Completion Form

2024

Rx FIRE 
The Rx fire part of the project was only minimally funded. Funding was to get the prep work and defensible space needed for beginning ignition operations the following year. Wind rowing, hand cut and pile, slash lining and some mastication occurred and completed in strategic locations. UFFSL has been and will continue to be the lead for anything fire. Some of this shows up in the map shapefiles as lop and scatter and lop (no scatter).

LOP AND SCATTER
No lop and scatter occurred on private lands (other than for Rx fire defensible space). Since the project was only partially funded we pivoted with the available funds on private lands and used any funding we had to go towards prepping for the Rx fire as this was the highest priority for landowners and other partners.

BLM completed 4,746 acres of lop and scatter treatments with BLM fuels dollars for $42.74/ac which was much lower than the $100/ac figure used to create the budget (based on the direction of a couple prior year's contracts).  Contractor did excellent work and completed most of the work prior to winter shutdown.  Completed the contract the following season.

TEBUTHIRON TREATMENT
The treatment occurred on only BLM land and BLM was the lead on this part of the project. 
 Tebuthiuron was applied to 803 acres of sagebrush at a rate of 0.3lbs active ingredient/acre (for rate decision rationale see "Methods" section under "Project Details" tab).  The application of chemical was originally going to be an in-kind contribution from the permittee but since the project was not funded we ended up paying for the application.  10 months after application sagebrush mortality is starting to show up.  The first round of vegetation monitoring data will be collected toward the end of next growing season to compare results to objectives.

BDAs
The NRCS/UDWR partner position has been the lead on this part of the project with the private landowners. There was pushback from downstream water users and the state water rights office did NOT issue a stream alteration permit for the project. No BDA work was completed.

FENCING
No fencing was built. In lieu of physical fencing the landowner has purchased and is now using Vence virtual fencing on the property.

SPRING DEVELOPMENTS
The spring developments were not completed as originally planned in the proposal. They were funded as planned through an NRCS contract.

PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
Private landowners have entered into a 10-year agreement with USFWS Partners Program to leave restored habitat for a minimum of 10 years. This means periodic communication and site visits with the program biologist. Both properties run livestock. The one property is now utilizing virtual fencing. One property has a domestic elk and buffalo hunting operation on a portion of the land. Both landowners are very interested in wildlife and want to manage in a manner where wildlife benefit.

The next phase will include Rx fire ignition operations.

BLM
Livestock grazing was delayed for several weeks this season to give grasses and forbs more of a chance to seed out in the treated areas.  Allotments are in good condition and no other change in livestock grazing is planned except for the 2 years rest after seeding projects when/if they occur in future phases.

Further lop and scatter and bullhog treatments are planned. These projects look to reopen sagebrush steppe ecosites that have or are seeing infilling of pinyon and juniper. Treatment options are being looked at for valley floor areas as well that have seen mass conversion from perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs to annual dominated systems. Success has been seen in similar nearby areas. These projects would look to expand upon them. Big game guzzlers are being considered along with these projects to provide wildlife water when the pipelines and troughs are turned off when livestock grazing period ends.

Clint Wirick

08/30/2024 11:50:40