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GRASSLAND WILDLIFE SPECIES SUGGESTED CONSERVATION PRACTICES

The High Plains Partnership (HPP) is a public/private initiative to proactively conserve declining habitats on private lands throughout the High Plains region, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

The HPP is a joint effort amount the following partners:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Regions 2 and 6, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Prairie Pothole Joint Venture for Wildlife and People, Beef, IAFWA, Predator Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Management Institute, National Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy.

No single habitat association in North America is more diminished than the temperate grasslands. Grassland-nesting birds are the fastest-declining suite of avian species in North America.  Recent petitions and candidate status designations of wide-ranging High Plains species like the black-tailed prairie-dog, lesser prairie-chicken, sage-grouse, swift fox, mountain plover (proposed for listing), and others, signal the potential for large scale species extirpations, Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings, and regulatory conflict if these declines are not adequately addresses soon.

Although greatly diminished in both quality and quantity, relatively large acreages of mixed-grasslands, shortgrass prairies and desert grasslands still remain within the High Plains region (Figure 1).  Over 200 million acres capable of sustaining diverse native fish and wildlife communities still exist.

                   
                   Figure 1.  High Plains Partnership Area of Emphasis

Because more than 90 percent of the High Plains is privately owned, it is essential that public/private partnerships develop to meet the shared goals of conserving declining and at-risk species in a non-regulatory manner, while aiding the economic viability of private lands.

The High Plains Partnership (HPP) is a public/private initiative to proactively conserve declining habitats on private lands throughout the High Plains region.  In keeping with the Secretary of the Interior's 4-C's philosophy of consultation, communication and cooperation in the service of conservations, the HPP is a joint effort amoung the Service's Region's 2 and 6, eleven state fish and wildlife agencies, USDA agencies and numerous private conservation organizations (including the Wildlife Management Institute, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and Predator Conservation Alliance).  The HPP initiative seeks to increase grassland project funding for all collaborators while providing on-the-ground technical support and financial assistance.  The Western Rangelands Species conservation Initiative, previously adopted by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, is encompassed and expanded within the HPP.

The long term vision of the HPP initiative is to facilitate the conservation and stewardship of native short, mixed and desert grasslands and dependent fish and wildlife resources in a landowner-friendly manner.  Central to this vision is the cooperative delivery of Farm Bill conservation incentives in ways that benefit the region's imperiled species.  Ultimately, the goal of the HPP is to improve the status of High Plains "at-risk" species and ecosystems on private lands to reduce or remove the need for their protection under the ESA.  Incentives to landowners, provided by the various participating partners, may be in the form of cost-shared practices, long or short-term easements, or bonus payments to modify the use of working agricultural lands.

Now is the time to build on the accomplishments and success of the High Plains Partnership.  Since its inception in 1998, the beginning phase of the HPP has proven to work on the ground (Figure 2).  Further modest investment of federal resources with maintain the momentum and ensure creation of a new paradigm in the conservation of declining species in North America's remaining grasslands, as well as establish a landowner-friendly conservation model for the Nation.

           
            Figure 2.  Completed and pending HPP projects

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

During the initial demonstration phase begun in 1998, implementation of the HPP has focused on five southern High Plains states (Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico).  Using an array of short-term funding sources, the HPP partners have:

• since 1999, enrolled over 90,000 acres in five states in CCAA's and Private Lands Agreements to benefit candidate and declining species and their habitats (see Figure 2);
• participated in "Ranch Conversations" in five states to interact with landowners and solicit their conversation recommendations;
• increased the economic potential for ranchers to conserve "at-risk" species through cost-sharing grazing and habitat improvement practices;
• established a waiting list of over 150 landowners who wish to develop habitat improvement projects for species at-risk; and
• modified the rank criteria for several state and federal conservation programs to prioritize High Plains projects.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND NEEDS

A number of funding sources have been utilized during the demonstration phase of the HPP.  Principal among these are for ESA Landowner Incentive Program (now the Private Stewardship Grants Program),  State Wildlife Grants, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the new state Landowner Incentive Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants, certain Farm Bill programs, and a number of other sources.  These sources will continue to be utilized as opportunities arise.  However, to achieve the HPP goals, more stable funding is needed.    Possible recipients include the Candidate Conservation branch of Endangered Species, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and Landowner Incentive Program, among others. This line-item will fund on-the-ground cost-shared habitat improvements.  Easements and bonus payments for protection, and management of habitat will be funded through Farm Bill programs (see Table1. for the budget effect of three potential funding levels.)

To accomplish the overall goal of implementing conservation for at-risk High Plains species on 2 million acres over 10 years, annual funding needs begin at $12 million in the first year, increase to $25 million in year 2, and $40 million in year 3, returning to $25 million in the out years.

Technical assistance will be provided through positions shared among the Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, state fish and wildlife agencies, and private organizations. More than 70 percent of HPP funding will be applied directly to on-the-ground-conservation projects, with one-half of the targeted one million acres enrolled during the first three years, depending on available funding.  During the course of HPP implementation, increasing reliance on Farm Bill funding for long-term conservation objectives is essential.  Programs such as EQIP, WHIP, CSP, GRP, and others can be focused in a manner to achieve HPP goals to the benefit of "at-risk" species and ecosystems, landowners, and agency missions.  A close partnership among the state fish and wildlife agencies, Service, NRCS, Farm Service Agency, private conservation and landowner organizations, and landowners must be maintained.

SERVICE ROLE

The Service will forge a financial and conservation partnership among federal, state and private stakeholders.  Fundamental components of the partnership will include:

• the Service will provide $10 million in Year One to secure Agreements for conserving "at-risk" High Plains species and ecosystems;
• the Service will work with private conservation groups for voluntary contributions of matching funds;
• the Service will seek sources of out-year funding, including leveraging Farm Bill conservation expenditures to achieve High Plains ecosystem restoration goals;
• the Service will ensure that all landowners participation is voluntary; and
• the Service will cooperate with USDA - APHIS and other stakeholders to develop a funding mechanism, beginning in year Two, for the professional management of any nuisance situation which may arise from the activities associated with the HPP initiative.

STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY ROLE

• voluntarily provide matching funds on a state-by-state basis, generating total HPP initiative expenditures of up to $12 million in Year One;
• cooperate with the Service to make private landowners aware of the programs;
• support a share of the technical assistance positions; and
• coordinate with all HPP partners to identify priority areas.

The HPP concept has proven a success on-the-ground.  The need is great.  The opportunity awaits.  The Service must now join with its partners and take on bold step to reach the goal.

For more information contact the Grasslands Coordinator at 303-236-7400 x225.

LINKS: 
Department of Interior press release:  Deputy Secretary Griles Highlights President Bush's Conservation Initiatives in Visit to New Mexico

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