Completion Form

2020

In summer 2019 (6/1/19 to 9/1/19), 57 acres of declining aspen forests were treated to stimulate aspen regeneration. A combination of clear felling, slash fencing, and hinge fencing techniques were used in several areas. By fall 2019, aspen resprouting was already evident, and fencing techniques seemed successful at keeping out ungulates from browsing the new aspen seedlings.

Beginning 8/12/2019 bullhogs were used to masticated 1,249 acres encroaching pinyon and juniper along with oak brush. This was done to balance and create a diversity of serial states in the oak brush zone. No seed was used due to the amount of understory as well as the ability of oak brush to basal re-sprout. This area is used by deer, elk and turkey this treatment will open more foraging areas. The treatment was done in a patchy mosaic pattern to allow for forage as well as hiding/thermal cover. Mastication was completed by 10/8/2019.

The snowberry treatment was not done in FY20. It is planned to be done in the fall of 2020.

PM is working with landowner to create a seed mix that will be planted in the fallow field. The seed mix will be for wildlife benefits. The landowner will drill seed the mix in fall of 2020.

The 50 acres identified for hand treatment to reduce encroachment of trees into a meadow in the treatments area has not been accomplished by Forest Service crews. USFS did do more than 50 acres acres of seeding (hand broadcast with volunteer group and USFS personnel).

These treatment areas will be monitored by FFSL several times of year for the next 10 years to (a) measure and
count aspen regeneration, (b) take repeat photos at set locations, (c) survey for noxious/invasive weeds, and (d)
inspect & ensure fencing is intact. The private landowner is on the property spring through fall, and will also monitor the project area.
The landowner is committed to this project, and in fact, he is the one who initially contacted DNR to let us know of this disappearing aspen resource on his property. The landowner recognizes aspen as a valuable wildlife habitat, and is willing to try these treatments and multi-year fencing to get the aspen resource to return to this area. 
This property has an active Forest Stewardship Plan which provides management recommendations for a 10
year time period. In addition, FFSL recently received a 3-year Landscape Scale Restoration (USFS) grant focused on aspen regeneration projects on private lands. Therefore, we expect to treat additional acreage neighboring these project areas over the next several years.

The landowner is working to purchase equipment to do follow up treatments. The area will continue to be managed as CWMU. DWR will continue to manage for deer and elk population objectives.

Nicole Nielson

08/27/2020 13:31:52