EC Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat Enhancement #1

The problem is: Sharp-tailed grouse are a SGCN and their habitat management is imbeded in DNR-SWAP. Sharp-tailed grouse populations are declining due to quality habitat loss/degradation. This is occurring because brushland habitats are growing older, more dense and more rank and openland habitats (old fields/hay meadows/upland grass is being encroached upon by brush and trees. This all due to lack of adequate, routine management because DNR Wildlife lacks funding necessary to manage and maintain these habitats in the Transition and Forest Zones. Sharptail populations have experienced a precipitous decline evidenced by spring dancing ground surveys which show a 50% loss of these Leks in the past 10 years. These project sites suffer the same "plague" as the above described scenario. These acres will be treated with aerial herbicide application during the growing season(s) to reduce the amounts and density of live willow and alder, enhancing grass and forb components.