The project site historically would have been a wet meadow whose hydrology would have been dictated by springs seeps and precipitative runoff

Current land use is surface flow irrigated pasture that supports livestock and grass HAY production. Over the years many of the water control structures have failed and consequently many areas in this meadow have become dry. This has decreased overall productivity for both agriculture and wildlife by changing the vegetation to many undesirable and weedy species. The project site is an important staging area for many migratory species in the pacific flyway and project goals consist of reestablishing field flood ability for timed irrigation to the benefit of these migratory birds. The landowner will work with service and ranch staff to replace many existing water control structures that will better allow for the timed and purposeful cattle and haying rotations and restoration of a more natural wet meadow habitat during fall winter and early spring seasons. We will work with the landowner to use hydrology to establish favorable herbaceous vegetation while providing the maximum nutrient uptake and thus support an environment for a higher water quality. This project is consistent with the draft DOI strategic plan framework 2026 through 2030. Specifically objective 3.4 support species populations and health and support comanagement with stakeholders and tribes and objective 4.2 support public private partnerships.