IndianPeak/Spanish George (Hamlin Valley Habitat Restoration Project - Sagebrush (Year 3))
Region: Southern
ID: 3934

Project Status: Completed

Project Details

The need to protect resources and rehabilitate vegetation communities within the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project Area has been recognized for many years. This area continues to be a high priority area for vegetation resource enhancement, resource protection and fuels reduction. The Hamlin Valley Project is located within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) and also within the Hamlin Valley Priority Area for Conservation (PAC), which is part of the southern Great Basin (Nevada) population.

Multiple project areas and treatment methods have been identified for the Project Area (Year 3) and are identified as follows:
1.  Spanish George (Bull Hog - SITLA - 258 acres)
2.  Atchison Creek (Bull Hog - BLM Wildland Urban Interface - 463 acres)
3.  Indian Peak (Bull Hog - 798 acres (BLM - 798 acres)
4.  Indian Peak (Chaining - 3,303 acres (BLM - 2,861 acres and SITLA 442 acres)
Note:  Refer to Attached Funding Table (Estimates Costs for Each Project)

Proposed management prescriptions/strategies for the sagebrush vegetation management area are based on departure from the ecological site, the potential for the community to respond to various treatment methods, as well as the desired future condition of the sagebrush/steppe vegetative community. The excessive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment into areas that were once dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs according to the Ecological Site Description is of concern throughout the majority of the Project Area. The extensive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment has been detrimental to sage grouse and other wildlife habitat throughout the project area.  The implementation of Year 3 of the project would improve 4,822 acres of crucial sage grouse habitat. The project (Year 3) was flagged in Fall 2015. Year 3 of the project could be separated into multiple projects based on funding. Year 3 of the project would also tie into efforts that have been completed on SITLA and private lands within the project area over the last 10 years as well as ongoing efforts on SITLA and private lands. Currently, the NRCS is actively working with livestock permittees through the sage grouse initiative/farm bill to identify projects on SITLA and private lands that could be implemented at the same time as treatment on public lands in Year 3, which has occurred in the Stateline Allotment (Project ID - 4087).  The State Division of Fire and Fuels is expected to provide funding for the Spanish George (Bull Hog) - 258 acres and the Atchison Creek (Bull Hog) - 463 acres.

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

The overall objective of this project is to remove pinyon pine and juniper and achieve a vegetation community that more closely resembles the sagebrush ecological site. The majority of the project is within a sagebrush ecological site and the project objectives are as follows:
1. Maintain adequate habitat components to meet needs of greater sage-grouse in nesting, brood-rearing, and winter habitats in accordance with current guidelines and in coordination with UDWR and SWARM while providing for other wildlife values.
2. Manage to maintain/create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages which would meet the seasonal needs of sage-grouse.
3. Improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description.
4. Reduce pinyon pine and juniper density by 100% or in accordance with what is described in the Ecological Site Description.
5. The Composition by air-dry weight would be approximately 45-55% grasses, 5-10% forbs, and 40-50% shrubs.
6. Vertical canopy cover for grasses/forbs would be 20-40%, shrubs would be 15-45%, and trees would be 0%.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

The project is focused on eliminating pinyon pine and juniper from the sagebrush ecological site. Improving this community and removing ladder fuels to minimize the potential for a sagebrush stand replacing fire is a high priority.  Historically it is expected that sage grouse in the area had a greater distribution and population. There is research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others that have documented that sage grouse stop utilizing a lek with as little as 4% tree canopy cover. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored pinyon and juniper expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that juniper and pinyon pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat.

Implementation of the project has risks/threats including annual precipitation fluctuations and
invasive/noxious weed establishment; however, mitigation measures have been identified that will limit these threats/risks to the project area.

The project is located at an elevation of 6,000 feet, which is expected to help counteract the impacts of drought. Typically, rangelands at this elevation receive adequate precipitation to promote vegetative growth and viability in the short-term and long-term. In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. This research indicates that even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

In addition, extensive pre-monitoring vegetative data collection has occurred within the project area. This includes extensive Sage Grouse habitat Assessments, Rangeland Health  assessments (basal gap, canopy gap, line point intercept, shrub height, Rangeland Health Assessments), nested frequency, utilization, Proper Functioning Condition, etc...  The primary threats that were identified through pre-monitoring within the project area included annual precipitation fluctuations, cheatgrass, the expansion of pinyon pine and juniper into the sagebrush steppe vegetative community and wildfire.

A Landscape Forecasting project in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy has been completed.  The objectives of this project were to 1. Develop maps of potential vegetation types and current vegetation classes within each biophysical setting by conducting remote sensing of satellite or aerial imagery. 2. Refine computerized predictive state-and-transition ecological models for the ecological systems by updating models or creating new models 3. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of
ecological systems under minimum management to quantify future threats 4. Use Return-on-Investment analysis to assess which strategies for which ecological systems yield the most advantageous results 5. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of ecological systems under alternative management strategies 6. Determine current condition of all ecological systems (a broad scale measure of ecological system health) using the ecological departure using Fire Regime Condition metric and Fire Regime
Condition Class. Ecological departure was be measured by comparing the current condition of vegetation to reference conditions. Additional metrics of ecological condition were developed to describe either different desired future condition or special vegetation classes The vegetative monitoring data and the Landscape Forecasting will be utilized to verify ecological sites, identify treatment methods, determine cost effectiveness, etc... to ensure the success of future projects.  The second phase of the Landscape Conservation Forecasting project will focus on climate change to determine the long-term viability of vegetation treatments within the project area considering impacts of climate change.  This project is expected to be completed by June 2017.

The Landscape Forecasting project that has been completed identified that most of the poor ecological conditions (high departure values) in ecological systems were attributed to six types of problems that are substantial or widespread across the Project Area: (1)  encroachment by juniper and pinyon pine trees; (2) annual grasses, primarily cheatgrass; (3) degraded or depleted shrubland understories; (4) exotic forbs; and (5) loss of aspen clone.

The conclusion of the Landscape Conservation Forecasting project was that conditions within the project area after 25 years of "MINIMUM MANAGEMENT" (no active treatments or management) are forecasted to remain moderately to highly departed.  In addition, the Return On Investment values are high or moderately high for most shrubland ecological systems within the project area.

Sage grouse telemetry data has also been collected and will continue to be collected within the Project Area.  This information will be utilized to identify future treatments and determine whether sage grouse are utilizing ongoing treatment areas. All of the information that has been collected will serve as a baseline to determine success/failure of the project for sage grouse and other wildlife within the project area on a short-term and long-term basis.

Wildlife monitoring data including Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys and General Wildlife Use Surveys has been collected throughout the Project Area in 2016.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

Hamlin Valley EA/FONSI/DR - June 2014

The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the Project Area with regard to improving the vegetation component within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area. A variety of vegetation treatments were authorized that would improve/maintain Rangeland Health in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. The focus for management within this area is to improve greater sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat while maintaining the dominant aspects of the sagebrush community to ensure adequate cover is available. High quality brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for sage grouse in the Hamlin Valley population area.

BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015

A.  The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows:

Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners.

Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7).

B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows:

Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14).

C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows:

Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3)

D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows:

Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MA-LG-13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17).

The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan established incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas.

The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups, and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses.

Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area.

In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs is those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas
(SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats.
The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM.

Note: A conformance document has been completed to ensure that the project is in conformance with the Sage Grouse ARMPA (See Attachment).

The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Final) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings.  Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50).

Pinyon Management Framework Plan (PMFP) (1983)
Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office.

Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006)
The SUSAFMP identifies the area as a priority for conversion of encroached pinyon and juniper dominated communities to a sagebrush community with a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. This would be consistent with the vegetative monitoring data that has been collected within the Project Area to identify the Ecological Site Description.

National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004)
The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following:
1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process.
2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation.
3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts.
4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome.
5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community.
6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation
7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation.
8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats.
9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel.
10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands.

Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (2012)
The management goal of the Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit is to increase the unit deer population. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project are (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives.  (2) Maintain critical fawning habitat in good condition.

Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2006)
The management goal of the Southwest Desert Elk Herd Management Plan is to achieve a variety of healthy vegetative communities within the herd unit to maintain a diverse elk population in balance with available habitat. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Project are TO (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit on winter and summer range to achieve population management objectives.  (2) Identify areas suitable for seasonal access management to encourage elk use in areas of low potential conflict.

Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005)
The priority habitat identified for this area was shrub-steppe, which was identified as a Priority A (High threat, high opportunity, and high value to birds statewide) habitat. Priority birds identified within this area include sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, sage sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow. Sagebrush restoration was identified as an opportunity within this area to address concerns with sagebrush die-off and potential for cheatgrass invasion.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

There have been several very large fires in the Hamlin Valley area, especially in the last 10 years.

There is a large fuel loading build up in Hamlin Valley and an alteration in fuel types. Pinyon and juniper trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Without this project, fuel conditions are such that a wildfire may be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) within the project area is predominately FRCC 3 which is where fire regimes have been extensively altered and
risk of losing key ecosystem components from fire is high.

Treatments identified within this proposal, including seeding with more fire resistant vegetation, would help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a catastrophic wildfire which could impact outlying residential properties and infrastructure.

Treatments in and around the sagebrush areas would break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire entering these sensitive areas. Removing pinyon and juniper in a mosaic pattern would also break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of a high intensity wildfire. Because there is a greater risk of conversion of shrublands to annual grasslands under a high intensity fire, managed, pro-active treatments proposed would reduce the likelihood of cheatgrass invasion and help perennial grasses and forbs persist long-term.

One component of this project (Priority 2) is a firebreak that will provide protection to an adjacent community that is at a very high risk should a fire occur. This portion of the project is near some springs on the east side of the valley and will be done in a mosaic design leaving stringers of trees for deer and elk to use as hiding and thermal cover.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

The Project Area is located at 6,000 feet above sea level; therefore, it is expected that the opportunity to restore native species to the composition and frequency appropriate to the area is high. As discussed, this area is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper (Phase 2 and Phase 3). There is noticeable soil erosion throughout the area due to the absence of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. The project is expected to improve herbaceous understory, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration.

Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by pinyon pine and juniper to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration.

As discussed, extensive Rangeland Health monitoring data has been collected throughout the project area.  This monitoring data will be utilized as baseline data to determine the success of the treatment while providing for a scientific measurement of the indicators identified above.

In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites.

Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

There are perennial water sources in close proximity to the project area.  The CCFO has been working with the USGS to develop a study to determine if groundwater increase following pinyon pine and juniper treatments.  Monitoring data will be completed to determine if their are changes in shallow groundwater, surface water and soil moisture resulting from pinyon pine and juniper treatments.  This project will test the hypothesis that removing trees leads to increased groundwater recharge and improved water quality and identify conditions that favor or hinder this process.  A long-term goal of the project will be to monitor in a variety of hydrogeologic and climatic settings to identify controls on changes in groundwater recharge following treatment.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

The BLM has identified an ID Team and invited cooperating agencies (UDWR, NRCS, SWARM, etc.) to assess the current condition and formulate a vegetation management prescription that achieves the Desired Future Conditions, management intent, and management goals and objectives within the project area. BLM will provide overall project oversight. BLM will also refine flagging of the treatment area (i.e. leave islands (cultural
and wildlife) in cooperation with UDWR and SWARM. This area within Year 3 of the Project Area will be aerially seeded to meet wildlife habitat objectives in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. Seed will be requested through GBRC.

The majority of the Project Area is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in portions of the Project Area that are currently in Phase 2 condition the species vigor, composition and production are well below what should be expected for the site as revealed by the Ecological Site Description.  A Bull Hog Treatment Method would be utilized to eliminate juniper and pinyon pine from the existing sagebrush and perennial grass community. Application of a diverse seed mix
including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the project area.

In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley (which is within the project area) as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great  Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs are those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats.  The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM.

The project area is dominated by Juniper and Pinyon Pine; however, this is not consistent with what should be expected according to the ESD, which states that the site should be dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush and a diverse composition of perennial grasses and forbs.  The project areas have been flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with NRCS, DWR, SWARM, etc...  In addition, archaeology clearances have been completed by DWR contract with project oversite provided by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Pre-monitoring within the Project Area has been ongoing since 2014. Monitoring will continue to be completed by BLM, which may include some support from UDWR or other cooperators. Standard surveys have included:  Wildlife Use Pattern Surveys (i.e. Pellet Counts), Wildlife Population Surveys, Key Forage Utilization, Nested Frequency (Trend), Line Intercept (Shrub Cover and Age Class), Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health Assessment, Photo Points, OHV Monitoring (to determine if new roads are being created), Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys, General Wildlife Use Surveys and Noxious weed inventory / monitoring.

Pre and Post vegetation and wildlife monitoring data will be collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be compiled into an overall monitoring report that will help determine the level of success for the project in the short-term and long-term. This data will be utilized to support an Adaptive Management Strategy to determine if changes in treatment methods, seeding, etc... need to occur in order to meet measurable objectives.

Refer to the 2016 Indian Peak Allotment Monitoring Report, Chokecherry/Spanish George Final Wildlife Report, Chokecherry/Spanish George Point Counts and Reports and the Chokecherry Allotment Monitoring Reports. In addition, Key Management Area Trend within the Atchison Creek and Indian Peak Allotments has been attached for reference.

There currently is inconclusive data to suggest that the sage grouse population size would increase if the treatments were completed in Hamlin Valley. Vegetation treatments were completed in Fall 2015 within the Chokecherry and Spanish George areas.  These vegetation treatments consisted of lop and scatter (1,623 acres) and bull hog (1,423 acres).  Vegetation treatments were completed in the Fall 2016 within the Atchison Creek, Jackson Wash and Spanish George areas.  These vegetation treatments consisted of chaining (1,900 acres) and bull hog (1,622 acres).  Treatments have also occurred on private and SITLA lands in the last 5-10 years.

Sage Grouse telemetry data has been collected since 2010 throughout Hamlin Valley. It is expected that this baseline data and future data will allow for correlation of whether sage grouse are utilizing treatment areas.  Furthermore, it is expected that by improving Rangeland Land Health conditions and creating expansion sage grouse habitat through the elimination of pinyon and juniper in areas that should be dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs in accordance with the Ecological Site Description will lead to sage grouse habitat improvements and population increases. This will be verified through further data collection (telemetry, lek counts, RLH data, trend, utilization data, etc...). Similar treatments in others areas within the Color Country District Office indicate that sage grouse are utilizing the treatments almost immediately following the removal of pinyon and juniper, which is expected to also occur in Hamlin Valley.

A joint sage grouse telemetry project is occurring between BLM administered lands in Cedar City Field Office and the Shell Field Office (Ely, Nevada).   In addition, CCFO is coordinating with SFO (Ely, NV) on their future vegetative treatment projects immediately adjacent to Hamlin Valley. This coordination is expected to continue to provide for habitat connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries.

Through the Landscape Conservation Forecasting (LCF) project that was completed by The Nature Conservancy extensive ecological system data collection and modeling was completed.  Through this project Twenty-six ecological systems were identified in the Hamlin Valley Project Areas, and they and their component vegetation classes were mapped to a high degree of accuracy and precision via interpretation of satellite imagery. Eleven of the ecological systems were selected for detailed modeling analyses based on their size, current and likely future condition (degree of ecological departure).  Most of the poor ecological conditions (high departure values) in ecological systems can  be attributed to the encroachment by juniper and pinyon pine trees within the Project Area. The Return on Investment within Black Sagebrush and Wyoming Big Sagebrush (According to the ESD) is the highest with the exception of the Utah Serviceberry. This appears to be the highest because the amount of acreage of Utah Serviceberry is minimal compare to other ecological systems.  The following is an excerpt from the final report: "The relatively high ROI values of three sagebrush systems -- Black, Wyoming, and Montane -- generally reflect a combination of problems that are severe at present, and/or are predicted to become or remain so under MINIMUM MANAGEMENT. Predicted improvements under PREFERRED MANAGEMENT are moderate to substantial, though for very large costs. These three sagebrush systems are by far the costliest in both Project Areas, yet their ROI values are relatively high because their considerable costs are spread across their extensive areas -- these sagebrush systems are also the three largest in both Project Areas." Refer to the attached Landscape Conservation Forecasting Final Report.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

As discussed, the BLM in coordination with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Southwest Desert Adaptive Resource Management local working group (SWARM) and Utah Prairie Dog Oversight Group (UPDOG) have identified the project as a priority area for treatment.

Partners including Utah State University Extension, NRCS, The Nature Conservancy, DWR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Iron County, SWARM, UPDOG, UPDRIT, Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative - Southern Utah University, Schell Field Office (Ely, Nevada) and Livestock Permittees and private landowners (homeowners) have been actively engaged in the project.

The FFSL and BLM have been working together to identify opportunities for FFSL funding.  The FFSL has identified $183,200.00 to help fund the project.  This funding will be utilized on the Spanish George (SITLA) - 258 acres and the Atchison Creek (WUI) - 463 acres that are identified within the project.  BLM has also completed outreach with SITLA to provide for treatment opportunities on SITLA lands within the area (Indian Peak and Spanish George Allotments).

In addition, The Nature Conservancy has completed a Landscape Conservation Forecasting for the Hamlin Valley PHMA.  The BLM funded this project for a total of $125,000.  A second phase of this project will occur in February 2017.

The project area has been flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with DWR, SWARM, etc...

The NRCS and the Division of Forestry Fire and Fuels (FFSL) have provided funding for previous phases of the project immediately adjacent to the project area.  In addition, FFSL is also going to provide funding for the Atchison Creek (WUI) (463 acres) and the Spanish George (258 acres).

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Livestock grazing within the Atchison Creek, Indian Peak and Spanish George Allotments has been assessed through the permit renewal process. The Atchison Creek Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from July 1st - August 15th on an annual basis. The Atchison Creek Allotment is deferred until after the completion of the critical growing period. The Indian Peak Allotment has authorized livestock grazing on a year round basis; however, there are eight pastures within the allotment. A livestock grazing management system that incorporates the pastures has been identified within the allotment to eliminate repeated livestock grazing
during the critical growing period. The Spanish George Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from May 16th - June 30th (Year 1) and from August 16th - November 30th (Year 2). A two year livestock grazing management system has eliminated repeated livestock grazing during the critical growing period.  In addition, utilization has been collected on a continual basis within the allotments. Livestock use has been within established utilization parameters on a consistent basis. It is expected that the vegetative treatment will result in forage production increases that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description.

The identification of a grazing management systems that eliminate repeated critical growing period use in anyone pasture on an annual basis is expected to provide for the long-term maintenance of the project.  Furthermore, utilization has been collected on a continual basis and all indications are that utilization is well within acceptable parameters within the allotment.  The current livestock grazing management systems are expected to continue in the long-term.

A conformance document has been completed to ensure that the project is in conformance with the Sage Grouse ARMPA (See Attachment).

All areas seeded would be rested for a minimum of two complete growing seasons or until the seedlings become established and set seed. Once seeding establishment has been  confirmed, BLM may authorize grazing according the Utah Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management. Vegetation treatments would continue to be monitored for utilization, cover and trend. Following the two year rest period, the grazing management system identified during the grazing permit renewal process would be resumed.

Key Management Areas are typically established in grazing allotments to monitor trend where there is livestock use. The trend sites that have been established in the Project Area will provide for baseline monitoring data so that short-term and long-term treatment success can be monitored. Because trend within the treatment area that has been collected is baseline data, trend will be determined in subsequent years as data is collected.  Trend will be collected at these sites for 3 years following treatment and then these sites will be incorporated into the overall range vegetative monitoring schedule and be collected every 3-5 years. The current trend at these Key Management Areas would be expected to be static to downward based on pinyon and juniper expansion within the Project Area.  Following treatment it is expected that this will be reversed and an upward trend will occur.

Future maintenance projects to protect investments made by UWRI/NRCS/BLM have been addressed and allowed through the project planning document (NEPA). Adaptive management has been allowed for in the NEPA/Decision document. A large variety of treatment methods have been identified and authorized for use within the Project Area.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

As discussed, the majority of the project area is in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. The project is expected to improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description, which will be beneficial to livestock grazing.  Furthermore, the project will be proactive in Improving vegetative communities and removing ladder fuels within areas that are dominated by pinyon and juniper, which will minimize the potential for a catastrophic
wildfire throughout the area, which would be detrimental to livestock grazing.

Currently, livestock management within the allotment is being minimally impacted by the current conditions within the allotment.  As discussed, an effective grazing management system that limits critical growing period use is in place within the allotment.  The majority of the treatment areas that have been identified are opportunity areas for livestock once treatment has been completed.  These areas are in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition and are minimally used.  It is expected that once these areas are treated and there is forage available that livestock distribution will continue to improve throughout the allotments.

It is expected that conditions throughout the allotment will improve post-treatment, which will benefit livestock within the allotment in the long-term.  It is expected that the vegetative treatments will result in increased forage production that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.