Project Details

Pariette Wetlands was created in the late 1970's through a cooperative BLM-UDWR Sikes Act Management Plan to improve fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The wetlands are comprised of 9,200 acres (6504 Desert Upland, 2696 Riparian), which includes four management units, Castle Peak, Eagle Rock, River, and Uteland, and is situated within a 22,000 acre Federally designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). As a gravity fed complex developments within this system include 21 ponds comprising approximately 450 surface acres, 1100 acres of native wet meadows, 4.7 miles of dikes, 4.6 miles of irrigation ditches, four water diversion structures from Pariette Wash, 1200 feet of culverts, 62 head-gates, and 21 risers to control water levels.
Three of the four water diversion structures, the Castle Peak, River, and Uteland, have far exceeded their life expectancy and have failed in recent years resulting in the inability to properly redistribute diverted water to three of the four management units (see attachments). Results of these structure failures have led to improper/inadequate water delivery which has negatively impacted the habitat through wet/dry cycles causing noxious weed encroachment, reduction in adequate waterfowl nesting habitat, and increased sediment depositing.

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.

This project area is at risk of crossing an unrepairable ecological threshold if this project is not implemented soon. Because of the failure of the diversion structures, water in need of reaching various ponds within several management units has been rechanneled to service ditches not designed to transport a larger flow of water. As a result of the inability to throttle back water flows excess water is leaving these services ditches and flowing overland. The result of this overland flow has resulted in a significant increase in sedimentary loads being redistributed within various ponds which is altering their morphology, and is also adding increased sediment loads delivered into the Green River ecosystem which has a direct impact on the T&E Fish species occupying that ecosystem. In addition, the overland flows are creating an increase in non-native plant species which is reducing adequate forage for a variety of wildlife species, including waterfowl, big game, small game, upland game and prey-based species thereby affecting avian predators.
Recent studies by Utah's Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) has assessed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Pariette Draw. TMDLs specify the maximum amount of a pollutant which a waterbody can assimilate and still meet water quality standards. For the Pariette Draw (from the confluence of the Green River to the headwaters located in Pleasant Valley) and its tributaries the UDWQ has determined that the river is not supporting its agricultural classification due to violations of water quality criterion for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Boron (B) and its warm water fisheries and waterfowl classifications due to violations of the criterion for Selenium (Se). The data that follows presents the 2002 and 2004 303(d) list information for Pariette Draw.
Designated Uses-3B & 3D-Pollutants of Concern-Selenium; 
Designated Uses-4-Pollutants of Concern-Boron & TDS;             
Primary Source of Impairment-Natural geologic formations, subsurface flows from irrigation, streambank erosion;
*KEY*
3B = Protected for warm water species of game fish and other warm water aquatic life
        including the necessary aquatic organisms in their food chain;
3D= Protected for waterfowl, shore birds, and other water-oriented wildlife not included in
       Classes 3A, 3B, or 3C, including the necessary aquatic organisms in their food chain;
4=   Protected for agricultural uses including irrigation of crops and stock watering.
Subsequently, under the adopted practice of rechanneling water flows through small delivery ditches due to diversion structure failure, the resulting overland flows are creating elevated levels of heavy metals affecting the TMDL's within the system. When this irrigation water is applied in excess of plant requirements, that excess proportion will percolate below the rooting zone where it picks up TDS, Se, and B and returns it to the watershed streams either as surface runoff or groundwater baseflow with elevated concentrations. Because these pollutants are also washed off watershed surfaces and delivered to receiving streams, potential control options need to address surface as well as subsurface transport of pollutants if the system is to return to proper functioning condition.

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.

VERNAL APPROVED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Special Designations: Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
ACEC-11
Pariette Wetlands (10,437 acres) will continue to be designated as an ACEC. A comprehensive integrated activity plan will be developed/implemented that will address protection of special status bird and plant species and habitat, wetlands ecosystem, waterfowl production, and soil. OHV use will be limited to designated routes. Visual Resources will be managed as Class III.
The project area not only overlaps the plan objective, it is the plan objective for the Special Designations section of the Vernal RMP for the Pariette Wetlands ACEC. The relevance of this project is directly proportional to the successful implementation of the plan through the  protection of special status bird and plant species and habitat, wetlands ecosystem, waterfowl production, and soil once this project is successfully completed.

MYTON HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Wetlands Management Objectives
a. Expand wetland habitat including waterfowl and shorebird habitat
b. Provide upland game bird habitat, protecting and enhancing avian prey base and habitat conditions for the peregrine falcon.
c. Protect threatened cactus, and provide suitable nesting and feeding habitat for migrating greater sandhill cranes and whooping cranes.
Planned Actions to Meet Objectives
a. Obtain water rights
b. Modify water control structures
c. Compile water quality and flow data
d. Manage prescribed and wild fire
e. Irrigate cereal and grain crops for wildlife
The project area completely overlaps and ties in the Wetlands Management Objectives of the Myton HMP. The relevance of the project is directly proportional to the successful implementation of the plan by achieving objectives a., b., and c., of the Myton HMP Wetlands Management Objectives, and by applying planned actions b., and e., of the Planned Actions to Meet Wetland Management Objectives.

UTAH WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN-2015
Threat - Sediment Transport Imbalance
Objective #1 for Sediment Transport Imbalance:
Opportunities are found and taken, to modify or remove reservoir infrastructure, or modify outflow management, to simulate or return natural sediment transport.
Potential Indicators of Success Reaching this Objective
1. Working to restore a more natural hydrograph (spring peak) is part of reaching sediment
balance.
2. Sediment transport supports natural ecology or sufficiently promotes native species
reproduction.
Potential Conservation Actions
Code Action
2.1.12 Build new or retrofit old dams with proven features designed to pass sediment.
2.1.13 Work with water users/reservoir operators to identify reservoirs where loss of storage due to sediment input is a concern.
The project area overlaps the objective of the Utah WAP by addressing the threat of Sediment Transport Imbalance. The relevance of this project to the successful implementation of the Utah WAP is directly proportional to the objective listed under this threat by modifying outflow management and simulate or return natural sediment transport. The potential indicator of success reaching this objective will include (#2) Sediment transport supports natural ecology of sufficiently promotes native species reproduction; and, the potential conservation actions code addressed as a result will be code 2.1.13, work with water users/reservoir operators to identify reservoirs where loss of storage due to sediment input is a concern.

UTAH MULE DEER STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a
minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2019.
Strategies:
b. Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private
landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative
working groups to identify and prioritize mule deer habitats that are in need of
enhancement or restoration.
e. Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration
Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats
throughout Utah.
This project overlaps the Habitat Objective 2 by reducing non-native and noxious weeds within the wetland complex and generating more suitable crucial habitat for mule deer. The strategies used to achieve project overlap include implementing b., and e., under the Habitat Objective 2 of the Plan. 
UINTAH COUNTY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Riparian and Wetland Areas
Objectives and Policies
20.4.2 Conserve and protect riparian areas through application of best management practices
20.4.12 Encourage efforts to enhance streambeds and control erosion. Increase coverage and composition of vegetation.
20.4.17 Participate in federal, tribal, state, and local wetland conservation planning processes.
This project overlaps the objectives and policies under the riparian and wetland areas section of the Plan by applying policy 20.4.2, 20.4.12, and 20.4.17 through the implementation and completion of the project.

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.

The overall management scenario for the wetland system is to create, maintain, and improve adequate nesting habitat for water obligate species. Data shows the optimum vegetation community needed for this scenario is reached when a 50:50 ratio of vegetation to open water is achieved. Due to the inability of adequately distributing water throughout the system combined with continual wet/dry cycles, that ratio has shifted to approximately 80:20.  
In order to return the system to the desired equilibrium it is necessary to utilize fire to reduce the excessive fuel load, however, adequate water is also needed in order to inundate the burn and hold back regeneration. In working toward this goal the BLM has recently initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) that specifically addresses a burn plan for the wetland complex. That document is in its final draft and is expected to be implemented by Fall of 2020. The successful completion of this project will complement that burn plan in order to achieve the optimum nesting, foraging, and loafing critical habitat desired by providing the ability to adequately store and transfer water to these burn sites when needed. Once implemented this burn plan will significantly reduce the fuel load within the system and by having adequate water delivery the continuity of regenerating excessive fuel loads will be interrupted and greatly reduced thus creating less need to burn and provide greater ability to manage critical habitat. In addition, the implementation of the burn plan will reduce excessive fuel loads which currently threaten permanent infrastructures in place. As previously mentioned the wetland complex is a gravity fed system which equates to permanent structures installed within, and adjacent to all the ponds within the complex. By removing the excess fuel load and actively managing to keep the fuel load reduced these structures will realize a longer life expectancy which will ultimately provide a significant reduction in replacement costs. Additionally, there are several primitive camp sites located within the wetland complex and excessive fuel loads have inundated the areas surrounding these sites. A reduction in the fuel load around these recreation sites along with active post-burn management will generate far less risk to the public who utilizes them.     
Because the overall management objective for the wetland complex is to manage habitat for water obligate species, the burn plan priority is targeting the excessive fuel load in and around the 21 ponds within all four management units. This equates to approximately 1600 acres throughout the four management units and includes pond surface areas, pond perimeters and wet meadows. In addition, and due to the inability to adequately distribute water in the past which as generated an excessive amount of noxious, invasive, and undesirable plant species overland, the secondary priority is to also burn these areas in order to bring back desirable species for the benefit of all wildlife utilizing the wetlands. This secondary priority will include approximately 4.6 miles of irrigation ditches, 4.2 miles of riparian habitat and the removal of excessive fuel loads along 4.7 miles of dikes.

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 project has the potential to significantly improve water quality within the wetland complex. Benefits resulting from the successful completion of this project include the reduction of severe wildfire as a result of fuel overload. By implementing the BLM burn plan to reduce significant fuel overload and having the ability to properly store and distribute water, fuels overload would be kept to a minimum thereby reducing the risk of severe wildfire. In addition, after the successful completion of this project, water will be able to be properly stored and transported to the management units appropriately without overland flooding occurring. The result of which will significantly reduce adding pollutants to the system through percolation and reducing the amount of sediment transport within, and out of, the system. Additional benefits of improved water quality will be realized by addressing the excess TMDL's and impaired status of the Pariette Watershed by the UDEQ. By eliminating or reducing the addition of pollutants through percolation and reducing sediment load transfer the wetland complex will begin to adequately process, store and uptake associated heavy metals and the reduction of sediment load will aid in a reduction of sediment transport to the Green River ecosystem, all of which will aid in reducing the TMDL's within the watershed.

This project also has the potential to increase water quantity within the wetland complex. After the successful completion of this project water will no longer be wasted by overland flow. That portion of water will now be a benefit by remaining instream and will help to maintain those flows. In addition, when the burn plan and this project are implemented in concert, changes in the vegetation class will occur through the removal of water gorging plants including Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). The expected outcome will be an elevation in hydrologic storage capacity.

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.

This project is in compliance with the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Habitat Management Plan (HMP) written for Pariette Wetlands. Through analysis of the EA, it was recognized that all the infrastructure was subject to replacement over time due to environmental factors degrading those structures. Subsequently, the document allows for the replacement of those structures as long as the replacement occurs on the same footprint as the original disturbance and no new disturbance is realized.
This project is also in compliance with Section 404(f) of the Clean Water Act and is exempt from permitting requirements under categories 1, Normal farming, silviculture and ranching activities; 2, Maintenance Activities; and 3, Construction and maintenance of farm ponds, stock ponds, or irrigation ditches or the maintenance of drainage ditches, of the Clean Water Act Exemptions.
In addition, this project is covered by the Nationwide Permit (NWP) issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Section 3. Maintenance, Paragraph (a);  The repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of any previously authorized, currently serviceable structure or fill, or of any currently serviceable structure or fill authorized by 33 CFR 330.3, provided that the structure or fill is not to be put to uses differing from those uses specified or contemplated for it in the original permit or the most recently authorized modification. Minor deviations in the structure's configuration or filled area, including those due to changes in materials, construction, techniques, requirements of other regulatory agencies, or current construction codes or safety standards that are necessary to make the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement are authorized. This NWP also authorizes the removal of previously authorized structures or fills. Any stream channel modification is limited to the minimum necessary for the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the structure or fill; such modifications, including the removal of material from the stream channel, must be immediately adjacent to the project. This NWP also authorizes the removal of accumulated sediment and debris within, and in the immediate vicinity of, the structure or fill. This NWP also authorizes the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of those structures or fills destroyed or damaged by storms, floods, fire or other discrete events, provided the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement is commenced, or is under contract to commence, within two years of the date of their destruction or damage. In cases of catastrophic events, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, this two-year limit may be waived by the district engineer, provided the permittee can demonstrate funding, contract, or other similar delays.

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.

As this is a multi-year, phased project it is anticipated that during the first year Phase 1 will involve initiating a contract with an independent engineering firm, or utilize the Division of Construction and Facilities Maintenance (DCFM), to design three similar and appropriate water diversion structures using the best applied hydrologic science available. The dimension of these structures will be approximately 45' Long, 4' Wide, and 8' High and incorporate a stop-log or similar adjustable device which will allow for the partial damming of water to be diverted out of the main channel when needed. The second step in Phase 1 of the process involves having those structures constructed utilizing that engineering design and delivering the structures to the installation site. 
During Phase 2 of the second year, it is anticipated that BLM will be responsible for the removal of the existing diversion structures, prepare the individual sites, and install the newly constructed diversion structures. Phase 2 will also include the beginning of the monitoring process once the new structures are in place and properly functioning.

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.

Annual spring, summer, fall, winter monitoring of structures and habitat created by structures to ensure components are properly functioning. Activities will include photo documentation, weed density observations, wildlife observations, and documenting vegetation functional and structural groups targeting desired wildlife species.
The largest monitoring component involves monthly waterfowl population counts throughout the nesting season (March-July). This monitoring effort has been applied to the wetland system since its inception and is a strong indicator of species presence/absence as well as species diversity. Monitoring components applied within this effort include monthly overall population counts by species, breeding pair counts, and brood counts. In addition to the waterfowl counts an annual crow count is conducted for pheasants. An ongoing monitoring effort to document herpetofauna populations and species diversity is also conducted throughout Pariette Wetlands. Throughout the population counting season all wildlife species other than water obligates are also documented for species type and habitat use.
Vegetation monitoring will also continue per the Myton Habitat Management Plan which includes utilizing nine photo stations throughout the system to supplement information on vegetative trends and change that is being monitored. These stations are photographed during the fourth week of July at yearly intervals.
Water quality monitoring will also continue by acquiring water samples above the Flood Control structure on the upstream side of the wetlands and below the outlet structure on the downstream side of the wetlands on a monthly basis to ensure adequate parameters are being met. Subsequent to the completion of this project the results of the combined monitoring efforts will be uploaded to this page.

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.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS:
BLM has Contacted, consulted, and reached concurrence on the need for this project, the benefits of this project, and the ability of this project to meet permit exemptions under the Clean Water Act as well as meeting the parameters of the Nationwide Permit (NWP) issued by the U.S. ACE.
PHEASANTS FOREVER: Pheasants Forever in-kind contribution is for an approximate value in additional project insight, invasive species monitoring (GPS locations) and photos, chain saw work in the fall on tamarisk and other invasive trees species, and assistance in locating and stimulating projects in sites conducive to pollinator and food plots. 
This is similar to Pheasants Forever's contribution to the WRI Current Creek Cut Off Sage Grouse Improvement / Ellis Pipe Fence project #4489 where PF chainsaw lop and scattered pinyon and juniper trees on Current Creek Wildlife Management Area.

The BLM has an established partnership with PF and has included them in this proposal process. They are also a contributor on this project and will be providing in-kind services to aid in regenerating the wetland complex throughout the application of this project.
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY-UINTAH BASIN CAMPUS:
The BLM Vernal Field Office has maintained a 25-year partnership with the University and has funded a myriad of projects which researchers have been working on, including several within the wetland complex. One of those studies investigated selenium in Pariette Wetlands and has just been published in the Journal of Applied Geochemistry; for interested parties the study is located at https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1aIph38rcSn4fb. BLM and USU are in constant contact due to ongoing research and USU is very interested in, and desires to, participate in this proposal process as a contributor.
KARL LAMB:
Mr. Lamb is an adjacent landowner to Pariette Wetlands and also holds the only grazing permits issued in the wetlands complex. BLM has enjoyed a long standing relationship with the Lamb family over the past 40 years involving both grazing within the wetland system and an ongoing agreement regarding impoundment of the Lamb family irrigation water. The current wetlands manager and Mr. Lamb are in regular contact and Mr. Lamb is in support of this action as well as the upcoming burn EA in order to obtain a common goal of establishing a healthier ecosystem.

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.

In general, future management will include applying techniques to raise and lower water levels to achieve habitat objectives for multitude of species. Lower water for shore birds, puddle ducks, and brood rearing habitat for pheasants and quail. Raise water levels for waterfowl brood rearing habitat, diver ducks, swans, and others species. 
Increase prescribed fire regime intervals contingent on where water placement and draw downs will be each year. Plant annual food plots, perennial nesting and brood rearing habitat in areas where weeds have been reduced. 
More specifically, management objectives for the wetland complex will continue to follow the prescriptions set forth within the Myton Habitat Management Plan (HMP), which include; Continue to improve grazing habitat while maintaining existing livestock use; Continue to improve habitat capable of producing stable, or increasing waterfowl numbers annually; Continue to provide habitat capable of producing a three-fold increase in pheasant and mourning dove populations and also capable of supporting viable populations of chukars and valley quail; and the continuation of habitat protection and improvement for the benefit of multiple raptor species utilizing the wetland complex and adjacent habitat along the Green River corridor. 
Planned Actions under the Wetland Component of the HMP necessary to carry out the management objectives include, but are not limited to; Revision of the Wetlands Allotment Management Plan with an objective of ensuring an average residual cover height of 9.5 inches with 100% visual obstruction in pasture 3. To achieve the desired waterfowl nesting cover in this pasture better livestock distribution and irrigation systems will be needed; Continuation of efforts to secure additional permanent, stable water rights. Initial inventory has shown 2,520 acres suitable for development of wetland vegetation. After additional water right acquisition develop 2,520 acres at a ratio of 20% open water, 16% emergent vegetation, 49% irrigated meadow, and 15% grain crops; Modify current water control structures (dikes and ditches) and include in future water control structures, the capability to irrigate all feasible acreage downstream, from impoundments through placement of outlet pipes, and trickle tubes in the structures (Objectives B-2b,  B-2-c, B-2-d, B-2-f); Prescribed burning and modified fire suppression will be used in Pariette Draw and along the Green River bottoms to maintain meadow conditions. Target species will be Salt cedar (tamarisk spp.), cattail (Typha latifolia), and hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus). Goals for management of hardstem bulrush are to achieve a 50:50 ratio of bulrush to open water in existing stands. Goals for cattail are to remove 70% of the existing vegetation with fire and then control reestablishment by raising water levels; In portions of irrigated lands, 19% (380 acres) of the total area should be planted to ceral grain crops to improve habitat for cranes, geese, ducks, upland game, and other wildlife (objective B2b, B2c, B2f).
Future management will also follow the ACEC Management Prescriptions as defined in Chapter 3 of the Diamond Mountain Resource Management Plan (RMP); PARIETTE WETLANDS ACEC; Objective---Enhance and protect the wetlands community and associated habitat adjacent to Pariette and Castle Peak Washes, ensuring continued waterfowl production and no long-term deterioration of the water quality in Pariette Wash; reduce sedimentation to the Green River by stabilizing streambanks and water channels, while meeting the management objectives of the final recovery plans for the special status species associated with the area. This management prescription and objective has been carried over and incorporated into the current Vernal Resource Management Plan (RMP) citing the relevant and important values of "special status bird and plant habitat, and wetlands ecosystem". The Vernal RMP specified thee management prescriptions for the ACEC and required that "A comprehensive integrated activity plan will be developed and implemented that will address protection of special status bird and plant species and habitat, wetlands ecosystems, waterfowl production, and soils".  Subsequently, the BLM has initiated this prescription and is currently working to develop and implement a comprehensive integrated activity plan to address protection of special status bird and plant species and habitat, wetlands ecosystems and function, waterfowl production, and soils as directed by the Vernal RMP.  
The BLM's purposes for the proposed action are to:
1.	Protect and enhance natural wetland ecosystems and function;
2.	Protect waterfowl species and enhance their habitat;
3.	Protect special status species and their habitat and take prudent, proactive steps toward the recovery of threatened or endangered species and their habitat; and
4.	Conserve, protect, and restore water resources.
Completion and implementation of this plan are expected to occur in the near future.

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 potential for this project to improve quality sustainable uses is extremely high for recreation. Currently, most visitor usage in the wetland complex includes hunting, botanical, and bird watching. After completion of this project expected increases in both flora and fauna will be realized due to habitat improvement. This in turn will improve the quality of the visitor experience. In addition, the quantity of sustainable uses will be realized by eliminating, or significantly reducing large stands of Salt cedar and Russian Olive within the riparian area of the wetland complex. As a result, livestock will be able to utilize this area for forage that has not previously been available. Removing invasive woody vegetation will facilitate the re-establishment of perennial grasses, native forbs, and shrubs that have much higher forage value than invasive species. Control of invasive woody species can achieve sustainable levels of desirable vegetation management and biomass utilization which will increase grazing management opportunities. The application of these new grazing opportunities will also provide suitable critical habitat for wildlife species that are not currently inhabiting Pariette Wetlands.

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.