Mark C. McKinstry

Motorist response to a deer-sensing warning system

Abstract United States Highway 30 between Kemmerer and Cokeville, Wyoming bisects the migratory route of the Wyoming Range mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herd and is the site of hundreds of deer–vehicle collisions each year. We tested the effectiveness of the FLASH™ (Flashing Light Animal Sensing Host, Victoria Gouch, Meridian, Id.) system, designed to detect deer presence on the highway and warn motorists by triggering flashing lights associated with a sign. We collected data on changes in vehicle speed in response to the warning system and conducted a series of experimental manipulations to determine motorist response to the system with various treatments involving the sign, the lights, and the presence of a deer decoy. Motorists in automobiles traveling at night reduced their speed the most (6%) in response to the normal operation of the system, with a mean speed reduction of 6 km/hour. During experimental manipulations motorists reduced their speed 20% when the deer decoy was present in the crossing, and responded less (7%) to the flashing lights and sign. The system tested may be effective in preventing deer–vehicle collisions in areas with a lower speed limit and more local traffic, but we believe it is not suitable for an application with high-speed traffic (i. e., >100 km/hour) and a high proportion of interstate traffic.

Creating wetlands for waterfowl in Wyoming

Abstract Over 1500 wetlands have been created in northeast Wyoming as a result of bentonite mining. The potential for future creation is high and many groups are interested in modifying wetland creation during the construction/reclamation stage to improve habitat for waterfowl. We examined a sample of 92 bentonite wetlands for waterfowl use in 1991 and 1992. Our main objective was to relate waterfowl use with variables that could be modified during the construction phase. In general, waterfowl use wetlands that are >1.0 ha in size, located within complexes of >5 wetlands within a 1 km radius, and have abundant emergent and submersed vegetation. Wetlands created through bentonite mining tend to be small (

WETLAND ENHANCEMENT AND CREATION ON RECLAIMED ABANDONED MINED LANDS IN NORTHEAST WYOMING

Over l ,200 wetlands have been created in northeast Wyoming as a byproduct of bentonite mining activities. Most of these wetlands were created or enhanced as a result of the reclamation of abandoned bentonite surface mines by the Abandoned Mine Land Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WAML). Beginning in 1985, and eventually using over

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAVER TO WETLAND HABITATS AND WATERFOWL IN WYOMING

40.6 million from fees collected for abandoned mine reclamation under the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of l 977 (SMCRA), W AML reclaimed over 3,320 hectares of terrestrial habitat and l 80 ha of wetland habitat at 236 AML sites. These reclamation activities included enhancing existing wetlands and creating new wetlands to mitigate for the destruction of jurisdictional (Section 404c of the Clean Water Act) wetlands that were deemed hazardous. Enhancement and creation activities produced small ( X = l .2 ha) and shallow ( < 2 m deep) wetlands, designed to provide maximum habitat benefits for migrating and breeding waterfowl. We subsequently examined 92 wetlands that had been enhanced or created under WAML. Our objectives were to identify physical variables that were important to waterfowl and could be manipulated during the construction process. In general, waterfowl use wetlands that are > l.O ha in size, have abundant emergent and submersed vegetation, and are located within complexes of> 5 wetlands within a l km radius. Soil qualities on abandoned bentonite sites are generally heavy clay in texture with high Exchangeable Sodium Percentages and require physical and chemical amendments to facilitate vegetative growth. Wetland plants have been slow to establish at these created wetlands because of the poor soils and a lack of suitable propagules; natural wetlands within this region are almost nonexistent and are mostly limited to seasonal playas and small creeks. Ongoing research, including both greenhouse experiments and field trials, has been focused on improving aquatic plant establishment and growth. Techniques to improve bentonite wetlands will be useful not only in future WAML activities, but to bentonite mining companies. Additional