Centennial Valley Association April 2017

Centennial Projects’ Updates • Beaverhead County opened Centennial Valley roads the week of April 3rd, Per a discussion that evolved from CVA’s Annual Meeting last including Red Rock Pass, however the pass is marginal. August, we are designing a community fire preparedness plan for the • R.E. Miller & Sons of Dillon will place a bridge on Culver Road to span Elk Centennial Valley and we are looking for community input! CVA and The Springs Creek, where a culvert was removed in 2011. This will be the detour Nature Conservancy will be hosting a community meeting to discuss wildfire route for traffic when the Federal Highways project begins on Elk Lake Road. preparedness on Saturday, May 6th, coinciding with National Wildfire • A.M. Wells of Norris, MT will start Elk Lake Road reconstruction on July 15th. Community Preparedness Day. We will explore lessons learned from the Scheduled work for 2017 will replace the bridge across Red Rock Creek and the Winslow and Antelope Peak fires, update maps of community and natural two culverts at Elk Springs Creek with a bridge. The road will be rebuilt in 2018. resources, and consider potential funding opportunities to implement Wells will be taking gravel from DNRC’s Alaska Basin gravel pit for Elk Lake prevention and emergency response plans. Please join us at 6pm at TNC's Road. Sandhills Preserve Headquarters, 22685 North Valley Road. Food and • Montana U.S Fish and Wildlife Service private lands biologists will hold their drinks will be provided. If you have questions, suggestions, or insight, please contact Julie McLaughlin ([email protected]) or Kara annual meeting at Red Rock Lakes NWR in early May. They will tour several Maplethorpe ([email protected]/ stream restoration projects completed and planned for the valley.

-Bill West, Red Rock Lakes Refuge Manager 406-276-3536 x103 715-681-0795). This spring, the Big Hole Watershed Committee is partnering with the Centennial Valley Association to provide livestock carcass removal to Sage Creek ranchers. Carcass removal is provided free-of-charge, and carcasses are hauled to the Beaverhead County Landfill. Removing carcasses from ranches during calving season, which is a high mortality period for the ranching industry, removes predator attractants, controls predator populations, and makes predators work for their lunch rather than feeding on livestock. Carcass removal may also prevent livestock-predator conflict. The carcass removal dump truck is on loan from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. For more information or to arrange for carcass removal, contact BHWC Wildlife Programs Technician, Kim Bingen, at 406-660-2158 or [email protected]. Tana Nulph Tana Nulph BHWC also opened the Upper Big Hole Livestock Carcass Compost Facility this spring near Wisdom and is providing carcass removal to Upper Big Hole ranches. Carcass composting breaks livestock carcasses down into minimal amounts of compost. Similar sites have had tremendous success in other areas of Montana. BHWC and CVA’s carcass management programs have been a collaborative effort with many contributors, including Red Rock Lakes NWR, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Wildlife Conservation Society-Community Partnerships Program, USFWS-Montana Partners for Fish and Wildlife, People and Carnivores, Cinnabar Foundation, Montana Livestock Loss Board, and many local ranchers who have contributed wood chips, use of heavy equipment, knowledge, donations, and support. -Tana Nulph, BHWC Conservation Programs Coordinator Montana is home to a wide variety of charismatic wildlife species and Announcements wildlands that draw people to the area. Our proximity to Yellowstone increases the visibility of grizzly and wolf recovery programs, and these species often dominate • Thanks to those who have paid their 2017 Membership dues! It is conversations about wildlife and overshadow other species that maintain a lower greatly appreciated. Dues help sustain the Centennial Valley profile. Far too often, conversations about wildlife can be divisive and disconnect us Association for years to come. If you have not sent in your dues yet, not from wildlife, leaving less time to be inspired by where we live and who we share the to worry, there’s still time! landscape with. In 2013, the Wildlife Speaker Series was initiated to increase awareness • Celebrate Earth Day with the CVA and Terra Verde on Saturday, April nd and refocus the conversation about wildlife. These events share stories of 22 , at Depot Park in Dillon at 9am for a community clean-up; free conservation initiatives and interesting wildlife facts at historical working lands and food, live music, seed bombs, a raffle, and more! conservation-oriented venues. In four years, more than 2,400 people have attended • On Saturday, April 22nd, join the Madison and Ruby Valley these events and learned about 24 different Montana species. No matter your Conservation Districts for their Annual Banquet at the Round Barn in background, each of us is influenced by the wildlife and landscapes that make this Twin Bridges at 5pm. Catering by the Shovel & Spoon, cocktails by the region unique. The Wildlife Speaker Series provides an opportunity to sit back with Gravel Bar, and live music by Wylie & the Wild West. Tickets are $25. James Bolyard our friends and neighbors and enjoy learning about some of our less controversial wildlife. • Mark your calendars for June 8th at 5:30pm for the 2017 Conservation CVA will be joining the partnership with the Wildlife Film Celebration at the Torch Theatre in Virginia City! The feature films Conservation Society-Community Partnerships Program will be: Sage-Grouse Initiative: Developing Grazing Systems, Wild and will host a Wildlife Speakers Series in the Trout: A Montana Fish Story, On the Shoulders of Giants, Natural Centennial Valley at the Red Rock Lakes NWR and Taft- Water Storage in Montana, and The High Divide. Tickets will be $10/ Nicholson Center. On Wednesday, July 26th at 6pm, please join the CVA for a person and there will be gourmet popcorn, beer and wine. For more community potluck and come learn about Pelicans! For more information on the information or to be an event sponsor, contact Sunni at Wildlife Speaker Series, contact Lucinda Morris at 406-682-3437 or [email protected]. [email protected].

To preserve traditional ranching as a way of life in the Centennial Valley, and to maintain quality open space, wildlife habitat, water quality and wildlife migration corridors as they exist today for future generations. Beaverhead County Spray Days 2017

Location Date Time The CVA will sponsor the Wolverine, Red Rock Pass, and Lima Dam (August 9th) BIG SHEEP CREEK JUNE 14TH 8AM@Shearing Pens spray days for the second year in a row! We will provide lunch and snacks for those that LIMA DAM JUNE 20th 8AM@Schmit Property attend! We began this sponsoring endeavor in 2015 with a second Lima Dam Spray Day. LIMA JUNE 21st 8AM@Rest Area We have had great success, with more than 75 people, from landowners, state, federal and RUBY DAM JUNE 24TH 8AM@Ruby Dam local agencies, and other NGOs, assisting us! Please join us again this year! Spray Days WOLVERINE JUNE 27TH 9AM @Wolverine Gate offer free chemical from Beaverhead County and landowner participation is a key to SNOWLINE JUNE 29TH 8AM@Snowline Exit success! For a public weed map or more information BVHD COUNTY JULY 8TH 8AM@High School on our Invasive Species Management program, call RED ROCK PASS JULY 12TH 9AM@Pass Kara at 715-681-0795 or email at MONIDA JULY 13TH 8AM@Monida Pass [email protected]. If PRICE/PEAT JULY 20th 8AM@East Fork Turn you need assistance on your property or have LIMA DAM AUGUST 9TH 8AM@Lima Dam questions on how to manage your weeds, contact Amber Burch or Jack Eddie of Beaverhead County at CENTENNIAL WEED WEEK #1: June 19th-23rd 406-683-3790. CENTENNIAL WEED WEEK #2: July 10TH-14TH TH TH CENTENNIAL WEED WEEK #3: August 7 -11 Black Henbane Madison River Foundation Update Centennial Valley Arctic Grayling Adaptive Management Plan

Montana Arctic grayling were patchily distributed throughout the Bear Creek Days will be held May 16th-18th this year. Four hundred kids from local area Upper Missouri River drainage prior to the mid-1850s, with the population schools will take part in many outdoor activities over these three days. Students will declining to about 4% of their distribution by the 1990s. One of the last learn about raptors, the importance of fire in our ecosystem, all about local wildlife's populations of endemic adfluvial grayling resides in the Centennial Valley. tracks and scat and more. The Madison River Foundation will participate on May Grayling were historically distributed among at least a dozen Centennial 17th by hosting a fly casting workshop. streams and three lakes. However, spawning is currently limited to Red

Rock, Corral, Elk Springs, and Odell creeks, with Red Rock Creek likely On Saturday, June 24th, the Madison River Foundation will host its first ‘Catch the supporting 80-90% of annual spawning. It is presumed that most of the Hatch’ celebration and fundraiser at the Jumping Horse Barn in Jeffers, Montana. grayling population spends non-breeding portions of the year in Upper Red There will be live music by James VIII and the River Band, dancing, wine and beer Rock Lake. Over the past 70 years, numerous hypotheses were speculated tastings and, of course, many fine trips and trinkets on which to bid. One such item is a regarding drivers of the grayling population, including 1)reduction and two man Fly Craft boat! Tickets are selling quickly so call the office to reserve yours alteration of spawning habitat, 2)predation by, and competition with, non- today. 406-682-3148 native fishes, and 3)limited winter habitat. This plan seeks to clarify the 2017 Range Rider Season relative effect of hypothesized drivers of grayling abundance to direct future management of this population. The goal is to find an effective strategy to As spring flies by and summer nears, we are preparing for our achieve population goals and prevent future declines. The Centennial Valley 2017 Range Riding season! In January, we held a Community Arctic Grayling Adaptive Management Plan will embrace existing uncertainty Meeting to refocus the program and understand the regarding drivers of the grayling population, provide further understanding of perceptions, misconceptions, and benefits to the Range Rider important limiting factors, and help guide management actions toward those program in the Centennial Valley. Per the community, the that will have the most direct benefit to grayling. program goal will continue to reduce the number of unconfirmed The first management experiment conducted as part of the losses and minimize livestock loss due to predation, track adaptive management plan was reducing non-native Yellowstone cutthroat various wildlife, especially predators, across the landscape, develop and maintain trout. Trout were captured and euthanized at a fish weir and fishing consistent messaging and communication with the community, and improve regulations were liberalized to 20 cutthroat trout per day on Red Rock communication between participating ranches and the range rider staff. We are excited Creek. Both actions were first implemented in 2013; during 2013–2016 a to share some changes for the 2017 season: total of 6973 cutthroat trout were removed from Red Rock Creek. The 1. We have purchased a “new” truck. Our fun orange and white Dodge will be second management experiment will explore the relationship between traveling throughout the Valley, so feel free to stop the riders and say hello! spawning habitat and grayling recruitment. 2017 efforts will increase suitable 2. Marcie “MJ” Ward is joining our team for her third year as the lead range rider! habitat available for spawning by 1)ensuring fish passage at beaver dams via notching, 2)restorating an Elk Springs Creek channel that will provide 3. We have hired Sarah Hale as our Wildlife Program Coordinator! She will receive her PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Science with a minor in Range Management from direct connection to Upper Lake, and 3)restoration of spawning habitat at the University of Arizona. We are very excited to have Sarah on board and trust the head of Elk Springs Creek. that she will do an excellent job! For the 2017 season, cutthroat harvest limits will be 5 cutthroat 4. We anticipate hiring an assistant range rider and a wildlife tracker intern. trout/day with no length limit. Elk Springs Creek and Red Rock Creek will be closed to all fishing from May 1st through June 15th for Arctic grayling Hilary Anderson will be assessing the effectiveness of range riding across a broader spawning. landscape. We are very happy and excited for Hilary on this new endeavor! Erika has

Erika Nunlist accepted a graduate student project based out of Meeteese, WY, working in the Beartooth-Absaroka Mountains studying the ecology of alpine aggregations of army cutworm moths and feeding grizzly bears at these sites and the effect of increased human visitation. Big congrats to her! Bi-weekly reports and blog posts will begin in May. We appreciate any help from the community by reporting your wildlife observations and/or conflicts between wildlife and livestock to the Range Rider team! If you have any questions, please contact Kara at 715-681-0795. Matt Jaeger

PO Box 240077 www.centennialvalleyassociation.org Dell, MT 59724 www.facebook.com/centennialvalleyassociation [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @centennialvalleyassociation Project Updates (cont.) The Centennial Valley Association and The Nature Conservancy tackled stream restoration preparations in Dell and the James Bolyard Upper Ruby when their Big Sky Watershed Corps members, James Bolyard and Taylor Dove, collaborated on two volunteer weekends. Each weekend, James and Taylor recruited and trained volunteers to cut willows and their importance in restoration work. The dormant willows collected from these volunteer days will go towards restoration projects that will aid in bank stability and erosion control once planted. Thanks to wonderful weather and ambitious volunteers, the first weekend we collected 925 willow stakes with 12 people and the second volunteer weekend yielded 975 willow stakes with 16 people, putting CVA and TNC well over the initial goal! The willow stakes will be planted along Winslow and Long Creeks in the Centennial Valley and Robb Creek in the Upper Ruby. Below are the Red Rock Lakes moose and Gravelly Elk Management Unit surveys from this past winter. If you are interested in more detailed summaries, contact Dean Waltee, FWP Wildlife Biologist, at 406-842-7407. Spring mule deer and sage-grouse surveys are currently ongoing, with summaries available once complete. Dean is also interested in classifications of any moose that are observed between now and June 1st. Information he needs is a date, location, and classification as last year’s calf or adult. Red Rock Lakes winter moose survey On February 17th, Montana FWP pilot Trevor Throop and Dean completed the Red Rock Lakes (HD 334) moose trend survey. They observed 162 moose, compared to 119 last year, a 10-year average of 123, and a long-term average (LTA) of 71 (1949-2017). The number of moose observed is an all-time high for this trend area. Of the 162 observed moose, 120 were adults and 42 were calves. This equals of ratio of 35 calves:100 One of these things is not like the other… Dean Waltee adults, compared to 28:100 last year, a 10-year average of 27:100, and a LTA of 33:100. The observed growth was facilitated by an increase in both adults and calves. This is the 4th consecutive year that moose numbers observed in this area increased, which was preceded by two consecutive years of population reduction. The harvest opportunity for Hunting District 334 is 6 antlerless and 5 antlered bull licenses. Gravelly Elk Management Unit Trend Survey From January 22nd to March 3rd, Dean completed the Gravelly Elk Management Unit trend survey. This management unit includes elk that spend the snow-free months of the year in the south Gravelly and Centennial Mountains and migrate to winter ranges in the Madison Valley, west Snowcrest Mountains, and the lower Sage Creek watershed. Following the 2015 hunting season, which brought early snow accumulation and elk migration to winter range, the number of observed elk decreased from 10,650 (above management objective; 6,400-9,600 elk) to 8,673. During post 2016 hunting season surveys, 9,552 elk were observed, 10% higher than last year, 6% above the 10-year average (9,014), and 8% above the 20- year average (8,823). Growth was observed within the Snowcrest (2,030 in 2016 to 2,894 in 2017) and Sage Creek (624 in 2016 to 1,056 in 2017). The west Madison herd decreased from 2,498 in 2016 to 2,308 in 2017. The observed increase of elk may be the product of healthy calf production (54 calves:100 all cows and 67 calves:100 adult cows; an estimated 2,500 -3,000 calves produced) in spring 2016 and an anticipated below average elk harvest during fall 2016. The reduced harvest may be the product of warm temps, minimal snowfall, and ample fall green-up at all elevations and within and outside of forest canopies. These conditions did not facilitate elk concentration and movement towards traditional winter range and allowed elk to make higher than normal use of forests habitats through November. The contrast between the snow- free 2016 and snow-rich 2015 hunting seasons provide a great example of how much snowfall influences elk harvest across the Gravelly EMU, even under a general license antlerless harvest opportunity. Despite the observed increase, the Gravelly EMU herd remained within the management objective range.

Welcome Jason Glenn, the new forester at the DNRC Dillon Unit. He started in mid- Simply, a 310 permit allows any type Erika Nunlist November, filling the vacancy left by Mike Atwood’s departure. He came to Dillon from of work that impacts a perennial stream or river. the DNRC Stillwater Unit in NW Montana, where he started his career with the State However, this answer gives rise to many more and worked for nearly 9 years. Jason loves southwest Montana and is very happy to questions: What is a perennial stream? Who be here. He’s spent time in the Centennial Valley, mostly in the fall chasing elk, and is needs a permit? What qualifies as work? What looking forward to working in and further exploring the valley this summer. He will have qualifies as an impact? Who issues the permit? 2 active timber sales: How does one apply? Conservation districts define perennial Sale name: Pistol Peet Location: Bean Creek and Sand Creek streams as any stream which naturally flows Purchaser/logger: Iron Pine Logging from Deer Lodge, MT throughout the year, including all portions of • Look for road work and logging operations to start in the Sand Creek section as streams that may contain sections that run dry early as June 15th, weather depending. Operations will not be able to start in the at some point during the year. All projects on Bean Creek area until August 15th. This is a large sale operation, so expect rivers require permits. Who needs a permit? Everyone doing work on private steady log truck traffic. They are required to complete Sand Creek this season lands! What qualifies as work or an impact? Work includes bank and have a little time on the contract to finish Bean Creek next summer, but the stabilization, bridge and crossing construction, in stream diversions, dams, current plan is to complete the entire sale in one season. culverts, and more. Impact is anything that may alter or disallow the stream from naturally evolving or interrupt natural flows. Sale name: Odell Salvage III Location: Odell Creek Conservation districts issue 310 permits. To apply, one must Purchaser/logger: Centennial Wood Products, Pat McKenna from Lakeview, MT. complete the joint application. The application process is simple, but is subject to public notice laws, so applications must be submitted to the • This is a continuation of ongoing harvest activities in the State’s Odell Creek district by the second Thursday of the month to be considered. After an section. Operations could start as early as June 15th, weather depending. Expect application is received, the project is inspected by conservation district relatively light volume of truck traffic associated with this project. supervisors and the local FWP biologist. After inspection, the project will be

presented and voted upon at the monthly district meeting which is held on Jason will start reconnaissance and planning for a future timber sale in the Snowshoe the third Thursday of each month. If you have questions or would like more Pass, Tepee Creek area. If you have questions or would like more information, contact information, contact Jamie Cottom at the Beaverhead Conservation District, Jason at 406-683-6305. 683-3802 or [email protected].

Hello again! I have been keeping busy while waiting for the weather to warm up. I have been looking at the data from CVA’s weed program from previous years to create weed maps and familiarize myself with the work, researching water and drought issues to understand water use for our community drought outreach plan, and assisting with a variety of projects to help other groups within the Centennial Valley. Most of my time has been spent gaining knowledge and understanding of the background and issues in Montana. As part of this process, Big Sky Watershed Corps members and I attended the Service Symposium in March, hosted by the Governor’s Office of Community Service in Helena, for all AmeriCorps members in Montana. The event began with a food drive, during which we collected several thousand pounds of food for children in the Helena area. The event gave everyone a chance to meet other AmeriCorps members and see the range of programs that operate in the state. While Big Sky Watershed Corps and Montana Conservation Corps focus on conservation and restoration projects, we also met members of other programs who did everything from helping to educate school children on healthy food choices, showing people how to increase the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce heating costs, and working in the state parks to preserve historical sites. Now that spring is here and field season is approaching I am increasingly anxious to get out into the Centennial Valley. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone. -James Bolyard, CVA BSWC Member; [email protected]/208-768-7474

2017 Safety Reminder Bill West Summer is just around the corner, which means many of us will be making the trek into the Centennial Valley! The Valley is very remote and it’s always good to plan ahead before visiting. Here are some friendly reminders/tips for your Centennial adventures: • Bring a spare tire or two and all necessities to change/fix a flat. • Always enter with a full tank of gas. • Have extra food, water, blankets, etc. in case of overnight breakdown. • Weather changes frequently; there is even some snow in July! • Carry a First Aid Kit. • Verizon and Sprint are the only two carriers that work in the Centennial, however there is little to no cell service on the south side of the Valley. • The Centennial Valley is grizzly bear country. Grizzlies are not only found in the forested sites of the Centennial, but also in the sagebrush, grassland, and wetland landscapes. While out adventuring, birding, bicycling, etc., please remember to carry bear spray and follow proper bear safety protocols. • SLOW DOWN!

Volunteer Opportunities A fun way to collect firewood! Mel Montgomery FWP needs help collecting data for their Centennial Friends of CVA Valley Arctic grayling adaptive management plan, specifically for spawning habitat. CVA strives to build, utilize, and have working • The weeks of April 24th and May 1st relationships with many agencies and organizations. they will be breaching beaver dams along Red Rock Creek. • Red Rock Lakes NWR • The Nature Conservancy • The week of July 31st they will be conducting substrate surveys. • Future West • Brainerd Foundation If you are interested in assisting FWP, please contact Matt Jaeger at 406-683-9310 or [email protected]. • Jerry Metcalf Foundation • Federal, State, and County ~~~ Agencies The Nature Conservancy will be planting their collected • Sustainable Northwest willows on May 6th and 7th on Robb Creek in the Upper • Cross Charitable Foundation Ruby. For more information, contact Taylor Dove at [email protected] or James Bolyard at • Tom Miner Basin Association [email protected]. • Natural Resources Defense Council ~~~ • Greater Yellowstone Coalition On May 15th, Madison River Foundation will partner with • Taft-Nicholson Center the BLM and volunteers to plant willows and river birch • Defenders of Wildlife along the Madison. For more information, contact Liz Davis at [email protected]. • Livestock Loss Board • And Many Others! ~~~ The Ruby Valley Conservation District needs volunteers Board Members Committees for a quaking aspen restoration project in the Tobacco Weeds: Bill West & Scott Huntsman Roots mountains on April 29th, May 6th and 20th, and Yvonne Martinell, Chairwoman Pat McKenna, Secretary June 10th and 17th. Each day will begin at 9am at the Scott Huntsman, Treasurer Peggy Dulany, Board Member Wildlife: Bill West, Bryan Ulring, USDA office in Sheridan and run until 3pm. Meals may Mel Montgomery, Board Member Bryan Ulring, Proxy Pat McKenna, Yvonne Martinell be provided on certain dates! Ed Wolfe, Board Member Bill West, Advisory Hunting: Pat McKenna, Jerry Scheid, Bill Jerry Scheid, Advisory Erin Halcomb, Advisory West, Scott Huntsman They also need help with beaver mimicry/willow planting on May 13th. For more information or to RSVP your participation, contact David Stout at [email protected].

PO Box 240077 www.centennialvalleyassociation.org Dell, MT 59724 www.facebook.com/centennialvalleyassociation [email protected] Follow us on Instagram @centennialvalleyassociation