MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NORTHEASTERN MONTANA SETLANDS DISTRICT LAMESTEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Medicine Lake, Montana

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1989

U. S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM ' MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

LAMESTEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

NORTHEAST MONTANA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Medicine Lake, Montana

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

CALENDER YEAR 1989

U. S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REVIEWS AND APPROVALS

MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Medicine Lake, Montana (

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1989

3)/WiP Refuge Manager Date Ssociate Manager DateH'

Regional Office Approval Date This narrative report is dedicated to the memory of Carl S. Kampen. Carl died in February 1989. I can think of no greater tribute than the following words written by one of his daughters.

Dad's hands?

It has to be Dad's hands. Even before I was conscious of them they cradled me, perhaps gingerly. Thinking a small baby might break.

Those big gentle workworn hands. Their safe warm clasp held mine, yet urged me on, "Don't be afraid. You can do it." Free to roam....explore. Free to dream a child's dreams.

Through the years, I know they pulled me back from dangers And reluctantly meted out necessary discipline. Those hands could be stern. Why is it I don't remember much of that? ( Dad's hands guided mine....to drive a tractor, to pound a nail. "Look here. Watch." "Dad do you really think this raft will float?" "Show me. Dad, how can I fix this bike?" What wonderful things those big hands could doi

Hard, calloused hands. A worker's hands. Grease stained and strong from a lifetime of farming. Yet they were the same hands that gently scooped up a pup As Dad lovingly blew life's breath back into its' limp body. Do you know. Dad, what that meant to this child of yours?

How could I have ever despaired over my own big awkward hands? Kampen hands! Not delicate or dainty, : A tomboy's hands, but certainly not a lady's!

How time and memories change things. Dad As a grown woman I have held your hands' even yet so mighty....but now so still. Yours make mine look small!

A rich legacy you left your children. Strength and compassion, your special humor. Your gentle spirit. But Dad, you know the best of all? I have your hands. INTRODUCTION

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the glaciated rolling plains in the far northeast corner of Montana. It is located in Sheridan and Roosevelt counties.

The refuge lies in the highly productive prairie pothole region and has relief typical of the glacial drift prairie, relatively gentle rolling plains with occasional shallow depressions. This is basically a prairie refuge located in the transition zone between the mixed grass and short grass prairie. Native brush species consisting primarily of chokecherry, buffaloberry and snowberry are common in coulees and sandhill areas. A few old shelterbelts composed of a variety of introduced deciduous species still remain on the refuge. These trees appear to be out of place on the prairie.

The climate is typical of the northern Great Plains with warm summers, cold winters, and marked variations in seasonal precipitation. Precipitation averages 14 inches per year. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the summer and may drop to -45 in the winter. Spring is generally the windiest period with velocities commonly exceeding 20 miles per hour. Passing weather fronts can bring gusty winds up to 50 mph.

The refuge encompasses 31,457 acres including 13,546 acres of open water and marsh, 14,354 acres of grasslands and 3,557 acres of cultivated lands, primarily former croplands. Surrounding private land is intensively farmed for small grain.

The refuge was established in 1935 by Executive Order with /the primary purpose of providing waterfowl production and migration habitat.

In 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) set up camp on the refuge and 180 men began work. During the camp's four years of operation, many conservation projects were undertaken including construction of dams, dikes, shelterbelts and fences. Many of the refuge roads and buildings were also built during that time.

The 11,360 acre Medicine Lake Wilderness Area was established by Congress in 1976. This area includes the main water body of the lake and the islands within. Also included is the 2,320 acre Sandhills Unit with its unique rolling hills, native grass, brush species, and a few relic stands of quaking aspen. INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 2

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title Nothing to report 2. Easements Nothing to report 3. Other Nothing to report

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plans Nothing to report 2. Management Plan 4 3. Public Participation Nothing to report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource(Mandates 4 5. Research and Investigations Nothing to report 6. Other Nothing to report

E. ADMINISTRATION

i. Personnel 6 2. Youth Programs 7 3. Other Manpower Programs Nothing to report 4. Volunteer Programs 8 5. Funding 9 6. Safety 10 7. Technical Assistance 10 8. Other Items 10 9. Training and Meetings 10

1. General 12 2. Wetlands 12 3. Forests 13 4. Croplands 14 5. Grasslands 15 6. Other Habitats 16 7. Grazing 16 8. Haying 17 9. Fire Management .17 10. Pest Control 19 11. Water Rights 20 12. Wilderness Areas 21 13. WPA Easement Monitoring Nothing to report 11

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity.... 22 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 22 3. Waterfowl 23 4. Marsh and Waterbirds 26 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 26 6. Raptors 27 7. Other Migratory Birds 27 8. Game Mammals 27 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 27 11. Fisheries Resources 29 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking Nothing to report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to report 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to report 15. Animal Control 31 16. Marking and Banding 31 17. Disease Prevention and Control 32 ( H. PUBLIC USE

1. General 33 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students Nothing to report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...Nothing to report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations Nothing to report 7. Other Interpretive Programs 33 8. Hunting 33 9. Fishing 33 10. Trapping 34 11. Wildlife Observation 34 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to report 13. Camping Nothing to report 14. Picnicking i4 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation...Nothing to report 17. Law Enforcement 34 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to report 19. Concessions Nothing to report Ill

I, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

1. New Construction 35 2. Rehabilitation 35 3. Major Maintenance 37 4. Equipment Utilization & Replacement 38 5. Communications Systems 39 6. Computer Systems 40 7. Energy Conservation 40 8. Other Nothing to report

J. ' OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs 42 2. Other Economic Uses 44 3. Items of Interest Nothing to report 4. Credits 45

( K. FEEDBACK Nothing to report

L. INFORMATION PACKET Inside back cover

EASEMENT REFUGES

1. Laraesteer National Wildlife Refuge 46 A. HIGHLIGHTS

Drought continues. Sections B and F.l.

New manager arrives in February, Section E.l.

Refuge pools receive some recharge. Section F.2.

Ducks Unlimited project starts at Homestead Unit, Section J.l.

/ Figure 1. We had a few kochia and Russian thistles blowing around. ML-89-12, exp 4f 5/11/89. TF

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

It was another dry year in northeastern Montana. Total precipitation was 9.88 inches compared to the annual average of 14.3 inches. Growing season precipitation was 60 per cent of normal and totalled 6.38 inches. Summer rains were very spotty. Variations of one to three inches above and below the refuge measurements occurred with in 20 miles of the refuge. Temperatures averaged somewhat warmer than normal, but fortunately, the extremely hot temperatures experienced in 1988 did not recur this year.

Medicine Lake was declared ice-free 17 April and official freeze-up was 16 November.

The evaporation data in Table 2 was provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture's Research Farm located near Froid, 17 miles south of the refuge. They recorded 9.30 inches of precipitation from April through September compared to 6.38 at the refuge during the same period. 3

Table 1. Temperatures and precipitation recorded at Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Month High Low Precipitation

January 42 -33 1.04 February 40 -35 0.08 March 60 -21 0.15 April 87 12 1.49 May 87 28 1.62 June 95 39 1.72 July 103 50 0.71 August 103 44 0.84 September 91 23 0.53 October 91 14 1.20 November 63 -03 0.35 December 46 -35 0.15 9.88

Table 2. Evaporation rates using a class "A" evaporation pan at USDA research farm , 1980-1989.

Inches of Evaporation

Year Date(1) April Mav June July Auq. Sept. TOTAL 1980 4/17 5.61 11.81 12.18 13.71 8.81 7.52 59.64 1981 4/1 7.22 8.64 7.64 10.23 10.22 9.76 53.70 1982 4/26 0.97 5.50 7.88 7.64 10.58 6.59 39.16 1983 4/19 2.89 6.67 9.38 11.70 11.99 7.70 50.34 1984 4/2 6.71 9.29 9.37 14.00 14.14 7.04 60.53 1985 4/2 6.28 9.37 10.33 11.76 10.23 4.92 5i.88 1986 4/1 4.90 8.66 9.20 10.16 7.54 5.83 46.70 1987 4/6 6.16 7.94 10.81 9.55 8.48 6.73 49.69 1988 4/1 7.88 11.87 17.06 14.20 12.21 7.78 70.99 1989 4/1 4.98 7.78 9.00 13.41 10.40 8.46 54.03 Average for Month 5.36 8.75 10.28 11.63 10.50 7.23 53.77

(1) Date evaporation pan was started each year 4

D. PLANNING

2. Management Plans

The Station Safety Plan was revised and republished this year.

Work began late in the year on a re-write of the cropland management plan. The current plan was prepared in 1972. With many minor and a few major changes in the refuge farming program over the years, it became apparent that substantial revisions were needed in the plan. It is anticipated that the plan will be completed early in 1990 in time to begin a phased implementation during the 1990 farming season.

A review of the refuge grassland management and grazing program was completed in December. A recommendation was made that a new grassland management plan be developed to implement major changes in the way grazing and grassland management is conducted on the refuge. The current plan was completed in 1972 and, like the cropland program, many changes have occurred over the past twenty years that are not accounted for in the 1972 plan.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

During the summer botulism patrol in Sayer Bay, we kept bouncing the airboat over rocks. Observant volunteer Phil Thorpe noted that the rocks were in circles. Low and behold, tepee rings (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Low water in the Sayer Bay Unit revealed tepee rings long hidden in the vegetation and water. ML-89-7, exp 4, PT 5

Water flooding the area since completion of the Sayer Bay dike several years ago, drowned out the vegetation covering the rings. Low water levels in the unit late in the summer exposed the artifacts of the first visitors to Medicine Lake.

In preparation for the Ducks Unlimited project at Homestead Lake, an environmental assessment (EA) was prepared by the refuge staff. The assessment found that there would be no significant adverse affects resulting from the proposed project. The EA was reviewed and approved by the division of Fish and Wildlife Enhancement prior to contacts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a Section 404 permit for the project. All necessary State and Federal permits were received in September. 6

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

Jim McCollum arrived in February to fill the Refuge Manager position. The position had been vacant since the retirement of Gene Stroops in November 1988. Jim moved here from the refuge manager's job at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas. Steve Martin transferred to the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge on 10 January 1989 to assume the position of Assistant Refuge Manager. Mike Rabenberg transferred to Medicine Lake NWR from Long Lake NWR, North Dakota and reported for work 31 December 1989. Mike was hired as a Refuge Manager Trainee. Phil Thorpe, a summer SCA volunteer, was hired at the end of his volunteer period as a GS-4 Biological Aid. He replaced Winter Smith who resigned in mid- August to attend graduate school.

1. Jim McCollum, Refuge Manager (EOD 2/12/89) GS-12 PFT 2. Thad Fuller, Asst. Refuge Manager GS-11 PFT 3. Stephen J. Martin, Wildlife Biologist GS-9 PFT (Transferred 1/10/89) 4. Joan E. Quarne, Refuge Assistant GS-5 PFT 5. Kerrait E. Bolstad, Automotive Mechanic WG-10 PFT 6. John E. Snellman, Maintenance Worker WG-8 PFT 7. Dennis C. Nelson, Motor Vehicle Operator WG-6 PS 5-2-89 to 12-31-89 8. Winter L. Smith, Biological Aid GS-5 Temp. 3-26-89 to 8-11-89 9. Layne R. Krumwiede, Biological Aid GS-4 Temp. 4-17-89 to 11-4-89 10. Lyle L. Hancock, Range Technician GS-4 Temp. 4-17-89 to 11-4-89 11. Philip P.Thorpe, Biological Aid GS-4 Temp. 8-13-89 to 11-4-89 (Pictured with SCA group)

Table 3. Medicine Lake NWR staffing levels, FY-84 through FY-89.

Permanent

Ful1-time Seasonal Temporary Total FTE ______„ ______FY-88 614 8.9 FY-87 6 2 3 8.7 FY-86 623 8.6 FY-85 623 8.0 FY-84 621 7.4 Figure 3. The refuge staff was happy to see a return of water to units that were bone dry in 1988. L to R: Snellman, Nelson, Krumwiede, Bolstad, Quarne, McCollum, Fuller, Smith, and Hancock. ML-89-1, exp 22, 8/9/89. PT

2. Youth Programs

The refuge participated for the eighth year in the Youth Conservation Corps program. We were able to have two enrollees this year. Candy Snellman and Adam Stephan, Medicine Lake High School students, began work 30 May and chose to complete their appointments 27 July.

YCC projects included waterfowl banding, botulism patrol, nest searching, removal of old fence and building of new fence, scraping and painting buildings, removal of mower-damaging rocks along trails, maintenance of the recreation area, hand-picking noxious weeds, pruning trees in the shelterbelt by headquarters, lawn- mowing, washing and cleaning vehicles, janitorial duties, office assistance in the headquarters building, and hoeing the nursery and island shrub plantings. 8

Figure 4. YCC workers in 1989 were Adara Stephan (left), and Candy Snellraan (right). ML-89-14, exp 16, 7/24/89. TF

4. Volunteer Program

Ann McCollum wrote eight monthly columns for the Plentywood Herald and gave presentations to 16 groups. Ann's work is discussed in section H.

Jenita Calton, from Scobey, MT, volunteered about 50 hours. She helped in pair and brood census on WPA's near Scobey and gathered data on wetland conditions and wildlife use at International Marsh WPA. This baseline information will be compared with data after DU's proposed development.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) has been a source of volunteer labor at Medicine Lake NWR for seven years. We were fortunate to have three dedicated people at the refuge this summer.

Phil Thorpe (New Jersey) and Anjanette Wallace (Virginia) reported for work on 22 May. Phil worked his entire appointment which lasted until 11 August. Anji finished on 4 August and returned home to prepare for her second year in college. Dani-Ella Betz (Pennsylvania) arrived for work on 8 June and completed her appointment 31 August.

Housing was provided for the SCA's at the refuge. Dani and Anji shared one travel trailer; Phil occupied the other. Figure 5. Three Student Conservation Association volunteers provided their services to the refuge this year. L to R: Betzr Thorpe, and Wallace. ML-89-14, exp 19, 7/24/89 TF

5. Funding

Medicine Lake NWR and the Northeast Montana Wetland Management District have combined funding. Funding in FY-89 was fully adequate for accomplishing refuge programs this year. Table 4 indicates budget targets received for FY-89. Actual expeditures were within a few dollars in each of the subactivities except 8610. The 8610 quarters maintenance account is funded by rental receipts from refuge quarters. Funds not expended are carried over from year to year.

Table 4. Funding for Medicine Lake NWR & Northeast Montana WMD, 1985-89. SUBACTIVITY FY 1261 1261YC 1262 6860 1241 2821 8610 (1520)

1989 233,000 3,000 95,000 7,000 20,159* 9,000 1988 527,000 3,000 (1) 7,000 20,159* 9,000 1987 392,000 3,000 (1) 7,000 23,215* 5,800 1986 408,000 (1) (1) 8,000 7,500 30,950* 5,500 1985 335,000 (1) (1) 8,000 7,000 38,200* 9,100

(l)Total included in 1261. *Funds carried over from previous year. 10

The 2821 funds which have been carried over in recent years in an Engineering account were expended this year for islands and dike work.

Expenditures in the fire account (1241) totaled $14r143. These funds were not programraed at the refuge level. This subactivity funded the refuge seasonal fire crew.

6. Safety

We had another safe year with no accidents. A revised safety plan was approved.

All permanent personnel were tested and found negative for Lyme disease in May.

Subjects of safety meetings included lyme disease, radon testing kits, asbestos, replacement of chimney in the shop, disposal of solvents, medication affecting ability to drive, and storage of heavy equipment.

7• Technical Assistance

The refuge has been hosting a youth Hunter Education program since 1964. Fuller was the only instructor after Martin transferred and was unable to set aside two weeks for the program that would fit young hunters schedules.

The staff assisted USDA Soil Conservation Service offices on wetland determinations.

We have assisted the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture manager for the Comertown Project on landowner contacts, identifying areas with good potential for waterfowl habitat enhancement, and with administrative assistance.

8. Other Items

Revenue sharing checks were distributed to three counties. The amounts in 1989 were Daniels, $513, Roosevelt, $1503, and Sheridan, $20,940. Sheridan includes the refuge and most WMD lands.

9. Training and Meetings

Fuller: In-service law enforcement at Marana, AZ.

February

McCollum and Fuller: Project leaders meeting, Missoula, MT. Fuller; Regional pesticide review committee meeting, Denver, CO. 11

March

McCollum; In-service law enforcement at Marana, AZ. McCollum and Fuller: Wetlands management meeting, Jamestown, ND. Fuller; Law Enforcement project, San Luis Valley, Colorado.

April

Bolstad, Snellman, and Fuller: Dam safety and maintenance, Glasgow, MT. Fuller: Maplnfo (computer mapping) meeting, Denver, CO.

July

Fuller: Leafy spurge symposium, Bozeman, MT. McCollum: Meeting concerning water rights and supply, Quivira NWR, Kansas. Bolstad and Nelson; All Terrain Vehicle certification, Bowdoin NWR, MT.

August

McCollum, Fuller: Pre-hunting season weapons requalification and LE refresher. Sand Creek Wildlife Station, Roy, MT.

September

McCollum: Comertown PPJV meeting, Helena, MT. Fuller: Maplnfo meeting, Arrowwood NWR, North Dakota. McCollum and Fuller: Zone project leader/annual work plan meeting, Jackson, WY.

November

Quarne: Budget Tracking System workshop, Bismarck, ND. 12

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

Contrary to widespread reports, for northeastern Montana the drought of the 1980's did not end in 1989. Although winter snow accumulations provided a small but welcome burst of spring run-off, below average precipitation throughout the growing season resulted in another below normal year for upland habitat quality.

As has become normal in recent years, all refuge lakes and water units began the year much below recommended levels. Several units were dry or nearly dry. The snows of winter had drifted heavily, however, and the spring melt produced a good (but still below normal) flow on all refuge streams. Although the 22,719.5 acre feet of water diverted in 1989 was substantially more than the 122 acre feet received in 1988, it was still much below the amounts needed to fill all refuge lakes.

Table 5. Summary of recent water deficits, diversions, & releases in acre feet for all units. Medicine Lake NWR.

Year Water Deficit Water Diverted Water Released Water Deficit January 1 December 31

1989 40,781 22,719.5 2,745 37,842 1988 * 122.0 1,000 40,781 1987 * 9,316.0 7,123 *

*information not available.

Fortunately there was sufficient water to fill several of the smaller management units. The result was that the refuge achieved fairly good wetland habitat conditions even though overall soil moisture and water conditions remained below normal. Table 6, (page 10) indicates the amount of water needed to fill each refuge lake at the beginning of the year.

A better barometer of the affects of water shortages on wetland management would be a chart of water deficits in each unit on May 1. However, we have accurate lake capacity tables for only two refuge lakes. Medicine Lake and Sayer Bay. With assistance from the regional Water Resources office, we hope to develop area and capacity tables for all refuge impoundments. 13

Table 6. Comparison of water deficits in acre feet by lake on 1 January in recent years. Medicine Lake NWR.

Water Deficit In Acre Feet

Lake Name Capacity # 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

Medicine 88,290 24,185 (0) (@) 17,797 16,957 Homestead 8,216* 7,509 5,602 6,938 7,552 #12 2,500* 1,580 (@) 2,396 1,821 Katy1s 1,850* 1,850 1,170 1,850 #11 497* 438 497 438 #10 1,150* 904 319 452 Deep 450* 376 378 370 Sayer Bay 787 711 425 595 Gaffney 4,694* 2,851 3,222 1,998 Long 377* 377 215 215

Totals 40,781 (@) (0) 33,357 32,256

# at management elevations. * estimates based on surface acres & approximate average depth, (^deficits not available for these years.

3. Forests

There are no forests on the refuge although there are a few old shelterbelts and scattered stands of stunted trees. In the sandhills there is a small grove of aspen that has been severely affected by the recent drought and cattle use of the trees for shade (Figure 6). An exclosure is planned for 1990 to protect the trees until a new grazing program can be implemented that will not adversely affect this relic of wetter times. 14

Figure 6. An isolated aspen grove in Sandhills shows effects of drought and cattle. ML-89-5 f exp 20, 6/9/89. JM

4. Croplands

The primary objective of the farming program is to provide food for both migrant and resident species. In actuality there is little use of refuge cropland by waterfowl. With the easy availability of wide expanses of wheat fields covering most of northeastern Montana, waterfowl are not attracted to the small narrow strips of grain on the refuge, A few pairs of geese feed in refuge fields in early spring, but most of the use of refuge cropland is by resident wildlife.

Some of the refuge share of grain is swathed and rolled into big round bales. These bales are placed in strategic locations for use by resident wildlife after hunting seasons are past. Use was heavy on the few bales we had on hand from 1988 as January storms filled most natural feeding areas with snow.

The cooperative farming program includes six permittees farming 635 acres (Table 7). Yields for wheat and barley were much better than the 3-8 bushels per acre recorded for 1988. 15

Table 7, Cooperative farming summary for Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Acres Spring Winter Mech Chera FWS Permittee Wheat Wheat Barley Fa1low Fa1low Share

Tronson 57 63 -- 14 Ator 76 -- 83 25 Schraitz 48 — 57 -- 12 Nelson 45 — 45 -- 15 Bolstad 47 -- 31 -- 12 Haase 34 49 — 11

TOTAL 216 91 0 328 0 89

This spring we seeded 38 acres to DNC in section 8, north of Pool #12. This field was hayed in 1987 and barley was seeded at half the normal rate to hold the soil during 1988. The field was planned to be seeded during August 1988, but the drought made us change our plans to the spring 1989 seeding. Unless the seeding looks more successful than it did this fall, we may be seeding it again in the future.

5. Grasslands

We were unable to check the 1987 brush planting on Katy's Lake island. We did not count live vs. dead stems this year on the Bruce's island seedings, but they are doing poorly.

A work advice provided to the refuge for FY 90 required a staff evaluation of refuge rangeland management and grazing practices with recommendations for change, if change is needed. The evaluation was completed in November and several changes were recommended.

Some problems were apparent with the current program. The refuge has several thousand acres of native grassland and DNC which has been rested for many years. A substantial amount of this acreage is in need of management. Although stocking rates are low in the grazed units, season long grazing has resulted in overgrazing of some plants and is causing a reduction of plant diversity. The rest rotation system has failed thus far because of inadequate fencing. The original rotation plan depended upon lakes as barriers to cattle movement for some of the sub-units. Low levels in Gaffney Lake for the past three years has permitted cattle to cross the lake in several places and graze the rest pastures.

The current rangeland management plan was prepared in 1972. In that plan grazing was treated strictly as an economic activity. Since then cattle have been mostly relegated to certain refuge units dedicated to grazing. With only a few exceptions, grazing has not been used as a tool for habitat management. The challenge to the refuge staff will be to use the livestock already being permitted on the refuge to help manage all refuge habitats instead 16 of confining the livestock to a few areas dedicated just to grazing.

6. Other Habitats

There are several shelter belts, tree rows and shrub plantings remaining from pre-refuge homesteads and Civilian Conservation Corps efforts in the 1930s. The drought of recent years has caused a major die-off of some of these plantings, particularly the green ash and elms. Since these trees do not occur naturally on the open prairies here, there are no plans to replace them except around the refuge headquarters. We hope to use more drought tolerant species for any replanting of the headquarters shelterbelts.

7. Grazing

Six permittees grazed five units from 15 May to 15 September. Table 8 indicates the grazing use by habitat unit. Four of these units are grazed continuously, season long. The fifth unit is designed as a four pasture rest-rotation system. A sixth small tract of crested wheatgrass was grazed using a special management plan. This involved heavy spring grazing to impact the monotype of crested wheatgrass on the 80 acre tract.

The Gaffney Lake rest rotation system was continued this year but major problems with low lake levels permitted the cattle to roam at will after the first month. The Gaffney Lake shore was not an effective barrier as the cows waded across the lake almost at will. A 1990 realignment of fences in the unit is planned to resolve this problem.

Grazing fees this year were set at $8.30 per animal unit month (AUM). Fees have been adjusted annually from a 1982 grazing rate survey which determined the fair market value for grazing in this area. The annual fee adjustments are based on an average of the fall calf prices in Montana for the past three years.

Table 8. Grazing program at Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Grazing Permittee Acres Class of Permitted AUMs Unit Cattle AUM'S Used

7 Schmitz 449 25 C/c&B 120 114.8 8 Bolstad 2,320 75 C/c&B 373 376.1 9 G.Nelson & O.Nelson 515 33 C/c&B 165 166.0 14 0. Nelson & Wheeler 1,150 67 C/c&B 335 334.0 15 C. Nelson 636 15 C/c&B 90 72.6 Spl Schmitz 80 27 C/c&B 47 47.0

TOTALS 5,070 1,130 1 ,110.5

Roger Schmitz lost three cows to unknown causes during the grazing season. The cows were found dead near the Medicine Lake shore. A 17 major algae bloom had occurred on the lake during the early summer, but, because the cattle were seldom checked, they had been dead for many days before they were found. It was not possible to determine if algae poisoning was responsible for the deaths.

8. Haying

No haying was permitted on the refuge in 1989.

9. Fire Management

There was one prescribed burn conducted on the refuge this year. The 50 acre Auto Tour burn was conducted on 18 April. Objectives of the burn were to remove a dense accumulation of duff and plant litter. A test burn was conducted prior to initiation of the main burn. It indicated burning would be active and rapid with good smoke dispersal. A flanking and head fire was used. A 5 to 10 mph southwest wind carried the head fire quickly across the area. A very clean burn was achieved and the objectives of the burn were accoraplished.

Figure 7. Tour route burn five days after ignition. ML-89-10, exp 19, 4/23/89. TF Figure 8. Tour route burn 59 days after ignition. ML-89-14, exp 1, 6/16/89. TF

Refuge staff responded to one wildfire in 1989. The Pool 10 fire occurred on 23 August. The fire was started by lightning on

Figure 9. Snowberry clump in Pool #10 wildfire. ML-89-16, exp 18, 8/24/89. TF 19 adjacent private land and burned into the refuge. About 13 acres of refuge and six acres of private grasslands were burned. Two refuge staff responded with the refuge 250 gallon pumper. The Dagmar Rural Fire Department and refuge neighbors were already working on the fire when the refuge team arrived. Control of the fire was also assisted by the bare alkaline soil along the south side of refuge Pool 10.

10. Pest Control

We used glyphosate at 10 oz Al/acre with 10 gallons of water/acre on 38 acres prior to seeding DNC in section 8 north of Pool #12.

Noxious weed control efforts were concentrated on leafy spurge this year. All known spots of previous infestation were checked. Control efforts were primarily hand picking or mechanical operations (Figure 10). Most of the spurge sites are located on stream banks, high water table areas and very sandy sites where pesticide use is not advisable. At several sites that had been treated with herbicides in the past, a noticeable scar on the ground cover was present (Figure 11).

Mowing of the spurge was tried in one area. Although this method was more efficient in staff hours per acre treated, the mowing resulted in many more stems of spurge regrowth that did hand picking. It also had much greater adverse effect on remaining cover.

Figure 10. Refuge crew picking leafy spurge in Sandhills. ML-89-5 exp 16, 6/9/89. JM 20

Some consideration has been given to using goats or sheep to control spurge on the refuge. However, current infestations are relatively small and scattered and would be very difficult to treat using browsing animals.

A contact with Agricultural Research Service scientist Neal Spenser at the Sidney, MT research center resulted in a release of leafy spurge flea beetles (Aphthona flava) on 15 August. A site on Big Island was selected because of its isolation and 123 beetles were placed in two spots. Active beetles were found at both of the locations when they were rechecked in October. Hopes are that this and other natural controls on spurge will stem its spread, but it is unlikely that natural controls alone will be effective until spurge has become much more wide spread in its adopted environment.

Figure 11. Leafy spurge at edge of old pesticide treatment area. ML-89-5 , exp 12, 6/9/89. JM

11. Water Rights

No action was taken by the Montana Water Court on any of the re- applications for water rights which the Service submitted in 1982,

One action on water rights affected the management level of Medicine Lake. The Service initiated a request to the Montana State Water Office for a change in place of use for 804.16 acre feet of water. The Sayer Bay water unit and several duck breeding pair ponds built by Ducks Unlimited in the Lake Creek flats needed a water allocation. To accommodate this requirement the volume of water needed was reallocated from Medicine Lake. This had the 21 effect of lowering the management level of Medicine Lake by 0.08 foot from 1f 935.85 MSL to 1935.77 MSL.

12. Wilderness Areas

An idea about modifying the wilderness status of Medicine Lake gained considerable local support this year. The proposal was first brought to public attention in 1988 by a Plentywood, Montana citizen at a local economic development committee meeting. The proposals were put forward without refuge staff input or prior knowledge.

In June, a public meeting was held in Medicine Lake by persons interested in pursuing the change. A volunteer steering committee was recruited and a petition drive was organized to gather public support for the effort. Refuge staff met with the steering committee several times in late summer and fall to discuss the changes being sought in the wilderness. The stated goals of the effort are to open Medicine Lake Wilderness to powered ice augers and boats with motors of limited horsepower for the purpose of fishing.

The committee was advised on the proper channels to follow in making their proposals to the Service. Their initial contact was with the Regional Director, Region 6. After a review of the proposal the Regional Director determined that the goals of the group could not be addressed by the Service; it would take Congressional action to achieve the changes which they were pursuing. By years end the group had made contact with all four members of the Montana Congressional delegation and had received promises of support from Senator Conrad Burns and Eastern District Congressman Ron Marlenee.

It is difficult to estimate the effects of the proposed change in wilderness status on refuge management activities because there is no way to predict the form of final congressional action. The Service has taken an essentially neutral stance on the effort thus far. If Congress does make changes in the law related to Medicine Lake, it is hoped that the legislation will permit the Service to assess the environmental effects of the changes and to insure that the activities being proposed are compatible with the purposes of the refuge. The changes being promoted for the wilderness here are being closely watched by a number of conservation organizations because of the precedent-setting nature of the proposals. 22

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Wildlife diversity is maintained by management practices that are centered on waterfowl production and maintenance. Diverse plant communities ranging from xeric grasslands to mesic wetlands provide habitat characteristics essential to species that breed on the refuge and habitats that meet seasonal requirements for migrant species.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

One rust colored and four white whooping cranes were observed feeding in a small grain stubble field one half mile east of the Homestead Unit with about 500 sandhill cranes. Apparently these birds arrived the night of 16 October, fed the next morning and departed the country. They were followed by refuge staff until they were last seen crossing the Missouri River near Culbertson.

Bald eagles were sighted during March, April, October, and November. The gravel pit area on the east end of Medicine Lake was their favorite roosting site again. Twenty-one birds were observed 8 April. There were four separate sightings of peregrine falcons; 17 May, 31 July, 7 September, and 19 September. The 17 May sighting was an adult bird feeding on a female pintail.

Piping plover surveys were conducted from April to August in areas where birds were sighted during previous years and areas suspected

Figure 12. Piping plover nest along south shore of Medicine Lake. ML-89-1, exp 10, 7/5/89. WS 23 to have potential nesting habitat. Habitat considered to have potential for piping plovers consisted of beaches along lakes or wetlands that were sparsely vegetated with substrates containing a mixture of small rocks, pebbles and sand.

The first piping plover was sighted 1 May at Katy's Lake. Previous years sightings occurred the last week of April. Only five nests were located compared to 20 last year (Table 9). Smith considered one of these a re-nest. We may have experienced a peak in 1988 because of more than normal amount of exposed shorelines. Although we have not recovered from the drought, we at least received enough run-off to raise most management pools to preferred levels for waterfowl production.

Table 9. Piping plover nesting, 1989.

No. No. # Nests No. Fledged/ Location Pairs Nests Hatched Fledged Pair

South Bay 11 11 Katy's Lake 22 12 Gaffney's 12 00 Long Lake 11 0 0

TOTAL 5 6 2 3 0.6

3. Waterfowl

Spring Migration

Spring was a little late this year. Normally we see Canada geese in raid to late February. The first observation this year was 21 March. Snows and white-fronts appeared 30 March. Most duck species were present by mid-April with the ruddy duck finally arriving 24 April. We normally don't observe tundra swans in the spring and this year was normal.

Breeding Pair Census

The refuge estimates duck breeding pairs based on one count of 64 line transects. This years estimate of 14,936 pairs is 27 per cent higher than the last nine years average. There are many environmental factors affecting pair count results and we don't care to go into a long monologue discussing pros and cons. Nest search results presented later may better compare duck densities.

Nest Searches

Canada geese

In the past we have done an aerial census for nesting Canada geese. 24

This year we ground-searched islands and nesting structures in place of an aerial census (Table 10). None of the tub-end type structures had any nesting material, thus no nests were found.

Table 10. Canada goose nesting. Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

No. of No. of % Nests # Eggs Location Islands Nests Hatchinq Hatched Pool #11 43 37 100 Bridgerman Point(l) - 30 93 Young's Island 1 29 86 MacDonald's Island 1 12 92 Gadwall Island 1 10 100 Bruce's Extension(2) 1 5 100 Homestead 17 21 100 Highway Islands 4 13 92

Total 157 95 721

(1) Point cut-off with electric predator fence. (2) Island now connected to Bruce's Island because of low lake levels.

Ducks

We locate upland duck nests using a cable-chain drag (Higgins et al. 1977). We searched twice this year compared to three times the previous four years. Islands were checked three times by walking and flushing birds. We searched 313 acres of DNC, 270 acres of native grasslands, and 103 acres of islands. Results are presented in Table 11.

Table 11. Species Composition of Located Duck Nests by Habitat Type in 1989.

Species DNC NGL Upland Island Total

Mailard 22 15 37 56 93 N. Pintail 30 6 36 26 62 Gadwal1 108 46 154 49 203 B.W. Teal 23 13 36 2 38 N. Shoveler 17 12 29 6 35 Wigeon 8 3 11 4 15 L. Scaup 11 8 19 17 36 Redhead 1 2 3 20 23 Canvasback 0 0 0 0 0

Total 220 105 325 180 505

DNC = dense nesting cover NGL = native grassland Upland = sum of DNC and NGL 25

Areas protected by predator barriers have been lumped with dense nesting cover since 1986 (Table 12). This year there were 118 nests located on 66 acres at Tom Horn's Point and 8 nests located on 56 acres at Gopher Point. Mayfield hatching success was 77% on Tom Horn's Point and 87% on Gopher Point. Both these areas have DNC type nesting habitat. Bridgerman Point has 21 acres of native grassland cover protected by a predator barrier. We located 46 nests and Mayfield hatching success was 95%. Mayfield hatching success on islands was 73 per cent.

Table 12. Number of nests, Mayfield success, and densities in DNC and NGL, Medicine Lake NWR, 1974-76, 1981, 1985-89.

Dense Nesting Cover Native Grassland

(N) Mayfield(%) Nest/Ac. (N) Mayfield(%) Nest/Ac.

1974 6 70 0.04 29 3 0.02 1975 69 73 0.42 100 27 0.21 1976 33 60 0.20 117 42 0.24 1981 84 47 0.36 50 42 0.20 1985 99 34 0.25 78 22 0.23 1986 125 46 0.29 137 43 0.38 1987 277 59 0.89 122 73 0.45 1988 169 46 0.54 54 47 0.22 1989 220 53 0.70 105 64 0.39

Fall Migration

White-fronts were first observed 22 September, tundra swans appeared two days later, and snow geese arrived 27 September. Peak numbers are shown in Table 12. Ducks peaked at 20,500 on 12 October.

Table 12. Fall peak goose and swan numbers. Medicine Lake NWR, 1984-89.

Year Canada Snow White-front Ross' Tundra Swan

1984 800 550 500 3 350 1985 1200 10 600 300 1986 1200 3000 500 300 1987 1500 300 1200 1000 1988 1200 3000 500 50 1989 1000 500 400 300 26

4. Marsh and Waterbirds

White pelicans nested on Big Island and Bridgerman Point. Double- crested cormorants nested on Bridgerman Point and Gull Island. Great blue herons nested on Big Island, Highway Islands, and Bridgerman Point. Black-crowned night herons nested on Big Island and Bridgerman Point. Western grebes were nesting west of the highway and near Bruce's Island. They were using kochia and Russian thistle as material for their nesting platforms west of highway #16. Eared grebes were nesting at Homestead, Pool 10B, and Sayer Bay.

Table 13. Estimated number of marsh and waterbird nests. Medicine Lake NWR, 1982-89.

White D C G B BCN West. Eared Year Pelican Cormorant Heron Heron Grebe Grebe

1982 700 28 20 - - - 1983 800 90 27 5 - - 1984 - 14 - 10 - 100 1985 1788 254 24 54 134 300 1986 1699 73 20 11 174 184 1987 1689 479 42 49 210 311 1988 1396 85 24 10 - - 1989 3370 135 29 38 180 200

5. Shorebirds. Gulls. Terns and Allied Species

The following species are known to nest on the refuge but efforts are not made to estimate numbers; American avocet, marbled godwit, willet, upland sandpiper, killdeer, spotted sandpiper, black tern, Wilson's phalarope, and common snipe. We do monitor colonial nesters (Table 14).

Table 14. Number of located gull and and tern nests by species. Medicine Lake NWR, 1982-89.

Ring-billed Calif. Common Forester's Year Gull Gull Tern Tern

1982 750 700 40 1983 580 247 71 - 1984 - - 30 - 1985 - - 236 - 1986 - - 95 6 1987 1439 1269 62 56 1988 766 401 18 - 1989 5615 1300 55 40 27

The highway islands account for 53 per cent of the ring-billed gull nests. These islands were originally constructed for nesting waterfowl, but the gulls are changing this intent. If they expand onto other islands, some form of control or harassment may be warranted.

Ted Nordhagen, a birder from Westby, sighted a glaucous gull on 9 November on the highway islands. This is a new species for our check list.

6. Raptors

Raptors nesting on the refuge this year included northern harrier, Swainson's hawk, great-horned owl, short-eared owl, and burrowing owl.

Other raptors sighted include; golden eagle, turkey vulture, prairie falcon, merlin, kestrel, sharp-shinned. Cooper's hawk, northern goshawk, rough-legged, ferruginous, and red-tailed hawks, snowy owl, and eastern screech owl.

The National Wildlife Federation, Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey, was not conducted this year.

7. Other Migratory Birds

Mourning dove nesting is limited on the refuge due to the shortage of trees. Refuge shelterbelts and CCC tree plantings provide the majority of available nesting habitat.

8. Game Mamma1s

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks conducts annual pre­ season and late winter white-tailed deer aerial surveys in two trend areas. One area includes the refuge and the other is the private sandhills that border the southeast boundary of the refuge. The late winter flight was made in February. They observed 510 deer (7.1 deer/square mile) in the private sandhills and 753 deer (11.6/square mile) on the refuge. The private sandhills herd increased 25 per cent from last year and the refuge herd increased 142 per cent. Fawns/100 adults were 19 in the private sandhills and 22 on the refuge.

The pre-season flight (early October) revealed 45 fawns/100 does in the private sandhills and 38 fawns/100 does on the refuge. The buck/100 doe ratio was 32 in the private sandhills and 50 on the refuge.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

There was a dramatic decrease in numbers of male sharp-tailed grouse on leks compared to last year (Table 15). This is a reflection of almost no recruitment in 1988 and possible 1988-89 winter mortality. 28

Table 15. Male Sharp-tailed Grouse Lek Numbers by Location, Medicine Lake NWR, 1985-89.

Ground # 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1 3 na 8 13 na 2 18 14 10 12 12 3 6 12 11 5 na 4 na 2 na na 2 5 na na na 2 na 6 8 6 12 12 5 7 17 15 19 23 12 8 18 16 28 45 23 9 3 7 10 14 8 10 3 10 17 20 10 12 5 na na na na 15 5 2 5 12 8 16 na 2 na na na 17 5 4 5 1 na 18 9 11 9 12 2 20 13 6 6 4 na 21 15 17 34 12 na 22 9 3 2 19 5 23 15 8 12 5 na 24 na 15 18 9 4 25 10 16 28 25 10 26 10 8 28 31 17 27 Located in 1987 7 na na 28 Located in 1987 11 na na 29 Located in 1988 - 6 5 30 Located in 1988 - 6 na 31 Located in 1989 - - 9

— 32 Located in 1989 — 3

Total 172 174 273 310 145 Mean 7 7 10 10 5 na = Not active.

Roadside crow counts are conducted for ring-necked pheasants on three refuge routes. This species also showed the affects of the 1988 drought (Table 16). 29

Table 16. Total crows and crows/stop for three routes. Medicine Lake NWR, 1978-89.

Transect #1 Transect #2 Transect #3 Year Crows Crows/stop Crows Crows/stop Crows Crows/stop

1978 187 9.4 -- - - 1979 270 13.5 42 4.2 - - 1980 354 17.7 113 11.3 - - 1981 407 20.4 251 25.1 - - 1982 515 25.8 305 30.5 -- 1983 321 16.1 219 21.9 302 30.2 1984 295 14.8 297 29.7 503 50.3 1985 184 9.2 217 21.7 340 34.0 1986 104 5.2 143 14.3 145 14.5 1987 80 4.2 246 24.6 181 18.1 1988 172 8.6 441 44.1 580 58.0 1989 69 3.4 54 5.4 162 16.2

Transect #1 = Patrol road around Medicine Lake. Transect #2 = Northeast portion of refuge. Transect #3 = Homestead Unit.

There is no census data for gray partridge. These hardy immigrants also suffered from 1988's drought. Broods were small in number and far apart.

We used the road raaintainer to remove crusted snow off upland sites and farm fields for wintering birds. Within an hour birds were observed feeding.

11. Fisheries Resources

Low water levels on Medicine Lake caused concern about game fish. Dissolved oxygen samples in raid-March added to this concern. The gravel pit area had 2.34 ppra, Gaffney Lake was 1.30 ppm, and between the south end of Big Island and the mainland it was 0.46 ppm. When the ice started to recede from the shoreline, large carp, walleyes, and a few northern pike were exposed (Figs. 13 & 14).

We requested Fisheries Biologist Frank Pfeifer to sample the lake. After test netting in May, Frank stated "the walleye population was gone, the carp population was substantially reduced, and the northern pike population appeared to still be in good shape".

Frank also canceled the 100,000 northern pike fingerlings scheduled for stocking in 1989 and recommended we wait until lake levels return to normal.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks personnel had a surplus of northern pike fry and were looking for a release site. We released 1.5 million fry at two locations on Medicine Lake in early April. 30

Figure 13. The result of a major winter kill of fish was evident along the shoreline of Medicine Lake. ML-89-5, exp 3, 6/5/89. JM

Figure 14. Kermit wasn't too happy about losing the walleyes. ML-89-6, exp 13, 4/4/89. TF 31

15. Animal Control

Predator control on the refuge is authorized by a control plan that calls for annual removal of mammalian predators that prey on nesting waterfowl.

Force account trapping efforts, using a seasonal employee, were initiated on 4 April and continued until 7 June. About 25 staff- days were spent and 1000 miles driven. Forty-eight cubby box sets were placed in culverts, on water control structures, and on upland sites. Results are shown in Table 17.

Table 17. Predator removal trapnights and number of skunk and raccoon taken per 100 trapnights. Medicine Lake NWR, 1985-89.

Skunks Raccoon Total Year Trapnights (#/100TN) (#/100TN) (#/100TN)

1985 1350 2.7 0.7 3.5 1986 4600 0.9 0.2 1.1 1987 2200 0.3 0.1 0.4 1988 3400 1.2 0.5 1.7 1989 1400 1.3 0.4 1.7

One red fox and one badger stuck their nose into the conibear protected box and were counted as incidental takes during the trapping period.

16. Marking and Banding

Pre-season mallard banding quotas for Zone 21 (Western North and South Dakota and Montana) were 1,000 birds for each sex and age class. Selected refuges within the zone are requested to band as many as possible. Four salt plains traps (swim-in traps) were employed on various refuge sites from 27 July to 6 October. Species, age, sex, and number of the banded birds are shown in Table 18.

Table 18. Duck species, age, sex and total number trapped. Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Species AHYM AHYF HYM HYF LM LF U TOTAL

Mailard 214 159 207 174 18 12 17 801 N. Pintail 14 54 73 71 4 6 0 222 Redhead 7 30 24 19 16 20 0 116 Canvasback 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1

Total 1140 32

U = Age-sex records lost.

17. Disease Prevention and Control

Avian botulism occurs annually on the refuge. The Homestead Unit has traditionally been the "hot spot" for losses. We started a draw-down of this area 23 June. Losses were few and we were feeling pretty smug by the end of July. Then Refuge Assistant Quarne noticed dead ducks the 4th weekend of August. The airboat started the next Monday and by the time we were through, we had collected 755 birds (Table 19). Homestead accounted for less than 1 per cent of the mortality. Sayer Bay was the new "hot spot" and 709 birds were collected in this pool. Birds were also picked up in Medicine Lake and Pools 10 and 10B.

Table 19. Species and number of birds picked up during botulism outbreak. Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Species Number Species Number

Mailard 108 Eared Grebe 10 Gadwal1 29 Am. coot 61 Green-winged Teal 116 Ring-billed Gull 2* Blue-winged Teal 78 D. c. cormorant 4* Northern Shoveler 101 Sora 21 Northern Pintail 150 White Pelican 8* Redhead 8 Greater yellowlegs 2 Lesser Scaup 25 Lesser yellowlegs 7 Ruddy Duck 2 Dowitcher 1 Unid. Duckling 21 Yellow-headed blkbird 1

Total Waterfowl 638 Total Non-Waterfowl 117

Total Birds = 755

*Colonial bird totals may include some non-botulism killed birds. 33

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Volunteer Ann McCollum assumed the responsibility of handling school groups both at the refuge and at their schools. Presentations included habitat investigations, butterflies, geology of the area, methods of seed dispersal, signs of fall, what is a refuge, winter birds and feeders, forces in nature, why animals have legs instead of wheels, and do machines help or hurt our environment. Ann contacted 307 students.

In addition to school groups she presented programs to 4-H members and Cub Scouts. She also authored eight articles in the Plentywood Herald.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

Staff members attended the Dagmar Gun Club meetings. At the October meeting McCollum gave a short talk about refuge programs, problems, and priorities.

8. Hunting

Sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge season opened 2 September. We went looking for hunters the 3rd and found one party of three Minnesotans in the sandhills. Hunters remained few and far between throughout the season.

We had a split opening for waterfowl. Goose season opened 30 September and duck season 7 October. Local goose hunters said the opening reminded them of years past. Although few were able to shoot their limit, most field hunters on the north side of the refuge were able to bag both Canada's and white-fronts. McCollum and Fuller were about the only ones who hunted ducks on the refuge.

Pheasant season opened with maybe a 20 per cent reduction in hunters compared to recent years. However, with very low success most of these hunters moved to an area about 10-20 miles south by the second day. Hunting pressure remained very light for the rest of the season.

Most of hunting pressure for deer occurs in the sandhills. On opening weekend only six vehicles were parked along the south boundary. Success was not good. No game check station was operated this year.

Predator hunting permits were issued to ten hunters during the fall hunting seasons. Hunting of coyotes, foxes, skunks, and raccoons is permitted as approved under the 1985 environmental assessment for predator management on the refuge. 34

9. Fishing

Ice fishing pressure during the 88-89 winter was almost non­ existent. The water never cleared in Medicine Lake, so spearers couldn't see the fish. The tip-up type fisherpersons did not have any luck either. Most access points became snow blocked in January and we never received any requests to clear these roads.

Fishing remained poor through the season until December. After ice covered Medicine Lake, the water cleared nicely. There were about 30 fishing houses on the lake toward the end of the month. Hot spots were around McDonalds Island with daily limits of northern pike being taken several times. Most of the fish were five to eight pounds.

There was little or no fishing activity on any of the other refuge lakes.

10. Trapping

Low fur prices resulted in almost no interest in refuge trapping this year. The refuge trapping plan requires a $50 permit fee, part of which can be rebated for skunks and racoons caught. Only one individual expressed interest but was unwilling to pay for a general trapping permit due to the low fur prices. He was issued a no-fee permit to trap problem beaver in four locations and removed eight animals.

11. Wildlife Observations

Based on past year's lack of demand for the sharp-tailed grouse photo blind, we decided to not put it on a lek until we received a request to use it. It was not placed.

14. Picnicking

An estimated 75 visitors used the refuge picnic area located on Medicine Lake near Highway 16.

17. Law Enforcement

Seven violations were observed and all were turned over to the state for prosecution. McCollum and Fuller found five fisherpersons snagging northern pike by the town of Medicine Lake. They each paid $50 for the privilege. McCollum found two individuals cleaning more ducks than they needed in addition to having two hen pheasants. They each paid the state $250. 35

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

The only new construction this year was the Homestead Lake DU project. It is discussed in Cooperative Programs. Section J. 1.

2. Rehabilitation

Several rehabilitation projects were accomplished or started during the year. To meet the recommendations of the Regional Dam Safety inspection report, the refuge staff regraded the Beaver Pond dam during the summer. A substantial amount of fill was added to the back slope and crest of the dam and additional rip-rap placed on the face of the dam.

The concrete structure which controls water flowing from Gaffney Lake to Long Lake had deteriorated and was unusable for many years. In September the refuge staff built a replacement structure about 50 feet east of the old structure. Stainless steel was used for the stoplog slots in hopes of extending the life of the facility. Now all that is needed is about 50,000 acre feet of water to put the structure to use.

The wood shingle roof on the north storage building had deteriorated to the point of providing only shade. In August the crew began re-roofing the building using sheet metal color coordinated to match the other buildings in the headquarters area. When that was completed, siding which was on hand was used to re­ side the building, also (Fig. 15). This improvement will extend the useful life of this building and eliminate the need for painting for many years.

In mid-October the well which supplies domestic water to the refuge headquarters failed. Testing showed that the 85 foot deep well had been plugged with sand to the 55 foot level. Apparently the casing had perforated allowing sand to be drawn into the well. Carlson Drilling of Medicine Lake was contracted for a replacement well. The new well was drilled about 15 feet east of the failed well to a depth of 88 feet (Fig. 16). It produced excellent volumes of water during test pumping. The well was cased with five inch 200 PSI plastic pipe with 10 feet of plastic screen in the water bearing zone.

Within a week after the new well was completed, the well pump failed putting the headquarters out of water again. Apparently the pump had been stressed by sand in the water before the old well failed. A new three quarter horsepower submersible pump was installed.

After recoring the dam at Angels Pond in 1988 to prevent leakage, the refuge crew completed rehabilitation of the dam in the fall of this year. A new spillway was established and new rip-rap placed on the face of the dam. 36

Figure 15. Siding of storage building. Medicine Lake NWR, ML-89- 22, exp 10, 11/13/89. TF

Figure 16. Drilling the new water well for headquarters. Medicine Lake NWR, ML-89-10, exp 4, 10/19/89. JM Figure 17. Removing quarters #2 fuel tank with new tank in background. Medicine Lake NWR, ML-89-22, exp 6, 12/4/89. TF

Three underground furnace fuel tanks were removed in November to meet deadlines for the Montana underground storage tank program. The tanks at the refuge office and Quarters 1 had been retired for about three years. The tank at Quarters 2 was still in use and was replaced with an above ground tank (Fig. 17). This leaves the refuge with three underground tanks that are currently in compliance with UST regulations. However, these tanks too, must be replaced within a few years.

The low area along the north boundary in section 4 (T32N, R58E) was strengthened with 10 foot lengths of three inch pipe driven into the ground. The wire was attached to these pipes instead of the steel or wood fence posts used in the past. There are 80 acres of private pasture between our boundary at this site and Salter WPA a quarter mile to the north. We also gave the landowner four and a half rolls of barbed wire so he could add a fourth wire to the existing boundary fence along the east and north boundary of section 4.

3• Major Maintenance

After several minor oil leaks and other indications of problems on the International wheeled loader, the machine was delivered to Tractor & Equipment Company in Williston, ND, for a teardown and inspection of the engine and transmission. By the time all repairs were made and parts replaced as needed, the job cost over $5,100. This was quite a shock to our budget, but considering that this is the first major repair on the machine in over 10 years of use the 38 cost was not too excessive.

The sudden rush of snow raelt in late March overtopped roads in several locations on the refuge (Fig. 18). Repair of these sites required several staff days to regrade and regravel in early summer.

Figure 18. Run-off damage north of parking lot #6. ML-89-6, exp 19, 4/5/89. TF

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

This was a good year for vehicle replacements as two much needed new units arrived from FY-88 orders. A new 1989 Jeep Cherokee replaced the 1983 Cherokee. This was a welcome change because the old unit had developed into a real lemon. The 1983 Cherokee was loaned to Bowdoin Refuge for use on a summer water quality study. After its return in September, it was sold by GSA.

A new 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon replaced the 1983 Chevy Malibu station wagon. The Malibu was in pretty good working order after about 70,000 miles. After some wrangling with the Regional property office about motor vehicle allocations, we were able to transfer it to Bear River Refuge to assist that office to get re-established.

A "trade-up" resulted in replacement of one of our nest dragging Jeeps. A 1979 CJ-7 with about 60,000 miles came up on excess from the Corps of Engineers. We hoped to add this vehicle to our nesting survey equipment. The Regional motor vehicle allocation 39

interfered again. Although these Jeeps are used exclusively for the special purpose of nesting surveys, the Corps Jeep could not be transferred to the refuge until another vehicle was excessed from the station. The Jeep we excessed had over 100,000 miles on it and showed it but still had a lot of utility for nest dragging.

J. Clark Salyer Refuge had a Dodge one ton six passenger 4X4 pick­ up that they wanted to trade for a half ton 4X4. Medicine Lake Refuge obliged them by offering a Chevrolet half-ton 4X4 that was scheduled for excess in FY-91. We plan to use the "six-pack" as a wildfire response truck and for other multi-person crew work.

The military surplus Huber maintainer was changed from camouflage green to heavy equipment yellow.

Figure 19. New paint for the military surplus grader. ML-89-2, exp 8, 1/12/89. TF

5. Communication Systems

An order for complete replacement of the refuge radio communications system was made in September. This follows much study and discussion by both the former and current refuge managers. The new radios will be General Electric high band and should result in more effective coverage of the working area of the refuge staff. There should also be much less interference from "skip" transmissions from other refuges. The best feature of the new radios will be the multi-frequency feature which will enable refuge staff to have mobile contact with all local and area fire, law enforcement, and emergency response organizations. The radio 40 order had not been received by year's end.

6. Computer System

Hardware

In April a new Zenith Supersport 286 laptop portable computer was received. It seemed such a handy little gadget that the crew practically had to draw straws to decide who would get to use it.

After receiving the laptop with its 3.5 inch disk drive, it became apparent that we needed a 3.5 inch drive in the Zenith desk top 286, our main office computer. We had Gaffaney's of Williston do the installation. A promised two day turn around stretched into two weeks when the technicians found that there was much more to reconfiguring the setup program than they expected, but once it was accomplished the change improved the usefulness of all the machines.

In July the refuge received its long awaited second desktop computer. It was a WIN Labs model G2-12 80286 type. It did not take us long to rename it the LOSE. The machine would not work when it was received. The hard disk unit was not securely fixed in the unit and had become dislodged during shipping. After a three week trip back to the factory, it came back in working order. Although it has generally provided good service since then, it has had a habit of occasionally replicating some data files until the entire storage capacity of the hard disk is occupied. Although we suspect software may be causing the problem, we have not been able to pin down the source of this irritation.

In September a DataShield uninterruptible power supply, was purchased for the Zenith desktop. Although power failures are fairly infrequent here, power surges and voltage spikes are fairly common, particularly during summer thunderstorms.

Software

WordPerfect updated version 5.0 was received early in the year and installed in July. Perform, a forms creation and filling program, was ordered during the summer but received little use before the end of the year.

Medicine Lake refuge was designated as the Zone 1 guinea pig for evaluating Maplnfo, a computer mapping program thought to have promise for use on refuges. Assistant Manager Fuller was nominated to the Maplnfo committee. After several meetings, much travel, and many hours spent on the console and on the phone, the promise of Maplnfo had not yet been realized by year's end.

7. Energy Conservation

Table 20 compares the last five years of energy consumption. We converted the office from a fuel oil furnace to a "pulse" type 41 propane furnace in December, 1988. We were summer fallowing 281 acres on the refuge and 140 acres on the WMD during 1989. The amount of coal used is a fair indicator of the severity of the winter. We use coal to heat the shop.

Table 20. Refuge energy consumption. Medicine Lake NWR, 1985-89.

Enerqy 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

Diesel, gal. 6725 5083 5834 5788 6074 Gasoline, gal. 5959 6589 6275 6732 5367 Propane, gal. 585 630 130 560 1472 Electricity, KWH 31970 33528 29926 36692 31979 Coal, ton 16 18 10 15 8 42

J. OTHER ITEMS

1• Cooperative Programs

In October much prior planning and work came to fruition when Ducks Unlimited issued a contract for a project at Homestead Lake. Christensen Construction Company of Antelope, Montana, was the contractor. The work involved building a cross-dike and water control structure to separate Knudsen Bay on the south end of Homestead Lake from the main part of the lake. Also included was a sheet piling drop structure to control discharges of water from Knudsen Bay to Big Muddy Creek.

These new facilities should be of great assistance for water management at Homestead. For many years botulism has been a problem in the Knudsen Bay area. The most effective way of dealing with botulism die-offs has been to drain the lake. However, that also removed a lot of excellent brood habitat in the north end of the lake where botulism is much less of a problem. The cross-dike and discharge structure will provide capability to draw Knudsen bay down with out affecting the remainder of the lake.

•

Figure 20. Site of crossdike at Homestead. ML-89-20, exp 1, 9/28/89. TF Figure 21. The crossdike at Homestead nears completion. ML-89-22, exp 11, 11/13/89. TF

Figure 22. Sheet piling weir at Homestead near completion. ML-89- 24, exp 23, 1/12/90. TF 44

2. Other Economic Uses

Yellowstone Honey, Inc., Sidney, Montana, placed 248 bee hives on the refuge at $0.25 per hive.

The two oil wells located on the refuge continued to produce substantial quantities of oil although at a somewhat lower level than last year. Oil production and income to the Refuge Revenue Sharing Fund are displayed in Table 21. These wells were drilled in 1986 due to drainage of federal minerals by nearby wells located on private leases. Westar Drilling Venture, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hunt Energy Corporation of Dallas, Texas, paid a premium price of $323,769 for the 1985 lease. Since the 1986 break in oil prices. Hunt Energy has fallen on hard times. The two refuge wells are now in the ownership of Pyramid Energy, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas.

Table 21. Production by well and royalty income to refuge revenue sharing fund. Medicine Lake NWR, 1989.

Year Production Refuge Well # 13-1 Well # 14-1 Royalty Oil* Gas* * Oil* Gas** Income

1989 18,612 7,137 10,853 5,866 $56,396.36

* measured in barrels of oil. ** measured in thousand cubic feet of gas.

In early October we noticed both crude and brine leaks at the Sun Exploration oil production facilities site a mile north of the refuge along Lake Grade Road (Fig. 23). No attempts were made by the company to clean up these fluid leaks so McCollum contacted the Montana Oil and Gas Commission. We don't know if we would have had any response from the complaint because the site exploded and burned 25 October.

Figure 23.

Sun Exploration production facilities prior to explosion and fire.

ML-89-20 Exp 12 10/18/89 TF Figure 24. Same site as Figure 23 after explosion. ML-89-22, exp 6, 10/26/89. TF

4. Credits

The following sections were authored by McCollum: Df Ff and 1, 1-6, Fuller: A, E 6-9, F with data summary by Smith and Krumwiede, H, I- 7, and J, Quarne: B, E 2, 4, 5. Photographers were McCollum-JM, Fuller-TF, Thorpe-PT, and Sraith-WS. 46

LAMESTEER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Wibaux, Montana

This 800 acre easement refuge is located 20 miles southeast of Wibaux, 160 miles south of Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Service has no control of the upland. Only water management rights were covered by the easement. Pumping for irrigation from the reservoir is allowed when surplus water is available. No pumping was requested this year. Since enforcement of a hunting closure was impractical, the refuge was opened to hunting in 1981. The landowner controls access.

The refuge was visited once in 1989 on 8 September. Water conditions for that time of the year appeared to be excellent. It appeared that the lake had been near the spillway level sometime early in the year but probably had not ran over. There was excellent growth of submergents and emergents. There was a large number of birds present. The following birds were counted:

Ducks 450 Canada geese 2 White pelicans 12 Pied billed grebe 4 Northern harrier 1 Lesser yellowlegs 10 Greater yellowlegs 1 Longbilled dowitcher 1 Sandpipers 5

When the lake was checked, the ducks got up in one large flock, circled and set down in the eastern part of the lake where it was not possible to get a species breakdown. There had been heavy use by ducks and geese of the exposed shoreline. There were numerous goose droppings along the crest of the dam. There was also many raccoon scats located around the spillway.

Since the lake was dry or almost dry in 1988, there is likely few fish in the lake. The pelicans were probably feeding on salamanders. One tiger salamander was found in the spillway stilling basin and there was ample evidence of raccoons feeding on them in the area. There was also evidence of muskrat work in the stream area below the dam.

A check was made of the condition of the dam and spillway. It is apparent that some fill work is needed on the crest of the dam on both sides of the spillway. There was also substantial water leakage showing up on the concrete apron on the downstream side of the spillway. An estimated 20 to 30 gallons per minute was flowing off the spillway floor. All of this is coming up through cracks in the floor. The stream below the dam was full of water. A Maintenance Management System project was submitted this year for rehabilitation of these deficiencies.

There appeared to have been no recent public use of the lake. The grassland along the south side of the lake had been hayed earlier in the year. The grain fields around the lake had all been recently harvested. Based on the amount of straw present, the harvest was probably a good one. INTRODUCTION

NORTHEAST MONTANA WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

The Northeast Montana Wetland Management District (NEMTWMD) is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Montana. It is bounded on the north by Canada, on the east by North Dakota, on the west by the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and on the south by the Missouri River. The district is located in Sheridan, Roosevelt, and Daniels counties.

This tri-county management district was entirely glaciated and could be considered a continuation of the prairie pothole region of the Dakota's. The northern portions of Sheridan and Daniels counties have terrain common to the glacial Missouri coteau, a very hilly landscape dotted with many shallow depressions.

Native vegetation is the mixed-grass prairie type. The district lies in the transition zone between the tall-grass prairies to the east and the short-grass prairie of central Montana. Cool season grasses predominate with scattered shrub communities. Trees exist only in planted shelterbelts and a few wooded coulees.

The climate is typical of the northern Great Plains, with warm summers, cold winters, and marked variation in seasonal precipitation. Precipitation averages 12 to 15 inches per year. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the summer and drop to -45 degrees in the winter. Spring is generally quite windy with velocities exceeding 20 miles per hour about 15 percent of the time. Winds may occasionally exceed 50 miles per hour with passing weather systems.

The Wetland Management District includes 43 separate waterfowl production areas (WPA's) totaling 10,120 acres. These WPA's vary in size from four acres to 1,657 acres. An additional 7,674 acres of privately-owned wetland acres are protected from drainage, burning, and filling by perpetual wetland easements. Acquisition started in 1969, and though it has slowed in the early 1980's, easement and fee title tracts are still being acquired.

This wetland district lies atop the Williston Basin, one of the most active oil basins in the lower 48 states in the early 1980's. Oil exploration and development is widespread throughout the area. The majority of WPA tracts were acquired without the underground mineral rights. This resulted in reservations for development of the sub-surface right by the owners or their assigned third party. For this reason, seismic exploration and oil well development is common on these tracts. INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title 1 2. Easements 2 3. Other Nothing to report

D. PLANNING

1. Master Plan to report 2. Management Plan to report 3. Public Participation ...... Nothing to report 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates ...... Nothing to report 5. Research and Investigations.., to report 6. Other to report

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel 3 2. Youth Programs Nothing to report 3. Other Manpower Programs Nothing to report 4 , Volunteer Programs 3 5. Funding 3 6. Safety Nothing to report 7. Technical Assistance 4 8. Other Items Nothing to report 9. Training Nothing to report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General 5 2. Wetlands 5 3. Forests Nothing to report 4 , Croplands 6 5. Grasslands Nothing to report 6. Other Habitats Nothing to report 7. Grazing Nothing to report 8. Haying Nothing to report 9. Fire Management Nothing to report 10. Pest Control 7 11. Water Rights Nothing to report 12. Wilderness Areas Nothing to report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring 8 ii

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity 9 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 9 3. Waterfowl 10 4. Marsh and Waterbirds 12 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 12 6. Raptors 13 7. Other Migratory Birds 14 8. Game Mammals Nothing to report 9. Marine Mammals Nothing to report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 14 11. Fisheries Resources Nothing to report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking Nothing to report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to report 14. Scientific Collections Nothing to report 15. Animal Control 14 16. Marking and Banding Nothing to report 17. Disease Prevention and Control Nothing to report

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General 15 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students.... Nothing to report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers Nothing to report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails Nothing to report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes Nothing to report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations Nothing to report 7. Other Interpretive Programs Nothing to report 8. Hunting Nothing to report 9. Fishing Nothing to report 10. Trapping Nothing to report 11. Wildlife Observation Nothing to report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation Nothing to report 13. Camping Nothing to report 14. Picnicking Nothing to report 15. Off-Road Vehicling Nothing to report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation... Nothing to report 17. Law Enforcement 15 18. Cooperating Associations Nothing to report 19. Concessions Nothing to report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction 16 2. Rehabilitation 16 3. Major Maintenance Nothing to report 4. Equipment Utilization & Replacement Nothing to report 5. Communications Systems Nothing to report 6. Computer Systems Nothing to report 7. Energy Conservation Nothing to report 8. Other Nothing to report Ill

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs 17 2. Other Economic Uses 17 3. Items of Interest Nothing to report 4. Credits 17 1

A. HIGHLIGHTS

For those of you with total recall, the highlights remain the same as in the 1988 narrative report.

Another good year for piping plovers (G-2).

Another terrible year for waterfowl (G-3).

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Refer to the Medicine Lake NWR report. The weather station in Westby, Montana, which would provide data for many of the WPA's, was inactive during 1989. Generally, the WMD did not receive as much snow as the refuge. There was enough moisture this spring to keep farmers out of their 1988 stubble until the latter part of May. By July things were returning to normal drought.

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

Realtor Rich Johnson and his assistant John Martin continued acquiring land. We are in the final stages of acquiring 504 acres of excellent habitat in the northeast corner of Sheridan County. Adolph Anderson was willing to sell 960 acres. A neighbor was interested in the better cropland acres. Rich and Fuller meet with him and fortunately we reached an agreement where the FWS will acquire the better waterfowl habitat and the neighbor will buy the remaining acres.

Rich added another 119 acres to the south side of International Marsh WPA (Bartole, 21). Although this tract is part of the proposed DU development for International Marsh, the new acquisition moves our boundary out of the wetland and on some solid ground.

The proposed trade with Melvin Hellegaard was put on hold. We proposed to trade 80 acres on the north end of Wigeon Slough WPA for a combination of 80 acres of Hellegaard's land on both the east and west sides of the WPA. The exchange would have removed the WPA boundary of our wetlands. An archeological survey located some tepee rings on the land we would have traded to Hellegaard. He was not interested in signing an agreement, ie grassland easement, protecting these rings from any form of tillage. Table 1. Fee acres by county. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 12/31/89.

County No. Tracts No. WPA's Total Acres

Daniels 6 3 1080 Roosevelt 2 1 179 Sheridan 69 38(1) 8,980 Totals 77 42 10,239

(1) Does not include Anderson tract.

2. Easements

No new easements were taken.

Table 2. Easement acres by county. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 12/31/89.

County No. Easements Wetland Acres

Daniels 6 262 Roosevelt 10 1007 Sheridan 107 6405 Totals 123 7674 3

E. ADMINISTRATION

Operational funding and personnel are incorporated with the Medicine Lake NWR report. No separate program is work-planned for the WMD.

Refuge Staff in 1989

1. Jim McCollum, Refuge Manager (EOD 2/12/89) GS-12 PFT 2. Thad Fuller, Asst. Refuge Manager GS-11 PFT 3. Stephen J. Martin,, Wildlife Biologist GS-9 PFT (Transferred 1/10/89) 4. Joan E. Quarne, Refuge Assistant GS-5 PFT 5. Kermit E. Bolstad, Automotive Mechanic WG-10 PFT 6. John E. Snellman, Maintenance Worker WG-8 PFT 7. Dennis C. Nelson, Motor Vehicle Operator WG-6 PS 5-2-89 to 12-31-89 8. Winter L. Smith, Biological Aid GS-5 Temp. 3-26-89 to 8-11-89 9. Layne R. Krurawiede, Biological Aid GS-4 Temp. 4-17-89 to 11-4-89 10. Lyle L. Hancock, Range Technician GS-4 Temp. 4-17-89 to 11-4-89 11. Philip P. Thorpe, Biological Aid GS-4 Temp. 8-13-89 to 11-4-89

4. Volunteer Program

Ann McCollum wrote eight monthly columns for the Plentywood Herald and gave presentations to 16 groups. Ann's work is discussed in section H.

Jenita Calton from Scobeyf MT, volunteered about 50 hours. She helped in pair and brood census on WPA's near Scobey and gathered data on wetland conditions and wildlife use at International Marsh WPA. This baseline information will be compared with data after DU's proposed development.

The Student Conservation Association has been a source of volunteer labor at Medicine Lake NWR for seven years. We were fortunate to have three dedicated people at the refuge this summer.

Phil Thorpe (New Jersey) and Anjanette Wallace (Virginia) reported for work on 22 May. Phil worked his entire appointment which lasted until 11 August. Anji finished on 4 August and returned home to prepare for her second year in college. Dani-Ella Betz (Pennsylvania) arrived for work on 8 June and completed her appointment 31 August.

Housing was provided for the SCA's at the refuge. Dani and Anji shared one travel trailer; Phil occupied the other. 4

5. Funding

Medicine Lake NWR and the Northeast Montana Wetland Management District have combined funding. Funding in FY-89 was fully adequate for accomplishing refuge programs this year.

Table 4. FY-89 Funding, Medicine Lake NWR & Northeast Montana WMD, 1985-89.

FY 1261 1261YC 1262 6860 1241 2821 8610 (1520)

1989 233,000 3,000 95,000 7,000 20,159* 9,000 1988 527,000 3,000 (1) 7,000 20,159* 9,000 1987 392,000 3,000 (1) 7,000 23,215* 5,800 1986 408,000 (1) (1) 8,000 7,500 30,950* 5,500 1985 335,000 (1) (1) 8,000 7,000 38,200* 9,100

(l)Total included in 1261. *Funds carried over from previous year.

The 2821 funds which have been carried over in recent years in an Engineering account were expended this year for islands and dike work.

7. Technical Assistance

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan has identified priority habitat areas called "Joint Ventures". One of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) areas is approximately 220 square miles in northeastern Montana. The Coraertown Project is a cooperative effort with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and The Nature Conservancy. Management objectives on public lands within the project area will be directed toward development of planted nesting cover, management of grazing to ensure sufficient spring nesting cover, and management of predators to reduce nesting losses. Management on private lands will follow the same objectives as on public land with the addition of fee title acquisition, lease, or easement of key areas within the project boundaries where feasible.

Montana FWP is the hiring agency for the Coraertown Project. John Ensign was hired this spring. Unfortunately before he could really get going he was offered, and accepted, a biological position with Montana FWP. Mark Sullivan replaced John in October. When there was a coordinator on the Coraertown Project, we assisted him with identifying areas of concern, landowners who might be receptive to objectives of the project, and provided administrative support.

Fuller, PPJV coordinator John Ensign, and SCS CD Frank Gariglio, evaluated expiring Waterbank contracts for possible renewal with the USDA. Frank wanted our opinion concerning these areas as waterfowl habitat. 5

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1• General

Table 3 sumraarizes habitats managed. These acres include some BLM and Montana state school lands.

Table 3. Habitat types. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 12/31/89.

COUNTIES

Habitat Type Daniels Roosevelt Sheridan Total

Acres Wetlands (1)

Type 2-3 3 6 344 353 Type 4 275 477 752 Type 5 1040 1040 Type 6 160 893 1053 Streams 6 6

Subtotal 3204

Upland

Native prairie 436 123 2315 2874 Est. prairie 30 30 Prairie brush 12 6 287 305 DNC 325 47 2487 2859 Tame 26 1608 1634

Subtotal 7702

Shelterbelt 9 9 Roads 31 31 Trails 2 11 13 Oil well sites 2 2 Building site 2 2

Totals 1079 342 9542 10963

(1) Wetland types based on Stewart & Kantrud, 1971.

2. Wetlands

Wetlands with water were uncommon in the WMD. We have comparable data for the three years we have participated in the four-square- mile census (Table 4), but these data only reveal early May water conditions. By August our wetland conditions were almost as bad as 1988. 6

Table 4. Percent of area wet by ownership in the four square mile census. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 1987-89.

Ownership Percent of Area Wet 1987 1988 1989 Easement (1) 12 1 10 Federal (2) 68 59 65 Private 3 1 3

(1) Areas protected by wetland easement. (2) Either WPA or refuge.

Through the years siltation has shortened the length and decreased water depth between natural islands and the mainland. This fall we used a D-6 Cat and a front-end loader to remove this siltation on Pintail Marsh WPA. Hopefully nests on this island will be more secure from mammalian predators. We tried the same technique on Wigeon Slough but moisture conditions changed our plans.

4. Croplands

The following WPA's were seeded to DNC with a pure live seed (PLS) mixture of tall wheatgrass - 4.5#, intermediate wheatgrass - 4.0#, alfalfa - 1.5#, and sweetclover - 0.5#. Bulk mixture was 10 pounds of wheatgrass, two pounds of alfalfa, and one pound of sweetclover. This seed was purchased in 1987. All fields, except International Marsh WPA, were treated with glyphosate prior to seeding.

Goose Lake WPA

Figure 1. Bolstad seeding with Lilliston drills at Goose Lake WPA. ML-89-12, exp 7, 5/22/89. TF 7

During the fourth week of May, 128 acres were seeded into a barley stubble using the Lilliston drills (Fig. 1). Germination was good and growth continued until the heat during July. Then kochia and Russian thistle took off and dominated the seeding. During the first week of August a row crop flail mower was used on about 25 acres in the SW1/4 of section 13 (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Flail mowing area. Goose Lake WPA. ML-89-16, exp 8, 8/7/89. TF"

Erickson WPA

During the third week of May, 110 acres were seeded into a barley stubble using the Lilliston drills. Germination was fair and growth appeared to stop in July due to the heat. About 23 acres were mowed with a flail mower the first week of August.

Big Slough WPA

During the third week of May, 116 acres were seeded with the Lilliston drills. These fields were seeded to DNC in 1987, but were unsuccessful. The only treatment prior to seeding was spraying with glyphosate. Germination was poor to fair. Weeds were short enough that we didn't even use the flail mower.

International Marsh WPA

From September 25-27, 210 acres were seeded to DNC into a barley stubble by the cooperator using small grain disc drills. The 8 seedbed was not treated either chemically or mechanically prior to seeding.

The following WPA's had some summer fallowed acreage: Hanson (20 acres). State Line (63 acres). Ward (30 acres), and Wigeon Slough (30 acres). These fields were hayed during 1988.

10. Pest Control

Big Slough, Erickson, and Goose Lake WPA's fields were sprayed with glyphosate at 14 oz. Al/acre with 10 gallons of water/acre prior to seeding DNC. These are the same fields mentioned in the cropland section of this narrative.

We did not spray Canada thistle on Flaxville WPA.

13. WPA Easement Monitoring

We did not find any violations of easement contracts during our spring compliance flight. All ditches noted on private land did not violate the Swampbuster provisions of the 1985 Farm Bill.

McCollum and Fuller meet with the landowner and representatives of Apache Oil Corporation during May concerning an oil well drilling location on Sheridan County easement 32x,-l (T36N, R58E, NE1/4SE1/4 section 30). The proposed site was in a type 1 wetland and if drilled would have filled this wetland. All parties agreed to move the location south to avoid this wetland. To date there has been no drilling activity. 9

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Habitat diversity is an integral part of wildlife diversity within the WMD• The mixture of wetlands, uplands, and agricultural fields provide habitats for various resident and migrant birds as well as numerous mammalian species.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Two adult bald eagles were sighted on Long Lake WPA this fall.

Piping plovers, a threatened species in Montana, were first discovered nesting on the WMD in 1986. This year all potential nesting sites in Sheridan County and portions of Daniels and Roosevelt Counties were searched. However, birds were only located in Sheridan County (Table 5, page 10). Only the WPA's having nests last year contained nests this year. The increase in nests located on private and state lands reflects the increased search effort. Per cent of nests hatching on private land was lower in 1989 compared to 1988 (47% vs. 72%, 18 nests located in 1988). Fledgings per pair was 0.91 compared to 1.2 in 1988.

3. Waterfowl

Breeding pairs are estimated using the four square mile technique. This technique was designed by Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC), Jamestown, ND. Four square mile blocks are selected at random within the WMD. Approximately 200 wetlands are randomly selected within these blocks. Wetlands occur on WPA's, Medicine Lake NWR, private land protected by a wetland easement, and private land without protection of a wetland easement. Production estimates are made by NPWRC based on nest search data and other information. Production estimates are only made for mallard, gadwall, blue-winged teal, shoveler, and pintail, however. The last information we had was these production estimates were made with early 1980's data and may not reflect the effects of the continued drought.

We census 14 plots, one count in the first part of May, another count in the latter part of May. This is our third year using this technique. Gene Mack, coordinator for the census, found a problem in the computations of 1987 and 1988 data which made it necessary to re-run past years data so the three years could be fairly compared. The new analysis is presented in Table 6. Data in the 1987 and 1988 narrative reports should not be used. I believe the pair data for 1989 may be inflated. We had just enough snow during the 1988-89 winter to put water in wetlands for a very short time. These wetlands were attractive to breeding pairs, but the birds may have departed the area prior to successful nesting. Pair estimates and number of recruits (number of ducklings produced) include the area of Medicine Lake Refuge. Unfortunately the data are lumped for the WMD and the refuge under the ownership class of federal land. 10

Table 5. Piping plover survey results. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 1989.

# # # # Nests # Fledged Location Pairs Adults Nests Hatched Fledged /Pair

WPA' S . Parry 1 3 1 1 3 Big Slough 1 4 2 1 1 Dog Leg 1 4 1 0 0 Wigeon Slough 0 1 Ferguson 0 3 Goose Lake 0 1

Total 3 16 4 2 4

MT State Lakes

N. Stateline 1 2 1 1 1 Goose Lake 0 6

Total 1 8 1 1 1

Private Lakes

Galloway's Lake 5 10 5 1 2 Upper Goose Lake 6 13 6 4 7 W. of Goose Lake 3 9 3 2 3 Round Lake(N.D.) 0 2 Salt Lake 2 4 2 1 3 N. of Espen WPA 4 8 4 2 4 N. of Flat Lake 1 5 1 1 2 Flat Lake 7 14 7 2 2 Parry's Lake 2 4 2 1 3 North Lake 0 2

Total 30 71 30 14 26

Grand Total 34 95 35 17 31 11

Table 6. Number of pairs and recruits by ownership in the four square mile breeding pair census. Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 1987-89.

Breeding Pairs Pairs/Area Recruits/Area(sq-mi) (All Species) (sq-mi) (Only 5 Species)

1987

Easement 7801 78 59 Federal 5898 122 104 Private 109339 20 15

1988

Easement 789 8 4 Federal 3793 78 36 Private 30948 6 3

1989

Easement 11218 111 105 Federal 7061 146 112 Private 144787 27 22

Because of the perceived low pair density and very low nest density the last two years in the WMD, cable-chain nest searches were not conducted. Instead we turned our efforts to checking islands and nesting structures. Nest densities were much lower than expected (Table 7). None of the tub type structures were used, but that is because nesting material was not present in any of these structures. 12

Table 7. Cover type, island type, acres searched, and nests found, on indicated WPA's, Northeast Montana Wetland Management District, 1989.

Cover Island # # WPA Type Type Acres Duck Nests Goose Nests

Rivers DNC MM 1 4 1 DNC MM 1 4 1 DNC MM 1 3 0

Jerde NGL Nat 4 3 0

Ferguson NGL Nat 4 2 7

Goose Lake INS MM 1 1 1 INS MM 1 2 1

Big Slough INS MM 1 1 1

Wigeon Slough NGL Nat 1 0 1

MM = man made; NGL = native grassland; Nat = Natural; INS = island not seeded, mostly annual weeds.

Species composition of island nesting ducks was mallard - 6, pintail - 5, bwt - 3, shoveler - 3, lesser scaup - 2, and gadwall - 1. Mayfield hatching success for duck nests was 27 per cent, apparent success was 55 per cent. Apparent success for Canada geese was 69 per cent.

4. Marsh and Waterbirds

Common nesters on the district include eared, horned and western grebe, American bittern, black-crowned night heron, sora and Virginia rail. Great blue herons and double-crested cormorants are observed throughout Sheridan County, but we haven't located any colonies.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species

Known nesters include American avocet, marbled godwit, upland plover, western willet, common snipe, killdeer, and black tern. Additional species present during migration include long-billed dowitcher, greater and lesser yellowlegs, Wilson's phalarope, and various sandpipers.

6. Raptors

Swainson's hawk, ferruginous hawk, northern harrier, and short- eared, great horned, and burrowing owls are known to nest in the area. Golden eagles and prairie falcons are frequently sighted. We suspected both species nested in the WMD but had no proof until this year. We documented a golden eagle nest along the breaks of Big Muddy Creek west of Plentywood ( Figs. 3 & 4). A possible 13 prairie falcon nest was located northwest of Redstone, but will have be checked next year for verification. During migration merlin, American kestrel, gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawks, accipiter species, and snowy owls may be seen.

Figure 3. Golden eagle nest, west of Plentywood. ML-89-12, exp 14, 6/5/89. TF

Figure 4. Golden eagle nest, west of Plentywood. ML-89-12, exp 15, 6/5/89. TF 14

7• Other Migratory Birds

Mourning doves nest on several WPA's, but seem limited to those areas that contain trees for nesting. The extent of ground nesting is not known.

We conduct two coo-counts for Migratory Bird, one 104 miles west (Richland-Lustre) and the other (midway area-near Sidney) about 50 miles south of the refuge. Near Sidney, 38 birds were heard and 14 were heard on the Richland-Lustre survey.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasants, and gray partridge are present throughout the district but census data are not collected. We are aware of grouse leks on Erickson, Big Slough, Gjesdal West, Wigeon Slough, State Line, and north of Long Lake WPA. We suspect Mallard Pond has a lek. We have our farm cooperators on the refuge put up the government's share in large, round bales. We placed bales on Erickson, Goose Lake, Big Slough, and Basecamp WPA's.

15. Animal Control

We received a depredation complaint concerning Canada geese along the south boundary of Ferguson WPA. Both the adults and goslings

Figure 5. Goose depredation at Ferguson WPA. ML-89-12, exp 8, 6/14/89. TF were walking from the wetland into the neighbor's spring wheat field (Fig. 5). We used plastic bags attached to lathe and a 15 propane exploder in attempt to keep the birds out of the crop. We moved the exploder every 2-3 days. It worked for about a week and then the geese decided we posed no harm and resumed chowing down.

H. PUBLIC USE

1• General

Public use in the WMD is considered light and is limited almost exclusively to hunting. Total visits to the district are unknown.

17. Law Enforcement

We patrolled the openings of waterfowl, pheasant and deer seasons. It was a highlight to find hunters, let alone violators. I found only one party field-hunting with decoys next to Jerde WPA on the opening of duck season. A few "road runners" were out during pheasant and deer seasons. No cases were made. 16

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1• New Construction

We built a newf 3~strand barbed wire fence (0.7 mile) on Gadwall Haven. We followed the high water line on the west side.

Last year we placed plastic snow fence next to temporary wetlands on four WPA's with the hopes of trapping some precious moisture. We had the most success on Basecamp WPA (Fig. 6). We repaired the snow fence on this WPA this fall and removed the fence from the other WPA's.

Figure 6. Snow fence at Basecamp WPA. ML-89-6, exp 10f 3/24/89. TF

2. Rehabilitation

Water gap fence problems were repaired on Shoveler Puddle, Gjesdal West, Valpone, Chandler, Wigeon Slough, the south boundary of Salter, and Jerde WPA's.

About one mile of fence in the wetland at International Marsh WPA was removed. With the acquisition of the Bartole tract, this fence was not on the boundary.

We removed the remains of old farm sites, junk piles, fences, etc., on Gjesdal West, Westgaard, Jerde, Hanson, Big Slough, Goose Lake, and Long Lake WPA's.

The blow-sand along the west boundary of Chandler WPA was pushed off the fence with the D-6 cat. 17

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

EWE took invertebrate and sediment samples from Goose Lake and Jerde WPA's to test for possible contamination. Conductivity readings were also taken from each WPA. Final results of these samples are not available, but conductivity levels from Goose Lake were abnormally high. Possible sources maybe a brine injection well about a mile east of the WPA or an oil well drilling location within a quarter mile that was active during the 1988-89 winter.

We entered into a Wetland Extension Agreement with Bernard Wolff in Roosevelt County. We repaired an existing coulee dam and installed a corrugated metal pipe.

2. Other Economic Uses

Bee hives were placed on Salter, Goose Lake, Erickson, Basecamp, and Big Slough WPA's by Yellowstone Honey.

4. Credits

Fuller is responsible for the report. Winter Smith and Layne Krumwiede supplied information for section G. Quarne arranged the report. Photographers were Fuller - TF, Smith - WS.