Project Details

Mesic meadow habitat would be prioritized within and adjacent to Greater Sage-grouse Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) and existing vegetation treatment areas within the Spanish George area.  The project would limit soil erosion that is occurring in existing drainages that are downcut and have limited amounts of vegetation while improving vegetative recovery in these areas due to floodplain development and seeding.  In addition, vegetation treatments have been implemented throughout the area within 1 - 1.5 miles of known sage grouse leks and locations (determined by GPS telemetry data).  These vegetation treatments are at higher elevation where grasses, forbs and shrubs remain green and as a result are higher in vigor for a longer period of time in the summer due to cooler temperatures and more precipitation that is received at this elevation than the lower lying areas where sage grouse are currently inhabiting.

The project would allow for planting forbs, grasses, etc.. that are highly desirable to sage grouse in immediate proximity to the mesic meadow structures.  The structures would allow for these areas to remain wetter for a longer period of time and would provide succulent vegetation for sage grouse during the hot and dry portion of the summer.  Prior to the vegetation treatments in the higher elevations, the area was dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, which is not conducive to sage grouse; however, following the treatment these areas have been converted to perennial grass, forb and shrubs that are highly desirable to sage grouse.  It is expected that sage grouse will utilize the mesic meadow structure areas and begin moving to the higher elevations that have recently been treated, which would provide for an abundance of additional brood rearing habitat.

Mesic meadow habitat may be promoted by constructing structures (i.e., Zuni pools/bowls, media lunas, rock dams, and check-dams) to slow the flow and infiltration of water in strategic locations.  The majority of these structures may be implemented using hand tools (i.e., shovels, rakes, picks, buckets, etc.), but heavy equipment (skid steer loader or backhoe) may be used to install rock vanes, random rock clusters, large logs, root wads and other woody debris.  In addition, this project would focus on planting desirable perennial forbs, grasses, wetland obligates, pollinator, and other vegetation conducive to mesic meadow sites in the Great Basin area.

Note:  Please refer to the Images/Documents Section for documents including the NRCS - Approved Erosion Control and the NRCS Technical Note for design features (i.e. zuni bowls) and photos of the structures that will be constructed to provide for Mesic Meadow Habitat Development.

The project will benefit wildlife species as follows:
Sage grouse -- Benefits would be to encourage sage grouse to move to the upper elevations that have been recently converted from Phase 2 and Phase 3 pinyon/juniper encroachment through mesic meadow development.  These areas are expected to provide for expansion habitat/opportunity areas within the project area.  The mesic meadow areas would be expected to provide for brood rearing habitat due to the perennial forb component that would be planted within the immediate area.

Elk, mule deer, pygmy rabbit - Benefits from mesic meadow development are expected to occur overtime as a result of creating wetter areas throughout the project area.  The structures would slow water down during runoff events (i.e. snowmelt or monsoonal rain) and provide for floodplain development in drainages within the area.  Riparian and mesic wet meadow areas are limited within the project area.  It is expected the project will allow for vegetation to stay green longer; especially, during drought conditions, which will provide wildlife species with opportunity areas for high quality forage.  The project could be expected to promote fawning habitat for elk and mule deer within the area in the long-term.

In addition, because the project would consist of planting highly desirable forbs within the structure development it is expected that a large variety of pollinators would benefit.

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.

Riparian Restoration and Wetland Enhancement -- October 2018
The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the promotion of mesic wet meadows throughout the Cedar City Field Office.

Pinyon Management Framework Plan (1983)
The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Cedar City Field Office the project area.  Although this project is not specifically addressed in the RMP, the proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan.  In addition, improvements to soils was addressed; specifically, involving reduction of erosion and associated improvement/maintenance of soil productivity.

Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan (SDLWGCP) 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.

BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015
A. The project is consistent with the SGARMPA (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows:

There are no specific objectives or management actions identified in the SGARMPA or the SDLWGCP for mesic meadow development.  The project is expected to improve brood rearing in localized areas and entice sage grouse to use higher elevation areas where extensive vegetative treatments to convert large areas to sagebrush steppe habitat have occurred between 2015 - 2017.  The areas that were converted to sagebrush steppe are expected to serve as long-term opportunity/habitat expansion areas.

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.
 
Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (SDDHUMP) (2015)
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 Mesic Meadow Development Project are (1) Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. (2) Maintain the population at a level that is within the long-term capability of the available habitat support.

The SDDHUMP identified fawning recruitment as a major concern on the unit and lack of fawning recruitment may be the single greatest factor limiting the population.  The project is expected to provide for localized improvement to fawning habitat through the mesic meadow development would create floodplains that would be seeded with highly desirable grasses/forbs component.

Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (SDEHUMP) (2016)
Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities including hunting and viewing.  Maintain the population at a level that is within the long term support capability of the available habitat.  Maintain and enhance forage and cover habitat through vegetative manipulation and other management techniques.  Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the project are to (1) develop new and protect/improve existing water sources for wildlife and livestock to improve distribution and minimize overutilization in proximity to water sources (2) enhance riparian systems through continue, prescriptive grazing and mechanical or chemical treatments.

The SDEHUMP identified barriers to achieving unit management objectives including drought impacts to rangeland forage condition and abundance.  It is expected that the localized improvement through the mesic development project would limit erosion and provide for opportunities for areas to remain greener longer.  This would improve vegetative diversity and perennial understory in drainages throughout the project area.

Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (UPSMP) (2009)
The management goals are to increase the current population or establish new populations of pronghorn in all suitable habitat within the state and assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive pronghorn populations.

The UPSMP identified the lack of succulent forbs and grasses on spring/summer rangers as a critical limiting factor in much of Utah's pronghorn habitat, which is the result of xeric, low annual precipitation conditions.

Note:  to my knowledge there has not been a project like this done to entice sage grouse to use new areas.  In addition, it is acknowledged that benefits to wildlife with the exception of sage grouse would likely be very localized or long-term.

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.

Mesic meadow structures are expected to influence stream hydrology and water quality in a number of important ways primarily by altering the amount, and timing of delivery of water and sediment (Naiman et al., 1988; Gurnell, 1998; Pollock et al., 2003).

The mesic meadow structures are expected to provide the following benefits to streams:

1. Slow water velocity encouraging deposition of fine sediment (Butler and Malanson, 1995; Pollock et al., 2007) in the pond itself and during high flows onto the adjacent floodplain. 
2. Act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009).

The project will use mesic meadow structures will impound water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplain. Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended sediment, capture of sediment loads, increase DO, decrease overall water temperatures and increase base flows.

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.

The project is expected to improve and expand mesic habitat within the project area.  As discussed, vegetation treatments have been implemented throughout the area within 1 - 1.5 miles of known sage grouse leks and locations (determined by GPS telemetry data).

These vegetation treatments are at higher elevation where grasses, forbs and shrubs remain green and as a result are higher in vigor for a longer period of time in the summer due to cooler temperatures and more precipitation that is received at this elevation than the lower lying areas where sage grouse are currently inhabiting.  The project would allow for planting forbs, grasses, etc.. that are highly desirable to sage grouse in immediate proximity to the mesic meadow structures.  The structures would allow for these areas to remain wetter for a longer period of time and would provide succulent vegetation for sage grouse during the hot and dry portion of the summer.  Prior to the vegetation treatments in the higher elevations, the area was dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, which is not conducive to sage grouse; however, following the treatment these areas have been converted to perennial grass, forb and shrubs that are highly desirable to sage grouse.  It is expected that sage grouse will utilize the mesic meadow structure areas and begin moving to the higher elevations that have recently been treated, which would provide for an abundance of additional brood rearing habitat.

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.