Background:

The Soda Springs Hills property is comprised of scattered parcels in the Soda Springs Hills with a total size of 2563 acres.  It was purchased in conjunction with the Southern Idaho Wildlife Mitigation Project (NWPPC proposal 1995-057-02).  This acquisition is estimated to provide BPA with 3,896 habitat units (HUs) of mitigation credit toward the Palisades wildlife mitigation debt.  A breakdown of HUs by target species follows:

Species Habitat Units
Ruffed Grouse 105
Wintering Bald Eagle 2126
Mule Deer/Elk 1665

Location:

The Soda Springs Hills Wildlife Mitigation Project is located in Caribou County, Idaho. It lies entirely within the Alexander Quadrangle and includes portions of sections 27,29,31,32,33,34 and 35 of T 8S, R 40 E.  The project area covers a range of foothills approximately 6 miles Northwest of Soda Springs, Idaho.  It consists of 2,563 acres of  BLM fee title land that was acquired and will be managed as an integral part of the 38,937 acre BLM Soda Springs Hills Wildlife  Habitat Area.

Project Goal:

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes will implement southern Idaho wildlife mitigation operations and maintenance programs for the Soda Springs Hills Wildlife Mitigation Project.  Baseline habitat units (HU's) associated with this project will be evaluated and habitat improvement related to management actions will be undertaken. Maximization of and maintenance of wildlife habitat unit (HU) values on the project is the primary goal. This SOW covers the Soda Spring Hills project. Implementation of O and M should provide for maximization of HUs to be credited to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) upon completion.

This SOW has been developed to cover personnel and operational costs for a 12-month period.