Project Details

The South Canyon (Sunset Cliffs) project area is dominated by stands of pinyon and juniper trees with a high percentage of young trees encroaching areas of sagebrush steppe causing a downward trend in herbaceous cover and creating a high fire danger for surrounding urban interfaces.  Some of the areas within the site have little remnant sagebrush, forb or grass component.  The project area serves as important seasonal and year round habitat for several species of wildlife including but not limited to sage grouse, prairie dogs, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and many shrub steppe birds.  In particular, this project is needed and proposed to re-establish and maintain sagebrush steppe habitat, open travel corridors and provide benefits to sage grouse within and immediately adjacent to the project area.  This project was ranked as being one of the top two priority projects for sage grouse by CCARM. Currently there is an active 8.3 acre Utah Prairie Dog colony as well as the 1697 acre Hillsdale prairie dog management area with a target population on 20 within the project. In addition, small amounts of ponderosa pine is found within the project area. Understory pinyon/juniper currently form ladder fuels that could potentially spread ground fires into crowns of remaining ponderosa pine.  Pinyon/juniper also limit the recruitment of ponderosa seedlings. There is a need to remove encroaching pinyon/juniper to improve ponderosa pine stands. High pinyon/juniper tree density also increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire, thus threatening the communities and outlying residential properties of Panguitch, Hillsdale, and Hatch, Utah.  A catastrophic wildlfire could also increase the risk of invasive species and erosion.  Past projects in the area have proven successful in restoring grass, forb, and shrub species to the site, decreasing erosion, improving species diversity and functional plant groups and improving winter/summer mule deer, pronghorn, shrub steppe birds and sage grouse habitat.

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.

The invasion of pinyon and juniper trees into areas once dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs increases the risk of losing key areas for sage grouse, prairie dogs, mule deer, elk, pronghorn and many shrub steppe birds.  Without this project, sage grouse would be at an increased risk, and/or could move to imminent listing due to lack of important habitat needed for survival.    The increase of pinyon and juniper also increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire in these habitats.  The risk of invasion of cheatgrass and rabbitbrush and loss of sagebrush after wildfire could further impact sage grouse in the area.  Catastrophic wildfire also threatens other wildlife habitat, in addition to the communities and outlying properties of Panguitch, Hatch, and Hillsdale, Utah. Pinyon and juniper is encroaching on an active prairie dog colony as well as the Hillsdale management unit causing loss in habitat for the Utah prairie dog. Past phases of projects identical to the proposed project have proved successful in meeting objectives.  However, as with any surface disturbing activity in sagebrush ecosystems, there is a low potential for weed invasion.  BLM will aggressively treat any noxious weeds in the area if found.

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.

Upper Sevier Watershed Management Plan (2004).  This area was identified as 1 of 3 priority areas overall, within the entire Upper Sevier planning area.  This project is in conformance with the Kanab Field Office Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed October 31, 2008.  VEG-30, 32, 33, 35. SOL-3.  The proposed treatment is consistent with Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Decision #FW-01, with states: 1) that BLM will manage suitable public land habitats for the recovery or re-establishment of native populations through collaborative planning with local, state, and federal agencies, user groups, and interested publics; and 2) that BLM will also seed to limit additional adverse impacts to crucial habitats on public lands from urbanization and encroachment to preserve the integrity of wildlife corridors and migration routes and access to key forage areas.  Numerous other management plans have identified the need for these projects, including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008), Color Country Adaptive Resource Management Plan (CCARM) (2008) for sage grouse, The proposed project is consistent with the Southern Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan dated September 9, 2004, which states:  15,000 acres be mechanically treated to convert pinyon and juniper invasion (condition class 3) into sagebrush/perennial grass (condition class 1 or 2) vegetation types.  BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004).  Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005).  Of particular concern within this area are:  Greater Sage Grouse, mule deer, and shrub steppe (key habitat).  Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008).  The Color Country Adaptive Resource Management Plan for Sage Grouse (CCARM) (2007) strategies and action to: 1) Improve age distribution of plants within sagebrush-steppe communities by 2016; 2) Identify and prioritize target areas needing improvement; 3) Coordinate among agencies and landowners to fund implementation of projects and monitoring; 4) Monitor response of sage grouse to changing habitat conditions.  National Greater Sage Grouse Planning Strategy (2011) which provides a framework for establishing adequate regulatory mechanisms (conservation measures).  Sagebrush Memorandum of Understanding (2008) and the WAFWA Greater Sage Grouse Comprehensive Conservation Strategy (2006).  Other plans that relate to the proposed project are: BLM's Final Programmatic Environmental Report:  Vegetation Treatments on BLM Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Report, June 2007, The Fundamental of Rangeland Health (43 CFR 4180) and Utah's Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health which address watersheds, ecological condition, water quality and habitat for special status species, National Fire Plan (2000), Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 which state protecting forests, woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands from unnaturally intensive and destructive fires, Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005), and Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005),

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.

Within the project area there is a large fuel loading build up and an alteration in fuel types.  Pinyon and juniper trees, once held to lower densities by more frequent fires, have expanded in range and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses.  Without this project, fuel conditions are such that an unexpected wildfire may be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation such as loss of important occupied sage grouse and winter mule deer habitat.  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 would help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a catastrophic wildfire which could impact the communities and infrustructure of Panguitch, Hillsdale, and Hatch, UT, occupied sage grouse habitat, winter mule deer habitat, as well as firefighter and public safety.  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 important sagebrush semi-desert habitat to annual grasslands and rabbitbrush under a high intensity fire, managed, pro-active treatments proposed would reduce the likelihood of cheatgrass and rabbitbrush invasion and help perennial grasses and forbs persist long-term.  The treatment proposed would help to effectively return this area to a more resilient landscape by placing the fire regime closer to the historical range (FRCC1) and fire adapted Ponderosa Pine forest stands, where fire plays a role in the ecosystem.

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 South Canyon (Sunset Cliffs) project is located within the Upper Sevier River Watershed.  The area is surrounded by rocky hills which make the area vulnerable to high amounts of runoff.  Water quality and quantity due to the lack of herbaceous understory throughout the area was recognized by the Upper Sevier Watershed Plan.  The project area is dominated by Phase III juniper expansion with Phase I expansion on the outer edges of the project area.  Reduced plant community composition, and structural diversity has caused a high proportion of bare ground which is susceptible to accelerated runoff and erosion into the Sevier River.

Removal of Phase I and III PJ encroachment and the increase of herbaceous perennial species, water quality and quantity should improve.  Studies have shown that an additional 45 day increase of water can occur when pinyon and juniper are removed and a perennial herbaceous understory is established.  Runoff will decrease and less sediment will be moved out of the watershed due to an increase of a herbaceous understory.  Previous phases of this project have proven successful in reducing erosion as soils have stabilized once seeding is established.

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.

Pinyon and juniper, which currently occupy and are encroaching upon the site will be removed  through mechanical mulching of 691 acres.  Islands and corridors of pinyon and juniper would remain untreated throughout the unit, creating a mosaic pattern of treated and untreated vegetation (see Attached Photos).  Before mechanical implementation, mulching areas would be broadcast seeded  with a mix of native and non-native shrubs, grasses and forbs important for improving sage grouse winter and brooding habitat, winter mule deer range, pronghorn habitat and stabilization of soils.  Pinyon and juniper, which currently occupy the project site would be lopped and scattered by contract hand crews with chainsaws and loppers, removing all trees on approximately 2832acres.  Boundaries may be adjusted this spring which may change the acres of actual treatment.  Stringers of thicker trees in the washes will be left for big game where it is determined beneficial by BLM and DWR biologists.  Since there is a good existing under-story, seeding will not be needed. 345 acres will be treated with Tibuthiron (spike) for the removal of Sage and Rabbit brush for the use of Utah Prairie Dog and for improvement of their habitat in the Hillsdale management unit.

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.

Vegetation Monitoring Plans:  Currently a rain gauge and Nested Frequency plot are located in the project area.  Rain gauge data will be read quarterly each year.  Frequency studies will be read yearly for 3 years.  Data will be summarized each year and placed in project files.  Frequency will then be read once every 3-5 years by the Kanab Field Office.  Success will be determined by the site having 25% or greater frequency of seeded species by fall of 2018.

Wildlife Monitoring Plans: Currently, sage grouse and mule deer pellet counts occur each year.  Sage grouse and mule deer pellet counts will continue on a yearly basis.  Wildlife studies such as sage grouse and mule deer counts would continue with coordination with UDWR and local working groups.  The Sunset Cliffs area is part of the larger Hillsdale Utah Prairie Dog Management Unit . This specific treatment would aid in developing connectivity between habitat for Utah Prairie dogs thru the Paunsaugunt Recovery area.. Monitoring of Prairie Dog habitat and population counts will continue after the completion of the project and will ensure the implementation the Prairie Dog Recovery plan in the area.

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.

There has been various partners throughout the previous phases of this project. They include: Bureau of Land Management, Division of Wildlife Resources, Forestry Fire and State Lands, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Safari Club, SITLA, and local livestock grazing permittees. Many partners have provided funds as well as ideas to the success of the project. Coordination has taken place with the Kanab Field Office wildlife biologist, the Color Country District sage grouse biologist and the Division of Wildlife biologist for the area.  Input from these biologists was critical in the planning of this project.  The Upper Sevier Watershed Plan which identifies concerns and priorities within the project area was accomplished by many partners (Federal, State, and Private). Tours and visits with various groups have occurred multiple times on this project. We have looked at treated as well as non-treated areas. Discussions of methods, ideas, studies, seeded species, and overall what worked and didn't work took place on each of these visits and has been implemented into the project proposal.

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.

The South Canyon (Sunset Cliffs) project area is within the Sunset Cliffs and Hillsdale grazing allotments. Livestock use on these allotments occurs between June 1 - December 24. The acres of the allotments within the project area are in mid to late seral stages with a static to downward trend due to even-aged, decadent sagebrush and encroachment and infilling by pinyon and juniper. Pinyon and juniper is out competing the shrub and herbaceous components thus reducing available forage for livestock and wildlife.

Rangeland conditions are expected to improve following implementation of the proposed vegetation project. The health, vigor, recruitment and production of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would improve which would provide a more palatable and nutritional source of forage for both livestock and wildlife. This will aid in improved rangeland conditions throughout the allotment. Implementation of this project would eventually improve overall livestock performance (e.g. increased cow weights, increased calf crops, increased weaning weights, etc) and improve the economic stability of the permittees due to an increase in the quantity and quality of grasses and other herbaceous forage which are important to livestock grazing.  Production of past treatments on the South Canyon project have increased from 30 lbs/acre to over 3,000 lbs/acre once seeding was established.

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.