B08_Attachment_1_SOW_7May24_w2_Exhibits.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

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PROJECT TITLE:

ELFO Multiple Use Fence Contract

Table of Contents SOW 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

SOW 2.0 General Scope of Work

SOW 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

SOW 4.0 Specific Tasks

SOW 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

SOW 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

SOW 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

SOW 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

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SOW 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The Government requires fence work in three distinct areas, described below:

Cottonwood Allotment Fence: The Cottonwood Allotment is an active Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing allotment managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office (ELFO).

This fence was originally constructed in the 1960s then repaired in 2000. The fence has been impacted by fire and heavy snowpacks since it’s construction 60 years ago. The fence is located within greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; GRSG) habitat designated as Other Habitat Management Area (OHMA) and General Habitat Management Area (GHMA). The location of the fence is not within four miles of any active or pending sage-grouse lek, so seasonal habitat timing restrictions will not apply.

The fence has been repaired and patched many times, however, there are many sections of the fence in complete disrepair. These areas pose a larger threat of entanglement of wildlife species that may be crossing.

Wood Individual Pasture Fence: The Wood Individual Pasture Fence was constructed in 1966 to support post fire ES&BAR efforts. The interior division fence was constructed to better manage livestock distribution within the burned area of the Wood Individual Allotment. The majority of the fence has maintained it’s integrity, however, a roughly 2,000 ft section has had to be repaired multiple times and is currently in a state of disrepair. This section not only tarnishes the intent of the fence, but also poses a larger threat of entanglement of wildlife species that may be crossing.

Norton Drift Fence: The Norton Drift Fence was constructed in 2014 to support post fire ES&BAR efforts. The 5.3 mile drift fence was constructed to better manage livestock grazing within the burned area of the Twin Peaks Allotment in order to allow for more rest and reduced impact on burned areas. The drift fence is no longer necessary for ES&BAR efforts and removal would provide additional materials for new fence projects as well as reduce threats of entanglement for wildlife species.

SOW 2.0 General Scope of Work

The types of services that are to be performed include the construction of BLM Wildlife Friendly fence. Details of work are described in the Table 1.

~ Cottonwood Allotment Fence: Repair/replace approximately 12,300 ft of 3 strand barbed wire fence to meet wildlife passage needs.

~Wood Individual Pasture Fence: Repair/replace approximately 2,000 ft of 4 strand barbed wire fence to meet wildlife passage needs.

~Norton Drift Fence: Remove approximately 5.3 miles of fence form the current Norton Drift Fence.

Place of Performance:

~ Cottonwood Allotment Fence: 40°39'25.00"N, 120°36'59.84"W ~Wood Individual Pasture Fence: 40°39'50.79"N, 120°33'47.48"W ~Norton Drift Fence: 40°51'36.28"N, 119°54'52.79"W

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be 540 calendar days from the issuance of Notice to

Proceed.

SOW 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is to construct, remove and repair/replace fence on various sites across the Eagle Lake Field Office (ELFO). See Specific tasks for related to all fencing and detail specifics for each fence.

Maps showing the location of each Fence area are provided (Exhibit 1)

All fence repair work shall conform to the Standard Specifications for Fence Installation (Exhibit 2).

A summary of the work in each area is in the table below:

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Table 1: Summary of Fence Work

Fence Name Approx.

Feet

Approx.

Miles

Type Braces and Gates needed

Notes

Cottonwood Allotment Fence Repair/Replace

12,300 2.3 3-strand, Bottom wire smooth, Wildlife friendly spacing

Pipe/Rock Basket (~12 x 2-pipe, ~3 x 3-pipe)

~1-3 gates

May need rock drill due to rocky terrain. Let down fence will be required in identified areas. Let-down clips will be furnished by the contractor.

Wood Individual Pasture Fence Repair/Replace

2,000 0.4 4-strand fence, Bottom wire smooth, Wildlife friendly spacing

Pipe/Rock Basket (~2 2-pipe)

Possibly 1 gate

Repair existing 4-strand barbed wire fence.

Replace any wood brace posts with pipe.

Potentially one new gate.

Norton Drift Fence Removal Remove

~28,000 5.3 3 - strand fence with Easy Panels

Remove existing fence. All easy panels and T-post are good condition, keep and haul to corrals.

Dismantle all wire gates and reuse gate stays.

Wire can also be saved if possible to remove onto reusable rolls. Open for options here. Location for removed materials will be decided at a later date after discussions with the contractor and NDOW.

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SOW 4.0 Specific Tasks

Tasks related to Cottonwood Allotment Fence and Wood Individual Pasture Fence Task 1: Driving Posts:

1. Wood Posts: Drive only when approved by the Contracting Officer to the depth shown on the Work Data Sheet (contained in Standard Specifications Exhibit 2). Wood posts to be driven shall be machine-pointed on the end driven into ground. Posts shall be driven plumb.

Posts that are split, bent or broomed will not be accepted.

2. Steel T-Posts: Drive into the ground to the depth shown on the drawings or until the anchor plate is slightly below the ground surface.

T-Posts shall be driven plumb. When rock formations prevent driving remove anchor plate and excavate or drill holes a minimum of 18 inches in depth with a diameter such that when the t-post is driven, it will be firm and tight in the hole.

3. Steel Pipe (Fence Num. 2): Contractor shall furnish all material required to construct the pipe appurtenances. The contractor will furnish all pipe posts, and all pipe crosspieces or horizontal bracing of appurtenances. The material shall drill-stem pipe along with the hardware needed to attach or weld top horizontal bracing. The steel pipe posts do not need to be capped. All pipe post OD diameters may range from 2 3/8” to 2 7/8”. Pipe wall thickness range is .140 to .218 inches. Appurtenances crosspieces or horizontal bracing constructed of pipe will have an OD diameter range of 1 7/8” to 2 7/8”. Contractor furnished steel pipe must be approved by the Contracting Officer.

Refer to drawings for required lengths, diameters, hardware and design needed to construct a corner, end panel and or stress panel.

4. Government will supply all Galvanized Pipe and Easy Fence Panel material for fence projects.

Task 2: Corner Panel, End Panel and Stress Panel Assemblies: Construct as shown on the drawings, maps or as staked in the field. Rock basket substitution(s) must be approved by the COR. Construct stress panels on crests of hills, and a maximum of 1,320 feet center-to-center for barbed wire sections. In addition, stress panels are required at points between which wire is to be stretched. Construct end panels at the end of fence runs unless shown otherwise on the map drawings. This applies to either steel or wood materials used for construction.

Task 3: Wire: Stretch tightly and staple to wood posts or securely attach to steel posts with standard wire clips. Wire is properly stretched when it is springy

SOW Page 6 to the touch. Drive staples diagonal to the grain of the wood. The wire shall be free to move through the staples as it expands and contracts. Terminate wire at each end post, gate post, corner post, or stress panel. Wrap wire around the post two times and tie off by wrapping around the incoming wire a minimum of four times.

Task 4: Brace Wire: Shall be twisted tight and tie off wire to prevent unwinding.

Task 5: Gates: Shall be installed according to the Work Data Sheet and the drawings.

Task 6: Spiking: For spikes larger than 40d, predrilled lead holes shall be used.

The hole diameter shall be three-fourths the diameter of the spike and drilled to a depth no greater than 1/2 the length of the spike.

Task 7: Fence Repair: Requires repair of existing fencing, including replacing sections of damaged wire; unclipping, splicing, and retightening wire;

repairing or replacing bent wire stays; and straightening or replacing steel posts as needed. Add additional steel posts and wire stays as needed to match existing fence. All leaning sections of fence will require unclipping of wire, resetting steel posts, retightening wire, and re-clipping wire to match existing spacing. All live or dead trees and tall brush will be cleared back to 2’ on either side of fence as necessary to facilitate repair. Contractor shall properly dispose of all damaged wire, wire stays, and steel posts at an approved disposal facility.

Task 8: Easy Fence Installation: Shall be constructed according to the Work Data Sheet and the drawings. All fence will be a four strand barbed wire fence, using

5.5 to 6 foot steel T-posts (depending on site) and 16.5’ spacing between t-posts.

Norton Drift Fence Removal

a) Remove the fence lines as shown on the Work Summary Chart and Project Location Maps. The Contractor shall dispose of all material not designated for salvage, on all fences, off of Public lands. All Steel fence t-posts designated for salvage will be stockpiled at ¼ mile intervals, or as requested by the COR. T-posts in good condition could be utilized on fences within close proximity. Posts will be hauled to BLM Wild Horse and Burro facility unless otherwise specified by the COR. All easy panels will also be hauled to this location. T-Posts and Easy Panels shall be removed in a fashion to be reused.

B. If wire proves salvageable, the COR and contractor will work together on best method of storing and hauling wire. If not salvageable, COR and contractor will discuss best method of disposal.

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C. Materials from the is fence may also be reused on remaining fences within this contract.

SOW 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule

A. Location: The BLM will provide the Government-furnished property. As directed by the Contractor’s Officer Representative (COR) fence materials will be available for contractor pick-up at two locations: Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro Corral Facility 474-000 Hwy 395 E, Litchfield, CA.; or at the BLM TOTC training Facility (AKA – 5th street yard) located approximately within city limits of Susanville at 1495 5th Street, Susanville, CA 96130.

B. Time: Property will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

except on holidays, and weekends. This can be flexible between on duty COR and contractor.

C. Return of Unused Property: Return all unused government furnished material to the same location as it was picked up. (Work with on-site COR)

D. Loading/Offloading/Transporting Property: The Contractor shall load and transport materials to work sites.

SOW 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government-furnished.

Materials:

The Government shall furnish the below materials to assist the Contractor in meeting the requirement of this contract (including t-posts, t-post clips, barbed wire, smooth wire, galvanized pipe, brace bands/nuts/bolts, wood round poles (for wire gates), staples, and page wire), except for those items specified as government furnished property and services.

The contractor shall furnish all other materials required to complete the project outside of what is listed below.

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Materials to be Furnished by the Government:

Item Description Location – (All materials) Litchfield Wild Horse and Burro

(WHB) Corral Facility T-Posts (clips included) 5.5 ft. all green – heavy duty 133s Use on all projects

T-Posts (clips included) 6 ft. white tops – heavy duty 133s

May be used if BLM runs out of 5.5 T-posts

Barbed wire Red Brand or Oklahoma Steel

Whichever is available at the corrals

Smooth Wire (barbless cable wire)

Red Brand or Oklahoma Steel

Whichever is available at the corrals

Drill Stem Pipe 7 ft. 2 3/8-inch pipe

Whitehorse Spring, Humphrey, Rocky Table - Can be welded or use brace bands if conditions or too dry and water is not available supporting welding needs

Galvanized Pipe Posts 7 ft. 2 3/8-inch 14 gauge Use only if BLM runs out of Drill stem pipe (unlikely needed)

Galvanized Pipe Posts 7 ft. 1 7/8-inch 14 gauge Use only if BLM runs out of Drill stem pipe (unlikely needed)

Brace bands/nuts/bolts For Pipe braces – no caps needed

Use as needed

Wood Round Poles (for wire gates)

8 ft. long; 2-3 inch diameter

Use for all wire gates – poles may need to be cut in 4-foot lengths

Fence clips

Easy Fence Panels Braces and wings To be used on Buffalo Berry Fence, however can be used on other fence as needed.

Facilities: Materials and contactor equipment may be stored at Litchfield Corrals at the approval of COR working with Facility Manager. This will be case by case basis.

The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish the work.

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SOW 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Security:

The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government property provided for Contractor use or under their control, including securing all facilities the Contractor may access after normal business hours.

Contractor shall coordinate work schedule with Contracting Officers Representative to minimize public and employee ingress/egress to the building.

Safety:

The Contractor shall not require, or allow any employee, engaged in the performance of this Contract to work under conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to his/her health or safety, as determined under safety and health standards promulgated by the Secretary of Labor under Section 107 of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 327 et seq.) as amended and other Federal, State and applicable local government safety standards.

Department of Labor Code of Federal Regulations Title 29 and other Federal, State and local government safety standards will apply in its entirety to the Contractor.

Examples of applicable safety standards are OSHA 29 CFR 1910, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, California Title 19, "Public Safety", California Title 8, "General Industry Safety Orders", and 41 CFR, Subpart B, "Public Contracts, General Safety and Health Standards."

The contractor shall also use the “BLM SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS” (The Yellow Book) for reference.

Should the contractor fail to comply with any of these standards and regulations, the contractor shall be found to have defaulted on the terms of the contract.

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Contingency Plan:

Sudden or unusual events could result in a negative impact to the delivery / performance of these requirements.

As an aid to properly plan for such events, the Contractor shall prepare and submit for approval a Contingency Plan for each Place of Performance for these requirements.

The Contractor will outline in detail the method(s) that the Contractor shall use in meeting Contract requirements in the following circumstances:

• a natural disaster occurs which impacts upon the Contractor's ability to perform

• a labor strike occurs which impacts upon the Contractor's ability to perform.

• a hazardous materials spill which impacts the Contractor’s ability to perform or which may affects public safety

• an incident which causes major damage which impacts the Contractor's ability to perform

• other unforeseen circumstances

In all cases, the Contractor will assume that government cannot provide supplemental forces, and continues to need the same or additional performance under the Contract, which the Contractor must meet.

This Contingency Plan shall be submitted as a part of the Contractor proposal.

Emergency Response:

Response to emergency service calls outside of the normal business hours shall not exceed four (4) hours regardless of the time during the day or night, weekends or holidays.

Response to emergency service during normal business hours shall not exceed two (2) hours.

Response is defined as having all personnel and equipment required to correct an emergency at the site of the emergency or at a pre-approved staging area, ready, willing, and able to perform the emergency work. The Contractor will provide a draft emergency response plan prior to Contract start date.

Emergency Services:

On occasion, services may be required to support an activation or exercise of contingency plans outside the normal business hours described above. The Contractor's responsibilities for emergency support will be in accordance with the contingency plan.

Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Response:

The Contractor will conform to all Bureau, Federal, State, and local regulations in the use and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. The Contractor will provide the appropriate response to any emergency involving hazardous materials at any of the facilities covered by this Contract. The Contractor will provide proof/certification of it's personnel qualified to work with hazardous materials and wastes to the Bureau. The Contractor will notify the Bureau immediately upon discovering a release of hazardous waste into the environment.

Public contact:

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Contractor personnel may encounter adjacent landowners or members of the public during the performance of their work.

Contractor personnel will present a professional appearance and be able to provide appropriate identification, including display of proper identification by each employee.

All Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall comply with all Federal and State laws relative to citizenship.

Contractor personnel shall inform any trespassers along the right of way of hazards and, as necessary and appropriate, ask trespassers to leave fenced off or restricted areas.

If Contractor personnel may encounter emergency personnel, policemen, or firemen along the right of way, the Contractor personnel shall notify the On-Site Foreman If Contractor personnel encounter the news media, they should refer all questions to the On-Site Foreman, who shall keep the COR informed of all news media contacts.

Government Observations:

Government personnel other than COR may from time to time observe, photograph, or otherwise record Contract operations.

However, these personnel will not interfere with Contractor performance.

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during regular working hours between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays.

If the Contractor desires to carry on work outside regular hours, including Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays, a request must be submitted to the COR in sufficient time to allow satisfactory arrangements to be made for access to the work site.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President’s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

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Drawings:

Typical Drawings: Any drawings titled typical are general only and dimensions of each structure will be fixed by the Contracting Officer to adapt the design to existing conditions at the structure location.

Reduced Size Drawings: Any drawings identified as "REDUCED SIZE DRAWINGS" are photographically reduced in size. Accordingly, measurements and dimensions should not be taken or be based on any numerical scales shown. Prospective bidders desiring to review a copy of the full size drawings may contact the Contracting Officer identified in the solicitation.

Preservation of Historical and Archeological Data:

The Historic and Archeological Data Preservation Act of 1974, provides for the preservation of historical and archeological data that might otherwise be lost as the result of alterations to the terrain caused by a federal or federally licensed activity or program.

If, in connection with operations under this contract, the Contractor, subcontractors, or the employees of any of them, discovers, encounters or becomes aware of any possible historical or archeological data, objects or sites of cultural value on the project area, such as historical ruins, graves or grave markers, fossils, or artifacts, the Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity of the cultural value and shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing, giving the location and nature of the findings. No objects of cultural resource value may be removed.

Where appropriate by reason of discovery, the Contracting Officer may order delays in the time of performance and/or changes in the work. If such delays and/or changes are ordered, the time of performance and contract price shall be adjusted in accordance with the Changes clause.

The Contractor will be responsible for protecting the cultural resources within the affected area from damage. In addition, the contractor will be liable for all damage to the identified cultural resources caused by their actions or the actions of their agents or representatives. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer or his representative if any damage occurs to any cultural resource and immediately suspend work in the area in which damage has occurred until authorized to proceed.

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SOW 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions

Standard Definitions:

Physical Condition The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR..

Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO) The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA) Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below) The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of the Contract that will be evaluated by the Government to assure Contract performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

Exhibits

1. Maps

a. Cottonwood Allotment Fence Repair

b. Wood Individual Pasture Fence Repair

c. Norton Drift Fence Removal

2. Standard Specifications for Fence Installation

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EXHIBIT 1

MAPS

1.a

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1.b

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1.c

STATEMENT OF WORK

EXHIBIT 2

Standard Specifica�ons for Fence Installa�on

Table of Contents

Barbed Wire Fence 4-Wire………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

Pipe Posts Specifica�ons…………………………………………………………………………………….. 2- 4

RB Corner Panel………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

RB End Panel………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

RB Stress Panel…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7

Sec�on 02824 A- Work Data Sheet 4 Wire Modified 16.5……………………………………. 8

Steel Corner Panels…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

Steel End and Stress Panels………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Typical 3 Wire Fence…………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

Wire Gates…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

Fence Guide.................................................………………………………………………………. 13-64

WORK DATA SHEET A

for

WIRE FENCES AND GATES

Fence type: Barbed Wire Fences, 4-Wire Modified

Type of top wire: Barbed

Type of intermediate wires: Barbed

Type of bottom wire: Smooth

Wire locations/dimensions in inches (spacing):

Standard 4-Wire Spacing

D: 12"

C: 6"

B: 4"

A: 18"

*Line post spacing (L): 16.5 ft

Length of steel posts (H1): 7 ft 0 inches

Depth of steel posts in ground (h1): 3 ft 0 inches

Length of steel T-posts (H2): 5 ft 6 inches (site by site)

Length of steel T-posts (H2): 6 ft 0 inches (site by site)

Depth of steel T-posts in ground (h2): 1 ft 6 inches

A Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife

Exhibit 2 - Fence Guide - Pages 13-64

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements Many resource and wildlife specialists, ranchers and landowners generously offered their insights and experience for this guide. Much of the content is based on A Landowner’s Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences, written for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 2008, and used with permission. Since then, the idea of “fencing with wildlife in mind” has taken off like wildfire across the West. The material has been revised and updated, benefitting from the creative ideas and practical experience of landowners and resource managers who have adopted a wildlife friendly approach in their operations.

Wyoming Wildlife – The Foundation provided an initial grant, and many organizations contributed funding and support to make this publication possible: Bridger-Teton National Forest, Firefly Diverters LLC, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, National Parks Con-servation Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Teton County, Teton Conservation District, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation. The Wyoming Land Trust was instrumental in offering financial administration for the project: my thanks to Jordan Vana and Summer Schulz for their kind and steady assistance.

A special thanks to everyone who contributed their insights, research, photographs and manuscript reviews.

Joel Bousman, John Nunn, Steve Pokorny, Don Spellman, Lindsay Wood, and the Wyoming Land Trust shared their experiences for the landowner stories found throughout the document.

My deep thanks to Ed Jenne for his wonderful illustrations and to Nancy Seiler for her beautifully creative talent in layout and design. Any errors in this booklet are mine alone.

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Cover Photo: Jeremy Roberts/Conservation Media; inset photo: Shawn Bryant

Mark Gocke

Author Christine Paige Ravenworks Ecology, Jackson, WY chrispaige@gmail.com

Graphic Design Nancy Seiler Missoula, MT nancy@nancyseiler.com

Illustrations E.R. Jenne Illustration Missoula, MT edjenne@earthlink.net

Citation Paige, C. 2012. A Landowner’s Guide to Fences and Wildlife:

Practical Tips to Make Your Fences Wildlife Friendly.

Wyoming Land Trust, Pinedale, WY. 52 pp.

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Table of Contents

Wildlife and Fences

Problem Fences

Wildlife Friendly Fences Getting Started Fence and Crossing Placement

Friendly Designs An Ideal Fence Visibility Sites with Low or Seasonal Livestock Use Sites with High or Continuous Livestock Use Openings, Crossings and Passes

Remedies for Existing Fences

Residential Fences

Fence Alternatives

If You Must Exclude

Deterring Predators

Getting Help

Sources

H en ry

H . H ol ds wo rth

/w ild by na tu re ga lle ry .co m

Wildlife and Fences

Why build wildlife friendly fences?

Fences are essential for controlling livestock and trespass, and countless miles of fence crisscross the West like strands of a spider’s web. Fences define and separate ranches and farms, outline property boundaries, enclose pastures and rangelands, and prevent livestock from straying onto highways.

Yet those miles of fence can also create hazards and barriers for wildlife, from big game animals to birds. Fences can block or hinder daily wildlife movements, seasonal migrations, and access to forage and water. Wildlife may avoid areas with too many fences to negotiate – for example, pronghorn choose seasonal ranges with lower fence densities (Sheldon 2005.) When animals collide or tangle in fences they can be injured or killed, and wildlife damage to fences can be costly and frustrating for landowners.

Fence Law in Wyoming A “Fence Out” State:

By law, Wyoming is a “fence out” state, which means that landowners are responsible for protecting their own property from ranging livestock. A stock-owner is not liable for trespass or damage if a property is not adequately protected by a “lawful fence.”

The fence out rule applies to cattle and domestic bison, but Wyoming is a “fence in” state for sheep. This custom has deep roots in Wyoming’s history due to ranching traditions and the large areas of open range in the state.

Generally, a lawful fence is a fence constructed well enough to keep out livestock. Wyoming Statute §11-28-102 stipulates that 3-strand barbed wire, board, pole or rail fence are all acceptable, and the statute provides some examples and specifications.

In addition, however, Wyoming Statute §11-28-102(b) states: “All other fences made and constructed of boards, rails, poles, stones, hedge plants or other material which upon evidence is declared to be as strong and well calculated to protect enclosures, and is as effective for resisting breaching stock as those described in subsection (a) of this section, shall be considered a lawful fence.”

Posting Against Trespass:

Wyoming Statute §6-3-303 provides that notice of trespass is given by

“posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.”

While many states stipulate the use of orange paint on fence posts or tree trunks to designate no hunting or trespass, there are no specific regulations in Wyoming regarding marking against trespass in this manner.

Other Regulations Check with your county and city offices for any local ordinances or regulations specific to fencing. If your property adjoins a state highway, check with Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) regarding highway right-of-way fence and options for removing or modifying fence for wildlife.

Many wildlife friendly fence designs are easy and low-cost, or save money by reducing future fence repair.

Yet not all fences create problems for wild animals. By tailoring fence design and placement, you can prevent wildlife injuries and decrease damage to your fence. Many of these methods are low-cost or can save money in the long-run by reducing the need for future fence repair.

This guide will help you construct and modify fences and crossings that are friendlier to wildlife while still meeting fencing needs. It will also help you with sources for technical assistance and possible cost-share opportunities.

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Problem Fences

Problem Fences Although deer, elk, moose, mountain sheep, and pronghorn are all capable of jumping fences, in a variety of situations they can become injured or entangled. Wire strands can readily snag animals and tangle legs, especially if wires are loose or spaced too closely together.

Animals can be hindered by deep snow or steep slopes, and young, pregnant or winter-stressed animals may have a particularly difficult time clear-ing fences. Deer, elk and other wildlife often bear scars from wire barbs. A torn ligament, strained leg or infection can weaken an animal’s chance of survival, and if animals can’t pull free at all, they slowly die of trauma and dehydration.

Some fences, especially woven wire fence, can be a complete barrier to fawns and calves even if adults can still jump over. Separated from their mothers and stranded from the herd, the youngsters curl up and die of exposure and dehydration. Woven wire can snare and strangle medium-sized animals and livestock if they push their heads through the wire mesh, and may block animals such as bears and bobcats that are too large to slip through.

If woven wire is topped with one or more strands of barbed wire, the fence

Winter-stressed, pregnant and young animals may especially have trouble clearing fences. An injury or infection from tangling with fences can weaken an animal’s chance of survival. If animals can’t pull free at all, they die of trauma and dehydration.

becomes a complete barrier, especially for fawns, calves, pronghorn and other animals that are incapable or unwilling to jump over such a fence.

Animals trying to leap a woven wire/ barbed wire fence are even more likely to tangle a leg between the top barbed wire and the stiff woven wire. In urban areas, fences topped with barbs or pointed spikes, such as decorative iron fences, can trap or impale leaping deer and other animals.

Large, low-flying birds, too, may collide with fences and break wings, impale themselves on barbs, or tangle in wires. Ducks, geese, cranes, swans, grouse, hawks and owls are especially vulnerable. Waterfowl fly into fences that run near or across waterways, and hawks and owls may careen into fences when swooping in on prey.

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C ol or ad o Pa rk s a nd W ild lif e fi le ph ot o

C or y L oe ck er

Above: After crossing a highway, a black bear desperately searches for a way through a woven wire fence, finally climbing a power pole to leap over.

Above: This peregrine falcon died when it collided with a fence while diving on killdeer. Many birds are vulnerable to fence collisions.

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What kinds of fence cause problems for wildlife?

Fences that:

• are too high to jump;

• are too low to crawl under;

• have loose or broken wires;

• have wires spaced too closely together;

• can impale or snag a leaping animal;

• are difficult for running animals or birds to see;

• create a complete barrier.

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Antlered animals can become fatally tangled in poly rope fence and loose barbed wire.

Maintaining fence tension and using high-tensile wire for electric fences prevents such losses.

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Above: This badly tangled pronghorn was fortunately freed by the photographer, who was able to clip the wires.

Elk, deer and other ungulates often die if their legs tangle in wire fences. Woven wire topped with barbed wire was found to be the most lethal type of fence, especially for young wild ungulates.

The Bottom Line: Hard Numbers Recently, researchers at Utah State

University completed a study of wildlife mortality along more than 600 miles of fences in the rangelands of northeast-ern Utah and northwestern Colorado (Harrington 2005, Harrington and Conover 2006). By repeatedly driving and walking fencelines over two seasons, they tallied the number of mule deer, pronghorn and elk carcasses they found caught in fences and lying next to fences. They also studied which fence types caused the most problems.

Here are their key findings:

Snared and Entangled

• On average, one ungulate per year was found tangled for every 2.5 miles of fence.

• Most animals (69% of juveniles and 77% of adults) died by getting caught in the top two wires while trying to jump a fence.

• Juveniles are 8 times more likely to die in fences than adults.

• Mortalities peaked during August, when fawns were weaned.

• Woven wire fence topped with a single strand of barbed wire was the most lethal fence type, as it easily snared and tangled legs between the barbed wire and rigid woven wire.

• 70% of all mortalities were on fences higher than 40".

Blocked and Stranded

• Where ungulates were found dead next to, but not in fences, on average one ungulate per year died for every

1.2 miles of fence.

• 90% of these carcasses found near fences were fawns lying in a curled position – probably separated from their mothers when they could not cross.

• Most of these indirect mortalities were found next to woven wire fences.

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TIP:

If trying to rescue a tangled and struggling animal, covering its head with a cloth or coat will help calm the animal.

Wildlife Friendly Fences

The best situation for wildlife is open habitat with no fences at all. Wherever possible, remove obsolete fences that are no longer needed.

Where you need to fence, less fence is better. Established fences can be modified to allow easier passage, and new fence can be designed with wildlife in mind.

To get started, consider your needs and create a plan. You can tailor any of the designs in this guide to your specific needs.

When you design your fence, consider:

• purpose of the fence;

• topography – hills, gullies, streams and wetlands;

• species of wildlife present;

• daily or seasonal wildlife movements in the area;

• presence of water, food and cover for wildlife;

• presence of young animals.

First consider these questions:

1. What is the purpose of the fence?

Do you need to mark a boundary?

Deter trespass? Enclose or exclude livestock? If your fence is for livestock, what kind, in what seasons, and for how long?

Your purpose should determine your fence design and placement.

2. What is the topography?

Are you fencing on hills, in rocky country where posts cannot be driven, or near or across streams or wetlands?

Design your fence to avoid creating traps for wildlife.

3. Which wildlife species are in your area?

Build fence or crossings that both young and adult animals can negotiate.

4. What are the daily or seasonal wildlife movements in the area?

Do animals calve or nest nearby?

Does wildlife migrate through to winter or breeding areas?

Allow movement and access through natural corridors and habitats.

haystack fence children’s play area moveable/ seasonal power fence lay-down fence lay-down fence elk migration wildlife access to water and travel corridor

Getting Started

Most fences can be designed or modified to allow easier passage for wildlife.

Wildlife Friendly Fences

Fence and Crossing Placement Placement of fences is just as important as the type of fence used.

Fencing need not restrict wildlife movement everywhere on your property.

Wherever possible, design your fence to provide wildlife free travel to important habitats and corridors, as well as access to water. Wetlands and riparian habitats are especially important for all wildlife.

Watch for daily and seasonal wildlife movement patterns and look for trails.

Use impenetrable, special purpose fence only in specific areas where it is critical, such as calving or lambing pastures, haystacks, gardens, orchards, play areas or kennels.

Design property boundary fence so wildlife can easily cross, or with gaps or lay-down sections for wildlife passage whenever and wherever livestock are not present.

Work with your land’s topography.

Swales, gullies, ridges and stream corridors can funnel wildlife through an area – keep these open to allow wildlife passage and avoid topography traps.

A fence of any height is more difficult to cross when placed across a steep slope or next to a deep ditch .

As ground slope increases, the height

0% slope

42"

30% slope

62"

50% slope

75"

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Tailor your fences to specific needs and allow wildlife access to water, important habitats, and travel corridors.

Good Fence Placement Tips

• Look for wildlife trails and watch for seasonal patterns.

• Provide wildlife access to riparian habitats, water holes and other high quality habitats.

• Provide passage along swales, gullies, ridges and stream corridors.

• Use the appropriate fence design for each activity.

• On slopes and in natural travel corridors, plan for wildlife crossings.

C hr ist in e P aig e an animal must jump to clear the fence increases considerably. For instance, a 42" fence may be passable on level ground, but a slope of only 10% increases the effective fence height to 48.6"; a slope of 30% increases effective height to 62", and on a 50% slope animals encounter an obstacle 75" high. Fences on steep slopes become nearly impossible for animals to jump without injury .

smooth barbed barbed smooth

18" preferred (16" minimum)

40" preferred (42" maximum) increase visibility with a pVc cover, high-visibility wire, flagging, or a top rail. 12" idEAl WildlifE friEndly fEncE

Friendly Designs

The friendliest fences are very visible and allow wild animals to easily jump over or slip under the wires or rails.

An Ideal Fence A fence that is friendly to wildlife should:

• Allow animals to jump over and crawl under easily without injury;

• Be highly visible for both ungulates and birds.

You can combine or tailor many of the ideas presented in this guide for your specific situation.

The top wire or rail should be low enough for adult animals to jump over, preferably 40" or less, and no more than 42" high. The distance between the top two wires should be no less than 12" apart. Deer and elk easily tangle their back legs if the top wires are closer together.

The bottom wire or rail should be high enough for pronghorn and young wild ungulates to crawl under. The bottom wire should be a minimum of 16" from the ground and preferably at least 18." Take advantage of small dips, swales and gullies to provide a slightly larger gap below the fence and allow animals to pass under easily. Many cattle ranchers have found that although a small calf may slip under the higher bottom wire, they can also easily slip back again to mom and not be stranded on the wrong side of the fence.

The Wildlife Friendly Fence: A Livestock/Wildlife Compromise These standards will control cattle in most situations and allow for easier wildlife passage.

Fences should be low enough for adult animals to jump, high enough for wildlife to crawl under, and minimize the chance of tangling. We recommend:

• A top wire or rail preferably no more than 40" and a maximum of 42" above the ground;

• At least 12" between the top two wires;

• A bottom wire or rail at least 16" and preferably 18" above the ground;

• Smooth wire or rail for the top, smooth wire on bottom;

• Preferably, no vertical stays. If used, consider stiff plastic or composite stays, or regularly maintain wire stays that are easily bent;

• Posts at 16.5-foot intervals;

• Gates, drop-downs, or other passages where wildlife concentrate and cross.

Increasing visibility using a top rail, high-visibility poly-wire, flagging or other markers can help ungulates and birds better avoid or navigate fences. Using smooth wire – such as barbless twisted wire – for the top and bottom strands will prevent snagging and injuries.

Use electric tape or braid only for temporary applications. It should be removed or lowered to the ground when livestock are not present.

In some situations, fence stays can help maintain distance between strands, prevent sagging, and reduce the chance of entanglement. However, wire stays are easily bent over, collapsing the fence and creating a three-dimensional hazard, and need to be regularly maintained. An alternative is a stiff plastic or composite stay or fiberglass post that flexes but maintains its shape.

In wildlife migration areas, drop-down fence, lay-down fence or other crossings can be incorporated into fence sections for seasonal wildlife passage. Good husbandry practices go hand in hand with wildlife friendlier fences . Livestock that have good forage and the security and companionship they want are much less likely to test or challenge fences .

Although calves may slip under a higher bottom wire, they can also slip back again to mom, and not be stranded.

Located thirteen miles south of Boulder, Wyoming, on the western flank of the Wind River Range, Eastfork Livestock is owned and managed by Joel Bousman and his family. The family’s deep roots in the area run back to Bousman’s grandfather, who homesteaded on the East Fork River, and forward to his grandchildren, the sixth generation to live here.

The family runs a 500-head cow/calf operation on a diverse mix of private ranch land, leased state land, and BLM and Forest Service grazing allotments. The operation stretches from valley sagebrush shrub-steppe and flood-irrigated native grass hay meadows up to montane and alpine meadows.

Bousman has long been committed to balanced use and science-based steward-ship, basing his resource decisions on careful monitoring of conditions. He initiated a cooperative monitoring program among the several permittees on the Silver Creek grazing allotment, and organizes annual monitoring rides with Forest Service, BLM, Game and Fish and NRCS personnel to identify issues and management objectives.

When Bousman learned of the Wyoming Land Trust’s initiatives to install wildlife friendly fences in pronghorn and mule deer migration corridors of Sublette County, he was intrigued. “I always thought that wildlife friendly meant 3-wire smooth wire fence and that wouldn’t work for cattle,” he explains. “Then I was on a land tour and saw this style of fence and thought, well, that would work for us.”

F E N C E S O L U T I O N S P U T T O T H E T E S T Going Wildlife Friendly at Eastfork Livestock

With the aid of the Wyoming Land Trust, Bousman replaced twelve miles of fence with a wildlife friendly design, using a standard of 42" top wire, a smooth wire on the bottom at 16" and a 12" spacing between Two mule deer found no trouble in crossing an

Eastfork Livestock wildlife friendly fence.

Tracks reveal where mule deer now easily cross Eastfork Livestock’s new wildlife friendly fence. Twelve inches between the top two wires, a smooth bottom wire placed at least 16" high, and a top wire no more than 42” high make a friendly fence.

Joel Bousman points out where mule deer readily cross his cattle fence that was modified for wildlife.

the top and second wire to reduce the chance of animals tangling their legs as they jump over. Fence posts and wires were replaced wherever needed, and otherwise the fence was modified using existing materials as long as they were in good shape.

Pointing out tracks in the early winter snow, Bousman observes, “You can see where the mule deer easily jump over and go under the fence.” Asked about the dimensions of the fence, Bousman says it works well for his cattle, and with the bottom smooth wire at 16" height, he isn’t worried about his calves.

“The only thing that might get through are the really little ones, and not for long – they want to stick close to mom.”

Photo: Christine Paige

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Friendly Designs

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Visibility Running animals and low-flying birds may not see a wire fence clearly against the landscape. Making a fence highly visible prevents collisions, and can help animals judge the height of a fence for jumping.

One solution is a top rail. A rounded rail is preferable as it sheds snow more easily – heavy snow buildup can sometimes deter elk and deer from crossing. For wire fences, an inexpensive modification is to slip sections of small diameter PVC pipe over the top strand.

Smooth wire fences, especially high-tensile wire, may be essentially invisible to animals. Depending on the type of fence, these can be made more visible by adding PVC pipe, flagging, fence markers or highly-visible polywire or polytape on the top strand. Twisted barbless cable is more visible than a single wire strand, and high-visibility wire is available in many

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High visibility helps wildlife negotiate fences. it is especially important in grasslands and near creeks and wetlands to protect low-flying birds, such as grouse, owls and swans. pVc pipe, flagging, or black and white wire or tape all help wildlife see fences.

C hr ist in e P aig e forms – tape, braid and polymer-coated wire – many of which can be electrified if needed. White wire is the most visible in summer, but black and white wire or tape makes the fence visibly obvious against both summer vegetation and snow.

Markers for Wire Fence For barbed or woven wire fence:

• Cut several 12′ strips of “undersill” or trim strips of white vinyl siding, available at home hardware centers.

• Cut strips to 3" pieces. Use tin snips for small projects, or use a 10" miter saw with a 200-tooth blade to cut up to 16 pieces at a time for larger projects.

• One 12′ siding strip yields 48 pieces.

• For extra visibility, add reflective tape to both sides of the markers, which increases detection in low light. Or use both black and white markers for visibility against snow and vegetation.

• Snap pieces onto fence wires – they are held in place between barbs.

Wyoming Game and fish has found that, for each rod of fence, a minimum of two pieces with reflective tape on the top wire is effective. Or, alternate four pieces of black and white markers on the top wire. Marking a lower or bottom wire will increase visibility for pronghorn and other wildlife.

For smooth wire fence:

• To keep the vinyl siding markers from sliding, crimp a ferrule, twist a small spring, or tighten a UV-resistant zip-tie (tie-wrap) onto the wire on each side of the marker. Although this adds time to installation, it keeps the markers in place. Crimping the marker itself causes the marker to wear and break.

• An alternative is to make flags from reflective tape that can adhere to the wire (note, however, that reflective tape will conduct power on a hot wire.)

• Some commercially-made markers available online or in ranch supply outlets may work better on smooth wire.

• Place a minimum of two flags per rod of fence on the top wire; or up to four on the top wire and three on the middle or bottom wire.

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Fence Flags for Grouse and Other Birds

Fence flags or markers dramatically increase visibility of wire fences for wildlife, especially birds, and help animals avoid and negotiate fences.

Research on sage-grouse in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana has shown that fence markers can…