The project is located on a working ranch that was recently acquired by the applicant and encompasses approximately 1,715 acres that include grassland, OAK woodland, seasonal and permanent wetlands,…

The project is located on a working ranch that was recently acquired by the applicant and encompasses approximately 1,715 acres that include grassland, OAK woodland, seasonal and permanent wetlands, and stream riparian areas. IT supports habitat for a variety of sensitive wildlife species. The project site is located at the confluence of cienega creek and santa rita creek, which are buffered by a riparian corridor and flow into a large legacy reservoir on the property. Cienega creek and upper santa rita creek have old and broken cattle fencing hidden in the riparian corridor that is a danger to wildlife as well as livestock. Removing this hazard and replacing IT with new fencing will control livestock access to the creeks, focus grazing on the grasslands, and ensure safe movement of wildlife through the area. In part due to this inadequate fencing, livestock also historically used the creeks as an unrestricted water source, which degraded the riparian system by increasing erosion and trampling vegetation. Creating an off-stream water source by installing a trough, tank, and water line will reduce livestocks need to regularly access the riparian corridor. These improvements will remove cattle grazing pressure and decrease erosion within the riparian corridor. By minimizing livestock access to the riparian corridor and also repairing unvegetated sections with willow plantings, the native habitat will recover. Managing invasive plants and thatch buildup through grazing of the surrounding grassland will also improve habitat for sensitive species and migratory birds. In addition, sensitive species using the reservoir downstream of this creek system may benefit from reduced sediment nutrient loads as a result of cattle exclusion. The natural resource conservation service and U.S. Fish and wildlife service will be assisting the applicant with this restoration project through both financial and technical assistance.