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Show 4 Vernal Exptest Fridoy, October 18, 1985 USE area, Pariette Wetlands must accommodate everything from oilfield development, cattle grazing, picnickers and hunters and still maintain the delicate balance of nature in a habitat for producing ducks. AS A MULTIPLE CJffiBiiK i.i'iOB 'i K'P $ fltJ. ffl. &a B yit INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION signs at the refuge keep visitors up to date on development at the wetlands. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT biologist, Dave Zalunardo has been with the Pariette project almost from its onset. Here he adjusts a flood gate to control the water flow which determines the THE SERENITY of a controlled scene. By drainage canal ran through the sandstone formations, and weaved through the grease wood and rabbit brush across the desert. The area around the original creek, or canal was changed somewhat in 1962 when a dike built by private individuals backed the water into 80 acres of irrigation water storage in an impoundment. BLM ground surrounds the small reservoir and so it began to look feasible that development and use of the available water would increase the use of the land for animal habitat. Zalunardo said after several years, many meetings and a lot of speculation, the BLM personnel were pleased to find an available water allocation large enough that it could be sent down the drainage canal and, through controlled use, flood the surrounding area creating wetlands. Merle Young A surprising and delightful sight greets visitors who venture south of Ouray and Fort Duchesne and come upon Pariette Draw. In the midst of a barren mean desert the scene suddenly changes to an oasis that attracts all forms of wildlife to its wetlands. (1 ' Wn r no i This oasis, however, is not meant for nomadic caravans,"' rather, the Pariette Wetlands is a refuge for ducks and is designed to promote their production. The Pariette proof the Bureau ject is the brain-chil- d of Land Management (BLM) and one of two BLM wildlife management projects in the United States. The other, Blanca Wildlife Management Area, is located near Alamosa, Calif. The Pariette Wetlands is located about ten miles down stream, (as the crow flies) from Ouray Bird Refuge southwest of Vernal. And almost reaches the Green River on its eastern tip. According to Dave Zalunardo, a wildlife management biologist for the BLM, the Pariette development idea began in 1972 when the biologists noticed wildlife was attracted to the area of Pariette Draw where a small (' r - f- depth in ponds and ditches down stream. a refuge not duck soup aimtaimirng Express Society Editor habitat makes a pitcuresque This brought up another problem; who would do the development? Would the project go the the State Fish and Game or Wildlife Resources or would BLM take their second step into the area of wildlife management? Funds became the determining factor in this dilemma. The state and federal agencies didnt have funds to put into Pariette, so BLM got the go ahead and began actual con struction in the spring of 1977. Zalunardo said this was one time Washington was very good to them (the BLM) because they made the decision to . provide a funding package earmarked just for that project. I came on the scene at about the same time the funding arrived, noted the biologist, and began the task of developing a coordinated ' habitat management plan. Pariette is designated as a multiple use area which means there is cattle grazing, hunters, hikers, fishermen, trappers oil field development and more that must be considered along with the intricacy of hatching baby ducks. Zalunardo has become a master of many talents since he began at Pariette. He uses engineering; is an expert in water management; has studied many animal and plant species in depth: become a tour guide and instructor for the public and students visiting Pariette; has become a target for all kinds of biting sucking insects and says, If it bites or stings, it lives in Pariette he farms, plants and Refuge; cultivates the land and pond bottoms; and, he oversees operation of heavy equipment like a dredge which used extensively in wetland development. Maintainence takes cooperation from all entities and individuals who enter a multiple use area. Cattle are allowed to graze in meadows and uplands at specified seasons to avoid conflict with critical wildlife nesting and brooding periods. Oil companies cooperate by painting their facilities to minimize visual impact and sounds are muffled to - decrease disturbance of geese in critical habitat areas. Recreation pursuits are left in the hands of the public who must use common sense by obeying signs, cleaning up after themselves and generally, respecting and protecting the areas environmental balance from harm. is Some of the goals and objectives of the wetlands project include: providing ponds for dependent wildlife; modifying fences to provide ease of movement for big game; maintain livestock use and provide high quality cover, food and nesting habitat; create habitat capable of supporting the production of 10,000 ducks and 100 Canadian geese annually; provide habitat to encourage an increase of pheasants, mourning doves, chukar and valley quail population; to pro- - The BLM development of the wetlands water is mastered by a series of ditches, canals, dams and headgates that allow directing the water and the depth needed in each particular case. These are monitored and adjusted every single day throughout the spring, summer and fall. The development has been less costly than that of the typical refuge because no pumps are used to move the water. It flows through the system by gravitational flow and no energy is required to run a pump. Another of savings many thousands of dollars has been made possible by natural rock spillways that kept concrete costs out of the BLM budget. Gabions (rocks incased in wire baskets) are added near the spillways to prevent erosion and add height where necessary and also at A i ' V j s !V- t x v iW 4 t. Wf' p ; pvV toward an island in the pond. The islands are safe harbors for ducklings as few predators can reach them. A DUCK SKITTERS vide and enhance riparian vegetation in Pariette Draw and along the Green River to ensure food (prey) and imfor habitat conditions prove peregrine falcons; protect bald eagle winter habitat along the Green River and provide resting area, facilities and feed (unharvested grain crops) for migrating sandhill crane and whooping crane. The seven and a half mile wetlands is made up of five percent fresh water ponds, four percent alkali bullrush, five percent emergent vegetation, 10 percent wet meadow, four percent grain crops and 72 percent dry upland. In order to create this balance for all the animal species and use, a series of different steps is taken in each area of the wetlands. First Zalunardo and his crew determine where and how to divert the water into ponds, where to push up islands in the ponds, what the grade of the land is so the water will flow by gravity successfully into a given area and control of silt in a setting pond. Other considerations are what plants to keep and what should be drown out; what kind of habitat is needed for each specific breed of duck and other water fowl that will still be in harmony with the needs of the other birds and animals, and much much more. Pariette Draw looked like before water and additional water allocations were used to management create the wetlands. THIS IS WHAT most of -- mmm . i some of the diversion areas. There is approximately 80 feet of fall from the top to the bottom of the seven and a half mile project. This place is raptor heaven, Zalunardo commented. Eagles roost there for the winter months and many kinds of hawks, falcon and a sprinkling of fishing birds making their homes in and near the wetlands. We have implanted large trees and stumps in scattered areas around the place where the eagles can roost here at night during the winter months. They dont nest here, but feed from the carp in the ponds and hunt other food here. We dont sell or allow cutting of the dead or diseased cottonwood trees on the refuge because of the needed nesting and roosting sites for the animals. Maintaining a place for water fowl production is not duck soup. Each species of duck has its own characteristics and must have its peculiar needs met to have a successful nesting and brooding experience. Duck hunters and duck hunting clubs can flood an area, plant some grain and bring the ducks in. They dont nest in these areas, however, and the grain doesnt provide needed protein at nesting time. Its the bugs.... insects that the ducks feed on that supply the protein in the reproduction regime, Zalunardo explained. It is our goal to produce 10,000 ducks a year on the refuge. The last count showed 2,500 up from the original count at the first of the project of 100 ducks that came off the area in a year. Counting the ducks is a long term project that starts with the first hatchlings. We observe the nests with scopes and binoculars and record the species and number of offspring. Later we go into the nesting area to count the eggs that didnt hatch and the kill by predators. All of this is taken into consideration as we prepare our reports. Many other exciting things have Continued on page 5 r r, tv Athe valley one can see the stark contrast of a desert to the roads and streams that meander through the lush wetlands. LOOKING ACROSS I. BLUE HERRON AND many in the marshes at Pariette. - liiv m NATURAL ROCK SPILLWAYS have saved thousands of dollars in concrete costs in development of the wetlands. Here, gabions other bird species make their home have been added to stabilize the spillway. i |