Management Plan Form

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Nevada Conservation Credit System

management Plan Form

This management plan defines expectations important to generating credits from the Credit Project described herein, including habitat quality performance standards, credit release schedule, and ongoing management and monitoring actions for the project.

Thepurpose of this management plan is to ensure the Credit Project is managed, monitored, and maintained throughout the term of the project. This management plan establishes objectives, priorities and tasks to monitor, manage, maintain and report on greater sage-grouse and greater sage-grouse habitat on the Credit Project. This management plan is a binding and enforceable instrument, implemented by the Participant Contract covering the Credit Project property.The Credit Developer and Credit SystemAdministrator signatures on this page of this management plan indicate mutual agreement to its contents.

I.Project Information

Project Name
County / State / Nevada
WAFWA Management Zone / Biological Significant Unit / NDOW PopulationMgmt Unit
Project Duration
Permanent contract / Term contract: / years
Project Type (check all that apply)
Restoration / Enhancement / Preservation
Land Ownership (Check all that apply and specify project acreages for each)
Private: / acres / State or Local Government: / acres
Federal: / acres / Tribal, Allotted, Ceded, or Indian Land: / acres
Management Plan Effective Date

1.1 Signatures

The information included in this form and all attachments is accurate. I understand all credit unit calculations and required management activitiesare subject to verification according to Nevada Conservation Credit System protocols.

______

Credit Developer SignatureDate

______

Credit System Administrator SignatureDate

Contents

I.Project Information

1.1 Signatures

1.2 List of Attachments

1.3 Contact Information

II.Land Ownership & Control

III.Project Description

3.1 Project Overview

3.2 Project Area

3.3 Biological Resources

3.4 Conservation Issues Addressed

IV.Management & Monitoring

4.1 Management Activities

4.2 Performance standards

4.3 Monitoring & Reporting Activities

4.4 Summary of Annual Management, Monitoring & Reporting Costs

4.5 Biological Monitoring (If Participating)

V.Credit Project Administration & Funding

5.1 Responsible Parties & Prohibited Uses

5.2 Funding & Financial Assurances

VI.Credit Estimate & Credit Release SChedule

6.1 Reserve Account Contribution

6.2 Verified credit summary

6.3 Credit Release Schedule

VII.Terms & Conditions

7.1 Expected Management Plan Revisions Prior to Sale of Credits

1.2 List of Attachments

List any attachments to this management plan here. If submitting electronically, include file names.

Attachment / Description, Page Number, or File Name
Property Title Policy, Owner’s Policy, or Long-term Lease
Maps of the Project Area, Map Units, Treatment Areas (if applicable), Participating Property and surrounding area
Surface & Mineral Rights Documentation
Water Rights Documentation
Property Restrictions or Designation Documentation (if applicable)
Conservation Program or Easement Documentation (if applicable)
Restoration or Enhancement Plan (if applicable)
Grazing Management Plan (if applicable)
Credit System Calculator with Credit Calculation, including Reserve Account Contribution
Financial Assurance Documentation
Proper Functioning Condition Assessment Checklist for Each Riparian/Wetland Area
Resistance & Resilience Score Sheets
Ability to Control Wildfire Score Sheets
Habitat Quantification Tool Data Sheets with Transect Photos
Annual Management & Monitoring Report – Template
Other Important Documents

1.3Contact Information

Provide contact information for the Credit Developerand Property Owner or Land Manager, if different than the Credit Developer. If a Technical Service Provider assisted with the development of this management plan, provide contact information here.

Credit Developer / Technical Service Provider(if applicable)
Credit Developer Name (First and Last) / Technical Service Provider (First, Last & Title)
Mailing Address / Mailing Address
Telephone (specify home, work or cellular). / Telephone (specify home, work or cellular).
Email / Email
Property Owner / Land Manager
cHECK IF sAME AS cREDIT dEVELOPER / cHECK IF sAME AS cREDIT dEVELOPER
Property Owner Name (First and Last) / Land Manager Name(First and Last)
Mailing Address / Mailing Address
Telephone (specify home, work or cellular). / Telephone (specify home, work or cellular).
Email / Email
Credit System Administrator Contact Information
Credit System Administrator Contact / Sagebrush Ecosystem Technical Team
Mailing Address / 201 S Roop Street, Suite 101
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Telephone / (775) 684-8600
Email /
Notices / Any notices regarding this management plan shall be directed to the Credit Developer, Property Owner, Land Manager, and Credit System Administrator at the contact information listed above. Contact information provided on this form must be kept up to date within sixty (60) days of a change for any party by submitting in writing updated contact information to the Credit System Administrator.

II.Land Ownership & Control

The purpose of this section is to clearly identify the Participating Property and Project Area, and disclose important facts related to property rights and previous conservation funds received. The Participating Propertyincludes all lands owned or managed by the Credit Developer of which a portion is enrolled in the Credit System. The Project Area contains the land enrolled in the Credit System, and is covered by this management plan and the Participant Contract.

Participating Property Location & Boundary / Provide the legal description of the Participating Property,includingCounty, Survey, Block and Parcel Numbers. If the Participating Property is composed of separated areas, specify the location and boundary of each land mass that composes the Participating Property. Provide file name and specific page numbers of attachment containing relevant maps, and include in the List of Attachments.
Directions to Participating Property / Provide driving directions to access the Participating Property for independent verifiers, the Credit System Administrator, or participating agency to visit the site at a mutually agreed upon time.
Project Area Location & Boundary / Describe the location of the Project Area within the Participating Property, including geographical or political boundaries. If the Project Area is comprised of separate areas, specify the location and boundary of each land mass that compose the Project Area. Provide file name and specific page numbers of attachments containing relevant maps, and include in the List of Attachments.
Participating Property and Project Area Acreage / Specify the Participating Property total acreage and the Project Area total acreage. Provide file name and specific page numbers of attachments containing relevant attachments, and include in the List of Attachments.
Certification of Control / Describe how the Credit Developer will certify control of the surface rights of the Project Area. Provide a copy of the instrument and include in the List of Attachments. Demonstration of majority ownership of the Participating Property is sufficient, otherwise use or lease agreements that confirm permission to develop and manage the Credit Project is required.
Leased or Severed Property Rights / Describe any leased or severed rights on the Participating Property, such as leased wind energy rights, leased mineral rights, or severed mineral rights. Indicate their location on a map of the Participating Property.
Existing Easements, Land Use Restrictions or Designations / Describe any land use restrictions or designations, including public land use designations and private easements, existing on the Participating Property. Provide a copy of any easements recorded on the Participating Property, including their location, nature, authorized users, and access procedures, and include in the List of Attachments.
Conservation Programs & 3rd Party Funded Conservation Practices / Disclose participation in any federal, state, or local programs for which the Credit Developer or Property Owner has or will receive funding or other support for the stewardship of the Participating Property. Describe any projects or actions previously performed or currently planned. Disclose current or past participation in any agreement to manage species such as a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA or CCAA).

III.Project Description

The purpose of this section is to provide a summary of the Credit Project including an overview of the project, a description of the project area including biological resources on and near the project, and specific threats to sage-grouse addressed by the project.

3.1 Project Overview

Provide an overview of the purpose, goals, and objectives of the Credit Project. Summarize the restoration, enhancement and ongoing management actions involved. A detailed accounting of management actions will be provided in Section IV. Management & Monitoring.

Purpose of the Project / Describe the purpose of the Credit Projectestablishment (e.g., as compensation to unavoidable impacts and to conserve and protect covered species and covered habitat).
Conservation Goals & Objectives / Describe the specific goals and objectives of the Credit Project in relation to the Credit System’s goals and objectives for improving and managing sage-grouse habitat.
Summary of Restoration & Enhancement Plan (if applicable) / Provide a brief summary of the Restoration & Enhancement Plan (if applicable). Attach the Restoration & Enhancement Plan (if applicable) and include in the List of Attachments. (Ongoing management actions should be described in Section IV. Management & Monitoring.)

3.2 Project Area

Describe the geographic setting, historic uses, current uses, and other important background information for the Project Area and Participating Property.

Setting & Location / Describe the geographic setting of the Project Area, including geographical or political boundaries. Provide file name and specific page numbers of attachment containing relevant maps, and include in the List of Attachments.
Current Land Uses / Describe the current uses of the Project Area, especially those that could affect sage-grouse habitat conditions on the Project Area during the term of the project.
Current Management Practices / Describe current management practices on the Project Area, including participation in federal, state and local programs.
Recent PastLand Uses / Describe uses of the Project Area in the recent past (at least within the past 10 years).
Anticipated Land Uses / Describe the anticipated uses of the Project Area, especially those that could affect sage-grouse habitat conditions on the Project Area during the term of the project.
Adjacent Land Uses / Describe current and anticipated land uses adjacent to the Project Area and Participating Property, especially any that may affect sage-grouse populations on or near the project.
Cultural Resources (if applicable) / Describe any cultural, historical, archeological or Native American resources on or near the Project Area. Attach a Cultural Resources Survey, if applicable.
Geology, Hydrology & Soils / Describe the geology, hydrology, and soils on the Project Area.
Ecological Sites within the Project Area / Describe the ecological sites and the soils and landforms associated with them within the Project Area and the map units that relate to each.
Water Rights / Describe ownership and use of surface water rights of the Participating Property and anticipated use of water to support habitat conditions on the Project Area. Provide file name and specific page numbers of relevant attachments, and include in the List of Attachments.
Proper Functioning Condition Assessment / Provide the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) assessment (e.g., “functioning”, “functioning-at risk”, “nonfunctional”) of each riparian and wetland areas evaluated within the Project Area. Provide file name and specific page numbers of attachment containing a map of the riparian and wetland areas within the Project Area, and include in the List of Attachments.
Structures & Facilities / Provide a summary of existing and planned structures or facilities within or near to the Participating Area, including buildings, roads, fences, watering facilities, wind turbines, electric transmission lines, and infrastructure related to mining and oil and gas development. If possible, indicate the location of such structures on the Participating Property map(s).

3.3 Biological Resources

Describe the biological resources on and near the Project Area and Participating Property, including greater sage-grouse, greater sage-grouse habitat, sensitive resources, other wildlife, vegetation, and the results of the Proper Functioning Condition assessment.

Greater Sage-Grouse & Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat / Describe the pre-project conditions and projected post-project habitat conditions on the Project Area. Describe indicators of sage-grouse use of the Project Area or adjacent areas, including information on sightings, pellet counts, telemetry data, and nearby active or inactive leks.
Sensitive Resources / Identify all endangered, threatened, rare, and special species of concern that occur or may occur on the Participating Property. Also identify any species or plant communities tracked by Nevada Natural Heritage Program (NNHP) known to occur on the property. If applicable, provide a map showing their location.
Other Wildlife / Describe other wildlife species that occur on or use the Project Area.
Vegetation / Describe the vegetation communities present on the Project Area.
Reference Potential of Ecological Sites / Describe the vegetative potential (species and cover/percent by weight) for each ecological site.

3.4 Conservation Issues Addressed

The 2014 Nevada Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan (Plan) identifies issues potentially affecting sage-grouse populations in Nevada. Issues most likely to be relevant to Credit Developers are listed below. Please review the Plan and discuss the potential for each of the following issues (or any others not listed below) to affect sage-grouse populations benefitted by the Credit Project, and how those issues will be addressed by the Credit Project. If specific management actions are required, briefly describe them here and ensure they are also captured in Section IV.Management & Monitoring.

Agricultural Conversion, Habitat Fragmentation & Anthropogenic Disturbances
Livestock Management
Meadow/ Riparian Degradation
Disease & Parasites
Fire & Fuels Management
Pinon-Juniper Encroachment
Predation
Noxious Weeds, Annual Invasive Grasses & Insects
Wild Horses & Burros Management
Recreation & Off-Highway Vehicle Activities
Other

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IV.Management & Monitoring

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The goal of long-term management is to foster the long-term viability of the Credit Project’sgreater sage-grouse populations and habitat. Routine management and monitoring are intended to assure the viability of the Credit Project throughout the entire project duration. The purpose of this section is to account for the management, monitoring, and reporting activities necessary to ensure ongoing project performance.

4.1 Management Activities

Describe expected management activities and provide estimated levels of effort, frequency, and cost, in order to estimate annual cost to implement the management activities. Estimates provided here will be used to determine the size of the stewardship fund required to ensure ongoing project performance. If necessary, summarize management activities below and attach a more detailed accounting of management activities, and include in the List of Attachments.

Required and Optional Management Activities

Required management activities are those necessary to ameliorate threats identified in section 3.4 Conservation Issues Addressed. The Administrator will identify management activities that are required for the credit project. The Administrator may also recommend optional management activities. Optional management activities include Administrator recommendations and those the Credit Developer expects to carry out to achieve and maintain the expected habitat quality, but may not be necessary to maintain the expected habitat quality. Optional management activities can be adjustedor halted at any time, provided habitat quality is not degraded. Required management activities must be carried out according to the frequency and schedule identified below, unless modification to this management plan is agreed upon as stipulated in section VII. Terms and Conditions.

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Management Activities Summary Description / Provide a summary description of the management actions, required and optional, planned for the Project Area. If seed grant funds are to be used to conduct the action initially, please include the budget for the action within the seed grant timeline and,if different, also estimate expenditures on these actions after closeout of the seed grantin order to best represent the annual costs over the full lifetime of the project.
Management Activities / Description / REQUIRED
(Yes/No) / Level of Effort / Cost per Unit / Cost / Frequency / Schedule / Annual Cost
TOTAL / $

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4.2Performance standards

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Enter the current conditions for the project from the HQT calculator (tab 2.6 Enter Projected Condition). The project proponent is expected to maintain existing habitat function score as stated in the table below. Areas approaching or above 10% annual invasive grass cover or non-functioning meadows and riparian areas should be noted as threatened by degradation and met with further management considerations, which should be described in detail. The Administrator will be responsible for determining whether an intentional reversal has occurred due to lack of or inadequate management practices. Circumstances out of the Credit Producers control such as environmental and climactic variability (e.g. severe drought, aroga moth infestations, etc.) that are negatively impacting habitat function will be reviewed and not considered as an intentional reversal if determined that factors other than inadequate management was the primary cause of the reversal. In addition to providing the current habitat conditions measured using the HQT, please provide site-specific performance standards (e.g. forb or grass cover increase, maintenance of irrigation and fencing infrastructure, etc.) specific to map units or project areas. The table contains an example of a performance standard. For map units where enhancement or restoration is planned, please describe the “Performance Standard” expected for that area (e.g. In treated areas; 5% reduction in annual grass cover, 5% increase in perennial grass cover, increase forb diversity by 20%).