The Marr Flat Big Sheep Fence project will construct a fence along the eastside of Big Sheep Creek on the Marr Flat Allotment.  Currently there is about a 7.5-mile section of the boundary between the Big Sheep Riparian Pasture and the Miller Butte and Spoon Springs pastures.  The latter two pastures are ridgetop pastures that are used after August 10.  The fence will prevent cattle from drifting off the ridge top pastures.  This is especially a problem during hot droughty conditions, such as in the summer of 2015, when cattle are drawn to riparian areas.

The goal of the project is to assist in the recovery of the Big Sheep Creek Spring Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout populations by protecting redds from trampling by livestock during spawning and incubation periods. Cattle are currently allowed to graze from July 10 to August 10.  The fence would provide protection after the grazing period ends. Conserving the habitat for these species aids in their recovery and conservation as ESA listed species.  

The permittees continue to ride this portion after August 10th to move any cattle out.  Often the cows are in the draws and work their way to the bottom after the rider has gone by.  There are also gates on a road in the uplands that the permittees continually find open by recreationalist thus allowing cattle access to the bottom of Big Sheep Creek.  The Forest Service and permittees have decided a fence would be the best tool to alleviate the cows from going to the bottom.  The letdown fence will consist of approximately 7.5 miles of 4-strand barbwire.  The fence will be located on the east side of Big Sheep Creek Drainage continuing north to the Forest Service boundary.  The fence will begin on top of the ridge, east of Big Sheep Creek, center of section 24, Township 4 South, Range 46 E, tying into the existing Big Sheep/Lick Creek fence.  This will also delete the gates on the road and maintenance of the fence will be done by the permittees.  

Existing condition - The presence of cattle along Big Sheep Creek during the spawning/incubation period for spring Chinook salmon creates the risk of damage to redds and subsequent mortality of embryos through trampling by livestock.  Currently there is about a 7.5-mile section of the boundary between the Big Sheep Riparian Pasture and the Miller Butte and Spoon Springs pastures.  The latter two pastures are ridgetop pastures that are used after August 10.  The Forest Service and Marr Flat permittees have tried a range of techniques to reduce the potential of cattle trampling redds; adjusting the dates of use of the Big Sheep Riparian pasture to account for documented early spawning behavior, increased riding by permittees, and unauthorized use monitoring after August 10.  Previously it was believed that the steep terrain along this unfenced boundary section was a barrier to cattle movement.  However, during hot droughty conditions when cattle are drawn to riparian areas, such as in the summer of 2015, the steep terrain is not a reliable barrier to cattle.  A field survey of the unfenced section in the Tyee Creek area by WWNF range and fisheries personnel revealed that additional fencing is needed along the unfenced boundary east of Big Sheep Creek.

Specific Actions – About 7.5-miles of 4-strand barbed wire fence will be constructed along the eastside of Big Sheep Creek.  The fence will be constructed as a let-down fence due to snow loads and high elk numbers in the area.  Numerous elk trails cross the area where the fence will be constructed.  The intent is to construct a wildlife friendly fence that will allow the wildlife especially elk that live and migrate through this area to pass with minimal impact to the elk and the fence and decrease cattle impact on fish and riparian habitat.  Let down fence will also decrease maintenance caused by snow.  The exact location of the fence will be confirmed this summer (2016) by the permittees and FS personnel.  

Estimated construction cost is about $2.00 per foot or about $10,560 per mile.  The reason for higher construction cost is the difficult access and terrain of the area.  The proposed fence is not in close proximity to roads, is often in steep and rocky terrain where constructing fence is difficult or requires specific tools such as a rock drill or hydraulic post pounder.  A trail or path about 6 feet wide will need to be cleared to allow maintenance access and a place to let the fence down.  Most of the project area is timbered increasing work of creating the letdown trail.  Steep terrain is also common to this project area, while we have made effort to avoid it, it is likely that steep terrain will be encountered.