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MOLINA HABITAT RESTORATION INITIATIVE
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Over the last five decades there has been a large decrease in big game migratory corridors and winter range throughout Colorado. The two major factors are the loss of large ranches, being subdivided into smaller parcels and fire suppression policies. Both factors have separate solutions that are currently being addressed. Fire suppression has caused unimpeded growth of gamble oak closing off migration corridors and encroachment of pinyon-juniper forest into historic sagebrush-grassland winter ranges. Viable solutions for habitat restoration include controlled burns as well as mechanical and chemical manipulation. In 2005, sportsmen introduced a bill to create the Colorado Habitat Stamp. The bill, passed by the Colorado Legislature, provided for the purchase of conservation easements on farms and ranches to protect migration corridors and winter range from development. While this has been a great success, of paramount importance are the partnerships between sportsmen, landowners, Federal & state land use agencies and oil & gas operators to enhance habitat.
Controlled burns are the least costly and quickest treatment but involve numerous variables that often prohibit their use. Mechanical manipulation is more costly but allow for better planned treatment and defined outcome. Mechanical manipulation allows for year round treatment where as controlled burns are only suited for best weather conditions. With this information, the Colorado Mule Deer Association has taken the path of mechanical manipulation. The CMDA Board assessed the three major mechanical methods: Roller chopping, hydro-axe and the Fecon Mulcher and decided on the Fecon Mulcher because of its ability to work an area without much soil disturbance and that it leaves a fine mulch, facilitating the growth of new ground cover.
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With the help of in-kind donations from River Bend Machinery ($20,000.00) and funds from our Governor's tag account CMDA purchased a Fecon head for $41,000. CMDA then began dialogue with the Colorado Division of Wildlife Northwest Region concerning a partnership to begin treatments. CMDA was able to join in a partnership with the Grand Mesa Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) committee and begin work in the Molina area.
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Because HPP is funded by sportsmen it was a perfect partnership with CMDA for habitat improvement. The pilot project took place on the Old Miller Place, south of Molina and on two adjoining ranches. The site was chosen because it was a traditional winter range sagebrush flat that had been encroached on by pinyon-juniper forest. Mechanical treatment totaled 115 acres, with 80 acres seeded with an appropriate grass and forb seed mixture designed for the treatment area’s elevation and soil type.
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The Fecon head attacks a tree, then devours it.
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Afterward, all that's left
is a nice pile of mulch.
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After the success of this first project, the CMDA and the CDOW staff reviewed the landscape habitat plan for the north face of the Grand Mesa, near Molina. This landscape habitat plan is the key to the restoration of migration corridors and winter range for elk and mule deer. It will also benefit the growing populations of turkey, grouse and many other grass dependent species within this Data Analysis Unit (DAU). The concept of long range landscape planning brings the major players of CDOW, sportsmen, landowners and the energy industry to the table to focus on impacts to wildlife and their habitat. This type of collaborative commitment is needed to have a positive outcome for wildlife.
The three major drainages of concern within the MHRI are Bull Basin, Cottonwood Basin and Parker Basin. CMDA acknowledges that working with energy companies to offset impacts of energy development within the same DAU will be necessary. As the CMDA engages in large scale habitat planning, the goals will be to re-distribute wildlife and enhance migratory corridors to the top of the Grand Mesa, return areas of winter range to earlier successional stages and improve access for sportsmen on public lands within the MHRI area. The CMDA's efforts will play a major role in accomplishing these goals. The Molina Habitat Restoration Initiative will demonstrate that partnerships between like minded groups can develop an environment that benefits wildlife and will move wildlife management in a new direction. It can happen with your support and dedicated interest. Join with us today!
The CMDA began dialogue with some of the major gas producers who are working in the same DAU as the MHRI, asking that they partner up with the CMDA in this habitat restoration. The concept was well received. The Bill Barrett Corp. has contributed $50,000.00 toward this project.
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