Completion Form

2024

The South Manti Big Game Summer Range Improvement project is extremely important for the future health of big game populations, especially mule deer on the Manti deer unit.  Mule Deer populations have struggled on the south end of the Manti in part because the summer range has been encroached by conifer species.  This has happened as a result of fire suppression for the last 100 years. As the conifer trees continue to grow and are not removed by occasional forest fires, they outcompete aspen and other understory vegetation. This results in continuous conifer stands across the entire landscape that have very little vegetation growing under the canopy that big game animals and many other wildlife need for food. It also destroys the health of the tree stand as old trees become more susceptible to disease. When this happens, we can also lose the entire conifer stand which is not good for the wildlife that use the conifer. The goal is to have maximum diversity of plant communities which will in turn create a maximum diversity of animal species in the ecosystem. Because these forest systems have been changed and will continue to be changed by humans, it is necessary for humans to proactively manage the systems through restoration techniques to achieve the highest diversity possible. 
By reducing the conifer stands, we also reduce the risk of catastrophic fires, disease, flooding and mudslides postfire that can contaminate water quality. Lastly, we protect a multitude of sustainable uses for this land. 
For this project, we received funds to conduct cultural surveys and to help with the NEPA process to identify the best techniques to restore this area. Techniques involved prescribed fire and mechanical methods of removing conifer trees. We covered a massive area of about 16,000 acres.

Robert Edgel

08/27/2024 15:35:48