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 pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the MountainSagebrush Steppe Habitat type which is one of the key habitats identified in the WAP (Wildlife Action Plan).

The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the bighorn sheep, deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21 (Fillmore Oak Creek 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 and or grazing permittee to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and livestock 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/Oak Creek 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)

Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan
Newly treated areas through fire or mechanical means will attract use by wild turkey which are abundant on Oak Creek Management Unit. Insects and new growth will be readily available to support turkey populations, also the availability of more water in the Church Hills and Long Canyon areas.

UDWR Wildlife Action Plan
This project is geared toward meeting the goals found within this plan for a variety of wildlife species from large to small. The entire proposed project area is found within a UWRI conservation focus area.

*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 Long Canyon and Whiskey Creek 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.

We have also added to the documents tab the Millard County Plan that addresses these types of habitat projects along with edits from the State of Utah Resource Management Plan.

**Attached below is information from the Statewide Bighorn Sheep Plan:

Bighorn sheep are uniquely adapted to inhabit some of the most remote and rugged areas in Utah.  They exist in some of the most hostile climatic conditions ranging from the hot, dry canyonlands of southern Utah to the cold, snowy alpine regions of Utah's northern mountains.  Bighorns are sometimes referred to as a wilderness species because of the naturally remote and inaccessible areas they inhabit.  Bighorns prefer open habitat types with adjacent steep rocky areas for escape and safety.  Habitat is characterized by rugged terrain including canyons, gulches, talus cliffs, steep slopes, mountaintops, and river benches (Shackleton et al. 1999).  The diet of mountain sheep is comprised primarily of grasses and forbs, although sheep may also utilize shrubs depending on season and availability.  Most Rocky Mountain bighorns typically have seasonal migrations with established winter and summer ranges, whereas most desert bighorns generally do not have distinct summer and winter migrations.  Extensive historical bighorn habitat occurs throughout Utah (Figure 1).  However, not all habitat is currently suitable for reestablishment of bighorn populations.  Vegetative changes, human encroachment, and domestic sheep grazing make some areas unsuitable for bighorn restoration.  Habitat management practices include voluntary grazing allotment conversions from domestic sheep to cattle, vegetative treatments, and water developments.  UDWR considers grazing conversions and restrictions "involuntary" when the party negotiating for the conversion/restriction threatens to seek more burdensome grazing restrictions, reductions, or conversions in court or through other regulatory means unless the livestock grazer consents to the requested conversion/restriction.  UDWR, in partnership with conservation groups and land managers has been extremely helpful in negotiating, funding, and participating in habitat projects.

Habitat Degradation or Loss: 
Bighorn habitat can be degraded, fragmented, or lost to a variety of causes including human disturbance, energy development, and natural succession.  Reductions in the quality or quantity of habitat can result in corresponding losses to bighorn populations (DeForge 1972, Hamilton et al. 1982).  Human disturbance may cause bighorn sheep to change use areas and abandon certain habitats because of those disturbances.  Loss of preferred habitat can compel bighorns into habitats that reduce productivity, decrease survival rates, and increase risk of pathogen transmission.  Human disturbance is also thought to be a possible stress inducer, which may lead to disease problems in some populations (DeForge 1981, Bunch et al. 1999).  Working with federal land management agencies to protect the habitat needed for healthy herds may improve herd health. Plant succession can also dramatically affect habitat quality.  Encroachment by pinyon-juniper and other shrubs has resulted in the fragmentation and loss of large expanses of bighorn habitat.  Vegetative treatments, including fire management and mechanical treatments, can restore and improve bighorn habitat to its condition prior to settlement times.

Habitat Management Goal:  Provide good quality habitat for healthy populations of bighorn sheep. 
 
Objective:  Maintain or improve bighorn sheep habitat to enhance individual herd success and thereby promote the overall sustainability of bighorn sheep statewide. 
 
Strategies: a. Identify valuable bighorn sheep habitats and work with land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance these areas. b. Assist land management agencies in monitoring bighorn sheep habitat. Habitat monitoring by the land management agencies will be contingent on available funding and personnel.  c. Work with land managers to minimize and mitigate loss of bighorn habitat due to human disturbance and development. d. Initiate vegetative treatment projects to improve bighorn habitat lost to natural succession or human impacts. e. Under the correct circumstances, encourage land management agencies to allow fires to burn when such action improves bighorn sheep habitat.   f. Improve or maintain existing water sources and develop new water sources as needed to improve distribution and abundance of bighorn sheep.  g. Support research and monitoring efforts to evaluate bighorn sheep use of water sources to ensure the water sources are having the desired effect.    h. Work with land management agencies and private landowners to voluntarily implement agency guidelines for management of domestic sheep and goats in bighorn areas similar to those proposed by the WAWFA Wild Sheep Working Group. i. Support conservation groups' efforts to pursue willing conversions of domestic sheep grazing allotments by working with willing permittees in bighorn areas to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. j. Inform and educate the public concerning the needs of bighorn sheep including the effects of human disturbance and the need for habitat improvements.   k. Create preferred habitat for bighorn sheep in areas not proximate to domestic sheep and goats to attract bighorns away from risks of pathogen transmission.

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.

Each guzzler will collect 125,000 gallons of water annually and store it in lined-ponds with a 150,000 gallon capacity.  Ponds will be fenced to exclude all large animals.  We don't anticipate litter and debris getting into the ponds and reducing water quality to be a problem.  Water will be piped from ponds to troughs that wildlife and livestock will access.  Troughs will have float valves backed up by safety values to regulate the water level and protect the supply.  Each pond will be fenced reducing the opportunity for big game animals to become trapped in the pond, reducing the risk of death and injury.

Information from Millard County Resource Management Plan: 
Millard County desires to protect and enhance the quality and quantity of useable water by promoting and expanding the efficient management of water resources. The County supports the development, adoption, and implementation of water storage and distribution plans by individuals, irrigation companies, industrial users, and municipalities.  #2 Objective: Millard County supports and participation in responsible Federal and State land water resource management activities.

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.

We propose constructing two wildlife water guzzler aprons with storage ponds and pipelines of approximately 2.5 miles in length per pond with at least 3 and up to 5 water troughs/drinkers per pipeline. One guzzler will be constructed in Wood Canyon and the other in Pass Canyon; both ponds will have pipelines coming out of the canyons to the west following the foothills going south. Construction of water development sites are located in areas with suitable habitat and currently lacking sufficient water.
Water developments will consist of guzzlers designed for rainwater collection and storage in lined holding ponds, each with a capacity up to 125,000 gallons. Water will then be dispersed through a pipeline to water troughs for wildlife use. Each water development site will be less than an approximate one acre footprint and constructed over a 1-3 year period. Ground and vegetation disturbance will be minimized to protect habitat characteristics. No road construction is needed and water piping will be buried where possible. Troughs will be designed to meet the needs and safety of wildlife providing access/escape ramps for bird, small mammals, and amphibians.

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.