Mountain-Prairie Region
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region Message from the Regional Director I am honored to share with you the Region 6 Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) program’s 5-year Strategic Plan covering FY 2012-2016. The document represents the 2nd generation of the Regional Step-Down plan in a structured 3-part process. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the PFW program which was conceived from humble beginnings through efforts in the prairie pothole ecosystem and the forerunner Mid-continent Waterfowl Management Plan. Let me highlight some of the incredible work that has defined the program throughout the years. PFW has been a tremendous asset in the Mountain-Prairie Region and paved-the-way for both community and landscape-scale conservation. Private land is critically important to the successful management of Federal Trust Species and fulfilling the mission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). Additionally, PFW efforts have been crucial to Department of the Interior (DOI) initiatives such as America’s Great Outdoors (AGO). With private land ownership comprising nearly 70% of all holdings in the United States these properties are pivotal to the success of large conservation undertakings. The one-on-one relationships with landowners, which define the Region 6 PFW program, are the base for moving forward. New National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Units have been established including the over 2 million acre Dakota Grassland Conservation Area, spanning major parts of North and South Dakota, along with the Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area in Kansas, targeting more than 1.1 million acres of native Tallgrass prairie for protection. In addition, we have essentially doubled the size of the Rocky Mountain Front and Blackfoot Valley Conservation Area, and established the Swan Valley Conservation Area. PFW was part of the solid foundation, through decades of trust-building voluntary conservation, which allowed these major projects to become a reality. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our incredible partners. The very concept of the PFW program is to communicate and network with the understanding that collaboration is a value-added component of on-the-ground delivery. Partnerships are extremely varied and so are contributions but whatever form the relationship takes the basic ideals of the program are steadfast and the end-product is stronger when we perform our duties hand-in-hand. Congratulations to the PFW program for 25 years of success and I look forward to the implementation of this incredible plan! RD Guertin U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Mountain-Prairie Region Strategic Plan 2012-2016 Voluntary Private Lands Habitat Restoration Cornerstones: Trust Respect Honesty Flexibility Open Communication Contents Overview of the Mountain-Prairie Region ........................................................... 1 Introduction .........................................................................................1 Focus Areas ..........................................................................................1 Strategic Habitat Conservation ........................................................1 Partnerships .........................................................................................3 Conserving Habitat .............................................................................3 Geographic Focus Areas ....................................................................4 Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program ........................................10 Colorado .................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction .......................................................................................11 Geographic Focus Areas ..................................................................12 Biological Outcomes: Colorado - Southeastern Colorado Focus Areas ..................................................22 Biological Outcomes: Colorado - South Platte Ecosystems Focus Area ..............................................27 Colorado Statewide Goals ................................................................28 Kansas ...................................................................................................................... 31 Introduction .......................................................................................31 Geographic Focus Areas ..................................................................32 Kansas Statewide Goals ...................................................................42 Montana .................................................................................................................... 43 Introduction .......................................................................................43 Geographic Focus Areas ..................................................................44 Montana Statewide Goals .................................................................68 Nebraska ................................................................................................................... 71 Introduction .......................................................................................71 Geographic Focus Areas ..................................................................72 Nebraska Statewide Goals ...............................................................90 North Dakota ............................................................................................................ 93 Introduction .......................................................................................93 Geographic Focus Areas ..................................................................94 North Dakota Statewide Goals and Biological Outcomes ...................................................100 South Dakota .......................................................................................................... 105 Introduction .....................................................................................105 Geographic Focus Areas ................................................................106 South Dakota Statewide Goals and Biological Outcomes ...................................................115 Utah .................................................................................................................... 127 Introduction .....................................................................................127 Geographic Focus Areas ................................................................128 Utah Statewide Goals .....................................................................134 Wyoming ................................................................................................................. 139 Introduction .....................................................................................139 Geographic Focus Areas ................................................................140 Wyoming Statewide Goals .............................................................160 Regional Summary ................................................................................................ 163 Regional Objectives ........................................................................163 Regional Conservation Habitat Five-Year Targets ...................163 Key Strategic Activities .................................................................163 Broaden and Strengthen Partnerships ........................................164 Improve Information Sharing and Communication ...................165 Enhance our Workforce ..................................................................166 Increase Accountability ..................................................................167 Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act ...............................................167 Appendix A: Stakeholders ................................................................................... 169 Appendix B: References ...................................................................................... 171 Appendix C: Glossary of Terms ........................................................................... 175 v U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Mountain-Prairie Region Strategic Plan The PFW program truly exemplifies the very definition of partnership. Their ability to work with prairie landowners, other conservation organizations, local, state, and other federal agencies is exemplary. All of Wyoming’s wildlife, especially species of concern are in a better position today because of their dedication, ability to work cooperatively, technical expertise, and funding they bring to the table. Larry Hicks District Resource Coordinator, Little Snake River Conservation District Overview of the North Montana Dakota Mountain-Prairie South Dakota Wyoming Region Nebraska Utah Colorado Kansas Introduction are effective at providing and river mile accomplishment habitat for high-priority fish goals have been established for The Partners for Fish and Wildlife and wildlife species, but also each of the focus areas to ensure (PFW) program is the U.S. Fish maintain sustainable agriculture funding provided by Congress to and Wildlife Service’s (Service) communities and rural lifestyles. the program is being allocated private lands habitat restoration In addition to working with many efficiently and effectively. program.