Whitewater Draw Management Plan
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WHITEWATER DRAW MANAGEMENT PLAN Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 June 21, 19967 ] I WHITEWATER DRAW MANAGEMENT PLAN Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023 June 21, 19967 Whitewater Draw June 21, 1997 Management Plan Page 2 I. INTRODUCTION The Whitewater Draw property is one of three major roosting sites for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) in the Sulphur Springs Valley and probably is the most dependable. During the 1996 winter sandhill count, the 14,000 cranes roosting at the Whitewater Draw property represented over 50% of the cranes counted in the Sulphur Springs Valley and also in Arizona. That number represents the largest known concentration of wintering sandhills documented at one roost in Arizona. It is probable that some of the birds roosting there were drought displaced from other wintering sites, primarily in Mexico. The normal anticipated wintering population at the Whitewater Draw property is 4,000 to 7,000 cranes. The Whitewater Draw property is also an important area for migrating/wintering ducks and provides some nesting habitat for Mexican Ducks (Anas platyrhnychos diazi), pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps) and teal (Anas spp.). It is the only site in southeastern Arizona where there is a reasonable opportunity to establish new populations of wintering Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and snow geese (Chen caerulescens). One or more bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) commonly winter on the property. In addition, it is the most stable habitat for plains leopard frogs (Rana blairi) in southern Arizona. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) initially considered acquisition of the Whitewater Draw property in 1982 because of it's significant value to waterfowl and sandhill cranes. At that time it was owned by the Hyannis Cattle Company. A water rights application for the property was contested and subsequently withdrawn at that time. Since then, the protest has been withdrawn and the property was offered to the Department by the current owners Mr. Elemer and Mrs. Charee Kovacs, who acquired the property in 1987. II. GOALS To conserve and enhance sensitive wetland habitat values associated with the Whitewater Draw Property and associated habitat for conservation and management of waterfowl, migratory game birds and nongame birds, native amphibians, and reptiles. To provide public access consistent with management of the wildlife resource values, for hunting and watchable wildlife oriented recreational activities. Provide opportunities for appropriate wildlife oriented public education and research. Whitewater Draw June 21, 1997 Management Plan Page 3 To provide additional and alternative roosting, feeding, and resting areas for migratory birds, especially waterfowl and cranes, beyond those currently available in the area. To maintain water rights and water quality and abundance associated with the property, both surface and subterranean. III. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT EMPHASIS 1. Maintain the wetland habitat for waterfowl, sandhill cranes, shorebirds, bald eagles, and plains leopard frogs. 2. Manage the native grassland community in areas adjacent to the wetland. 3. Provide feed, rest, nest, and roost sites for migratory birds, especially sandhill cranes and waterfowl, and also for resident wildlife species. 4. Provide controlled opportunities for watchable wildlife oriented recreation including bird watching, and photography. 5. Provide controlled opportunities for hunting of migratory birds (cranes, waterfowl and doves [Zenaida spp.]) and other resident game animals. 6. Facilitate re-establishment of riparian growth along the drainage below the wetland. IV. RESOURCE DESCRIPTION A. Physical 1. Property Description Figures 1 and 2 portray location of the property, property boundaries and land status. The subject property contains approximately 1,448 acres of deeded land in portions of Sections 19, 29, 30, and 32 Township 21 South, Range 26 East; and Sections 4 and 5, Township 22 South; Range 26 East; all in the Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian, Cochise County, Arizona. The Kovacs' Whitewater Draw property is described by Assessor's parcel numbers; 405-05-001-00-2, 405-01-017- 02-5, 405-01-017-01-6, 404-11-064-00-5, 404-11-063-00-2, 404-11-58-00-8, 404-11-033-00-5, and are depicted on Cochise County Recorder's Office maps. Whitewater Draw June 21, 1997 Management Plan Page 4 The property is .composed of 3 parcels which are more completely described in Appendix A. The improvements on the subject property consist of a pond, 2 residences, storage sheds, metal storage building, corrals, and 11 wells (8 with electric pumps). In addition, the deeded property consists of grassland, irrigated farmland, and wetlands along Whitewater Draw. The estimated acreages of land types are as follows: Land Type Acres Percent Irrigated Farmland 442 31 Floodplain (Zone A) 640 44 Grasslands and Residences 366 � Estimated Totals 1,448 100 2. Water Rights and Resources The water rights associated with the property are well documented in the Arizona Department of Water Resources (DWR) records. Annual groundwater use reports for the 11 wells described in Table 1 have been filed with DWR by the Kovacs since 1988. The Kovacs were recently issued a surface water permit (Appendix B) to appropriate public water. The impact of groundwater pumping on sub-surface flow in the Whitewater Draw drainage (Douglas INA) may be of some concern to Tucson AMA (DWR). The subject property contains approximately 442 acres of irrigated land. Water is delivered from 10 wells via open ditches, a buried pipe system, and formerly via a pivot. Two domestic wells are located adjacent to the two residences. One of these wells is also used to irrigate fields. DWR records provide documentation of reservoir storage rights (Appendix B) and groundwater rights (well registrations - see Table 1). The locations of the wells are shown in Figure 2. Investigation of other adjudication claims and records of DWR filings were completed to verify the basis of all water right claims. No apparent conflicts were noted. 3. Cultural Resources The Archaeologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was consulted on this property. No concerns were identified. An archaeological survey was suggested by Whitewater Draw June 21, 1997 Management Plan Page 5 the State Histor_ic Preservation Officer, and will be conducted prior to any ground disturbing activities. 4. Environmental Hazards A Phase I Environmental Hazards survey was conducted by Western Technologies, Inc. Several concerns were identified and all were cleared up to the satisfaction of the Department of Administration' s Risk Management Division prior to acquisition. 5. Legal Access and Easements Figures 1 and 2 delineate three way to access the property: 1) easterly from State Highway 191 via Lee Road, 2 miles south of McNeal, 2) easterly from State Highway 191 via Bagby Road, 3 miles south of McNeal, or 3) southerly from Davis Road via Coffman Road. All access is along dedicated Cochise County roads and all right-of-ways will be documented in the Title Report. An easement and right of way exists for smoke. Right of ways for roads exist across the property, however, those threatening the wetland are not likely to be used since Davis Road which lies 3/4 mile to the north of the property is the major east-west corridor for the area and construction of an additional road that close would be both expensive, due to the expanse of floodplain to cross, and unnecessary. 6. Zoning and Deed Restrictions The property is zoned by the Cochise County Planning and Zoning Department under RU4 Zoning, which is a rural residential (1 residence/4 acre) zoning classification. Portions of the property are within Flood Zone A which may preclude certain uses, primarily related to construction. There is a reservation for an undivided 1/2 interest in all minerals, oil and/or gas located on Parcel 3 to the heirs of Joe and Buelah Eicks. 7. Fees There are no fees associated with the property. The Commission may elect to make payments in-lieu of taxes. Whitewater Draw June 21, 1997 Management Plan Page 6 8. Funding Sources �nd Restrictions Possible funding sources include: 1. Waterfowl Conservation Funds (WCF) 2. Ducks Unlimited MARSH Program (MARSH) 3. North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) 4. Heritage Funds (Heritage - IIPAM) 5. Pittman-Robertson Funds (PR) Funding source Numbers 4, and 5 may be used for operation and maintenance of properties as well as acquisition. Sources 1-3 may only be used for acquisition or capital improvement projects unless otherwise negotiated. B. Biological 1. Hahitat The most significant biological feature of the subject property is the large wetland which includes around 50 acres of permanent ponds and up to ,650 acres of floodplain which are inundated during wet periods. This area may have been a natural cienega within a grassland drainage historically. To facilitate travel between the east and west portions of the property during wet periods, a former owner (Joe Eicks) constructed an earthen berm which has increased the amount of surface water. The portion of the property adjacent to the wetland has been used as a pasture to raise livestock by the previous two owners. There is some woody vegetation along Whitewater Draw, both up and downstream, primarily composed of scrub mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) although some riparian trees occur downstream from the wetland as well. It is very possible that in the absence of grazing, a significant riparian belt could develop downstream from the wetland. The Whitewater Draw property has water rights which can be used to irrigate crops with ground water on up to 442 acres of cleared farmland (Figure 3). Irrigated grain fields could provide abundant feed for various species, including sandhill cranes, waterfowl, and resident wildlife. The Whitewater Draw property provides primarily roosting and loafing habitat. Occasionally problems with sandhills using sprouting barley fields in the spring are reported.