Money available for projects that benefit wildlife, landowners

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

There's actually a conflict-resolution program in place for ranchers and wildlife.

Every year, ranchers get grumpy when they have to repair fences damaged by elk and deer. On the other hand, wildlife get hung up in improper fencing or have to change their migration patterns because of those fences.

To reduce this type of conflict, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has set up a Habitat Partnership Program--complete with grant money. The animals and ranchers don't exactly sit down at the table to hash out differences and discuss areas of mutual interest. Instead, landowners can apply for funds to make improvements to their property and minimize conflicts with big game animals. The principal requirement is this: A project has to benefit both the rancher/landowner and wildlife.

There are several areas of common interest for landowners and wildlife, including improvement of grazing lands and protection of riparian areas. Shane Craig, a local DOW wildlife manager, said the HPP is a "way for the DOW to partner with landowners, acknowledging that they have a large chunk of the wildlife habitat out there." The local HPP receives 5 percent of revenue from the sale of big game hunting licenses in northern Larimer County.

The program was started in 1990, as a response to ranchers' complaints that elk and deer were ruining fencing and eating hay meant for livestock. People with either small or large parcels are eligible for grants, and projects may be carried out on both private and government-owned land.

This year, the HPP has a budget of $75,000 for projects in Larimer County. "I encourage people to apply," said Mike Ptasnik, Livermore rancher and chair of the Northern Larimer County Habitat Partnership Program committee. "Money is available that's not being requested."

If many good projects come before the local committee, additional money can be requested from the state. The HPP's fiscal year ends June 30.

While a statewide council guides the Colorado HPP, local committees make the decisions about project funding. "We're pretty open-minded about the projects, and we're willing to look at new ideas," said Ptasnik. "The committee wants to keep the process easy."

The local committee consists of four landowners, a sportsman, and representatives of the U.S. Forest Service and Larimer County Parks and Open Lands Department.

The most common types of projects to date include weed management, fencing and water source development.

Weed management projects have been popular, Ptasnik said, and the committee has made the application process as easy as possible. Landowners fill out a short form, and it goes to the local committee for approval. Forms are available online at www.nlchpp.com or at the local weed district office, 2649 E. Mulberry St., Suite 6. If the project is approved, the landowner pays just half the regular price for chemical herbicides.

Reseeding projects can also meet the HPP requirements. The recent drought damaged many grasslands, allowing weeds to take over, and reseeding projects can help restore these areas. Both weed control and reseeding projects benefit wildlife and livestock by producing better feed on grazing lands.

Several area landowners have already undertaken water development projects. The goal of these projects is to move both wildlife and cattle away from sensitive riparian areas. To accomplish this, springs are developed on higher ground; then pipes are run to a catchment basin that collects the spring water for animals' use.

The water development projects are "a great example of mutual benefit," said Ptasnik. The new source of water diverts animals from the riparian area, which is good for the environment. In addition, both wild and domestic animals benefit from the easily accessible water supply. The spring water can be contained in a variety of vessels including old tires or steel tanks.

The DOW has launched two new HPP programs this spring, one targeted at fence repairs and the other at improving large-scale habitat. The fencing program assumes that any rancher will have some game-caused fence damage each year. Ranchers receive vouchers based on the size of their operations, and these vouchers may be used to purchase fencing materials. The rancher, in turn, supplies the labor for the repairs. This program is limited to parcels at least 88 acres in size.

The new habitat improvement grants are administered on a state level, with a goal of improving forage for both livestock and wildlife. Projects may include burning, weed control, water development, fertilization, seeding and mechanical brush treatment, with priority given to projects proposed by partnering individuals or agencies. Applications for this program are due by Sept. 1. For more information about the habitat grants, people may contact Pat Tucker at 970-225-6188 or pat.tucker@state.co.us.

Boundaries for the Northern Larimer County Habitat Partnership Program include the Wyoming border on the north, Interstate 25 on the east, Poudre Canyon on the south and the Larimer/Jackson county line on the west. The area includes the Laramie River valley.

Application forms for local HPP projects are available on the web site, www.nlchpp.com. For more information, people may contact Ptasnik at 303-789-0494 or mptasnik@aol.com; or Larry Rogstad, a district wildlife manager with the DOW, at 970-302-7394 or larry.rogstad@state.co.us.