Completion Form

2023

553 acres of treatment were completed by Cutting Edge Forestry for phase 7 of the Upper Provo Watershed Restoration Project during 2022.  Of the 553 acres treated, 10 acres were lopped and scattered, and 543 acres were hazard tree removal.  These treatments focused around FR416 that connects Murdock Basin Road to Broadhead Meadows as well as several ATV trails in the area.  The 543 acres of hazard tree removal were spread out over 11 units, while there was one unit of lop and scatter.

Hazard Tree Removal- 543 acres of hazard tree removal were completed in October of 2022 in the areas surrounding FR416 in 300ft wide units along roadways as well as wider units to connect them.  This treatment involved creating 20-foot bole-to-bole spacing in the conifer for 150ft on each side of the road in units 5 & 6, 150 ft from the edge of wetlands for units 7 & 8, and larger areas for the 7 other units.  This was achieved by cutting all standing dead/damaged trees as well as trees under 8" DBH to achieve the spacing.  All remaining trees over 8-inch DBH were limbed no less than 6-feet above ground.  Maximum stump and cut brush height were no more than 6-inches high from the ground on the downhill side. All cut material under 6" diameter and was then piled to make piles between 8x8x8ft and 20x20x15ft in size.  All material with a diameter greater than 10 inches was limbed and bucked into 6-foot lengths and scattered along the ground.  Slash (limbless and branchless trees) greater than approximately 8 inches in diameter was left scattered on the ground (for firewood gathers) with limbs and branches removed.

Lop and Scatter- 10 Acres of lop and scatter were completed in September of 2022 along a section of FR416 that goes through the burn scar of the Upper Provo Fire of 2020.  This treatment involved creating 20-foot bole-to-bole spacing in the conifer for 150ft on each side of FR416. This was achieved by cutting all standing dead/damaged trees as well as trees under 8" DBH to achieve the spacing. All remaining trees over 8-inch DBH were limbed no less than 6-feet above ground. Maximum stump and cut brush height were no more than 6-inches high from the ground on the downhill side.  All the cut material was scattered so slash height did not exceed 12-inches above the ground.  If boles were stacked or jack-strawed, they must be cut to reduce slash height to 12-inches or less. Cut branches did not exceed 48-inches in length.

Phase 7 of the Upper Provo Watershed Restoration Project was completed from August 2022-October 2022 using a combination of funds from USFS, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Utah DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International.  The funds ran through the fiscal year of 2023 and consisted of hazard tree removal and lop and scatter treatments. Within the past 4 years there have been 4 separate wildfires in or adjacent to the watershed.  Cumulative fuel loading due to beetle infestations and fire suppression has escalated the risk for catastrophic wildfire.  These treatments focused on areas within or adjacent to the Upper Provo Fire burn scar to expand the fuel break that the burn scar was providing.  These treatments add to the existing system of fuel breaks within the watershed that will aid in future fire management.  In addition to the increasing resilience to catastrophic wildfire, these treatments create openings that allow wildlife to forage and move from Summer to Winter grounds.  Along with previous phases, over 8,500 acres have been treated within the watershed to create an extensive system of fuel breaks.  These areas will enter a maintenance cycle for the unforeseen future to maintain resiliency and restoration.

543 of the 553 acres treated during phase 7 contain piles that need to be burned after 1-2 years of curing.   The piles from these treatment areas will need to be burned during future autumn/winter months, which may require multiple entries to minimize scorching and maximize consumption.   These areas of strategic fuel breaks can be used to manage future wildfires and decrease fire spread and intensity when they enter the watershed.  The hazard tree removal units will be monitored after the piles have been burned to ensure logs/torched trees do not threaten the roadways. The treated areas will enter a maintenance program once completed to ensure their effectiveness. Vegetation plots located within the project area will also be monitored using ocular estimates and post-treatment analysis.  Two of the hazard tree removal units that were originally planned were not treated due to lack of funding.  These units will be treated in phase 8 and ultimately burned after the piles have cured 1-2 years.  There are more phases in the planning process within the watershed that will further the goal of creating a system of fuel breaks across the watershed.

Josh Cohn

08/15/2023 13:05:18