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ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: East Region / Northeast Council Project Proposal Title: Hancock Forest Management Access Area of NE Oregon 2016-16 Applicants(s): Hancock Forest Management Date of Council Review: June 15, 2016 Type of Project: Access X Habitat Other Damage ____ Motion: Lance Burton made a motion to approve the project as proposed. John Groupe seconded the motion. Council Member Position Vote Morgan Olson Chairman Yes Vicki McClaran Landowner Representative Absent Joseph Patnode Landowner Representative Absent Larry Snyder Landowner Representative Absent Tim Campbell Hunter Representative Yes Lance Burton Hunter Representative Yes John Groupe Hunter Representative Yes Disposition of Vote: Motion passed 4:0 Project Strengths: There is a 40+ year partnership between ODFW, hunters and Hancock Forest Management (HFM) providing year-round “Welcome to Hunt” access to 250,000 acres of private timberlands for big game, upland game birds and predators. Hancock Forest Management owns property in 8 different Wildlife Management Units. These properties are extremely popular, highly publicized and well used hunting areas. There is a strong partnership between ODFW and HFM relating to Travel Management Areas (TMA’s), with joint efforts to provide quality hunting opportunities within these 5 TMA’s. HFM’s land base is heavily utilized by the general public. Roughly 1,000 big game hunters annually chose to hunt on lands owned by HFM in the Sled Springs Unit alone. In the Sled Springs Unit alone, 79% private lands, this project provides important access to hunters who would otherwise have a very difficult time finding opportunities to hunt. These properties receive an extremely high amount of hunting use, general recreational use and give back to the local economies in the form of grazing opportunities for private livestock and firewood and mushroom gathering. Project Concerns: Page 1 of 29

Regional Advisory Council Project · 2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food,

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Page 1: Regional Advisory Council Project · 2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food,

ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM Regional Advisory Council Project

Proposal Review ODFW Region / A&H Regional Council: East Region / Northeast Council Project Proposal Title: Hancock Forest Management Access Area of NE Oregon 2016-16 Applicants(s): Hancock Forest Management Date of Council Review: June 15, 2016 Type of Project: Access X Habitat Other Damage ____ Motion: Lance Burton made a motion to approve the project as proposed. John Groupe seconded the motion. Council Member Position Vote

Morgan Olson Chairman Yes

Vicki McClaran Landowner Representative Absent

Joseph Patnode Landowner Representative Absent

Larry Snyder Landowner Representative Absent

Tim Campbell Hunter Representative Yes

Lance Burton Hunter Representative Yes

John Groupe Hunter Representative Yes

Disposition of Vote: Motion passed 4:0 Project Strengths:

There is a 40+ year partnership between ODFW, hunters and Hancock Forest Management (HFM) providing year-round “Welcome to Hunt” access to 250,000 acres of private timberlands for big game, upland game birds and predators.

Hancock Forest Management owns property in 8 different Wildlife Management Units. These properties are extremely popular, highly publicized and well used hunting areas.

There is a strong partnership between ODFW and HFM relating to Travel Management Areas (TMA’s), with joint efforts to provide quality hunting opportunities within these 5 TMA’s.

HFM’s land base is heavily utilized by the general public. Roughly 1,000 big game hunters annually chose to hunt on lands owned by HFM in the Sled Springs Unit alone.

In the Sled Springs Unit alone, 79% private lands, this project provides important access to hunters who would otherwise have a very difficult time finding opportunities to hunt.

These properties receive an extremely high amount of hunting use, general recreational use and give back to the local economies in the form of grazing opportunities for private livestock and firewood and mushroom gathering.

Project Concerns:

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None

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Land Ownership of Five TMAs in NE Oregon

ODFW, June 16, 2016; Ownership data from ODF for 2015 and from Hancock 2016

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OPEN FIELDS APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS

Access & Habitat Program – Open Fields Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem, OR 97302

I/We, Hancock Forest Management and ODFW East Region of La Grande, Oregon, hereby make application for financial assistance under the terms and conditions of the Access and Habitat Program in the amount of $500,000. The total cost of the project is $921,604, as shown on page 8.

I/We understand that if this project is approved for funding by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, before we receive project funds we will be required to:

Sign a Grant Agreement containing the terms and conditions upon which funds will be released including submission of necessary permits;

Obtain landowner and maintenance agreements if needed;

Sign a certification to comply with state, federal and local regulations if needed;

Submit a completion report to the Board on project performance.

I/We understand that if this application results in an access grant, ODFW will publicize this hunting opportunity on the internet and through paper media for the purpose of helping hunters locate private lands open to hunting. Signature: Joe Justice Date: May 17, 2016 Position: Region Manager

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Page 10: Regional Advisory Council Project · 2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food,

ACCESS & HABITAT PROGRAM

Application for Grant Funds – Open Fields

Access Area Name: Hancock Forest Management Access Area of NE Oregon

Applicant: Hancock Forest Management (If private nonprofit, attach IRS letter of 501(c)(3) status)

Address: 1604 27th Street

City/State/Zip: La Grande / Oregon / 97850 Phone: (541)962-2048

Email: [email protected] Alternate Phone: (541)962-2045

Total A&H Grant Request (See evaluation form for payment tables): $500,000

Total Match Funding (p. 3): $421,604

Total Project Cost: $921,604

1) Access Area Information Please complete this information for property that you wish to enroll:

Location: ODFW Watershed District / WM Unit: East Region / Grande Ronde and John Day

Watersheds / Catherine Creek, Mt. Emily, Sled Springs, Starkey, Sumpter, Ukiah, Walla Walla &

Wenaha Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s)

County: Baker, Umatilla, Union & Wallowa Township/Range/Section: T1-4N; R40-45E, and T3-5S;

R40-41E, T1-2S; R35-36E, and T2S-T2N; R34-36E. (~ 300 sq. mi.)- See Attached Maps

Latitude: See Attached Maps Longitude: See Attached Maps

Directions: (Attach a map and provide directions to the location from a major highway). Please see the attached maps for property locations. Private Land Access: “Welcome to Hunt” unrestricted hunting access: 250,000 acres “By-Permission” reservations through ODFW: acres

By-Permission Properties Only: Maximum number of hunters per day: Optional: Maximum number of parties: Maximum party size: Inaccessible Public Land Access (public lands surrounded 100% by private lands): acres

Crop/Cover/Habitat Type Acres Food (P/S)

Water (P/S)

Cover (P/S)

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Page 11: Regional Advisory Council Project · 2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food,

2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food, water, or cover for species listed in Section 4, indicate below if the resource is available on a Permanent (P) or Seasonal (S) basis.

3) Damage

Would this project alleviate wildlife damage currently occurring on private property: Yes / No

If Yes, describe the damage situation (game species involved, crops damaged), and any active measures the landowner has taken to address the damage: This project does not address damage per se. However, by providing vehicle-free security areas, the Travel Management Area’s (TMA’s) substantially contribute to the alleviation of depredation on adjoining private lands. The security and solitude that is being provided by the TMA’s continues to attract and hold big game animals longer, helping to reduce damage complaints on adjacent private agricultural and timberlands. 4) Hunting Opportunities Check all species that you would allow to be hunted. Only select species that use the property during their respective hunting seasons. Big Game: □ mule deer □ white-tailed deer □ elk □ pronghorn □ mtn. goat □ bighorn sheep Upland Birds: □ pheasant □ chukar □ forest grouse □ mtn. quail □ valley quail □ turkey □ gray partridge □ sage grouse Migratory Game Birds: □ ducks □ geese □ coot □ snipe □ mourning dove □ band-tailed pigeon Predators/Other: □ coyote □ cougar □ bear □ rabbit/hare □ ground squirrels Access Period Start Date: January 1, 2017 End Date: December 31, 2018 Access Restrictions List any restrictions on species, sex, or season within the Access Period. There are no restrictions except those specifically identified by the ODFW hunting regulations. Hancock Forest Management (HFM) may implement specific land use restrictions when fire season is implemented by the Oregon Department of Forestry. 5) Project Partners List any organizations or government programs that are contributing to this Access Area project. Include habitat improvements (i.e. enrollment in CRP, CREP, WRP) that improve habitat for game species that this project will provide public hunting access to.

Private Managed Timberlands / Big Game Winter Range, Big Game Summer Range & Year-round Wildlife Habitat

250,000 P & S P & S P & S

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Page 12: Regional Advisory Council Project · 2) Habitat Information – List all the crop/habitat types included in the access area, and acreage of each. If that habitat type provides food,

Partner/Program Activity Contribution (include in-kind)

Hancock Forest

Management

Hancock Forest Management maintains all gates

and roads within the travel management areas at

no cost to the hunting public. The company

distributes ODFW travel management maps,

issues road closure permits to contractors and

neighboring private landowners that need access

to adjacent lands, and provides general

information to the public about access to their

lands during office hours Monday through Friday.

Additionally, the company employs a full-time

security officer that enforces company rules and

reports travel management and wildlife violations

along with any other unlawful activities. The

company’s contribution to public access and to big

game production in the Sled Springs MDA alone

is estimated at roughly $68,512 annually (see

attached cost structure on Page 7).

$140,115

annually

ODFW Enterprise District ODFW District Wildlife Biologist and Assistant

District Wildlife Biologist both patrol the TMAs

during major hunting seasons.

$22,334 annually

TOTAL MATCH FUNDING $162,449

annually

6) Rules and Conditions Select and list any additional rules, regulations, or restrictions that will be implemented on the access area. These regulations will be included in publications and promotional materials, as appropriate. Select from these common rules: □ Motorized vehicles on designated roads only □ No overnight camping □ No fires; be careful with cigarettes □ Leave all gates as you found them □ No littering; please pick up any trash □ Report any unlawful activities

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List any additional Access Area rules: HFM may implement specific land use restrictions when fire season is implemented by the

Oregon Department of Forestry. Only those roads shown in green, and the adjacent area within 300 feet of those roads, are open

to motorized vehicles during the period(s) of restrictions. Motorized vehicle travel within the Travel Management Area(s) boundary on all other roads

and trails, and cross-country is prohibited except by special permit from the landowner or land managing agency.

Snowmobiles will be subject to these travel restrictions prior to the end of the last deer and/or elk hunting season in each calendar year, but snow machines will be exempt from travel restrictions thereafter and during the period from January 1 through the last day of spring turkey season.

During all closure periods, normal forest management activities including logging, grazing, and slash disposal will be in progress. Please be aware of heavy logging traffic on some roads. No one involved in these operations is allowed to hunt, transport game or hunters while using vehicles in the closed area(s).

Use caution with firearms. Leave a clean camp! Please don’t pound nails into live trees. If you must build a latrine,

remove all building materials and cover the trench before you leave. Do not cut down snags! Do not leave camp or warming fires unattended. During periods of high fire danger, camping, and campfires may be prohibited. There is a 14 day stay limit for camping. All hay and straw used by hunters for horse and mule feed or bedding must be certified free of

noxious weeds. This requirement is necessary to limit the spread of noxious weeds. The landing of aircraft is prohibited within the closure area except for emergencies and

authorized by HFM as part of land management activities. Grant Agreement Conditions/Notes List any additional conditions or provisions that you would like included in the grant agreement between the grantee and ODFW (if this project proposal is approved). This project proposal would be incorporated into the agreement as Exhibit B and all approved conditions/provisions listed in this document would become legally binding, unless specifically negated in a superseding section of the agreement. There are no additional conditions or provisions. 7) Background/Additional Information List any relevant background/additional information regarding this project or the applicant. This project proposal requests “Open Fields” funding for an access payment of $250,000 annually to continue the support and partnership for “Welcome to Hunt” public access on 250,000 acres of Hancock Forest Management lands throughout NE Oregon. Hancock Forest Management (HFM) is seeking financial assistance in the amount of $500,000 for “Welcome to Hunt” public access for the next two calendar years. Funding of this project will ensure continued public access to 250,000 acres of highly valued HFM lands. The total cost of the project is $921,604. Hancock Forest Management’s land base has remained open to public access throughout the past 30 years. In NE Oregon, HFM lands comprise the core of five Cooperative Travel Management Areas

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(TMA’s). Attachment A identifies the Cooperative Agreement between Hancock Forest Management and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (the Department) relating to these five TMA’s. Hunter access to the TMA’s and all other HFM lands has traditionally been supported by A&H grants: 95017, 96020, 97010, 97059, 99009, 2000-23, 2001-02, 2002-06, 2003-38, 2004-12, 2005-20, 2007-29, 2013-02 and 2014-13. Past A&H Program funds were used to provide full-time staffing for an ODFW technician for 10 months each year. Working with HFM and ODFW biologists, this technician was primarily responsible for: (a) preparing gates and signage in advance of hunting seasons and maintaining the latter during hunts; (b) patrolling Travel Management Areas year around; (c) setting and maintaining remote, motion sensor surveillance cameras, (d) reporting TMA violations to the Oregon State Police, and (e) reporting project results in written format. These activities have ensured that public access and hunting are supportive of state law and landowner resource-protection rules are enforced.

Throughout NE Oregon, HFM owns lands in eight WMU’s with the largest portions of ownership occurring in some of the most highly desirable Big Game Units in all of Oregon. For example, HFM lands in the Wenaha WMU receive incredibly high use from early April through the end of December each and every year. The Wenaha WMU offers limited opportunity for Big Game hunters, sometimes taking as many as 16-17 years to draw the highly coveted Wenaha Branch Bull Tag. In the Sled Springs Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) alone, roughly 1,000 big game hunters annually chose to hunt on lands owned by HFM. In many of the other Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s), recreational use of HFM owned properties rivals use on the adjacent national forest lands.

The decision to pursue an access payment as opposed to continue with the application for a Technician was not one that was taken lightly. HFM is not dissatisfied with the Access and Habitat Program nor the years of partnership and service it has rendered. HFM has analyzed and identified opportunities to generate additional revenue through the sale of access permits and fee hunting on lands in NE Oregon. The company has experience with fee access and fee hunting operations in other parts of the United States; however it is because of the years of partnership and collaboration that this application is being submitted. Lands managed by Hancock Forest Management have been the focal component of the Sled Springs Management Demonstration Area (MDA). The MDA focuses on improving landowner – sportsmen relations, enhancing sportsmen success and satisfaction with management programs, and on the testing and demonstration of new elk management tools. The company has contributed substantial funds toward fulfilling the goals of the MDA. Hancock Forest Management’s land base has remained open to public access throughout the past 40+ years. Wanting to maintain public access and continue to foster additional relationships between HFM and the Department are the driving forces behind this application. Funding of this project will ensure continued public access to 250,000+ acres of valuable recreational and hunting lands.

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ESTIMATED COST STRUCTURE FOR THE SLED SPRINGS COOPERATIVE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT AREA

Area Type Item or Activity Units HANCOCK Costs over 2

year contract

Estimated Costs Annualized Over 10 Years

Roads OP Gate and barricade construction/repair 4-6 structures $24,500 Roads OP Road maintenance & repair activities caused by general public use Biennial $96,000 Security OP HANCOCK security personnel Staff costs $136,000 Estimated Costs Annualized Over 5 Years

Admin. OP HANCOCK recreation map (includes review, GIS editing, printing, mailing) 17 man days $11,128 Grazing O Summer-time elk grazing (cattle-equivalent AUMs, for 1000 elk, over 6 months, at $12.00/AUM; 1 cattle

unit equals 2.5 elk units). 2,400 AUMs $57,600

Grazing O Winter-time elk grazing (cattle-equivalent AUMs, for 500 elk over 6 months, at $12.00/AUM;1 cattle unit equals 2.5 elk units)

1,200 AUMs $28,800

Grazing O Summer-time deer grazing (cattle-equivalent AUMs, for 1361 deer over 6 months, at $12.00/AUM; 1 cattle unit equals 7 deer units)

1,167 AUMs $28,008

Grazing O Winter-time deer grazing (cattle-equivalent AUMs, for 225 deer over 6 months, at $12.00/AUM; 1 cattle unit equals 7 deer units)

193 AUMs $4,632

Costs Estimated from Annual Expenditures, 1998-2003

Admin. OP Lock purchase (lock cost and staff time) 2 man day $2,352Admin. OP Cooperative travel management area agreement (preparation) 1 man day $250 Admin. OP Administration of road closure permits (mat. & labor) 10 man days $4,000 Admin. OP Assistance to OSP, ODFW, and hunters (by office staff and foresters, annually) 15 man days $6,000 Total Annual Costs

All Areas OP Subtotal for out-of-pocket costs $280,230All Areas O Subtotal for opportunity costs $119,040All Areas O + OP Total out-of-pocket and opportunity costs $399,270

Code Comments:

Type: O = opportunity costs; OP = out-of-pocket expenditure. Units: Personnel requirements are presented in terms of FTE (Full Time Equivalent), man months, or man days, as appropriate.

Other Notes: In each case, the estimated cost includes the value of personnel (if previously listed under “Units”), and the cost of materials. For example, the cost of lock purchase includes the cost of labor (1 man day), plus the actual cost of locks purchased.

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Project Cost Estimate: (provide as much detail as possible)

Category A&H Funds Other Funds1 ODFW Total Cost Administration Personnel $159,730 $14,294 $174,024 Benefits @ 64% $8,040 $8,040

Total Admin. $159,730 $22,334 $182,064 Construction2 Fencing Fertilizer Seed/plants Other(itemize) Misc. field supplies Gate & road maint. $120,500 $120,500 Supplies Transportation Equip. Rental Other(itemize) Travel Contract Services3 Lost grazing fees $119,040 $119,040 Access Payment 250,000 acres @ $500,000 $500,000$1.00/acre ($250,000/year)

TOTAL COSTS $500,000 $399,270 $22,334 $921,604

1 List detail in funding . 2 Provide amounts and cost per unit. 3 Attach subcontractor estimates. 4 Individual pieces of equipment costing over $100.00.

Attachment “A”

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COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

Between HANCOCK FOREST MANAGEMENT

and OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

This Cooperative Agreement is entered into on April 1, 2015, by and between Hancock Forest Management hereinafter referred to as the Landowner, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, hereinafter referred to as the Department. WHEREAS, ORS 498.152 authorized the Department to enter into an agreement with the Landowner to restrict the operation of motor propelled vehicles where wildlife habitat is damaged; WHEREAS, the Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Commission has determined that the operation of motor propelled vehicles is damaging wildlife or wildlife habitat on certain lands owned by the Landowner and said owners concur with this determination; WHEREAS, the cooperators have determined that, during certain times of the year, unrestricted vehicle use on forest and range lands can also be damaging to roads, meadows, streams and other resources; WHEREAS, the Landowners and the Department agree that the term of this agreement will be from April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2017 as designated in regulations published annually by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife unless extended prior to the Completion Date by written amendment signed by all Parties, except as described in Section 5 below, and approved by the State of Oregon; NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree that the area in which restrictions are necessary is outlined in Exhibits A, B, C, D and E attached, and further, the parties of this Cooperative Agreement thereby agree to the regulations and responsibilities as listed in Exhibits A, B, C, D and E. _______________________________ _____________________________________ Hancock Forest Management Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Region Manager Northeast Region Manager

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EXHIBIT A Cooperative Management Area

Pertaining to restrictions on operation of motor-propelled vehicles, damage to wildlife or wildlife habitat are hereby declared a part of the Cooperative Agreement between Hancock Forest Management and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Said agreement being attached (Attachment A). Section 1 - Areas of Restrictions The restrictions outlined in Section 3 below shall apply to those lands owned by Hancock Forest Management and those National Forest and BLM lands within the boundaries of Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock areas within Wallowa County, Catherine Creek area within Union County, and the Meacham area in Union and Umatilla Counties. These areas are illustrated in EXHIBITS B, C, D, and E attached. These lands are contained within the Sled Springs, Catherine Creek, Ukiah, Mt. Emily, and Starkey Wildlife Management Units as described in the Big Game Regulations, published annually by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Section 2 – Purpose of Closure It is appropriate to develop a travel management area to achieve the following goals:

1) to reduce poaching and harassment of wildlife, thereby enhancing the habitat value of Hancock Forest Management forests;

2) to enhance recreation for sportsmen using Hancock Forest Management lands; 3) to reduce fire hazard; 4) to reduce damage to roads resulting from inappropriate vehicular traffic during inclement weather

and poor road conditions; 5) to reduce the potential for stream sedimentation; and 6) to reduce the spread of noxious weeds.

Section 3 - Restrictions

a) The use of motor propelled vehicles shall be restricted to the following Hancock Forest Management, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management roads, or portions thereof, and County roads designated by name or number as follows and further identified on the maps attached as EXHIBITS B, C, D and E. For the purpose of these restrictions, roads are defined to include the area within 300 feet on either side of the center. However, for roads on BLM administered lands within the Travel Management Area roads are defined to include only the graded surface of the road or the area within 10 feet of designated ATV routes. Noregaard Travel Management Area Indian Point Road Middle Point Road Noregaard Road Promise Road Summit Springs Road Powwatka Ridge Road Sickfoot Road Smith Mountain Road Wise Meadow Road Tope Lookout Road Wallupa Road Shamrock Travel Management Area

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C” Courtney Road S” Shamrock Road Z” Zollman Road

Day Ridge Road Livingston Trailhead Road Gravel Pit Road Whiskey Creek Travel Management Area Whiskey Creek Road – FS 3021-020 Washboard Road Elk Mountain Road Olsen Meadow Road “B” Road Driving Tour Road Braham Meadow Road Hicks Springs Road Tope Lookout Road Little Catherine Creek Travel Management Area

Hess Cabin Road – FS 2036 Meacham Travel Management Area

FS 400 Kamela to Meacham Lake Road

b) The use of motor propelled vehicles is prohibited elsewhere in the area described in Section 1 except on

the above-designated roads. Appropriate, county, state and federal agencies may use motorized vehicles in the area described in Section 1 to apprehend a known law violator, check hunters, to suppress fires, to respond to recognized emergencies, or for other official travel. Hancock Forest Management or it agents, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Police, USDA Forest Service, USDA Wildlife Services, and USDI Bureau of Land Management are permitted to use motorized vehicles in the area described in Section 1 for official use including forest, wildlife, range management, or other management operations and shall display an appropriate entry permit on their rear view mirror or ATV handlebars. Neighboring landowners that require the use of closed roads by this agreement may be issued an appropriate motorized vehicle permit to access their lands. Hancock Forest Management staff will administer all motorized vehicle permits. At no time are motor-propelled vehicles to be used to hunt or transport hunters or game during the period of restrictions on designated closed roads pursuant to OAR 635-065-0760(9).

All motorized vehicles will be subject to restrictions as defined in paragraphs c, d, e, f, g, h, and i below.

c) The landing of aircraft, including helicopters and airplanes, is prohibited except for emergencies or forest management and administrative purposes by the parties named in paragraph b, above.

d) Restrictions to motorized vehicles shall apply as follows: Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, Shamrock, Little

Catherine Creek, and Meacham Areas during the period of three days prior to Bowhunting Season through the last day of the Spring Turkey Season, as designated in regulations published annually by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Employees of Hancock Forest Management or designated assignees will be allowed to travel by permit only from the Clear Creek gate to the Noregaard cabin (approximately 1 mile) during the closure period.

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e) In the Noregaard Unit only, gates will be open to permit removal of camping equipment during the two (2) days following the end of the last antlerless elk season.

f) Snow machines will be subject to travel restriction prior to the end of the last deer and/or elk hunting

season in the calendar year, but snow machines will be exempt from travel restriction thereafter and during the period from January 1 through April 14, annually. However, snow machines will be restricted from the Howard Creek canyon downstream of the bridge near Camp 5 and the canyon slopes east of the Wallowa River between Minam and Rondowa at all times.

g) Within the Noregaard unit, the Howard Creek Road will be open to motorized all-terrain vehicles

(ATVs) of less than fifty (50) inches in width, including 4-wheeler, 3-wheeler, and motorcycles, from March 1 through April 14 for the sole purpose of fisherman access to the river. The permitting of ATV travel on the Howard Creek Road during this time period will be strictly limited to the main Howard Creek Road along its path from Smith Mountain toward Rondowa, and no ATV travel will be permitted off of this main path. Passenger cars, trucks, and other heavy vehicles will remain subject to travel restriction on the Howard Creek road during this period.

h) Hancock Forest Management prohibits unauthorized commercial packing, guiding, and hunting

services, but allows recreational trapping of furbearers on all Hancock Forest Management lands described in Section 1. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will assist in publicizing these restrictions.

i) Hancock Forest Management requires all hay and straw used by hunters for horse and mule feed or

bedding to be certified free of noxious weeds. Certificates given to hay purchaser must accompany the purchaser and/or the hay while either is on Hancock Forest Management. This requirement is necessary to limit the spread of noxious weeds.

Section 4 - Responsibilities The following actions are necessary to implement the Cooperative Agreement. a) Hancock Forest Management agrees:

1) To provide gates or barricades as deemed necessary and feasible by Hancock Forest Management.

2) To provide information and road signs for the Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, Shamrock, Little Catherine Creek, and Meacham Areas.

3) To allow non-motorized use of all roads and land holdings included in this agreement during the period of the closure, unless specifically posted otherwise.

4) To permit the landowner, the Department, the Oregon State Police, and designated Oregon State Police volunteers to patrol the area marked for closure.

5) To determine exemptions to the closures. 6) To issue permits to adjacent land owners.

b) The Department agrees:

1) To produce a handout map for information, showing the restricted area and roads listed open to vehicular use.

2) To assume primary responsibility for enforcing the restrictions under State law. 3) To post all roads on private lands informing the public of the closure to motor vehicle travel.

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4) That motorized travel in closed areas, or on closed roads, will be permissible when authorized on written permit by Hancock Forest Management for forest and range management operations.

5) To monitor and promptly report to Hancock Forest Management violations of its commercial packing, guiding and hunting restrictions.

6) To prepare the cooperative agreement and maps to be reviewed based upon the term of this agreement.

c) Both parties agree:

1) To produce a handout map for information, showing the restricted area and roads listed open to vehicular use.

2) To assume primary responsibility for enforcing the restrictions under State law. 3) To cooperate with Oregon State Police in law enforcement matters.

Section 5 - Conditions of Modification or Termination If any conditions of this Cooperative Agreement are deemed unsatisfactory by any one of the parties included, that party has the option of: a) Modifying the Cooperative Agreement by written amendment signed by all Parties and approved by the

State of Oregon; or b) Withdrawing the road closure and associated restrictions and responsibilities from their lands and thereby

dissolving the Cooperative Agreement by giving a six-month advance notice in writing to the other parties.

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EXHIBIT B Noregaard Travel Management Are

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EXHIBIT C Shamrock-Whisky Travel Management Area

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EXHIBIT D Little Catherine Creek Travel Management Area

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EXHIBIT E Meacham Travel Management Area

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Form Revised July 2012

Project Name: Project #: 2016-16

"Welcome" Private 250,000By-Permission Private 0Inaccessible Public* 0Accessible Public* 0

Instructions:

Access Only X XHabitat Only X XAccess & Habitat X X X

Definitions:

Inaccessible Public*:

Accessible Public*:

General Criteria (mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met)

1. Habitat Condition

Food: 1

Water: 1

Cover: 1

2. Partnerships Partners contributing financial or in-kind support:1 or more Sports groups…………………………………………………………. 03 or more Sports groups…………………………………………………………. 0Educational programs / non-governmental organizations……………………. 0Other government agencies or ODFW programs (i.e. OWEB, R&E)………. 1

Excellent browse species, early seral plant communities

Numerous springs, ponds, creeks & rivers

Private, managed timber lands

* Access to public land MUST be provided on a "Welcome to Hunt" basis

Access and Habitat Program

Score 1 point only if the property contains the resource in sufficient abundance/quality to support target species referenced in questions 11, 15, 16 and 19 (during at least one season of the year). For habitat projects, use the predicted future condition. Justify your score.

Project Type

Project Score

General Criteria Habitat Criteria

Access Acres

Habitat Acres

36(range: 1-6; see flow chart on page 4. Not applicable to access-only projects)

Access will be provided through private land to public land that is completely landlocked (surrounded) by private land, legally precluding public hunting access. Total area includes only public land within the boundary of private ownership.

Access through private land will improve accessibility to public land. Public land may be extremely difficult to access otherwise, but is not legally surrounded by private land. Total area includes only public land that is closer (in linear distance) to the landowner's access point(s) than any other public access point.

Total Possible:

Mark 1 point in the corresponding "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met. Example: for question 2, if partnerships include 4 sports groups, award points for the first 2 criteria. Do not mark more than 1 point per box. Point schedule is designed to weigh access-only and habitat-only projects equally.

Complete these sectionsAccess Criteria

Project Evaluation Form

Program Objective: The Access and Habitat Program’s motto, “Landowners & Hunters Together for Wildlife,” conveys the program’s basic mission to foster partnerships between landowners and hunters for the benefit of the wildlife they value. The program also seeks to recognize and encourage the important contributions made by landowners to the state’s wildlife resource.

Habitat Category:

19Total Score:

Hancock Forest Management

Page 1

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Form Revised July 2012

3. Matching Funds Total matching funds (monetary and in-kind)> 1% matching funds…………………………………………………………….. 1> 25% matching funds…………………………………………………………… 1> 50% matching funds…………………………………………………………… 1

4. Damage Project would mitigate current damage to private property:Wildlife damage occuring on private property…………………………………. 1Landowner participates in ODFW damage control programs……………….. 1

General Total 9General Possible 12

5. Public Land Project located in Wildlife Management Unit with <50% public land………………….. 1

6. Private access Private land access type:Project would provide access to private land………………………………….. 1Private land access would be on a "Welcome to Hunt" basis………………. 1

7. Public access Access through private lands would:improve access to public land………..………....…………..……………….... 1provide access to otherwise inaccessible public land…………...……...….. 0

8. Special Access Project would provide special youth or disabled hunter access opportunities…………. 0

9. Species Permitted

2+ species groups available and permitted……….…………………………… 14+ species groups available and permitted……….…………………………… 1

10.Under-rep. Species* Project provides access to under-represented species in the watershed……………. 1

11.Harvest Restriction Landowner would not restrict sex or species permitted for lawful harvest……………… 1

12.Season Restriction Landowner would not restrict access to any hunting season(s)……………………….. 1

13.Dispersion 1

Access Total 10Access Possible 12Payment Fee Total

Habitat Criteria (mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met)

(mark a "1" in the "Project Score" box for EACH criterion that is met)

Species groups include big game, waterfowl, upland birds, turkey, and predators/varmints.

Property would provide access to animals pushed off of publicly accessible land during hunting season………………………………………………………………………………..

Project Score

Access Criteria - Applies to private land access that would be provided under the proposed project.

Project Score

* lists of under-represented species will be created by A&H state coordinator and approved by A&H Board

Page 2

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Form Revised July 2012

14.Department Priorities Project is located within target area and will benefit target species identified in any of these Department programs: Mule Deer Initiative, Sage Grouse Initiative, Black-tailed Deer Plan Implementation……………………………………………………….

15.Location importance:

Area populations < 90% of management objective (deer and elk)…………

Project will increase wintering populations of upland birds/waterfowl………

Area populations < 75% of management objective (deer and elk)………….

Project will increase breeding populations of upland birds/waterfowl………

16.Conservation Strategy Project addresses Oregon Conservation Strategy (OCS) concerns:Project action benefits Strategy Habitat or Strategy Species……………….[above] AND action occurs in Conservation Opportunity Area (COA)………

17.Critical Habitat

Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories 1-4……………………… 0Project meets requirements of Habitat Categories 1-2……………………… 0

18.Habitat Connectivity Project will help facilitate local animal movement (fence removal, etc.)…………………..

19.Habitat Impact

Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >25% per unit treated……Project will increase the habitat quantity/quality >50% per unit treated……

Description of habitat impact:

20.Population Impact

Local abundance of at least one targeted game species should increase >25%.........

Habitat TotalHabitat Possible 12

Grand Total 19Total Possible 36

21.Miscellaneous Describe other project details that may help with prioritization or fee assessment (i.e. current market value of similar hunting leases in the vicinity)……….…... NO POINTS

SpeciesPre-

treatment

or:

Describes the predicted impact that habitat improvements (excluding external variables such as weather, etc.) will have on game species on the project site. Provide estimates for all targeted species.

Applies to species that the habitat work will benefit. Question structured to equally weigh big game and game bird projects - score "1" if either item in each bracket is true:

Describes the predicted impact that the project will have on the habitat. Habitat work must benefit game species.

{

{

Applies to the specific GAME habitat that the project will maintain or enhance. Use accompanying flow chart and definitions to determine habitat category. Definitions are slightly amended from OAR Division 415 to be game-specific.

or:

Access and Habitat Project Evaluation - Appendix

Project will help establish or maintain a wildlife habitat corridor or otherwise reduce fragmentation on landscape level…………………………………………..

Description of habitat connectivity benefit (required):

Post-treatment

Estimated Abundance

Page 3

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Form Revised July 2012

Definition:

Watershed Species Watershed SpeciesMalheur pheasant, waterfowl, turkey Deschutes waterfowl, valley quail, chukar, doveSouth Willamette waterfowl, turkey, valley quail John Day upland game birdsNorth Coast predators, waterfowl Umpqua waterfowl, dove, turkeyGrande Ronde upland game birds Klamath waterfowl, quailRogue dove, waterfowl North Willamette waterfowl

game species that exist in the watershed district in huntable numbers, but that the general public does not have reasonable hunting access to (via public land, current A&H properties, etc.)

Under-represented Species

A&

H H

abitat Category

Flow C

hart

Note: T

hese definitions have been amended from

OA

R D

ivision 415 to be game-specific and applied

on a watershed basis. H

abitat Category designations m

ade on this Evaluation Form

are for Access &

H

abitat Program

use only, and do not have any legal implications associated w

ith OA

R 415.

Page 4

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