Jeremy Maestas NRCS State Habitat Biologist -Oregon

Greater

 Wildfire  Invasive weeds  Juniper expansion  Prescribed fire  Vegetation treatments (e.g., sagebrush removal)  Improper livestock grazing  Predation  Realty (e.g., land use changes)  Energy development and transmission  Recreation  West Nile Virus

 Pick “low-hanging fruit” first Targeted Threat: Juniper Expansion  Focus resources in the right places

Phase I (early) Phase II (mid) Phase III (late) ~212,000 acres Phase I & II juniper on private land within 3 miles of leks

Objective: Treat one quarter of the problem (53,000 ac) on private lands by the end of 2012

 PURPOSE: Strategically focus resources to alleviate threats to sage-grouse and improve the sustainability of working ranches  March 2010, $16 million in EQIP and WHIP made available to 11 western states “Implement the right practices, in the right locations, at the appropriate scale”

 28 landowner contracts  $2.3 million obligated  20,656 acres of juniper removal

Remove/Mark Problematic Fences Retrofit Troughs with Escape Ramps Remove Conifers Improve Grazing Management Restore Vegetation in Degraded Areas 40,000 Ac 640,000 Ac 11,000 Ac 941,000 Ft (180 mi) 318 FY10 Range-Wide Accomplishments – $18.5 M obligated

 $3.5 million available in Oregon (EQIP and WHIP)  Strong interest so far (~50 apps)

 BLM, NRCS, ODFW, U of I, landowners  150 radio-marked birds  Treat 27,000 ac public & private over next 5 yrs  Provides science to inform ESA listing decisions Warner Mountain Core Area Study