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.

Objectives for this WRI project will consist of removal of phase III pinyon-juniper trees and reseeding grass, forbs and shrub components within the Nixion WMA through a two-way chaining project, this will allow for the removal of over 70 - 80% of the pinyon-juniper within the treatment area.  Also associated with this project is a fuel or fire break that will be cut in along the east boundary of the  WMA and the Forest Service, this will be done with the use of a hand crew, by doing this the Forest Service will be able to conduct a prescribed fire on the adjacent property that will allow for more of a fire resistant community with the addition of increased forbs, and grasses on the Nixion WMA through the two-way chaining project.  In addition we will be installing another phase of the pipeline to distribute water within the WMA, allowing for livestock distribution to other areas of the WMA unit. An interior boundary fence will be installed to keep livestock from grazing on the chaining treatment for two growing years after implementation, in addition this will allow future opportunity for a rotational type system to improve and benefit the Nixion WMA for wintering wildlife and allow for better management of the livestock grazing practices.  Overall with this project we should be able to see a better return and overall condition on forage values and less competition from noxious weed species due to over grazing in certain historical areas of the Nixion WMA.

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.

This project will address the threats of increasing pinyon-juniper, decreasing plant understory, risk of wildland fire frequency, and increased possibility of invasive species increasing on the landscape. By implementing this project the risk of increasing pinyon-juniper species will be addressed, and improved grass, forbs and shrub species will be increased and removal of pinyon-juniper stands will allow for reduced fire hazard and improved rangeland use by wildlife and livestock.

No action on this project will allow for increased invasive grass and noxious weed species, pinyon-juniper encroachment and increased soil erosion with no productive rangeland conditions. Phase III pinyon-juniper reduces the native understory of grasses, forbs and shrub plant species, reducing pinyon-juniper will allow for shrub, forbs and grasses species to respond within the treatment site. With a good treatment and a aggressive seed mix  we can hold off invasive noxious weed and grass species such as Cheatgrass, Scotch and Russian Thistle.

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 pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the Lowland Sagebrush, Mountain Shrub and Gamble Oak Steppe Habitat type which is several of the key habitats identified in the Utah Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Plan:

The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21B (Fillmore Pahvant Unit ) including: 
*Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. 
*Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. 
*Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and range resources in general.

*The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges.

*The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan:
*Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat.
*Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state.
*Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered.
*Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah.
*Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs.

*UDWR SR critical big game winter range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved.  The Division will employ a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments.  Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan, 2015 Publication Number 15-14, State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Effective 2015-2025 -- Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class, including: Dixie/chain harrow, brush mowing or other treatments that reduce the older age class and stimulate the younger/mid age classes; herbicide or mechanical treatments single tree mulching/cutting of invading conifer.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule deer. Section IV Statewide management goals and objectives. This plan will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2013 (p11-12). Strategy C. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. Strategy f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages.

Fillmore Pahvant Deer Herd Management Plan Unit #21 (2015) - Habitat Management Objectives -- Encourage vegetation manipulation projects and seeding to increase the availability, abundance, and nutritional content of browse, grass, and forb species. Strategies: Habitat Protection, Improvement and Maintenance - Reduce expansion of Pinyon-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog and chaining projects; maintain summer fawning areas by increasing beneficial habitat work in summer and transitional habitat areas.(p3-4)

*This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire.

*Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and UDWR in past years within the Wide Canyon Canyon HUC 12 area.

*Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities.

*Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment

*FFSL CWPP Process is a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan created by the fire department, state and local forestry, land managers, community leaders, and the public.The planning process maps values at risk, and requires actions to reduce risk, such as prescribed burning, fuel reduction, or other measures that adapt a community to better confront their wildfire threat.  Area is also part of the Millard RWPP FFSL Plan which was implemented in 2014, there are Wildfire Codes and Ordinances associated with this plan.  Project would also be relevant to NCS Goals and supported through the FS National Cohesive Strategies. CAT FIRE Objectives and Strategies:
In 2013, the State of Utah developed the Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy (CAT FIRE) in response to the severe 2012 fire season. Reducing the catastrophic wildfire requires attention to three interdependent goals identified in the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy -- Restore and Maintain Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities, and Wildfire Response. These goals have been embraced throughout the development of the state's CAT  FIRE strategy. Mitigation of hazardous fuels can change fire behavior making it easier to suppress. The effects of the mitigation, however, are not limited to life and property safety but will also affect forest health, water quality, vegetative species abundance, etc. As we continue to implement projects across the landscapes in Utah, the only way to truly be successful is to integrate existing programs, utilize local and federal partners and continue to educate the general public to create the desired shift towards more resilient communities and ecosystems.

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.

This project will have the ability to reduce fuel loading through the process of removing the pinyon-junpier trees with a two-way chaining treatment.    The reduction of pinyon-juniper trees within this 516 acre treatment will allow for improved understory of grasses forbs and shrubs that will be seeded during the treatment.  Treatments like this have been proven to prevent wildfire from spreading during an event, this treatment will create several barriers or buffers between treated and non treated areas that is critical for controlling or containing wildfires. The Fillmore Forest Service will be proposing a control burn to the east of this project in the Wild Goose/Wide Canyon area of the Pahvant Mtn Range. Several prior projects have been completed that reduced the likely hood of wildfire in the area and adjacent to this project, these projects consisted of clear cutting, burning and reseeding along  with cut and pile projects. This project will help protect valuable infrastructures, from Catastrophic Wildfires, such as homes, summer cabins, outbuildings, hay sheds, livestock corrals and mostly the community of Holden, Utah which was effected by the Lower Ebbs Fire of 2016. Protection of water supply resources to Holden that support the residents is valuable this project will help protect the main source of water to irrigated farmland by the reduction of pinyon-juniper. This project will also have an effect on the I-15 corridor that is a critical travel corridor, and has been shut down in the past due to the Lower Ebbs Fire of  2016 and the Milford Flat Fire of 2007.  The size of the Forest Service Prescribed burn treatment is around 3,000 acres and is within three miles of several structures including homes, and out buildings, and within five miles of Holden, UT. This treatment will reduce fuel loads and improve critical habitat for mule deer, elk and turkeys in the future, along with providing additional forage for livestock grazing within the Forest Service Property. I have also loaded some information pertaining to the FRCC and Fuel Loading along with the FFSL Risk Assessment of the project location. (See Attachment in Documents Tab)

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.

This proposed project is a two-way chaining and reseeding project, pinyon-juniper stands are typical Phase III, no understory really dense stand, little to no grasses, forbs and shrubs.  By implementing this project we will have the opportunity to increase overland water quantity by reducing the mature stand of pinyon-juniper trees. Removal of these trees will result in improved stream flow, more water discharge for soil availability for desired plant and shrub species. Estimated that 1 acre of pinyon-juniper will utilize during the year 23% of the water within a 1 acre foot.  Quality of water will not be overwhelming the first year but over time it will become more improved.  This type of treatment will benefit the soil over the long term, due to increasing plants that will utilize the excess water, overland flows of rills will be filled in, chance for overland flooding will be minimized allowing for springs and seeps to start appearing and improved rangeland conditions will benefit overall. The installation of the pipeline and watering trough will allow for cleaned water to be utilized by livestock and wildlife, the deliver system of the pipeline will be new and deliver the water to the trough with no water loss within the system..

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.

This project will consist of using two (2) D-8 cats to pull and "Ely" anchor chain on the first pass, with the second pass pulling a "Smooth" anchor chain.  In between chaining the project will be aerial seeded with a mixture of grasses and forbs.  We would also like to use a dribbler attached to each D-8 cat to allow the planting of browse species.  Travel corridors will be kept intact allowing for thermal and escape cover for wildlife in the area. Culture Resource issues will need to be addressed on this project, this maybe worked as a joint effort through UDWR personnel. The other aspect of this project is to establish a pipeline to carry water from an existing pipeline that was installed last year on the phase II project.  This pipeline will feed one watering trough within the Nixion UDWR WMA. This will be done by the use of a D-8 Cat to carry the spools of pipe, pipe will be installed below the surface and ripped in with the dozer.  This project will be installed within the Nixion WMA Allotment, the UDWR and Pioneer Grazing Association will contract with a company that has experience working with this type of pipe and is set up with the proper equipment to have it installed.  Permittees will help install the pipeline and watering troughs along with working along side the contractor to make sure the project runs smoothly. Fillmore Forest Service has looked at this project and is in favor of helping out the permittee to address the need of distributing water within the allotment. UDWR is also in favor as to utilize the Nixon WMA more fully as it pertains to the grazing management agreement in the spring of the year. In addition to this the UDWR will allow for a contractor to construct an interior boundary fence within the WMA that will serve as a partion fence for deferring grazing on the Nixion WMA two-way chaining treatment.  We will contract  all aspects of this project out, but UDWR and the Pioneer Grazing Association will have In-kind services overseeing the project.

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.

Monitoring methods will be looking at the increase in forage production and growth on browse species as it pertains to the removal of encroaching pinyon-juniper trees in the treatment area by the use of the two-way chaining . This will be done with photo points and vegetation studies that will be taken over time. Possible monitoring site maybe established by GBRC Range Trend Crew within the chaining project location. Additional monitoring plans will consist of wildlife monitoring through UDWR bi-annual deer classification to monitor production and subsequent survival on the Pahvant Unit Area deer and elk herds, along with implementing  a rest rotational grazing system so the chaining treatment can be rested for two growing seasons after treatment then placed within a rotational grazing system. Monitoring the fence and pipeline portion of this  project will be done an an annual basis looking for damage to the interior and exterior fence lines and also the pipeline aspect of the project, looking at the valves and the trough to make sure all components are functioning, repair and replace part if needed.  This will be done by UDWR employees or seasonal's within the Region, also this aspect may be accomplished by the grazing permittee of the Nixion WMA.  This project may also be monitored and repairs made by Dedicated Hunters through the UDWR Dedicated Hunter Statewide Program.

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.

Management of this project will be to ensure that the project is installed correctly, pipeline and watering troughs are set correct and all fittings are secure.  The need to fix or repair items associated with this project will be left up to the livestock permittees who graze the Nixion WMA, they along with the UDWR will be working together to improve this WMA and improve the distribution of cattle during the grazing period.  In addition to making repairs to the pipeline and trough system the UWDR and Permittee will agree on a grazing management system which may allow for additional time grazing on the WMA in the spring depending on the forage available.  The chaining area will be monitored to make sure livestock grazing is not impacting the young seeding, as for the need of the interior fence that will help control livestock during critical times of year.  Resting one pasture in the future will allow for additional seed growth and maturity and seed being set for future establishment.  Working with the permittees will be critical that their needs are being met along with the goals of the UDWR as it pertains to the Nixion WMA Management Plans. As for the two-way chaining aspect of the project within a three-five year window we will be looking at the amount of whips left by the chaining and address the need to have them removed through hand thinning with a contractor.

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.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the allotment as far as grazing additional areas that have not been grazed, reducing impacts of grazing on other areas.  Water is critical within the allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water trough will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weighing weights for the producer due to traveling to different areas to water.  Expansion of the water troughs increasing them in size will allow for additional storage, easy to water larger groups of cattle at once.  The pipeline portion just allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of hauling water by truck to different locations. Livestock benefit from the two-way chaining will increase the forage within the Nixion WMA for improved grazing and livestock distribution within the WMA through the grass, forb and shrub mix that will be seeded during the chaining.  The interior fencing project will allow for rest of the chaining treatment area for two growing years, in addition in the future we would be able to rotate pastures on the NIxion WMA or utilized one or both areas as a "Grass Bank" type system due to unforeseen wildfires like the Lower Ebbs Fire of 2016.

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.