The Scotch Creek Wildlife Area is a complex of 7 separate management units located in Okanogan county in North Central Washington State.  The project is located within the Columbia Cascade Province (Okanogan sub-basin) and partially addresses adverse impacts caused by the construction of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee hydroelectric dams.  The total size of all wildlife area units is 24,947 acres.  The Scotch Creek Wildlife Area was approved as a wildlife mitigation project in 1996 and habitat enhancement efforts to meet mitigation objectives have been underway since the spring of 1997 on Scotch Creek.  Population estimates of Sharp-tailed grouse on the Scotch Creek unit show a steady increase since initial acquisition in 1991.  Habitat enhancements and genetic supplementation through augmentation appear to be having a positive effect.  

Maintenance of BPA funded enhancements are necessary to protect and enhance shrub-steppe and riparian habitats to recover and sustain populations of Sharp-tailed grouse and other obligate species.  This contract will maintain shrub and tree plantings to ensure continued growth and survival, and the benefit of Sharp tailed grouse winter habitat.  Boundary fence repair will be performed to prevent trespass livestock on all wildlife area units.  Weed control on all acres of the wildlife area will be performed to restore quality habitat as well as protection from new invaders and maintain existing HU's.  Maintenance of signs, physical improvements, roads and parking areas will protect habitat by directing and informing the public.  Funding of administrative duties will keep project staff informed of new procedures and developments, BPA and DFW personnel informed of on-going projects, keep planning and project reporting on track, and insure smooth operations between all interested parties.  

In addition to on-going maintenance and protection of the area, we will complete the second year of shrub-steppe restoration on the Scotch Creek unit by continuing summer fallow, and dormant seeding 95 acres with a native, source identified seed mix. This field is within 1/2 mile of an active lek and will provide better nesting and brood rearing habitat for Sharp-tailed grouse. Also we will start the shrub-steppe restoration on the Eder unit by plowing and summer fallow on 25 acres.  This area will be seeded in the fall of 2013 if weed problems do not persist during the year.  We will hand plant 1,500 trees and shrubs on various units of the WLA to enhance riparian habitats, and also plant 1,500 Bitterbrush plugs on the Eder unit to enhance deer winter range.

Management plans will be written this winter for the new acquisitions including Eder, Ellemeham, and the Similkameen - Chopaka units.