Community Integrated Resource Planning

Advisory Committee

Meeting Nine June 27, 2013

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions Dr. John Brailsford, Facilitator

Presentation: Virgin River Program – Cooperative Recovery

Henry Maddux, Endangered Species Director Utah Department of Natural Resources

Presentation: 2013 Stewards of Water

Sterling Brown, Vice President of Public Policy Utah Farm Bureau Federation

Public Comment Meeting conclusion and adjournment

The Virgin River Program

“Cooperative Recovery”

Henry Maddux

Program Director

Signatory Partners

Program Goals

Implement actions to recover, conserve, enhance,

and protect native species in the Virgin River

basin

Enhance the ability to provide adequate

water supplies for sustaining human needs

Species addressed by the Program

Woundfin Virgin River chub

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

Virgin spinedace Flannelmouth sucker

Desert Sucker Speckled dace

Why are the natives struggling?

Loss of habitat Water

Native vegetation

Nonnative Species Red Shiner

Other nonnative fish

Tamarisk

Limiting Factors Temperature

Lack of turbidity

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50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

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00

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An

nu

al

Yie

ld (

Ac

re-F

ee

t)

Water Year

09406000 Virgin River near Virgin 1910-2012 Annual Yield (Acre-Feet)

<50% of Avg ≥50% &<65% ≥65% & <85%

≥85% &<115% ≥115% &<200% ≥200% of Avg

Actions for Recovery

Resolve conflicts between species conservation and human activities Restore water to the river channel Identify factors limiting native species populations

Put screens on diversions and ponds Maintain brood stock at hatcheries, stock fish into the river, monitor

populations Improve natural river processes

Remove tamarisk, re-vegetate with native species

Eliminate nonnative fishes from river Public outreach and education

Results of Program Communication and cooperation between federal, state, local regulatory

agencies and communities

Restored river flows in areas where water has been lacking

Maintaining populations of native and endangered species

Controlling nonnative species

Restoration and re-vegetation of Virgin River floodplain

Outreach and education to improve the publics view of the river

“I don't know what it cost to produce this calendar but it was worth it.

I sat my fourth grade team down and we discussed the calendar

and they were impressed with it's beauty and the information

it contained. We also appreciate the water fair you sponsor.

Thank you so much!!!” Dale Porter, Principal, Dixie Sun Elem.

Woundfin Captures @ Recovery Team Stations

Why the decline in Woundfin? Bloomington reach of the river – red shiner invasion

Above Washington Fields Diversion From 1968-1998 (30 years) there were only 6 years below 65% annual runoff

From 1998-present (15 years) there have been 9 years below 65% annual runoff and 6 of the 9 were below 50% annual runoff

In 2003, a sluicing event reduced fish numbers; numbers rebounded in 2003 and 2004

In 2007, ash from an upstream area burned by fire caused a major fish kill

Lack of good water years, too much or too little

Nonnative Eradication Efforts

Red shiner eliminated after 2008, but re-established in 2011 after flooding

Intensive mechanical and chemical efforts to remove unwanted fish

Multiple barriers have been constructed to aid eradication efforts

Fathead minnow from golf course ponds invaded the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers in 2011

Currently can’t treat downstream into Arizona due to lack of cooperation

Pumpback System

Designed to provide stored winter water to Hurricane Canal users and leave water in the river in summer for fish needs.

Additional flows will mitigate high summer temperatures limiting fish while not affecting senior agricultural water rights.

Quail

Creek

Diversion

Washington

Fields

Diversion

Pump

Station

Pah

Tempe

Hot

Springs

• Must meet water right of 86 cfs at WFD

• Two possible release points:

–Quail Creek Reservoir release

–Hydro-plant release

• Release from hydro-plant is

approximately 10 river miles upstream

• Hydroplant releases up to 27 cfs

Quail

Release

Hydroplant

Release

WCF

O

Average instream temperature

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

June 16-30 July August September 1-12

Av

era

ge T

em

pera

ture

(°C

)

Sheep's Bridge Below Pah Tempe Hydroplant Inflow Above Ash/La Verkin

Temperature and discharge metrics between Pah Tempe and Ash/LaVerkin

creeks June15-30

July August Sept 1-13

Summary

Average temperature difference (°C)

-9.03 -5.33 -1.97 -2.73 -4.47

Average percent difference (%)

-25.10

-15.48

-6.61 -9.42 -14.15

Difference in total hours ≥28°C

-292 -351 -298 -170.5 -1111.5

Difference in total hours ≥31°C

-384 -

472.4 -106 -34.7 -997.1

Average discharge from pumpback (cfs)

9.51 12.59 9.76 9.69 10.75

Average percent discharge from pumpback

28.07 26.34 10.98 14.64 20.69

Temperature metrics between Pah Tempe and above Ash/LaVerkin creeks

June 15-30

July August Sept1-13

Summary

Average temperature difference (°C)

-9.0 -5.3 -2.0 -2.7 -4.5

Average percent difference (%)

-25.1 -15.5 -6.6 -9.4 -14.2

Difference in total hours ≥28°C

-292 -351 -298 -171 -1112

Difference in total hours ≥31°C

-384 -472 -106 -35 -997

Fish Screens

Constructed in 2004-2005

Prevents fish from being lost to Washington Fields Canal system

Hatcheries, Stocking & Monitoring

Three hatcheries Dexter (N.M.) and Wahweap (UT) – produce woundfin and chub Bozeman (MT) - research

Stocking (Have targeted around 25,000/year but hope to increase number) 2012 – 5,000 woundfin stocked into the Virgin River 2011 – 1,034 woundfin stocked March, 30,000 stocked in October

Floodplain acquisition and protection

Confluence Park Presently about 350 acres protected as a nature park

Property owned by Washington County, conservation easements owned by Utah Division of Wildlife

Preservation of 100 yr. floodplain Program partners are acquiring properties within floodplain

Participants working to remove tamarisk and

revegtate areas

Revegetation/Restoration Efforts Working with many agencies over one hundred acres have been revegetated in the

past five years. Benefits of revegetation/restoration

Aesthetically pleasing

Keeps tamarisk and other nonnative plants out

Helps maintain floodplain processes

Protects from erosion damage

Helps wildlife

Reduces fire hazard

Virgin Spinedace

Santa Clara River Virgin Spinedace Restoration Background

1994: Virgin Spinedace proposed to be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered

Species Act (ESA) due to 37-40% decline in Virgin Spinedace historic range.

1995: Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement and Strategy (VSCAS) developed in

accordance with the ESA to remove conditions resulting in the decline of Virgin Spinedace,

enhance spinedace habitat, and re-establish locally extirpated populations throughout the

Virgin River Basin.

Goal of the VSCAS is “conservation and enhancement of the Virgin Spinedace and its habitat”

to ultimately increase the species range to at least 80% of its historically occupied habitat.

VSCAS identified target reaches for re-establishment of population maintenance flows

including the Santa Clara River downstream from Gunlock Reservoir to the confluence with

the Virgin River

Summary

• Targeted actions increased VS distribution by 49.3 km (30.6 mi) above baseline habitat • VR main stem below QCD (4.5 km; 2.8 mi)

• Santa Clara River below Gunlock Reservoir (28.1 km; 17.5 mi)

• Beaver Dam Wash below Schroeder Reservoir (11.8 km; 7.3 mi)

• Quail Creek (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) and Leeds Creek (2.9 km; 1.8 mi)

• Natural recolonization occurred within 12.7 km (7.9 mi) above baseline habitat • E.F. Beaver Dam Wash (6.3 km; 3.9 mi)

• Magotsu Creek (2.6 km; 1.6 mi)

• North Creek (3.9 km; 2.4 mi)

Summary (Continued)

• The only loss of baseline habitat occurred within Ash Creek (4.0 km; 2.5 mi)

• Virgin Spinedace currently occupy 89% of historic habitat

• An additional 10.8 km (6.7 mi) of habitat outside of historic habitat has been naturally recolonized • Moody Wash (5.4 km; 3.4 mi) • Racer Canyon (1.0km; 0.6 mi) • La Verkin Creek (4.3 km; 2.7 mi)

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii extimus

Breeding Biology -Eggs

-Clutch size 2–4 eggs

-Female incubates, 12–13 d

-Parental care -Male & female feed nestlings, 12–15 d

-Fledglings remain in territory 14+ d

0

2

4

6

RiversideMarsh

SeegmillerMarsh

River RdBridge

RiversideEast

SnipePond

Y-DrainMarsh

Nu

mb

er

of

bre

ed

ing

fe

ma

les

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

All Sites

SWFL numbers in St George, 2008-2012 Females shifted distribution, but no change overall

0 00 000 00

Nest Predation (2010-2012)

-41 % nests / year -Range 26-60 %; n = 56

-Predators unknown -Mostly avian?

-Nest video (2012) -1 predation event

-Brown-headed Cowbird

Riverside Marsh Restoration Area

Public Outreach/Education

Efforts continue in 2012

Education Weeks – four weeks during the year ~ 1,000 students seen

Washington County Water Fair & 4,000 calendars distributed

Presentations to city councils, various other groups Website Regular articles in local papers, news Aquarium in WCWCD building

Other community activities

Fish clearances for stream alteration projects

Program/UDWR internship 20 students over the past 5 years + 5 teachers have participated

Santa Clara/Virgin River Master Plans Planning documents that provide recommendations for floodplain usage

Upcoming issues Maintaining communication and cooperation

Protecting and improving habitat

Focused research on woundfin including channelization and food limitations

Cooperators

QUESTIONS?

2013 STEWARDS OF WATER

Sterling Brown

Vice President of Public Policy

Utah Farm Bureau Federation

Num

ber

of F

arm

s

Land in F

arm

s/R

anches

Cash R

eceip

ts

36th 26th 37th

UTAH AGRICULTURE 2012

16,600

FARMS

RANCHES

11.1

MILLION

ACRES

$1.3

BILLION

UTAH AGRICULTURE

2012

Utah Top Agricultural

Products

• Dairy Products

• Cattle & Calves

• Hogs

• Hay

• Greenhouse/Nursery

Nationally, Utah Ranks . . .

• 2nd in tart cherries

• 7th in apricots

• 8th in sweet cherries

• 19th in peaches

• 2nd in mink

• 5th in sheep

• 13th in trout production

Utah’s growing season

ranges from 60 to 190 days.

AMERICANS PAY

THE LEAST

FOR FOOD

2012

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT

OF AGRICULTURE

ESTABLISHED IN 1862

96%

4%

Total Federal

Budget

USDA's Budget

Total 2012 Federal Budget--$3.7 Trillion

USDA’s 2012 Budget--$145 Billion

74%

7%

13% 6%

USDA’s 2012 Budget

$145 Billion

Nutrition

Assistance

Conservation &

Forestry

Farm &

Commodity

All Other

WATER TRANSFER

Agriculture Municipal & Individual

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1850 1875 1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050

Po

pu

lati

on

(M

illio

ns

) Growing Population

Growing Conflict

2000-2.2 Million

2050-5.46 Million

1850 1875 1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

URBAN CONSERVATION

EFFORTS

Wait until night to water your lawn.

Always use a bucket to when you wash your car.

Turn off the faucet when you brush.

Every leak wastes water—fix them.

Rain barrels save water.

Drip Tape

Xeriscape (Zeroscape)

Shrubs & Bushes

Agriculture is a BIG user of water.

AGRICULTURE

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Flood irrigation

vs. Sprinkler

IRRIGATING WITH GPS

COOPERATIVE

AGREEMENTS

LASER LEVELING

LINING DITCHES & CANALS

Where will Utah find

enough water to double

the population while

maintaining a sustainable

agriculture industry?

Continued . . .

“We won’t! (long pause)

We must better utilize our

current water resources. We

can’t keep putting the same

amount of water on golf

courses, lawns and

entertainment venues.” --cow/calf and alfalfa grower in West Weber County

“There must be a significant

mindset shift away from

wanting and expecting green

grass everywhere and all year.

Too much emphasis is put on

landscape esthetics. We must

move towards more native and

drought tolerant landscape

plants.” --small grains grower in Cache Valley

“If God wants us to live here,

He must give us the water.

(laugh, laugh) It’s probably

going to come from agriculture.

As a result, agriculture will

have to take a back seat to

production, contributing to the

economy and way of life.” --turf grower in Washington County

“ We must use water wisely.

It’s there. We just need to

be better stewards of

existing water.” --cow/calf operator in Uintah County

U.S. BUREAU OF

RECLAMATION RESPONSE

Increase conservation, efficiency,

markets, and collaboration.

Improve technology and remove

institutional barriers and increase

interagency coordination.

AGRICULTURE CHALLENGES

GOING FORWARD

1. Converting Ag Water to

Municipal & Individual

2. Canal Safety & Liability

– Responsibility

– Safety & Maintenance

– Funding

– Communication &

Accountability

– Risk Management

3. Maintaining Water

Quality

4. Maintaining Rights to

Water on Public Lands

5. Water Development

6. Water Funding

Affordable, Abundant,

Safe Food and Fiber

Requires Abundant

WATER

WATER IS LIFE!

Public Comment

July 25 Governor’s Listening Session 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Dixie State University, Dunford Auditorium 225 South 700 East, St. George August 15 Amelia Nuding, Western Resource Advocates 4:00-6:00 p.m. Washington County Water Conservancy District 533 E. Water Works Drive September 19 Jeremy Aguero, Applied Analysis 4:00-6:00 p.m. Washington County Water Conservancy District 533 E. Water Works Drive

Meeting Schedule

Meeting conclusion and adjournment

Thank you for attending