Page 21 - September/October Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

increased sunlight to reach the ground, encouraging
growth of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation that vari-
ous species can use.
Daylighting also opens up the edges of roads and These created openings provide
fields. The edges can be richer in wildlife than the
increased food sources, like seeds
adjoining plant communities because they provide
and insects, for wildlife. Wildlife
more of the needs required by wildlife than a single
also use edges as travel lanes.
vegetative community. These created openings provide
increased food sources, like seeds and insects, for wild-
life. Wildlife also use edges as travel lanes.
Vegetation management to benefit wildlife is an
ongoing annual activity and requires the use of agricul- WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM
tural equipment. Using the NRDA process, the Wildlife
Division was able to acquire skid steers and attach-
ments, tractors and attachments, all-terrain vehicles,
and prescribed burning equipment.
The Fisheries Division is using NRDA funds to reha-
bilitate existing water supply reservoirs, roadways and
fencing at Durant State Fish Hatchery and dam repair
and improvements at Lake Watonga. NRDA funds are
also being used to replace the antiquated main water
pipeline to the hatchery and pump station at J.A.
Manning State Fish Hatchery in Medicine Park.
All of that was accomplished in the two years of this
NRDA initiative. In 2020, ODWC was able to submit a
second round of project proposals.
In the Wildlife Division, the second round of projects
A site at James Collins WMA as it appeared before habitat
continued habitat restoration on WMAs, mechanical improvement work.
and chemical control of invasive species, reclaiming
overgrown fireguards to increase prescribed burning
opportunities, replacing water-control structures to WILDLIFEDEPARTMENT.COM
enhance wetland management, and creating wildlife
watering holes.
Fisheries Division projects include building a water
supply reservoir at the Manning Hatchery, and repair
and upgrade the Jap Beaver Lake dam.
Most notably, NRDA funds were leveraged to acquire
7,602 acres in Haskell County, resulting in the new Sans
Bois WMA; to acquire 497 acres in Adair County, result-
ing in the new Barren Fork WMA; to add 239 acres at
Atoka WMA; to add 557 acres in McCurtain County
to Grassy Slough WMA; and to add 124 acres for
Drummond Flat WMA.
These properties represent critical habitat for fish
and wildlife, and will be perpetually open to the public The same area at James Collins WMA after clearing and
for hunting and fishing. mastication to create a forest opening.

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