Captive Propagation and Reintroduction of Large-flowered Fiddleneck Phase 2 Monitoring

sites in its known historic and current range. The critically endangered species is currently presumed extant at only two locations, both in western San Joaquin County, and stochastic events could lead to the species extirpation in the wild. The proposal was reviewed by the CVPCP/HRP Application Review Committee (aka “Technical Team”), which ranked it as the highest of the captive propagation proposals submitted. The project was initially awarded $198,381 and modified to add $49,975 shortly thereafter to provide a total of $248,356 in 2012 under financial assistance agreement R12AP20026. Originally planned to be five years (i.e., 60 months) in duration, the project has since been divided into two phases due to significant delays in implementation from the severe and continuing drought in California. To avoid exceeding a five-year grant performance period, R12AP20026 was modified once more in 2015 as “Phase 1 – Implementation” to alter and add tasks, change the schedule, and revise the budget with a cumulative addition of $28,674 for a new total award amount of $277,030. Phase 1, 40 months in duration, incorporated the study, analysis, and reintroduction objectives and addresses project implementation. The next “Phase 2 – Monitoring” of the project is 33 months in duration, and involves the continuation and completion of the monitoring, management, and reporting objectives of the AMGR reintroduction project. Because the drought forced a 12-month delay in planting and the development of irrigation alternatives, the project implementation and monitoring would exceed the five-year grant duration. Thus, the drought-caused planting delay accounts for the purpose and need of Phase 2, as well as the 73-month combined time frame of Phases 1 and 2, to continue and complete the AMGR reintroduction project. RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT VNLC’s activities to be funded through Phase 2 of the AMGR reintroduction project are summarized in the following objectives. Earlier project objectives that were completed by VNLC in Phase 1 are indicated in gray font below: Objective 1: Review Existing Information Objective 2: Convene and Consult with Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Objective 3: Conduct Remote and Field Analyses of Known Occurrence Sites Objective 4: Identify ‘High’ Suitability Sites and Conduct Site Surveys Objective 5: Delineate, Prepare, and Plant Re-introduction Sites Objective 6: Install and Monitor Partial Fencing at Nine Reintroduction Sites Objective 7: Implement Irrigation of Reintroduction Plots Objective 8: Conduct Annual Monitoring and Management of Re-Introduction Sites Objective 9: Prepare Interim Reports and Final Reports RECLAMATION INVOLVEMENT No substantial involvement on the part of Reclamation is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. It is anticipated that Reclamation’s involvement will consist of standard federal stewardship responsibilities such as monitoring financial status and project performance, technical assistance at the request of the recipient, etc. Additional monitoring activities may include site visits, conference calls, and other on-site and off-site monitoring activities. Continuation Justification Description: The activities to be funded in Phase 2 are necessary for the satisfactory completion of the AMGR reintroduction project, and are a continuation of VNLC’s activities presently being funded under Phase 1, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity and completion of the project. VNLC and their team possess all of the permits required to propagate, reintroduce, and monitor the federally listed species. Furthermore, all of the AMGR reintroduction site landowners are acquainted w/VNLC and have allowed them entrance to their property and have signed participation agreements with VNLC for this project. This continuity of relationships is essential for garnering and maintaining trust to reintroduce endangered species onto private property as well as for continued monitoring and management of the reintroduction sites. The AMGR reintroduction sites occur in remote locations on extremely steep, often rocky and erosive slopes. Many of the sites are best accessed via the use of all-terrain vehicles, which are owned and operated by VNLC. As the grant recipient of Phase 1, VNLC is familiar with all of the reintroduction sites and employs appropriate safety and training precautions to access and work at the sites. The continued involvement of VNLC in the monitoring, management and reporting objectives of Phase 2 is crucial to the successful completion of the AMGR reintroduction project. This species is notable for its highly specialized biology and unique ecological niche. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the species, as gained through experimentation and other direct experiences as well as extensive literature review, is essential for its successful reintroduction. The methods for monitoring and management of the reintroduction sites have been developed and refined by VNLC in Phase 1 to suit the particular needs of the species. Management of the reintroduced populations involves irrigation and vegetation management, including thatch control and specialized weeding. These efforts represent on-going experiments that require an intimate knowledge of the species’ requirements and of the micro-habitat conditions within each reintroduction site, gained during Phase 1 by VNLC. The knowledge accumulated by VNLC throughout the duration of the project from these experiments and other direct experiences will be compiled in the final report. The report will serve as an important reference for AMGR reintroduction efforts.