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0089-EX-PL-2011 Text Documents

University of Wyoming

2011-02-20ELS_113505

December 13, 2010 GENERAL OBJECTIVES FOR A RESEARCH STUDY TO EVALUATE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND BENTONITE MINING IN THE BIGHORN BASIN, WYOMING Jeffrey L. Beck, PhD, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming Aaron C Pratt (future PhD student) Background Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were once commonly found across the >600,000 km2 sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome, but currently occupy 56% of their historical distribution of potential habitat (Schroeder et al. 2004). In addition to large-scale habitat loss, population declines are also attributed to the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of remaining sagebrush habitats (Braun 1998, Connelly et al. 2004). Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2010) concluded that greater sage-grouse are warranted for protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, but because threats are moderate in magnitude and do not occur across their range at an equal intensity, the listing is precluded to other species under severe threat of extinction. The effects of energy development have been cited as the leading cause of decline for sage-grouse in the eastern portion of their range, which includes Wyoming (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010). Other factors that may influence sage-grouse populations include exurbanization, invasion exotic weeds, excessive livestock grazing, wildfire, and mining. Bentonite deposits in Wyoming make up 70% of the world’s supply and mines in the Bighorn Basin produced over 50% of Wyoming’s total bentonite production in 2008 (Wyoming Mining Association 2009). Bentonite clay extraction is carried out by open-pit mining that leads to loss of sagebrush habitat. In addition, mining support activities increase disturbance activities near mines. To date, most bentonite mining in the Bighorn Basin has occurred in areas dominated by saltbush desert, but plans call for mining operations to eventually begin mining in sagebrush habitats, which are occupied by sage-grouse (L. Bucher, American Colloid Company, personal communication, 2010). These mining activities may prevent or limit the ability of the sagebrush landscape in the Bighorn Basin to provide the space and resources to meet the life history requirements of greater sage-grouse. Objective 1 - Bentonite Clay Mining Effects on Demographic Rates of Greater Sage-Grouse The first objective of our study is to monitor the effects of bentonite clay mining on sage-grouse by comparing demographic rates, such as hen survival, nest survival, and brood survival, of sage grouse in an area actively mined (Greybull) to a reference area (Hyattville) where mining is not currently taking place. The reference area is scheduled to be mined in the future and collecting demographic rates for that population will provide baseline information for evaluating impacts or appropriate mitigations in the future. To accomplish this first objective, we will capture and monitor 40–50 radio-marked females in each study areas using a combination of VHF and GPS transmitters. These females and their nests and broods will be monitored with radio telemetry. Habitat information will also be collected at nest, brood, and random locations to provide

Beck and Pratt General Research Objectives 2 information that should be useful for restoration of mined locations. We also expect to obtain data to evaluate avoidance of bentonite infrastructure. Objective 2 – Migration Patterns of Greater Sage-Grouse in the Eastern Bighorn Basin, Wyoming One vital, but often overlooked, aspect of the life history of the greater sage-grouse is migration behavior and habitat requirements. Consequently, the second objective of our project is to model the migration patterns of sage-grouse in the eastern Bighorn Basin. This information will provide baseline information on this population that can be used to help mitigate any potential negative effects by mining or other land use activities. Reaching this objective will require capturing and attaching Argos-real time GPS transmitters to 10 grouse in each study area. These GPS transmitters will provide us with a large number of locations necessary to precisely model the multiple migration corridors that may be used by grouse from both study areas. Objective 3 – Greater Sage-Grouse Use of Reclamation Lands after Bentonite Clay Mining Mine reclamation is an integral component of bentonite mining; however little is known about sage-grouse use of reclaimed sites. The third objective of our study is to monitor the use of these reclaimed lands by sage grouse. We will obtain data to answer this objective through assessing location data provided by grouse with GPS transmitters at the Greybull study area and compare use patterns to a stratification of reclaimed sits. Stratification may be based on age since treatment, soil type, seed mix, etc. GPS transmitters will allow us to gather the quantity of precise locations needed. Occupancy modeling techniques also may be utilized to evaluate the use of reclamation areas. Literature Cited Braun, C.E. 1998. Sage grouse declines in western North America: what are the problems? Proceedings of the Western Association of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies 78:139–156. Connelly, J. W., S. T. Knick, M. A. Schroeder, and S. J. Stiver. 2004. Conservation assessment of greater sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Cheyenne,Wyoming, USA. Schroeder, M. A., C. A. Aldridge, A. D. Apa, J. R. Bohne, C. E. Braun, S. D. Bunnell, J. W. Connelly, P. A. Deibert, S. C. Gardner, M. A. Hilliard, G. D. Kobriger, S. M. McAdam, C. W. McCarthy, J. J. McCarthy, D. L. Mitchell, E.V. Rickerson, and S. J. Stiver. 2004. Distribution of sage-grouse in North America. Condor 106:363–376. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12- month findings for petitions to list the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as threatened or endangered. Federal Register 75:13909–14014. Wyoming Mining Association. 2009. Wyoming Bentonite homepage. < http://www.wma- minelife.com/bent/bentmine/bentmine.htm> Accessed 21 July 2010.

Budget for Bentonite Mining and Greater Sage-Grouse Study, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, 2011-2015. Item Qty Cost 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Grouse capture and radio-transmitters 0 Grouse capturing and spotlighting equipment 500 250 250 -- -- 1,000 Satellite GPS transmitters ( @ $4,150) 20 $ 3,950 79,000 -- -- -8300 -- 70,700 UHF/VHF Reciever 2,100 2,100 UHF Antenna 200 200 ARGOS satellite system 20 $ 1,600 32,000 32,000 32,000 -- -- 96,000 VHF transmitters (@ $200) 70 $ 200 14,000 4,000 -- -- 18,000 VHF Recievers (4@ $700) 2,100 2,100 VHF antennas (4 @ $120) 480 480 VHF 5 element antenna (1 @ $160) 160 160 VHF rooftop antennas (3@$75) 225 225 Aerial locations (2 flights/year@$1000) 2$ 1,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 6,000 Purchase 2 new ATVs 16,000 -- -- -- -- 16,000 Purchase 1 new mule/ranger/razor type ATV 12,500 -- -- -- -- 12,500 Purchase 1 new off-road vehicle trailer 2,500 -- -- -- -- 2,500

Beck and Pratt General Research Objectives 4 Workstation computer for spatial analyses 5,000 -- -- -- -- 5,000 Subtotal, no indirect costs 168,765 34,250 38,250 -8,300 0 232,965 Equipment and field supplies 0 Binoculars 1,200 -- -- -- -- 1,200 GPS units 1,200 -- -- -- -- 1,200 Repairs 500 500 500 500 -- 2,000 Sampling equipment/supplies 500 250 -- -- -- 750 Student expenses 0 Page charges -- -- -- -- 3,000 3,000 Statistical modeling workshops, lodging, and per diem -- -- -- -- 1,000 1,000 Stipend, tuition, and fees 22,000 35,811 36,000 39,000 40,000 172,811 Travel expenses 500 500 500 500 1,000 3,000 Technicians 0 Technicians (2 @ $13/hr for 5 mo) 2 $ 10,400 20,800 20,800 20,800 -- -- 62,400 Technician FICA, workmen’s comp, and Medicare (@9.0%) 2$ 936 1,872 1,872 1,872 5,616 Lead technician (1 hired by UW for $15/hr for 5 months) 1 $ 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 -- -- 36,000

Beck and Pratt General Research Objectives 5 Lead technician FICA, workmen’s comp, and SS(@9.0%) 1$ 1,080 1,080 1,080 1,080 -- -- 3,240 Technician housing (3 units for 6 months) 3 $ 11,250 $ 11,250 $ 11,250 $ 11,250 -- -- 33,750 Transportation Off-road vehicle safety equipment, bags, accessories 500 300 200 -- -- 1,000 Rent 4x4 pickups (2 @($900/mo.) X 5 months 2$ 4,950 9,900 10,197 10,503 -- -- 30,600 Vehicle usage (i.e., fuel and repairs @ 60¢/mile) 12,000 13,000 14,000 500 500 40,000 Administrative Faculty summer salary (plus 46% benefits) 5,183 10,365 11,712 12,063 -- 39,323 Travel expenses 500 500 500 500 500 2,500 Subtotal, applicable indirect costs 100,985 118,425 120,917 53,063 46,000 439,390 University of Wyoming indirect costs (@20%) 20,197 23,685 24,183 10,613 9,200 87,878 Grand Total 289,947 176,360 183,350 55,376 55,200 760,233


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