Project Details

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.

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.

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.

The project supports the objectives and recommendations of the following applicable management plans:

1. UTAH DWR WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (WAP) 2015 - 2025: The project will provide enhancements for 3 "Key Habitats" identified in the Action Plan. These include the following terrestrial habitat classifications Lowland Sagebrush, p. 106;  Mountain Sagebrush, p. 120; and Mountain Shrub, p. 127. The project addresses these areas by removing problematic plant species (native), reducing habitat shifting, and reducing foothold areas for invasive non-native species.

2. ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 1986:   
    Wildlife and Fish Goals (ANF Land and Resource Management Plan 1986, p. IV 28 - IV 31):
Goal 1 - Manage fish and wildlife habitat to maintain or improve diversity and productivity. Goal 2 - Involve concerned government agencies, environmental organizations, and special interest groups in wildlife and fisheries management program.
Objective 1. Develop and implement habitat management planning and improvements to include key ecosystems, wildlife, and plant species.
Objective 2. Develop the species/habitat relationships of fish and wildlife.
Objective 5. Develop support from wildlife intrest groups for funding or labor for wildlife and fish projects.
     Soil, Water, and Air (ANF Land and Resource Management Plan 1986, p. IV 37-42): Goal 1- Increase water yields from National Forest Watersheds. Goal 2 - Improve and conserve the basic soil and water resources.
Objective 1. Increase water yields through resource management activities.
Objective 2. Maintain or improve soil stability, site productivity and repair or stabilize damaged watersheds.
    Range Goal (ANF Land and Resource Management Plan 1986, p. IV 32-33): Achieve satisfactory ecological condition on all rangelands. Maintain or obtain plant diversity to meet the requirements of the NFMA.
Objective 1. Maintain or improve all range in a fair or better condition class.
Objective 2. Develop and implement an action plan for control of noxious weeds.
    Protection Goal (ANF Land and Resource Management Plan 1986, p. IV 54-55) : Provide cost-efficient protection of Forest resources, users, and administrative sites.
Objective 1. Develop and implement a cost efficient fire management program based upon resource values.
  
3. UTAH DWR STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MULE DEER 2014: The project addresses a principle habitat issue and concern (p. 8) of declining quality and quantity of forage which includes pinyon and juniper encroachment. The conifer encroachment removal will manage crucial mule deer habitat, utilize the WRI program, make broad scale improvements by diminishing conifer encroachment. (IV. Statewide Management
Goals and Objectives, Habitat Goal, Habitat Objective 1.c, and Habitat Objective 2.b, d, e, g; pp. 18-20.)

4. UTAH DWR STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ELK 2010: This project addresses VI Statewide Management Goals and Objectives, B. Habitat Management Goal, Habitat Objective 2.c, d, g, & j; through identifying habitat improvement needs, working with WRI cooperation, and providing broad scale vegetative projects to improve habitats (pp. 13-14).

5. UTAH STATEWIDE and local BIGHORN SHEEP HERD MANAGEMENT PLANS (North and South Slope Units 8 & 9, respectively) recommend vegetation management actions to offset habitat losses or degradation.

6. USFS ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN SAGE-GROUSE AMENDMENT (2016): The project conifer removal will help address the established general desired condition standards (p. 140, Table 1.) Conifer removal will enhance lek security by removing raptor perches (conifers) in proximity to leks and should improve both sagebrush and grass cover. The project area is also within sage-grouse priority habitat as defined in the plan for added protection and conservation measures.

5. The project is located within the NER WRI "Rangelands" focus area and addresses the purposes of the WRI/UPCD program for watershed restoration activities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.