Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan Northern Eagle County and Southern Routt County Final – September 1, 2004 Prepared by Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Work Group Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan September 1, 2004 Prepared by Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Greater Sage-Grouse Work Group Copies of the Plan may be obtained from: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Wildlife Research Center Library, 317 West Prospect Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (970)-472-4353 Colorado Division of Wildlife, Steamboat Springs Service Center, 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 (970)-870-2197 Colorado Division of Wildlife, Glenwood Springs Service Center, 50633 Highway 6 & 24, Glenwood Springs, 81601 (970)-947-2920 The Work Group may be contacted via the Colorado Division of Wildlife at: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Steamboat Springs Service Center, 925 Weiss Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 (970)-870-2197 Literature citation should read as follows: Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Greater Sage-Grouse Work Group. 2004. Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, Colorado. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................1 I. STATUS UPDATE ...................................................................................................... 2 II. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 2 A. Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................2 B. Guiding principles..................................................................................................................................................3 C. Process .....................................................................................................................................................................3 III. THE NORTHERN EAGLE/SOUTHERN ROUTT ENVIRONMENT............................ 4 A. Area Boundary.......................................................................................................................................................4 B. Description of Eagle and Colorado Valleys (Northern Eagle County)..............................................................4 C. Description of Upper Yampa Valley Area (Southern Routt County) ...............................................................8 IV. SPECIES DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, AND POPULATION MONITORING .... 9 A. Species Description ................................................................................................................................................9 B. Sage-grouse Distribution .....................................................................................................................................10 C. Population Monitoring ........................................................................................................................................11 V. LIFE HISTORY AND HABITAT REQUIREMENTS................................................ 12 A. Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................12 B. Breeding Habitat..................................................................................................................................................12 Strutting Grounds....................................................................................................................................................12 Prelaying Habitat ....................................................................................................................................................13 Nesting Habitat .......................................................................................................................................................14 Early Brood-rearing ................................................................................................................................................15 C. Summer - Late Brood-rearing Habitats.............................................................................................................16 D. Winter...................................................................................................................................................................16 E. Food Habits ..........................................................................................................................................................21 Breeding Habitats ...................................................................................................................................................21 Summer - Late Brood-rearing.................................................................................................................................21 Winter .....................................................................................................................................................................21 F. Survivorship and Life Span.................................................................................................................................22 i VI. POSSIBLE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SAGE-GROUSE DECLINE .............22 VII. CONSERVATION STRATEGY.............................................................................. 24 A. Northern Eagle/Southern Routt Area Goals and Objectives...........................................................................24 Greater Sage-Grouse Population Goal:...................................................................................................................24 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Goal: ........................................................................................................................24 VIII. CONSERVATION ACTIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION ....................................... 25 A. Utilities..................................................................................................................................................................25 Issues Related to Utilities........................................................................................................................................25 Conservation Actions Relating to Utility Companies (Electric Transmission, Electric Distribution, and Gas) .....26 B. Habitat Change ....................................................................................................................................................27 Issues Related to Habitat Change ...........................................................................................................................27 Conservation Actions Relating to Habitat Change .................................................................................................28 C. Disease and Pesticides..........................................................................................................................................33 Issues Related to Disease and Pesticides ................................................................................................................33 Conservation Actions Relating to Disease and Pesticides ......................................................................................34 D. Land Use Changes and Residential Development.............................................................................................34 Issues Related to Land Use Changes and Residential Development ......................................................................34 Conservation Actions Relating to Land Use and Residential Development...........................................................34 E. Reservoir Development and other Water-related Issues..................................................................................36 Issues Related to Reservoir Development and other Water-related Issues .............................................................36 Conservation Actions Relating to Reservoir Development and other Water-related Issues...................................37 F. Recreation/Travel Management .........................................................................................................................38 Issues Related to Recreation/Travel Management..................................................................................................38 Conservation Actions Relating to Recreation/Travel Management........................................................................39 G. Predation ..............................................................................................................................................................41 Issues Related to Predation .....................................................................................................................................41 Conservation Actions Relating to Predation...........................................................................................................43 H. Grazing.................................................................................................................................................................44 Issues Related to Grazing........................................................................................................................................44