FT. NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Valentine, Nebraska Annual Narrative Report Calendar Year 1995 REVIEW AND APPROVALS FORT NIOBRARA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Valentine, Nebraska ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT Calendar Year 1995 Refuge Manager Date Refuge Supervisor Review Date Regional Office Approval Date INTRODUCTION Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is located five miles east of Valentine, Nebraska, in Cherry County. The refuge consists of19,130 acres ofbigh and rolling prairie traversed by the Niobrara River. It is managed as part of a complex with Valentine National Wildlife Refuge The Ft. Niobrara NWR was created by Executive Order in 1912 as the "Niobrara Reservation" - a preserve and breeding ground for native birds. rt was enlarged by Executive Orders of 19121 1920, and 1936 and the name was changed to Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge by Presidential Proclamation in 1940. The area which comprises the refuge was once a military post, but was abandoned in I 912 and portions of the post were placed under the jurisdiction ofthe Federal Bureau of Biological Survey. During the 1930's, additional lands were acquired. One of the original goals of the refuge was to preserve and protect the bison which at that Hme were in danger of extinction. A native species, elk, was introduced in 1913, and protection was given to other prairie species; in 1936, Texas longhorns were brought here. Emphasis now is in the maintenance of bison and elk herds representative of the vast herds that once roamed the plains. The longhorn herd is maintained as one of two government herds which serve to protect basic breeding stock of a historically important animal. The refuge is also managed to perpetuate native birds and animals, and to provide man with a place to observe and enjoy the many varied benefits of wildlife and wildlands. The Niobrara River divides tbe refuge into well defined units. The valley within the refuge is narrow with steep slopes. It varies in width from one-fifth to approximately one-balf rnile. The valley is bordered by narrow strips of tableland at elevations ranging from 2,300 M.S.L. at river bed to 2,700 M.S.L. atthe highest point. The portion of the refuge lying north of the river is high benchland capped by sandy soil. This is amid-grass area in a relatively high range condition best suited to grazing. Six. deep canyons divide the tableland diagonally from northwest to southeast. Five of these canyons carry spring water to the river continually. The canyon walls, rising an average of 200 feet, are well covered with interior ponderosa pine and mixed hardwoods. This area contains approximately 4,500 acres, mcluding a 200-acre ponderosa pine natural area. The portion south ofthe river is an elevated rolling plain approximately 100 feet above the valley floor. This section is comprised of loose sandy soil not suited for dry-land farming. Deep water percolation into sands promotes an extension of tall grasses common to the true prairie into tJ1is precipitation zone. A small strip adjacent to the river is covered with mixed hardwoods, primarily bur oak. This area contains the headquarter's site, corrals and slaughterhouse, roads, picnic and scenic areas, exhibition pasture, and miscellaneous tracts. The climate of the area is one of considerable variation. The winters are cold with prevailing winds from the northwest. TJ,e summers are quite warm with prevailing winds from the south. Low humidity, high temperatures, and moderate to strong summer winds cause a rapid loss of soil moisture by evapo­ transpiration. Winter storms, though not frequent, can be severe when accompanied by high winds. Snowfall averages approximately 22 inches with annual precipitation of around 18 inches. The mean annual temperature is 46.9 degrees with recorded extremes of-38 degrees to I 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The average frost-free period of the area is about 150 days. TABLE OF CONTENTS A. HIGHLIGHTS B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS . ................ ... ............ .. ......... ......... 2 C. LAND ACQUISITION . 3 2. Easements . 3 D . PLANNING . 4 2. Management Plan . 4 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates . 8 5. Research and Investigation . 8 6. Other . ....... ...... .. ....................... ............. 10 E. ADMINISTRATION . I 0 1. Personnel . 10 2. Youth Programs . 11 4. Vo)unteers ...... ........ .. ..... .. ....... .................. 12 5. Funding.. 12 6. Safety . 12 7. Technical Assistance ............................... .... .. .. .. .... 14 8. ~ .. .. ......... ............................................. 16 a. Meetings ................................. .......... 16 . ' b. Tra ining . .................... .. ..... ................ 17 F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT ..... ................ ............... .. .. ......... 17 1. General . 17 2. Wetlands . 18 3. Forests . 18 5. Grasslands ................................ ........................ 19 7. Grazing . 19 8. Haying . 20 9. Fire Management ................... ........................... ... 20 10. Pest Control . ... .............. ... .. ...... ..... .. .. ...... ......... 22 12. W ilderness and Special Areas ......... ............ .. ........... • .... 23 13. WPA Easement Monitoring . • . 24 G. WILDLIFE . 25 1. Wildlife Diversity .............. ............... .. .. ... .. ............ 25 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species . .. .......... ..... ............... 25 a. Bald Eagle . 25 b. Peregrine Fa.Jeon . 26 c. Whooping Crane . 26 3. Waterfowl .. ............................ ... .................... 26 a. Ducks . ......... ... ................................. 26 b. Ge.ese ....................... ....................... 26 C. Trumpeter Swan . ............................. ... .. .. 27 4. Marsh and Water Birds .................... ...... ................... 27 a. Sandhill Cranes .......... ....... ........................... 27 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species .. ........................... 27 6. Raptors ............ ........ .......... .......................... 27 7. Other Migratory Birds . .. .. ....................... ... ......... ... .... 28 8. Game Mammals . 29 a. Elk ..... ...... .... ... ........... ................. .. 29 b. Deer ................................................ 30 c. Pronghorn Antelope . 30 10. Other Resident Wj]d!jfe . ............................................ 30 a. .Bis.on ..... .. ..................................... .... 30 b. Texas Longhorn Cattle . 34 c. Merriam's Turkey . 37 d. Sharp-Tailed Grouse and Greater Northern Prairie Chicken ..... 37 e. Ring-Necked Pheasant . 38 f. Bobwhite Ouai I . 38 h. River Otter . 3 8 1. Bobcat . 3 8 J. Brown Bat ............................................ 38 It. Fisheries Resources ............ .... ......................... .. .. 38 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ......................................... .... 38 a. Bison ................................................ 38 b. Texas Longhorn Cattle . 39 16. Marking and Bandin~ . 39 l 7. Disease Prevention and Control . 40 H. PUBLIC USE ...... ............... .. .................... ......... , . 40 1. General . 40 2. Environmental Education - Students . 42 4. Interpretive Foot Trails . 43 5. Interpretive Tour Routes . 43 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations . 43 7. Other Interpretive Programs . 43 8. Hunting . 44 9. Fishing . 44 11. Wildlife Observation . 44 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation . 44 t 4. Picnicking . 45 17. Law Enforcement ........ .. ....................................... 45 18. Cooperating Associations . • . 46 I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES .......... .. ................................... 47 2. Rehabilitation . 47 a. Buildings . 47 b. Residences . • . 48 c. Structures and Facilities . 48 3. Major Maintenance . 48 c. Structures and Facilities . 48 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement . ..