Steptoe Valley Wetlands Restoration Project
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The former CCC ranch is now part of the Steptoe Valley Wildlife Management Area. |
In partnership with NDOW, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Barrick Goldstrike Mines, the Fairweather Foundation, the Mule Deer Foundation, Trout Unlimited, White Pine County Sportsman's Association, Wildlife Habitat Improvement of Nevada, the Great Basin Bird Observatory, the Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Waterfowl Association and private donors, DU is restoring the wetlands in the valley that have been degraded by previous livestock and ranching management practices.
This restoration project is the site of the very first North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant in the state of Nevada . Along with funding from the partnership, NAWCA funds will be used to restore almost 2,000 acres of wet meadow, seasonal wetlands and riparian (streamside) habitat and enhance 500 acres of associated uplands.
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Out with the old infrastructure... | ... and in with the new. |
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Working great... | ... during a 200% snowfall year. |
As attested to by the long list of partners, support for this project has been vigorous and widespread through the local and regional community. Two work-days have been held and volunteers from Ely and from communities as far away as Las Vegas attended to help ensure this WMA will be restored to it's full potential. Contracted restoration, underway as this is being written, should be completed by summer 2006.