BLUE MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE AREA COMPLEX MANAGEMENT PLAN Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Asotin Creek, Chief Joseph, Grouse Flat, and W.T. Wooten Wildlife Areas Prepared by Wildlife Area Manager’s Bob Dice & Gary Stendal, & Assistant Manager Shana Winegeart April 2006 2006 STATE OF WASHINGTON CHRIS GREGOIRE, GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE JEFF KOENINGS, Ph.D., DIRECTOR WILDLIFE PROGRAM DAVE BRITTELL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR LANDS DIVISION MARK QUINN, MANAGER This Program Receives Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds. Project W-94-D, Segment 24 & The Asotin Wildlife Area is primarily fund by the Bonneville Power Administration to mitigate for the Federal Columbia River Hydropower System. (Project Number 200600300) This report should be cited as: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2006. Blue Mountain Wildlife Area Management Plan. Wildlife Management Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia. 176 pp. This program receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is the policy of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to adhere to the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability and sex (in educational programs). If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please contact the WDFW ADA Coordinator at 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 or write to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of External Programs, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Washington State Wildlife Area Plan BLUE MOUNTAINS WILDLIFE AREA Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Management Program 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Agency Mission Statement ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Agency Goals and Objectives................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Agency Policies........................................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Blue Mountains Wildlife Area Goals .................................................................................... 2 1.5 Planning Process ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.6 Prioritization of Objectives .................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER II. AREA DESCRIPTIONS AND MAPS..................................................................... 6 2.1 Property Locations and Size .................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Purchase History and Purpose ............................................................................................ 17 2.3 Ownership and Use of Adjacent Lands .............................................................................. 19 2.4 Funding .................................................................................................................................. 21 2.5 Climate................................................................................................................................... 22 2.6 Soils and Geology .................................................................................................................. 22 2.7 Hydrology and Watersheds.................................................................................................. 23 2.8 Fire History............................................................................................................................ 25 2.9 Vegetation Characterization................................................................................................ 26 2.10 Fish and Wildlife Resources............................................................................................... 30 2.11 Special Status Habitats and Species .................................................................................. 51 2.12 Cultural Resources.............................................................................................................. 81 CHAPTER III. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES, ISSUES AND STRATEGIES.............. 82 Agency Objective: Protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats......................................................................................................................................... 82 1. Improve or Maintain Big Game Populations........................................................................ 82 2. Protect, Enhance and Restore Function and Structure of Native Habitats ........................... 86 3. Monitor and Control of Noxious Weeds............................................................................... 89 4. Enhance and Protect Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species................................. 91 5. Improve and Maintain Fish Populations............................................................................... 94 6. Protect Upland Game Birds .................................................................................................. 97 7. Protect and Manage Non-Game Species............................................................................... 98 Agency Objective: Provide sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities compatible with maintaining healthy fish and wildlife populations and habitats. Improve the economic well being of Washington by providing diverse, high-quality recreational and commercial opportunities. ...................................... 101 November 2006 ii Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 1. Provide Public Access Compatible With Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Protection................ 101 2. Provide Commercial Opportunities Compatible With Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Protection ................................................................................................................................................. 102 3. Provide Fish and Wildlife Recreational Opportunities....................................................... 103 Agency Objective: Minimize adverse interactions between humans and wildlife............. 104 1. Provide Refuge Areas For Wildlife and Reduce Winter Disturbance ................................ 104 2. Implement Strategies to Reduce Elk Damage on Private Lands ........................................ 105 Agency Objective: Ensure WDFW activities, programs, facilities and lands are consistent with local, state and federal regulations that protect and recover fish, wildlife and their habitats....................................................................................................................................... 108 1. Manage Noxious Weeds in a Manner Consistent With Local, State, and Federal Regulations ................................................................................................................................................. 108 2. Manage Species and Habitats in Compliance With ESA and EPA Regulations. Utilize Recommendations Compiled by Other Regional Planning Efforts........................................ 109 2. Provide Fire Management on WDFW Lands ..................................................................... 110 3. Protect Cultural Resources Consistent With State and Federal Law.................................. 110 4. Pay PILT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) and Assessment Obligations.................................. 111 Agency Objective: Work with Tribal governments to ensure fish and wildlife management objectives are achieved. ............................................................................................................ 111 1. Discuss Mutual Concerns for Wildlife Resources With Tribal Representatives................ 111 Agency Objective: Reconnect with those interested in Washington's fish and wildlife.... 111 1. Offer Volunteer Projects to Involve the Public in Wildlife Area Efforts ........................... 111 2. Participate in Local Cooperative Projects........................................................................... 112 3. Be Responsive to Public Concerns and Implement the “Good Neighbor” Policy ............. 113 Agency Objective: Provide sound operational management of WDFW lands, facilities and access sites.................................................................................................................................. 114 1. Monitor Livestock Grazing to Ensure Proper Land Use .................................................... 114 2. Maintain Roads and Trails as Necessary to Perform Management Functions ................... 116 3. Remove Old Ranching Debris From Newly Acquired Properties...................................... 117 4. Maintain a Knowledgeable and Well-trained Workforce..................................................