Recovery Act - High Desert District Rawlins Field Office WLCI - Muddy Creek Enhancements

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A. Project Background Information: The Muddy Creek watershed is important habitat for BLM sensitive fish and birds, multiple big game species, and for ESA listed fish species downstream in the mainstem Yampa and Colorado River ecosystems. Livestock grazing, drought, energy development and associated surface disturbances contribute to riparian, erosion, and stream channel stability conditions that are the focus of fisheries, rangeland and watershed restoration efforts. B. Project Objective:Improved shrub communities would increase soil and water holding capacity, provide resident and migratory songbird habitat, create shade and cover for aquatic species, and provide more stable water temperatures. Dogwood, water birch, golden currant, and willow seedlings would be planted to enhance riparian areas. Serviceberry and chokecherry saplings would be planted in upland sites to enhance wildlife habitat. C. Statement of Joint Objectives/Project Management Plan: This project would enhance the public¿s wildlife and fisheries habitats by increasing the abundance, diversity and age class distribution of woody riparian and mountain shrubs in the Muddy Creek watershed. D. Period of Project: June 2010 through May 2012

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