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Lower Diamond Fork Post Fire Riparian Rehabilitation Phase I
Region: Central
ID: 4932
Project Status: Completed
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Project Details
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Need for Project
During the summer/fall of 2018 the Bald Mountain/Pole Canyon fire burned approximately 125,000 acres within the Central Region. Significant portions of both the Lower and Middle Diamond Fork drainage, and their associated upland and riparian vegetation, were impacted (nearly 13,000 acres) including mature Narrowleaf Cottonwood stands. Further hillslope vegetation loss will result in increased erosion into waterways. Diamond Fork land management agencies propose to revegetate approximately 13 acres of historic cottonwood galleries through the planting of approximately 2,600 rooted cuttings and capture sediment and debris as it enters water courses maintaining aquatic organism habitat and reducing downstream "loading" of sediments. Loss of large cottonwood galleries leads to decreased shading, increasing stream temperature, loss of LWD recruitment and loss of streambank stability. Increased sediment transport causes downstream loading issues and filling of instream habitat and loss of heterogeneity. Both reduce wildlife and fish habitat especially for obligate spp such as Yellow-billed cuckoo and Lewis Woodpecker and decrease angler opportunities.
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.
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Objectives
1. Obtain a source for Narrowleaf cottonwood cuttings from a similar habitat within the Wasatch Front (no nurseries currently have enough stock). Total 2,600 rooted Narrowleaf cottonwoods. Plantings must have developed roots established in a D60 container and be approximately 48 inches in height to allow planting depth of 36 inches or more to reach the summer groundwater table. If rooted plants are grown from cuttings, at least 50% should include an intact terminal bud. The U.S. Forest Service will provide a use permit for collection of Narrowleaf cottonwood from approved sites with the agreement that all biomass will be used exclusively for the designated project. Potential collection sites include the Upper Diamond Fork area not impacted by recent fires and/or the lower Salt Creek area (USFS boundary upstream to the Nebo Scenic Loop and Bear Canyon Split). The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (URMCC) will also allow collection from approved locations within those areas it administers within the Provo River Restoration Project (Provo River between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs). 2. Plant cottonwoods while dormant from mid-October 2019 to March 2020. The recommended planting locations encompass a total of approximately 13 acres within the lower Diamond Fork area. Cottonwoods should be planted to a depth to allow roots access to summer water table (anticipated depth of 3 ft). Planting densities are anticipated to average approximately every 16 ft (based on a triangle grid) or approximately 196/acre in grove areas but may be planted less densely depending upon specific terrain and conditions. 3. Monitor cottonwood survivorship within a subsample of plots for 2 years following planting and utilize photopoints for long term monitoring. 4. Install 20-30 post assisted log structures (PALS) and deflector structures. PALS are logs structures secured with untreated wood posts. Logs are placed by hand or with small tracked (mini-X) equipment, then posts are driven into streambeds with portable hydraulic post pounders, posts are placed to hold the logs in place. When placed PALS gather small debris which become "jambs", creating roughness in channel, gather sediment and rearrange bed materials; resulting in channel complexity and holding wildfire mobilized materials higher in the drainage.
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.
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Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?)
Historic/current hydrological conditions within the Diamond Fork drainage are not advantageous for timely natural recolonization of cottonwoods within the riparian corridor. Historic/current management has modified flooding regimes necessary for reliable recruitment of native cottonwoods within Diamond Fork and at many other locations throughout the West. Pre-fire many cottonwood stands within the drainage were dominated by a disproportionately high percentage of decadent cottonwoods (i.e. little regeneration/recruitment). Restoration of the fire impacted cottonwood gallery forest would improve biotic community stability (multiple age-class cottonwood structure for next 100-150 years), river fisheries (water temperature regime), wildlife use (resident, migrant, seasonal), and aesthetics (wilderness values). Cottonwoods are not a highly fire-resistant species and we fear even moderate fire intensities within the riparian community may have killed the majority of the trees (i.e. we don't anticipate a lot of natural regrowth). Conditions for a successful natural recruitment event (timing/intensity of flooding, adequate precipitation for seedling establlishment, etc) may not occur for several years (if ever). Planting of rooted cuttings will help re-establish groves several years sooner than if left to natural recruitment and help prevent domination of woody invasive plants such as tamarisk and Russian olive which can reproduce prolifically following fires. Woody additions to the stream channel will gather wildfire mobilized debris, sediment and associated nutrients, capturing and redistributing it within the system rather than letting it be flushed downstream to receiving waters such as Spanish Fork River, Utah Lake and eventually the Great Salt Lake and keeping it out of Municipal and Irrigation water systems. Diamond Fork has already been degraded by years of water distribution systems. These increased flows have reduced habitat complexity and degraded to system for aquatic biota, esp. fish species. Gathering a variety of bed materials, holding them high within the stream and increasing channel complexity will benefit downstream water users and fish and other wildlife in Diamond Fork. Without action sediments and debris will be unimpeded as it moves though the stream damaging the system further and delivering said sediment to water users.
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.
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Relation to Management Plans
Restoration of cottonwood galleries and stream system act as parts of a stable diverse riparian community within the Diamond Fork area is supported by numerous management documents including the following. Diamond Fork Aquatic Habitat Evaluation and Enhancement Planning. October 2018. Allred Restoration, Bio-West, and URMCC. 123 pages. Diamond Fork Area Assessment. 2000. A cooperative project between URMCC and the U.S. Forest Service. 175 pages. Lower Diamond Fork Restoration Plan. 2008. Land and Resource Management Plan-Uinta National Forest. 2001. USDA Forest Service. -Plan sites management of riparian areas (pg 2.2), management of aquatic species (pg 2.3), wildlife (pg 2.5), and vegetation (pg 2.5). Utah County RMP: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Cn80Wzst8eoa0o_BqoTBHOPfPm8M6MIe Document cites need and County support for: Fire Management (p31) Fisheries (p35) Floodplains and River Terraces (p39) Recreation and Tourism (p72) Riparian Areas (p75) Threatened, Endangered, & Sensitive Species (p78) Water Quality and Hydrology (p81) Wetlands (p90) RANGE-WIDE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT AND STRATEGY FOR BONNEVILLE CUTTHROAT TROUT (Oncorhynchus clarki utah). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Publication Number 00-19, Salt Lake City, UT. -Diamond Fork and tributaries are current (5th Water) or future potential (DiaFrk) BCT population centers. CONSERVATION AGREEMENT AND STRATEGY FOR COLUMBIA SPOTTED FROG (RANA LUTEIVENTRIS) IN THE STATE OF UTAH. Publication Number 06-01 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City, Utah. -Ponds in Lower DiaFrk house a recently rediscovered breeding population of CSF.
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.
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Fire/Fuels
Several experts in range and fire science have identified the role healthy riparian systems play in wildfire dynamics by serving as fire breaks, safety zones, water sources, and burn out points. Numerous authors cite similar observations. Workshop on the multiple influences of riparian ecosystems on fires in western forest landscapes. Summary Report 2001. Kauffman, J.B. Riparian fuel treatments in the western USA: Challenges and considerations.Dwire, Kathleen A.; Meyer, Kristen E.; Riegel, Gregg; Burton, Timothy. 2016. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GT R-352. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 156 p.
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.
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Water Quality/Quantity
There are three TMDL's in place for receiving waters of Diamond Fork: Spanish Fork River, Utah Lake and the Jordan River. Any reductions of sediment and nutrients will either help achieve the TMDLs' goals and reduce fire caused exacerbation. The benefits to water quality of a healthy riparian corridor are well documented and include the following. 1. Promote infiltration of precipitation and surface flow into the groundwater table. 2. Slow/buffer the flow of precipitation and overland flow into the river, thus extending the hydrograph but reducing its peak 3. Promote soil stability through high density, often rhizomatous roots. 4. Trap/filter sediment, nutrients, and contaminants thus prevent (reducing) its movement downstream. Riparian vegetation also can remove/alter organic nutrients through processes such as denitrification, absorption by clays, etc. 5. Reduced stream temperatures due to canopy shading.
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.
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Compliance
NEPA Compliance-U.S. Forest Service, in process, expected to be covered under cat. ex. Stream Alteration Permit-Awaiting determination from Water Rights as to whether stream alteration is needed. Arch Clearance-Monson Shaver (DWR) in partnership with USFS.
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.
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Methods
An informal assessment of native species nurseries suggest there is currently inadequate inventory (or stooling beds) to produce the required plants to our specifications. We anticipate the need for a provider to harvest cuttings in fiscal year 2019 and then grow/root and plant them in fiscal year 2020. The final details in finance will clarify what are anticipated 2019 costs to be covered by URMCC/UDWR and which are FY2020 cost for which we are requesting WRI/HC funding. Plant specifications: Total 2,600 rooted Narrowleaf cottonwoods. Narrowleaf cottonwoods must be from a native source located within Utah's Wasatch Front (general source location must be identified). Plantings must have developed roots established in a D60 container and be approximately 48 inches in height to allow planting depth of 36 inches or more to reach the summer groundwater table. If rooted plants are grown from cuttings, at least 50% should include an intact terminal bud. Other products, such as tallpots, will be considered but please provide a D60 cost for provider comparison and a detailed explanation of recommended changes/alterations to requested specifications. The U.S. Forest Service will provide a use permit for collection of Narrowleaf cottonwood from approved sites with the agreement that all biomass will be used exclusively for the designated project. Potential collection sites include the Upper Diamond Fork area not impacted by recent fires and/or the lower Salt Creek area (USFS boundary upstream to the Nebo Scenic Loop and Bear Canyon Split). The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (URMCC) will also allow collection from approved locations within those areas it administers within the Provo River Restoration Project (Provo River between Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs). Planting Specifications: Cottonwoods should be planted between mid-October 2019 and March 2020. The recommended planting locations encompass a total of approximately 13 acres within the lower Diamond Fork area (shapefile available upon request). Several access points gates adjacent to Diamond Fork Road provides access to the north side of the river. A number of bridges also provide access to the south side of the river. Contractors will have the option to bring small motorized vehicles (ATVs, Mini-X, etc) into the project area. Planting densities are anticipated to average approximately every 16 ft (based on a triangle grid) in grove areas but may be planted less densely depending upon specific terrain and conditions. PALS: Post Assisted log structures will utilize local large woody debris (LWD) e.g. logs. Logs will be dead and down, standing dead or fire mortality trees of the proper size. Logs will be placed in-stream with a mini-X or skid-steer and anchored with 4"x6' sharpened, untreated wooden posts. Posts are driven into the streambed with a handheld diesel powered hydraulic post driver to hold logs in place and assist in capturing sediment and debris. PALS will be placed to optimize habitat and material capturing benefits.
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.
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Monitoring
A subsample of planted cottonwoods will be monitored annually for 2 years after planting to track survivorship, condition, and stem height. Monitored trees will be individually numbered with a corresponding tree tag staked near the base of the trunk and georeferenced using a GPS. A digital photo will also be taken to document characteristics not readily identifiable via standard variables. Instream structures will be photo pointed for assessment of functionality and repair needs of PALS. Fish populations are and will continue to be monitored for stream function and health. Data will be entered into database. A recent study by USU and BioWest/Alred Restoration mapped instream habitat throughout Diamond Fork. Pre/post PALS installation habitat distribution will be evaluated in contrast to the data collected in that study.
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.
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Partners
U.S. Forest Service. Assistance with final design and project objectives. Fullfill NEPA requirements through categorical exclusion. Issuing forest resources collection permit for cottonwood cuttings. Funding assistance (in-kind). URMCC. Assistance with final design and project objectives. Allowing collection permit for cottonwood cuttings on lands they administer. Funding assistance (actual and in-kind). National Wild Turkey Federation. Assistance with final design and project objectives. Funding assistance (actual and in-kind). May have a "work day" to install cottonwoods. Habitat and Wildlife Sections of CRO UDWR. Will aerially seed portions of the burned area to reduce upland erosion, provide assistance with final design and project objectives.
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.
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Future Management
Multiple partners (USFS, URMCC, UDWR, TU, USU) have been heavily involved in developing both a "Habitat Evaluation and Enhancement Planning" and "Instream Flow" resource management plans. Both plans are currently in draft format. Future efforts within the basin will be guided by the two documents (and subsequent restoration plans). Given the importance of the Diamond Fork drainage's sportfishing and native species (Columbia spotted frog, Utes Ladies Tress) resources we anticipate it will receive significant management priority for a minimum of the next 10 years.
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.
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Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources
Mature cottonwood trees and healthy stream corridors provide several benefits to recreation. They provide shade for fishermen, campers and hikers, roosting areas for turkeys, loafing, feeding, watering areas for deer/elk, etc and clean healthy streams for fish and amphibians. Much of Diamond Fork drainage is under a current grazing allotment. Restoration efforts will shorten the post fire rest period and cattle will be able to return to the affected portions of the allotment sooner.
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.
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