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223-6021-22989

Project Abstract

Project Location

The project is located on the Butte Creek Watershed approximately 3 miles East of the community of Fossil in Wheeler County.

Project Need 

Over the year Western Juniper encroachment has increased due to the restriction and suppression of fire creating issues both with water quality and water quantity. Western Juniper also causes loss of native vegetation and a degraded wildlife habitat. 

Proposed Project Work 

This project's goal to reduce the negative impacts of Western Juniper on the watershed function by machine removing the invasive species for a total of 318 acres. In addition, the project will develop 7 springs and install 9 600 gal stock tanks to improve water quantity and quality while distributing livestock grazing more evenly. The project will also allow for the reseeding of 120 acres with native vegetation. 

Project Partners

Project Partners include NRCS, the landowner, Wheeler SWCD, and OWEB. 

Rolling hills with scattered trees, dry grass, and cloudy skies.
Landscape view of western juniper to be treated mechanically through NRCS funds.
A snowy landscape with a small pond and a red plastic tub on the side.
View of spring to be redeveloped and protected with fencing material.
A cow drinking from a large blue water trough, with an ATV in a rural, hilly landscape behind.
Showing location of where new trough will be placed.
A snowy field with dry grass, a discarded toilet bowl, and a timestamp in the corner.
View of spring to be redeveloped.
Snow-covered ground, dry plants, evergreen trees, and a blue sky.
Approximate location of trough placement.
May contain: plant, tree, fir, vegetation, grass, outdoors, nature, wilderness, land, ice, weather, field, grassland, and scenery
View of spring to be developed.
Dry grassland with thistle plants, scattered snow patches, evergreen trees, and a glimpse of a distant road with vehicles.
Showing approximate location of trough placement.
A snowy woodland scene with some metal pieces, a small brook, and trees.
Overview of spring to be developed.
A wintry scene with snow, dry shrubs, and some scattered debris.
View of spring to be redeveloped.
A blue water tank partially frozen over, surrounded by snow-covered ground and with a pipe feeding into it.
Showing trough to be replaced.
Rolling hills with scattered trees, dry grass, and cloudy skies.
A snowy landscape with a small pond and a red plastic tub on the side.
A cow drinking from a large blue water trough, with an ATV in a rural, hilly landscape behind.
A snowy field with dry grass, a discarded toilet bowl, and a timestamp in the corner.
Snow-covered ground, dry plants, evergreen trees, and a blue sky.
May contain: plant, tree, fir, vegetation, grass, outdoors, nature, wilderness, land, ice, weather, field, grassland, and scenery
Dry grassland with thistle plants, scattered snow patches, evergreen trees, and a glimpse of a distant road with vehicles.
A snowy woodland scene with some metal pieces, a small brook, and trees.
A wintry scene with snow, dry shrubs, and some scattered debris.
A blue water tank partially frozen over, surrounded by snow-covered ground and with a pipe feeding into it.