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Grizzly Bear
Project Funds Request Form
Funds requested for fiscal year FY 2007
Administrative Unit: Clearwater National Forest
Grizzly Recovery Zone: Bitterroot
Project Name: Outfitter and Backcountry Horsemen Sanitation and Food Storage Training;
Project Description: Over the last 3 seasons, IDFG has worked with Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association to field test bear resistant packing equipment with different outfitters. The field testing of the selected products has shown that outfitters need still larger food storage capacity, flexibility in setting up longer term storage platforms in backcountry settings, and training in how to use storage equipment and how to prevent wildlife damage to camps. The Bitterroot Subcommittee agreed to provide training and outreach sessions for outfitters and guides as well as Backcountry Horsemen groups that use the Bitterroot Recovery Area. Equipment and outreach materials will be purchased using the funding to further educate the groups on proper food storage techniques. A training session will be designed using the 9-Mile mule training format and Montana Outfitter Training format that are currently in existence, along with Idaho-centric information and rules. USFS, USFWS, MTDFWP, and IDFG will be partners in developing and presenting the training session.
Amount Requested: $6,000
Primary use of funds: Purchase of demonstration equipment and information brochures, along with development and implementation of training sessions.
Strategic importance of project: Sanitation equipment is now well distributed along the highway corridors and roadside campsites in most of the BE. However, backcountry sanitation has not been addressed. With the increasing likelihood of grizzly bear movements into the BE from surrounding ecosystems, it is important that food storage and sanitation information and training be implemented in advance of bear movements into the ecosystem. Making sanitation voluntary but common practice will improve compliance and knowledge if sanitation rules need to be implemented at a later date.
Partnership/leverage potential: Travel funds, equipment, and staff time will be used to match and increase the leverage of the funding request. However, equipment and materials purchased will be necessary to implement the project. Partners include the Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation, IDFG, MTDFWP, USFS, IOGA, and other NGOs.
Project contacts:
Name: Tom Reilly, Steve Nadeau, Mack Long
Submit to: Ellen Davis, National Grizzly Bear Habitat Coordinator
USDA Forest Service1
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