3.7.1.5 Designated Wildlife Areas

3.7.1.5 Designated Wildlife Areas

There are multiple designated wildlife areas that are in the vicinity of the Project. These areas are managed or overseen by the BLM and WGFD. These areas are briefly described in Table 3.7-4 and shown in Figure 3.7-3 and Figure 3.7-4. As previously mentioned, portions of the wildlife study area are located in winter range crucial habitat for bighorn sheep, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope (Figure 3.7-4).

Table 3.7-4. Designated Wildlife Areas

Designated Area

BLM Description

Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area The Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area encompasses 6,003 acres north and northeast of the Footprint of Potential Disturbance. Habitat in this area is characterized by rocky ledges and mountain plateaus and vegetation includes grasses and sagebrush along with pockets of pine, aspen, and willows (Black Canyon 2020b).

WGFD

Morgan Creek Wildlife Habitat Management Area

The Morgan Creek Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) is located approximately 30 miles north of Sinclair (on the northwest side of the Footprint of Potential Disturbance) and primarily exists for the establishment of a bighorn sheep herd. The Seminoe and South Ferris Mountain ranges have been the sites for several successful bighorn sheep transplants and there is now a bighorn sheep hunting season in this region. Besides elk and bighorn sheep, more than 100 mule deer live in the area. Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris), coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and other small mammals utilize the Morgan Creek WHMA for all or parts of the year. Pronghorn antelope occupy the surrounding foothills, though are uncommon within the WHMA boundaries (WGFD 2019b). Crucial Aquatic Areas The 2017 WGFD Statewide Action Plan states that one of the goals of the plan was to target habitat conservation efforts for SGCN and to guide development and other habitat alterations away from important habitat (WGFD 2017a). It identifies Seminoe Reservoir as a Crucial Aquatic Area (WGFD 2015).

Crucial Habitat/Crucial Winter Range The WGFD has identified areas based on their biological or ecological values. In order to maintain viable populations of certain species, these areas need to be protected or managed (WGFD 2015). During November 15-April 30th these areas must be avoided. The Mule Deer Crucial Winter Range crosses the Footprint of Potential Disturbance in several locations. The Bighorn Sheep Crucial Winter Range has been identified in the Footprint of Potential Disturbance near the Morgan Creek WHMA. Pronghorn Crucial Winter Range has been identified mostly along the proposed transmission line corridor (See Figure 3.7-4).

Designated Area Description

Shirley Basin/Medicine Bow Management Area- Black-Footed Ferret

The Shirley Basin/Medicine Bow Management Area 10J boundary covers the western half of Carbon County, between Casper and Elk Mountain, Wyoming. The 10J boundary is an area designated to help with the re-introduction of the Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes). The main Black-footed Ferret study area is located approximately 45 miles northwest of the Project (WGFD 2018). Migration Corridors Executive Order (EO) 2020-1 Wyoming Mule Deer and Antelope Migration Corridor Protection designates migration corridors within the state for mule deer and antelope. These corridors do not fall within the Footprint of Potential Disturbance; however, they are located approximately 10 miles southwest.

Enhancement Habitat Priority Areas Enhancement Habitat Priority Areas are identified as those with the potential to address wildlife habitat issues and to improve, enhance, or restore wildlife habitats. One Enhancement Habitat Priority Area is located in the northwestern portion of the proposed Project, the Ferris-Seminoe Mountains (see Figure 3.7-3) (WGFD 2015).

Crucial Habitat Priority Areas

Sage-grouse Core Area Crucial Habitat Priority Areas are areas that need to be protected or managed to maintain healthy populations based on significant biological or ecological values (WGFD 2020a). The Footprint of Potential Disturbance falls within the Terrestrial Crucial Habitat Priority Areas for three species: Greater Sage-grouse core, big game transition, and big game crucial range. The Footprint of Potential Disturbance intersects crucial ranges for bighorn sheep, antelope, and mule deer (WGFD 2015). EO 2019-3 Greater Sage-grouse Core Area Protection in the state of Wyoming delineates priority habitat areas for the Greater Sagegrouse. The Footprint of Potential Disturbance falls within a Greater Sage-grouse core area. There are no identified Greater Sage-grouse leks within the Footprint of Potential Disturbance (WGFD 2017b), however several leks are known in the Project vicinity and a few leks are very close to the Footprint of Potential Disturbance.

Source: Black Canyon 2020b. Note: Additional information describing BLM seasonal discretionary timing restrictions is provided in Section 3.7.1.8.