and home ranges of white-tailed deer 430 in response to roadside fences. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:282-290. 431 Gunson, K. E., B. Chruszcz, and A. P. Clevenger. 2003. Large animal-vehicle collisions 432 in the Central Canadian Rocky Mountains: patterns and characteristics. Pages 433 355-366 in C. L. Irwin, P. Garrett, andK. P. McDermott, editors. Proceedings of 434 the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh, NC: 435 Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, 436 2003. 437 Haikonen, H., and H. Summala. 2001. Deer-vehicle crashes: Extensive peak at 1 hour 438 after sunset. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 21:209-213. 439 Harrington, J. L., and M. R. Conover. 2006. Characteristics of Ungulate Behavior and 440 Mortality Associated with Wire Fences. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:1295-1305. 441 Henneke, D. R., G. D. Potter, J. L. Kreider, and B. F. Yeates. 1983. Relationship 442 between condition score, physical measurement, and body fat percentage in 443 mares. Eq. Vet. J. 15:371-372. 444 Hubbard, M. W., B. J. Danielson, and R. A. Schmitz. 2000. Factors Influencing the 445 Location of Deer-Vehicle Accidents in Iowa. The Journal of Wildlife Management 446 64:707-713. 447 Huijser, M. P., P. McGowen, J. Fuller, A. Hardy, A. Kociolek, A. P. Clevenger, D. Smith, 448 and R. Ament. 2008. Wildlife-vehicle collision reduction study. Report to 449 Congress. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 450 Washington D.C., USA. 451 Jensen, R. R., R. A. Gonser, and C. Joyner. 2014. Landscape factors that contribute to 452 animal–vehicle collisions in two northern canyons. Applied Geography 453 50:74-79. 454 Karhu, R. R., and S. H. Anderson. 2006. The Effect of High-Tensile Electric Fence 455 Designs on Big-Game and Livestock Movements. Wildlife Society Bulletin 456 34:293-299. 457 Lagos, L., J. Picos, and E. Valero. 2012. Temporal pattern of wild ungulate-related 458 traffic accidents in northwest Spain. European Journal of Wildlife Research 459 58:661-668. 460 Ng, J. W., C. Nielsen, and C. C. S. Clair. 2008. Landscape and traffic factors influencing 461 deer-vehicle collisions in an urban environment. Human-Wildlife Conflicts 2:34- 462 47. 463 Puglisi, M. J., J. S. Lindzey, and E. D. Bellis. 1974. Factors Associated with Highway 464 Mortality of White-Tailed Deer. The Journal of Wildlife Management 38:799-807. 465 Rost, G. R., and J. A. Bailey. 1979. Distribution of Mule Deer and Elk in Relation to 466 Roads. The Journal of Wildlife Management 43:634-641. 467 Schoenecker, K. A. 2015. Demography of 2 wild burro populations. Proposal submitted 468 by USGS to and funded by BLM. 469 Seiler, A. 2005. Predicting Locations of Moose-Vehicle Collisions in Sweden. Journal of 470 Applied Ecology 42:371-382. 471 Stull, D. W., W. D. Gulsby, J. A. Martin, G. J. D'Angelo, G. R. Gallagher, D. A. Osborn, 472 R. J. Warren, and K. V. Miller. 2011. Comparison of fencing designs for excluding 473 deer from roadways. Human-Wildlife Interactions 5:47-57.

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474 475 D. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHS 476 477 BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program 478 Proposal for Collaborative Research Effort 479 480 Privileged Communication 481 482 483 Name: Jeff Gagnon Title: Wildlife Contracts Regional Supervisor 484 485 Education (Begin with baccalaureate training and include postdoctoral): 486 487 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 488 University BS 1998 Biology 489 Northern Arizona University MS 2004 Road Ecology 490 Northern Arizona University Grad Cert 2006 Applied Statistics 491 492 Honors/Awards: 493 494 2014 – The Wildlife Society Wild Hare Award 495 2013 – ADOT Office Of Environmental Services Directors Award 496 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Commendation for Excellence 497 2009 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Service with Soul 498 2006 – Roger Hungerford AZTWS Student Award 499 2000 – Certificate of Achievement – Kentucky elk transplant 500 501 Major Research Interest: 502 Reduction of Animal-Vehicle Collisions while Promoting Habitat Connectivity; Wildlife Conservation 503 504 Role in Proposed Project (be specific): 505 Lead P.I. – Oversight of project implementation and budgets, field assistance where needed. 506 507 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal: 508 Statewide evaluations and implementation of wildlife accident reduction measures for multiple large 509 wildlife species. 510 511 CO-I: US Highway 89 Pronghorn Movements North of I-40 (2006-current): Oversee capture, 512 collaring and genetic sampling of 60 pronghorn and evaluate pronghorn movements through GPS 513 movement studies. Various Funding Sources - $700,000 514 CO-I: Interstate-15 and I-11 Desert Bighorn Sheep Movement Study (2013-current): Oversee 515 captures and collaring desert bighorn sheep to evaluate the effects of I-15 on sheep behavior and 516 movements through GPS movement studies. ADOT Funding - $750,000 517 CO-I: US 93 Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing (2011-current): Oversee captures and collaring of >70 518 desert bighorn sheep to evaluate the effects of construction activities on sheep behavior and movements 519 through GPS movement studies. Study behavior of sheep collected with video surveillance. Various 520 Funding Sources, multiple projects - $600,000 521 CO-I: State Route 260 and 64, Interstate 17 and 40 GPS Movement Studies (2006-current): Oversee 522 capture and collaring of >300 elk to evaluate effects of highways on elk movements. Work with ADOT and 523 FHWA to identify wildlife crossing structure and fencing locations using GPS movement data. ADOT 524 funding– 4 separate projects - $1.2 million

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525 CO-I: Interstate-17 Fencing Enhancement Project (2007-current): Oversee project to determine 526 effectiveness of wildlife fencing retrofit, including elk captures and GPS collaring. ADOT funding - 527 $198,000 528 CO-I: State Route 260 Wildlife-Highway Interaction Projects (2002-2008): Assist in capture and GPS 529 collaring of >100 elk and numerous white-tailed deer using capture drugs and physical restraint. Monitor 530 and assess movements of GPS collared animals. Oversee collection and analysis of behavior data on 531 >15,000 animals of 21 different species. Assist in statistical analysis, report preparation and peer- 532 reviewed publications associated with the project. ADOT funding -$600,000 total 533 Research and/or Professional Experience 534 2002-current – Regional Supervisor/ Senior Project Manager / Wildlife Specialist I-III / Wildlife 535 Technician 536 Currently coordinate and oversee research activities on various ADOT funded wildlife-highway interaction 537 projects throughout the State, oversee and assist with capturing and GPS collaring efforts for elk, deer, 538 pronghorn and bighorn sheep, and various other species, using various capture methods, including aerial 539 net gunning, darting, Clover traps, and drop nets. Completed capture drug and wildlife handling training 540 both with the Department and with Safe Capture International. Oversee collection and analysis of animal 541 behavior through camera surveillance data. Prepare reports, manuscripts, and conference proceedings 542 for ongoing projects. Track budgets and purchasing for projects. Oversee and conduct statistical analysis 543 using software packages. Compile and review relevant literature regarding all projects 544 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): Although the PI is mainly 545 involved with wildlife species the methods to reduce collisions and maintain connectivity for other animals 546 including burros are similar: 547 548 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K.S. Ogren, S. R. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2015. 549 Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by fencing between existing highway structures. 550 Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248-264 551 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, M. Priest, K. Ogren, S. Boe, E. Kombe, and R. E. 552 Schweinsburg. 2013. Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep overpasses along US Highway 93 in Arizona, 553 USA. Retrieved from http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/proceedings.asp 554 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, K. S. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. Factors associated with use of 555 wildlife underpasses and importance of long-term monitoring. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:1477- 556 1487. 557 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. 558 Evaluation of measures to promote desert bighorn sheep highway permeability: U.S. Highway 93. Final 559 project report 677. Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 560 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, R. E. Nelson III, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe and R. E. 561 Schweinsburg. 2011. Elk movements associated with interstate-17 in northern Arizona. Proceedings of 562 the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation 563 and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 564 Gagnon, J. W., S. Sprague, S. Boe, R. Langley, H. S. Najar and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. Evaluation of 565 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep movements along US Highway 191 and Morenci Mine in Arizona, Pages 566 17-31 in 2011 Desert Bighorn Council Proceedings #51. 567 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Using Global Positioning System 568 technology to determine wildlife crossing structure placement and evaluating their success in Arizona, 569 USA. Pages 452-462 in Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Ecology and 570 Transportation. Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 571 USA., edited by P.J. Wagner, D. Nelson, and E. Murray. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation and the 572 Environment, North Carolina State University.

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573 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. Sprague, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Preacher Canyon 574 wildlife fence and crosswalk enhancement project evaluation- State Route 260. Final project report 575 Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 576 Gagnon, J. W., T. C. Theimer, N. L. Dodd, A. L. Manzo, R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Effects of traffic on 577 elk use of wildlife underpasses in Arizona. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(7): 2324-2328. 578 Gagnon, J. W., T. C. Theimer, N. L. Dodd, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Traffic volume alters 579 elk distribution and highway crossings in Arizona. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(7): 2318-2323. 580 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife accident 581 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626, Arizona Department of 582 Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 583 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife-vehicle collision 584 mitigation for safer wildlife movement across highways: State Route 260. Final project report 603, Arizona 585 Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 586 Dodd, N. L. and J. W. Gagnon. 2011. Influence of underpasses and traffic on white-tailed deer highway 587 permeability. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:270-281. 588 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Evaluation of an animal-activated 589 highway crosswalk integrated with retrofit fencing applications. Pages 603-612 in Proceedings of the 590 2009 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Center for Transportation and the 591 Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA., edited by P.J. Wagner, D. Nelson, and E. 592 Murray. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, 593 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 594 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Wildlife accident 595 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626 Transportation Research 596 Center, Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 597 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, A. L. Manzo, R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Video surveillance to assess 598 highway underpass use in Arizona. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2): 637-645. 599 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Assessment of elk highway 600 permeability by using GPS telemetry. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(4): 1107-1117. 601 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, A. Manzo, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Evaluation of measures to 602 minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions and maintain permeability across highways: State Route 260, Arizona, 603 USA (2002-2006). ADOT Final Report; SPR540; 169pp. 604 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Role of fencing in promoting wildlife 605 underpass use and highway permeability. Pages 475-487 in 2007 Proceedings of the International 606 Conference on Ecology and Transportation. C. L. Irwin, D. Nelson, and K. P. McDermott, editors. Center 607 for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 608 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2006. Characteristics of elk-vehicle 609 collisions and comparison to GPS-determined highway crossing patterns. Pages 461-477 in C. L. Irwin, 610 P. Garrett, and K.P. McDermott, technical coordinators. Proceedings of the International Conference on 611 Ecology and Transportation., North Carolina Center for Transportation and the Environment, North 612 Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 613 Book Chapters 614 Dodd, N. L. and J. W. Gagnon. 2010. : Promoting Wildlife Permeability, Highway 615 Safety, and Agency Cultural Change. Pages 257-274 in Safe Passages: Highways, Wildlife, and Habitat 616 Connectivity. Beckmann, J. P., A.P. Clevenger, M.P. Huijser, and J. A. Hilty, editors. Island Press, 617 Washington D.C., USA. 618 van der Ree, R., J. W. Gagnon, and D. J. Smith (2015) Funnel Fencing - Handbook of Road Ecology. 619 van der Ree, R., Smith, D.J. and Grilo, C (eds.). John Wiley & Sons, Oxford. 552 pp.

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620 621 622 623 624 Name: Scott Sprague Title: Wildlife Contracts Senior Project Manager 625 626 Education (Begin with baccalaureate training and include postdoctoral): 627 628 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 629 Colgate University: Hamilton, NY BA 1998 Biology 630 Northern Arizona University MS 2010 Road Ecology 631 632 Honors/Awards: 633 634 2014 – Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society Wild Hare Award 635 2013 – ADOT Office Of Environmental Services Directors Award 636 2011 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Certificate of Achievement – DBC Meeting 637 2010, 2012, 2015 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Commendation for Excellence 638 639 Major Research Interest: 640 Reduction of Animal-Vehicle Collisions while Promoting Habitat Connectivity; Wildlife Conservation 641 642 Role in Proposed Project (be specific): 643 Co-Investigator. – Support of project implementation and budgets, field assistance where needed. 644 645 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal: 646 Statewide evaluations and implementation of wildlife accident reduction measures for multiple large 647 wildlife species. 648 649 CO-I: McDowell Sonoran Preserve Mule Deer Movements (2015-current): Oversee capture, collaring 650 and health sampling of 32 mule deer and evaluate movements through GPS movement studies. Various 651 Funding Sources - $200,000 652 CO-I: US Highway 89 Pronghorn Movements North of I-40 (2006-current): Oversee capture, collaring 653 and genetic sampling of 60 pronghorn and evaluate pronghorn movements through GPS movement 654 studies. Various Funding Sources - $700,000 655 CO-I: Interstate-15 and I-11 Desert Bighorn Sheep Movement Study (2013-current): Oversee 656 captures and collaring desert bighorn sheep to evaluate the effects of I-15 on sheep behavior and 657 movements through GPS movement studies. ADOT Funding - $750,000 658 CO-I: US 93 Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing (2011-current): Oversee captures and collaring of >70 659 desert bighorn sheep to evaluate the effects of construction activities on sheep behavior and movements 660 through GPS movement studies. Study behavior of sheep collected with video surveillance. Various 661 Funding Sources, multiple projects - $600,000 662 CO-I: State Route 260 and 64, Interstate 17 and 40 GPS Movement Studies (2006-current): Oversee 663 capture and collaring of >300 elk to evaluate effects of highways on elk movements. Work with ADOT and 664 FHWA to identify wildlife crossing structure and fencing locations using GPS movement data. ADOT 665 funding– 4 separate projects - $1.2 million 666 CO-I: Interstate-17 Fencing Enhancement Project (2007-current): Oversee project to determine 667 effectiveness of wildlife fencing retrofit, including elk captures and GPS collaring. ADOT funding - 668 $198,000 669 CO-I: State Route 260 Wildlife-Highway Interaction Projects (2006-2008): Assist in capture and GPS 670 collaring of elk using capture drugs and physical restraint. Monitor and assess movements of GPS 671 collared animals. Assist with the collection and analysis of behavior data on >15,000 animals of 21

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672 different species. Assist in statistical analysis, report preparation and peer-reviewed publications 673 associated with the project. ADOT funding -$600,000 total 674 Research and/or Professional Experience 675 2002-current –Senior Project Manager / Wildlife Specialist II-III / Wildlife Technician 676 Currently coordinate and oversee research activities on various ADOT funded wildlife-highway interaction 677 projects throughout the State, oversee and assist with capturing and GPS collaring efforts for elk, deer, 678 pronghorn and bighorn sheep, and various other species, using various capture methods, including aerial 679 net gunning, darting, Clover traps, and drop nets. Completed capture drug and wildlife handling training 680 both with the Department and with Safe Capture International. Oversee collection and analysis of animal 681 behavior through camera surveillance data. Prepare reports, presentations, and conference proceedings 682 for ongoing projects. Track budgets and expenditures for projects. Oversee data processing and conduct 683 statistical analysis using software packages. Compile and review relevant literature regarding all projects 684 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): Although the co-investigator 685 is involved primarily with wildlife species, the methods to reduce burro collisions while maintaining wildlife 686 connectivity is similar: 687 688 Sprague, S., J. Gagnon, S. Boe, C. Loberger, R. Schweinsburg. 2013. An evaluation of pronghorn 689 (Antilocapra americana) permeability associated with transportation right-of-way fence characteristics in 690 northern Arizona. Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. 691 Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 692 USA. 693 Theimer, T., S. Sprague, E. Eddy, and R. Benford. 2012. Genetic variation of pronghorn across US 694 Route 89 and State Route 64. Report FHWA-AZ-12-659 prepared for Arizona Department of 695 Transportation, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. 696 Gagnon, J. W., S. Sprague, S. Boe, R. Langley, H. S. Najar and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. Evaluation of 697 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep movements along US Highway 191 and Morenci Mine in Arizona, Pages 698 17-31 in 2011 Desert Bighorn Council Proceedings #51. 699 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K.S. Ogren, S. R. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2015. 700 Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by fencing between existing highway structures. 701 Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248-264 702 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, M. Priest, K. Ogren, S. Boe, E. Kombe, and R. E. 703 Schweinsburg. 2013. Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep overpasses along US Highway 93 in Arizona, 704 USA. Retrieved from http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/proceedings.asp 705 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. 706 Evaluation of measures to promote desert bighorn sheep highway permeability: U.S. Highway 93. Final 707 project report 677. Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 708 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, R. E. Nelson III, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe and R. E. 709 Schweinsburg. 2011. Elk movements associated with interstate-17 in northern Arizona. Proceedings of 710 the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation 711 and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 712 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. Sprague, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Preacher Canyon 713 wildlife fence and crosswalk enhancement project evaluation- State Route 260. Final project report 714 Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 715 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife accident 716 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626, Arizona Department of 717 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Wildlife accident 718 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626 Transportation Research 719 Center, Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

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720 Name: Chad Loberger Title: Senior Research Biologist 721 722 Education (Begin with baccalaureate training and include postdoctoral): 723 Masters of Science, Biology, Northern Arizona University 724 Masters of Arts, Education, University of Arizona 725 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Arizona 726 727 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 728 Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff MS 2009 Biology 729 University of Arizona, Tucson MA 1994 Education 730 University of Arizona, Tucson BA 1992 Psychology 731 732 Honors/Awards: 733 2014 Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence 734 2014 American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundations 735 Global Award 736 2014 Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Commendation for Excellence 737 2013 Arizona Department of Transportation Environmental Director’s Award 738 2013 Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Team Award 739 2011 Arizona Game and Fish Department Recognition Awards for U.S. Highway 93 related projects 740 2010 Arizona Game and Fish Department Recognition Award for Interstate 40 elk movement project 741 2010 Arizona Game and Fish Department Recognition Award for pronghorn translocation project 742 743 Major Research Interest: 744 Reduction of Animal-Vehicle Collisions while Promoting Habitat Connectivity; Wildlife Conservation 745 746 Role in Proposed Project (be specific): 747 Lead Field Biologist – Coordination and implementation of project field work and data collection 748 749 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal: 750 Lead Field Biologist: US Highway 89 Pronghorn Movements North of I-40 (2009-current): 751 Instrument >40 pronghorn with GPS collars and draw blood and take samples for genetic and disease 752 analysis. Collaborate, coordinate, gather and implement barbed wire fence inventories and modification 753 on two national forests, ranches, and other lands. 754 Lead Field Biologist: Interstate-15 and I-11 Desert Bighorn Sheep Movement Study (2013-current): 755 Instrument >50 desert bighorn sheep with GPS collars and draw blood and take samples for genetic and 756 disease analysis. I-15: Determine appropriate locations and install 12 rapid, still frame cameras to capture 757 sheep structure use. I-11: Review and modify construction plans to prevent sheep from entering the 758 roadway and facilitate safe sheep movement over and under the roadway. 759 Lead Field Biologist: US 93 Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing (2011-current): Work with contractor to 760 prevent sheep from entering the roadway and facilitate safe sheep movement over and under the 761 roadway. Instrument >70 desert bighorn sheep with GPS collars and draw blood and take samples for 762 genetic and disease analysis. Determine appropriate locations and install >24 rapid, still frame cameras, 763 and three 4-camera video surveillance systems to capture sheep structure use. 764 Lead Field Biologist: Interstate-17 Fencing Enhancement Project (2007-current): Instrument 35 elk 765 with GPS collars. Determine appropriate locations and install 20 rapid, still frame cameras to capture elk 766 structure use. Review and modify fence plans to prevent elk from entering the roadway and facilitate safe 767 elk movement under the roadway. 768 Lead Field Biologist: State Route 260 Wildlife-Highway Interaction Projects (2013-2008): Assist in 769 capture and GPS collaring of >100 elk and numerous white-tailed deer using capture drugs and physical 770 restraint. Monitor and assess movements of GPS collared animals. Oversee collection and analysis of 771 behavior data on >15,000 animals of 21 different species. Assist in statistical analysis, report preparation 772 and peer-reviewed publications associated with the project. ADOT funding -$600,000 total

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773 Research and/or Professional Experience 774 775 2005-current – Wildlife Specialist I-II / Wildlife Technician 776 Currently the lead field biologist for research activities on various ADOT funded wildlife-highway 777 interaction projects throughout Arizona. Responsible for the capture and GPS collaring of elk, deer, 778 pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and various other species, using various capture methods: aerial net gunning, 779 darting, and Clover traps. Completed the Departments capture drug and wildlife handling training. Review 780 and modify roadway construction and fencing plans and oversee installation. Design, fabricate, and install 781 camera surveillance systems. Prepare reports, manuscripts, and conference proceedings for ongoing 782 projects. 783 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): All current research and 784 below publications are relevant to animal-vehicle collision prevention. 785 786 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K.S. Ogren, S. R. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2015. 787 Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by fencing between existing highway structures. 788 Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248-264 789 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, M. Priest, K. Ogren, S. Boe, E. Kombe, and R. E. 790 Schweinsburg. 2013. Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep overpasses along US Highway 93 in Arizona, 791 USA. Retrieved from http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/proceedings.asp 792 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. 793 Evaluation of measures to promote desert bighorn sheep highway permeability: U.S. Highway 93. Final 794 project report 677. Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 795 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, R. E. Nelson III, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe and R. E. 796 Schweinsburg. 2011. Elk movements associated with interstate-17 in northern Arizona. Proceedings of 797 the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation 798 and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 799 Name: Kari Ogren Title: Wildlife Technician 800 801 Education: 802 803 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 804 University BS 1999 Environmental Biology 805 806 Honors/Awards: 807 2014 – Arizona Department of Transportation Environmental Director’s Award 808 2012 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Commendation for Excellence 809 2009, 2010 – Arizona Game & Fish Department Certificate of Achievement 810 811 Major Research Interest: 812 Reduction of Animal-Vehicle Collisions while Promoting Habitat Connectivity; Wildlife Conservation 813 814 Role in Proposed Project: 815 Wildlife Technician – Coordination and implementation of project field work and data collection 816 817 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal: 818 Wildlife Technician: US Highway 89 Pronghorn Movements North of I-40 (2014-current): Assist in 819 barbed wire fence modification and with capturing and GPS collaring efforts for pronghorn. 820 821 Wildlife Technician: US 93 Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing (2011-current): Analyze image data for 822 presence and behavior of bighorn sheep using video and still camera surveillance systems. Assist in 823 capturing and GPS collaring efforts for bighorn sheep and use of ground tracking telemetry. 824

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825 Wildlife Technician: Interstate 17 Fencing Enhancement Project (2014-current): 826 Analyze image data for presence and behavior of elk and deer using still camera surveillance system. 827 828 Wildlife Technician: State Route 260 Wildlife-Highway Interaction Projects (2006-current): 829 Analyze image data for presence and behavior of elk and deer using video and still camera surveillance 830 systems. 831 832 Research and/or Professional Experience 833 834 2002-current – Image Analysis Specialist / Wildlife Technician 835 Currently manage all still and video surveillance image data from numerous projects that assess wildlife 836 permeability of roadways and functionality of mitigation components. Analyze image data from these and 837 various other AGFD wildlife projects for presence and behavior of detected wildlife. Assist in capturing 838 and GPS collaring efforts for elk, deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep using various capture methods 839 including aerial net gunning, darting, and clover traps. Prepare Environmental Assessment Checklists for 840 ongoing projects. 841 842 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): All current research and 843 publications listed below are relevant to animal-vehicle collision prevention. 844 845 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K. S. Ogren, S. R. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2015. 846 Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by fencing between existing highway structures. 847 Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248-264 848 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, M. Priest, K. Ogren, S. Boe, E. Kombe, and R. E. 849 Schweinsburg. 2013. Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep overpasses along US Highway 93 in Arizona, 850 USA. Retrieved from http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/proceedings.asp 851 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, K. S. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. Factors associated with use of 852 wildlife underpasses and importance of long-term monitoring. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:1477- 853 1487. 854 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. Sprague, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Preacher Canyon 855 wildlife fence and crosswalk enhancement project evaluation- State Route 260. Final project report 856 Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 857 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife-vehicle collision 858 mitigation for safer wildlife movement across highways: State Route 260. Final project report 603, Arizona 859 Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 860 Name: Colin Beach Title: Wildlife Technician 861 862 Education (Begin with baccalaureate training and include postdoctoral): 863 864 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 865 University of Wales, Bangor BS 2008 Ecology 866 867 Honors/Awards: 868 2015 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Certificate of Achievement – Abandoned mine fencing 869 2015 – Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Contracts Branch Employee of the last Six Months 870 871 Major Research Interest: 872 Reduction of Animal-Vehicle Collisions while Promoting Habitat Connectivity; Wildlife Conservation 873 874 Role in Proposed Project (be specific): 875 Field Technician – Conducting project field work and data collection 876 877 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal:

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878 Field Technician: State Route 202 South Mountain Pre-Construction Desert Tortoise Movement 879 Study (2014-current): Assist in capture, deployment and retrieval of up to 10 GPS transmitters on 880 Sonoran Desert Tortoises. Conduct surveys for sign within construction corridor and buffer. 881 Field Technician: I-15 Bridge 6 Construction Impact Monitoring (2015-current): Monitor 882 environmental compliance during ADOT construction of new bridge. Documented presence and impacts 883 upon various wildlife species including sheep and worked actively with ADOT and contractors to mitigate 884 harmful practices. 885 Field Technician: Fisher Translocation and Movement on Managed Timberlands Study (2010- 886 2013): Instrument >70 fishers with telemetry collars (>30 GPS and >40 VHF) to study behavior on 887 commercial timberlands. Assist in capture of >100 mesocarnivores and chemically immobilize, administer 888 vaccines, draw blood, and take samples for genetic and disease analysis. Install >50 rapid still frame 889 cameras to detect animals in priority locations. 890 891 Research and/or Professional Experience 892 2014-current – Wildlife Technician– Arizona Game and Fish Department 893 Currently conduct field work, data collection and data management on wildlife research projects 894 throughout Arizona. Responsible for GPS and VHF tracking of various species; animal capture and 895 processing; road cruising surveys; wildlife and public hazard mitigation efforts, among other field duties. 896 Provide data management support to a number of projects. 897 2010-2014 – Scientific Aide – California Department of Fish and Wildlife 898 Conducted field work and data collection on mammalian research projects. Primarily utilizing GPS collars, 899 VHF transmitters and camera surveillance to analyze animal behavior in fragmented habitats. Deployed 900 still cameras throughout Northern California to document presence and habitat preferences of 901 mammalian fauna in the region. 902 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): 903 N/A 904 905 Name: Susan Boe Title: Wildlife Specialist III, Sr. GIS Specialist 906 907 Education (Begin with baccalaureate training and include postdoctoral): 908 909 Institution and Location Degree Year Conferred Scientific Field 910 University of Minnesota, Duluth BS 1988 Biology 911 University of Minnesota, Duluth MS 1992 Biology 912 GIS Certification Institute GISP 2008 913 914 Honors/Awards: 915 916 2002 – Wildlife Management Division Employee of the Year 917 1995, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2011(b) – Arizona Game and Fish Department Commendation for Excellence 918 2000, 2009, 2013, 2015, – Arizona Game and Fish Department Certificate of Appreciation 919 2004 – US Dept. of Agriculture, Coconino NF, Certificate of Appreciation 920 921 Major Research Interest: 922 Wildlife movements, wildlife corridors, habitat modeling 923 924 Role in Proposed Project (be specific): 925 GIS Specialist – GIS analysis of movement data, mapping 926 927 Previous and Current Research Support Relating to the Current Proposal: 928 Provide GIS support for following projects. 929

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930 CO-I: US Highway 89 Pronghorn Movements North of I-40 (2006-current): 931 CO-I: Interstate-15 and I-11 Desert Bighorn Sheep Movement Study (2013-current): 932 CO-I: US 93 Wildlife Overpasses and Fencing (2011-current): 933 CO-I: State Route 260 and 64, Interstate 17 and 40 GPS Movement Studies (2006-current): 934 CO-I: Interstate-17 Fencing Enhancement Project (2007-current): 935 CO-I: State Route 260 Wildlife-Highway Interaction Projects (2002-2008): 936 937 Research and/or Professional Experience: 938 1992-current –Wildlife Specialist I-III (GIS Specialist) 939 Provide GIS support to Department biologist in the form of spatial analysis, modeling, graphics and 940 mapping, data creation and technical support. Many projects involve analysis of movement data from 941 GPS collared animals including elk, deer, sheep, pronghorn, lions, bear, bison, coyotes, eagles. Involved 942 in creating, maintaining and updating spatial data sets for the Department. 943 944 Recent relevant publications (related to proposed work or to horses / burros): 945 946 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, K.S. Ogren, S. R. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2015. 947 Cost-effective approach to reducing collisions with elk by fencing between existing highway structures. 948 Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:248-264 949 Gagnon, J. W., C. D. Loberger, S. C. Sprague, M. Priest, K. Ogren, S. Boe, E. Kombe, and R. E. 950 Schweinsburg. 2013. Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep overpasses along US Highway 93 in Arizona, 951 USA. Retrieved from http://www.icoet.net/ICOET_2013/proceedings.asp 952 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. 953 Evaluation of measures to promote desert bighorn sheep highway permeability: U.S. Highway 93. Final 954 project report 677. Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 955 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. C. Sprague, R. E. Nelson III, C. D. Loberger, S. Boe and R. E. 956 Schweinsburg. 2011. Elk movements associated with interstate-17 in northern Arizona. Proceedings of 957 the 2011 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation 958 and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 959 Gagnon, J. W., S. Sprague, S. Boe, R. Langley, H. S. Najar and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2011. Evaluation of 960 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep movements along US Highway 191 and Morenci Mine in Arizona, Pages 961 17-31 in 2011 Desert Bighorn Council Proceedings #51. 962 Gagnon, J. W., N. L. Dodd, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Using Global Positioning System 963 technology to determine wildlife crossing structure placement and evaluating their success in Arizona, 964 USA. Pages 452-462 in Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Ecology and 965 Transportation. Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 966 USA., edited by P.J. Wagner, D. Nelson, and E. Murray. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation and the 967 Environment, North Carolina State University. 968 Gagnon, J. W., T. C. Theimer, N. L. Dodd, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Traffic volume alters 969 elk distribution and highway crossings in Arizona. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(7): 2318-2323. 970 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife accident 971 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626, Arizona Department of 972 Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ. 973 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, K. Ogren, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2012. Wildlife-vehicle collision 974 mitigation for safer wildlife movement across highways: State Route 260. Final project report 603, Arizona 975 Department of Transportation Research Center, Phoenix, AZ.

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976 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Evaluation of an animal-activated 977 highway crosswalk integrated with retrofit fencing applications. Pages 603-612 in Proceedings of the 978 2009 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation. Center for Transportation and the 979 Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA., edited by P.J. Wagner, D. Nelson, and E. 980 Murray. Raleigh, NC: Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University, 981 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. 982 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Sprague, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2010. Wildlife accident 983 reduction study and monitoring: Arizona State Route 64. Final project report 626 Transportation Research 984 Center, Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. 985 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Assessment of elk highway 986 permeability by using GPS telemetry. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(4): 1107-1117. 987 Dodd, N. L., J. W. Gagnon, S. Boe, A. Manzo, and R. E. Schweinsburg. 2007. Evaluation of measures to 988 minimize wildlife-vehicle collisions and maintain permeability across highways: State Route 260, Arizona, 989 USA (2002-2006). ADOT Final Report; SPR540; 169pp. 990 E. FACILITIES STATEMENT 991 992 BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program 993 Proposal for Collaborative Research Effort 994 995 Privileged Communication 996 997 Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters is located adjacent to the Lake Pleasant HMA and 998 centralized to areas within and outside of the HMA where burro-vehicle collisions are a concern. As part 999 of this project the Department will utilize its own vehicles, office space and equipment (e.g. computers, 1000 software, telemetry gear, radios) to conduct the Departments portion of the project. 1001 1002 F. DETAILED BUDGET FOR EACH 12 MONTH PERIOD 1003 (required even if funding is not being requested from BLM) 1004 1005 BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program 1006 Proposal for Collaborative Research Effort 1007 1008 Privileged Communication 1009 1010 DATES FOR THIS 12 MONTH PERIOD FROM _8-1-2016____ TO _9-30-2017 1011 (use separate page for each 12 month period) 1012 1013 Salary & Wages (Describe % effort or hours for each person) $$ requested from BLM to complement 1014 capture costs already planned during USGS study and burro removal efforts in adjacent areas – 1015 approx. 80,0000. To capture 25-30 suitable jennies, BLM (or BLM Contractors) will need to catch 1016 approximately 80 burros. 1017 (NOTE: It is the policy of the WH&B Program not to support salary for 1018 Principal or Co-Investigators in excess of actual time spent working on the project) 1019 1020 Category Total: TBD 1021 1022 Equipment & Supplies (Describe and give cost of each item over $100) – Itemize 1023 1024 Category Total: 1025 1026 Animal Costs (Including board and maintenance) – Itemize 1027 1028 Category Total: 1029

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1030 Miscellaneous Costs (assays, etc,) – Itemize 1031 1032 Category Total: 1033 1034 Sub Total: 1035 1036 (NOTE: It is the policy of the WH&B Program not to support overhead or indirect costs Indirect Costs: 1037 in excess of 15% of direct costs calculated as: indirect costs = direct costs x 0.15) 1038 1039 TOTAL: 1040 1041 AMOUNT REQUESTED OF BLM: 1042 Approx. $80,000 1043 1044 List other available support for this project (source and amount). 1045 Arizona Game and Fish Department – In-kind vehicle costs and personnel oversight amount TBD 1046 1047 1048 List other requested support for this project (source and amount). 1049 Arizona Department of Transportation - $200+K and In-kind vehicle costs and personnel amount TBD 1050 following completion of approved research statement 1051 G. HUMANE CARE AND USE OF ANIMALS

BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Proposal for Collaborative Research Effort

Privileged Communication

Title of proposal: Evaluation of Burro Movements and Collisions Along Roads Near Lake Pleasant Herd Management Area Investigators: Gagnon, Jeff; Sprague, Scott; Loberger, Chad; Ogren, Kari; Beach, Colin; Boe, Sue

Pursuant to procedures established by the Bureau of Land Management, Wild Horse and Burro Research Program, I certify that the above described protocol follows guidelines set forth in the National Institutes of Health “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (#85-23) and the “Animal Welfare Act of 1966” (PL 89-544) as amended. Animal handling will follow existing animal care and use protocol for the USGS burro demography study.

Signature: ______Date ______

Name: ______Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Name of Institution: ______

NOTE: This completed form and a copy of the animal care and use protocols must be in receipt of the BLM WH&B Research Advisory Team before collaborative work with animals can commence. Private individuals must seek local/regional institutional approval.

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