Lizzies Hill Bullhog
Region: Southern
ID: 5307

Project Status: Cancelled

Project Details

Projects have been completed near and adjecent to this project area in recent years. This area continues to be a high priority area for vegetation resource enhancement, resource protection and fuels reduction. The project area is also located in the Bald Hills Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). Proposed management prescription/strategies for the treatments that will be managed for Sage-grouse (nesting and winter habitat) are based on departure from the ecological site, the potential for the community to respond to various treatment methods as well as the desired future condition of the sagebrush/steppe vegetative community.

The majority of the bull hog project area is comprised of stands of pinyon and juniper trees (Phase 2 - Phase 3) that have encroached into the sagebrush steppe community.  A large percentage of pinyon and juniper trees have encroached areas of sagebrush steppe resulting in a downward trend of herbaceous cover. Some areas within the site have little remnant sagebrush, forb, or grass component. The project area serves as important seasonal and year round habitat for several species of wildlife including but not limited to sage grouse,  mule deer and pronghorn antelope. The project will allow for sustainability and help to reestablish the integrity of the sagebrush biome while creating perennial grassland mosaics to provide the amount, continuity, and quality of habitat that is necessary to maintain sustainable populations of sage-grouse and other sagebrush dependent wildlife species. Although pinyon and juniper will be removed from the project area islands will be left for migration corridors and thermal cover for pronghorn and mule deer.

In addition, it is expected that the following benefits would occur for wildlife in the project area:

Sage Grouse -- As discussed the project is located in the Bald Hills Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA).  The project is expected to provide for expansion opportunity areas for sage grouse in the long-term.

Utah Prairie Dog Benefits - The project may provide for expansion Utah prairie dog habitat in the future.  Currently, there are UPDs within 1.5 miles of the project area.  Harrowing portions of the project may provide opportunity areas for UPD habitat in the long-term.  This of course would be subject to future UPDRIT/UPDOG review and further habitat assessment once the project is completed.

Pronghorn -- The project is located in pronghorn (year long crucial) habitat.  As discussed, the project area vegetative component consists of Phase 2 and Phase 3 P/J encroachment.  The project will provide for improvements to the wildlife habitat, which is expected to improve distribution of wildlife throughout the area.

Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle -- It would be expected that the vegetation treatments would result in increase prey species within the area, which would be beneficial.

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.

Biological diversity and watershed health are objectives of the project. Wildlife species and and habitats will be benifited. Water quantity will be increased in the ground which benefit the overall watershed health directly and indirectly. The project is located areas as identified in the Chipman Peak EA and Decision as nesting and brood-rearing habitat for greater sage-grouse. In addition, there are portions of the project that are located in winter habitat for greater sage-grouse.   The project is expected to expand greater sage-grouse habitat and provide habitat for other species, such as pronghorn and mule deer.

The sagebrush steppe vegetation treatments would exhibit a mosaic of dominant Wyoming big sagebrush with perennial grassland openings across the landscape mimicking natural disturbance similar to pre-European settlement. These sites would exhibit multiple age classes of sagebrush with an adequate and desirable perennial grass and forb understory. There would be increased vigor of sagebrush as indicated by plants with leader and seed production in balance with precipitation levels.  Composition by air-dry weight would be approximately 45-55% grasses, 5-10% forbs, and 40-50% shrubs.  Canopy cover for grasses would 15-40%, forbs would be 5-15%, shrubs would be 10-30%, and trees would be
0-10%. The objectives were derived based on the Utah GRSG ARMPA brood rearing habitat objectives and the potential of the Ecological Sites within the project area.  Proposed treatments would move sagebrush ecological sites to the desired future condition described above.  Treatments would remove pinyon pine and juniper trees and change even-aged sagebrush stands to multiple age structures. Where grass, forb, and shrub diversity is
limited, appropriate seed mixes would be used to provide a mix of native and non-native grasses, forbs, and shrubs.

Goals:
1) Improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses and forbs.
2) Reduce pinyon pine and juniper density by 90-100%.
3) Maintain adequate habitat components to meet the needs of greater sage-grouse in nesting, broodrearing, and winter habitats in accordance with current land use planning guidelines and in coordination with UDWR and SWARM.
4) Manage to maintain/create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages which would meet the seasonal needs of sage-grouse.

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.

The project is located within Phase 2/Phase 3 pinyon juniper encroachment.  In areas throughout the project the herbaceous understory is still present.  It will likely take a considerable amount of time for the Phase 2 areas to achieve Phase 3 because of the amount of herbaceous species in the understory; however, these areas are susceptible to wildfire and conversion to cheatgrass.  Earlier phases of the project concentrated on eliminating Phase 1 P/J encroachment condition and this project is located immediately adjacent to those areas.  The Chipman Peak Project Area (NEPA Boundary) (Refer to Map -- images/documents section) has been susceptible to wildfire.  There have been multiple fires that have burnt thousands of acres in the last fifteen years within the project area (NEPA Boundary).  Most of these fires have been controlled while still small in size; however, the fire size and occurrence continues to increase putting vegetative resources at risk.  The majority of lands (95%) within the project area are in FRCC3, where the risk of losing key ecosystems is high.  Many of these areas have reached an ecological threshold and may be difficult or impossible to recover after a high intensity wildfire, even with considerable financial and emergency stabilization inputs.  The project is focused on eliminating pinyon pine and juniper from the sagebrush ecological site. Improving this community and removing ladder fuels to minimize the potential for a sagebrush stand replacing fire.  Historically it is expected that sage grouse in the area had a greater distribution and population. There is research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others that have documented that sage grouse stop utilizing a lek with as little as 4% tree canopy cover. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored pinyon and juniper expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that juniper and pinyon pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat.

Implementation of the project has risks/threats including annual precipitation fluctuations and
invasive/noxious weed establishment; however, mitigation measures have been identified that will limit these threats/risks to the project area.

The project is located at an elevation that ranges between 5,300 - 6,500 feet, which is expected to help counteract the impacts of drought. Typically, rangelands at this elevation receive adequate precipitation to promote vegetative growth and viability in the short-term and long-term. In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. This research indicates that even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

In addition, extensive pre-monitoring vegetative data collection has occurred within the project area. This includes extensive Sage Grouse habitat Assessments, Rangeland Health assessments (basal gap, canopy gap, line point intercept, shrub height, Rangeland Health Assessments), nested frequency, utilization, etc...

A Landscape Forecasting project in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy has been completed. The objectives of this project were to 1. Develop maps of potential vegetation types and current vegetation classes within each biophysical setting by conducting remote sensing of satellite or aerial imagery. 2. Refine computerized predictive state-and-transition ecological models for the ecological systems by updating models or creating new models 3. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of ecological systems under minimum management to quantify future threats 4. Use Return-on-Investment
analysis to assess which strategies for which ecological systems yield the most advantageous results 5. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of ecological systems under alternative management strategies 6. Determine current condition of all ecological systems (a broad scale measure of ecological system health) using the ecological departure using Fire Regime Condition metric and Fire Regime
Condition Class. Ecological departure was measured by comparing the current condition of vegetation to reference conditions. Additional metrics of ecological condition were developed to describe either different desired future condition or special vegetation classes. The vegetative monitoring data and the Landscape Forecasting will be utilized to verify ecological sites, identify treatment methods, determine cost effectiveness, etc... to ensure the success of future projects. The second phase of the Landscape Conservation Forecasting project will focus on climate change to determine the long-term viability of vegetation treatments within the project area considering impacts of climate change. A Final Report was received on April 2018.

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.

Chipman Peak EA/FONSI/DR - December 2016.

The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the Project Area with regard to improving the vegetation component within the Bald Hills Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area. A variety of vegetation treatments were authorized that would improve/maintain Rangeland Health in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. The focus for management within this area is to improve greater sage-grouse brood-rearing
habitat while maintaining the dominant aspects of the sagebrush community to ensure adequate cover is available. High quality brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for sage grouse in the Bald Hills population area.

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

Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners.

Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7).

B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows:

Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14).

C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows:

Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3)

D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows:

Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MALG- 13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17)

The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan establishes incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state- and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas.

The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses.

Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 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.

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.

Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50).

Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Resource Management Plan Resource Management Plan (1986). Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office.

Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006)

The SUSAFMP identifies the Black Mountains as a priority for conversion of encroached pinyon and juniper dominated communities to a sagebrush community with a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. This would be consistent with the vegetative monitoring data that has been collected within the Project Area to identify the Ecological Site Description.

National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004)
The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following:

1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process.
2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation.
3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts.
4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome.
5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community.
6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation
7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation.
8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats.
9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel.
10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands.

Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (2015)
The project will be consistent with the habitat management strategies identified in the Deer Herd Unit Management Plan for Deer Herd Unit #20 (Southwest Desert) (UDWR) which pertain to the Project Area are as follows:

* Evaluate and implement potential habitat improvement projects on BLM, state, and private lands.
* Evaluate opportunities to address problems created by closed canopy pinyon pine and juniper.

Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (2009)
Habitat Management Objective (B.e.), Under the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of habitat improvement projects to benefit pronghorn.

Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005)
The priority habitat identified for this area was shrub-steppe, which was identified as a Priority A (High threat, high opportunity, and high value to birds statewide) habitat. Priority birds identified within this area include sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, sage sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow. Sagebrush restoration was identified as an opportunity within this area to address concerns with sagebrush die-off and potential for cheatgrass invasion.

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 majority of the area is at moderate to high on the fire risk index. The Fire Regime condition Class (FRCC) within the bull hog portion of the project area is classified as FRCC 2 and 3 (lands that are significantly altered from their historical range.

There have been numerous large fires (Baboon, Badger, Black Mountain, Maple Springs and Roundabout) within the immediate vicinity of the project area. Of the entire Mineral Black Mountain Fire Management Unit (FMU) (646,151 acres), 235,986 acres have burned over the past 20 years. This amounts to over 36% of the FMU being impacted by high intensity wildfire. Of the acres burned, more than 40,000 acres have burned more than once
(cheatgrass burn/re-burn cycle). Most alarming is the fact that for the 22 years in which fire records are available (1993-2014), while the number of fires has decreased over the past 10 years, the acreages burned has increased more than 200%.

Without this project, the trees will continue to expand into the area and should a fire occur, it would be more difficult to control and would have much more devastating effects by burning at a higher intensity and getting larger. Because there is a greater risk of conversion of shrublands to annual grasslands under a high intensity fire, managed, pro-active treatments proposed would reduce the likelihood of cheatgrass invasion and help perennial grasses and forbs persist long-term. Treatments identified within this proposal, including seeding with more fire resistant vegetation, would help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a catastrophic wildfire which could impact the watershed, and sage grouse and mule deer habitat. Treatments in and around the sagebrush areas would break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire entering these sensitive areas. Reducing cover from even aged classed sagebrush stands in a mosaic pattern would also break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of a high intensity wildfire.

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.

The Project Area is located at 5,300 - 6,500 feet above sea level; therefore, it is expected that the opportunity to restore native species to the composition and frequency appropriate to the area is high. As discussed, the majority of the area is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper (Phase 2 and Phase 3). There is noticeable soil erosion throughout the area due to the absence of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. The project is expected to improve herbaceous understory, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration.

Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) -- will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by pinyon pine and juniper to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration.

As discussed, extensive Rangeland Health monitoring data has been collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be utilized as baseline data to determine the success of the treatment while providing for a scientific measurement of the indicators identified above.
In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites.

Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

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.

The BLM has identified an ID Team and invited cooperating agencies (UDWR, NRCS, SWARM, etc.) to assess the current condition and formulate a vegetation management prescription that achieves the Desired Future Conditions, management intent, and management goals and objectives within the project area. BLM will provide overall project oversight. BLM will also refine flagging of the treatment area (i.e. leave islands (cultural
and wildlife) in cooperation with UDWR and SWARM. All areas within Year 3 of the Project Area will be aerially seeded to meet wildlife habitat objectives in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. Seed will be requested through GBRC. Archeology clearances will be completed by DWR contract with project oversight provided by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist.

The bull hog treatment method would occur on approximately 2,000 acres within the Lizzies Hill Allotment. The majority of the bull hog treatment Project Area is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in a portion of the Project Area that is currently in Phase 2 condition the species vigor, composition and production are well below what should be expected for the site as revealed by the Ecological Site Description. A diverse seed mix including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the bull hog project area.

The project areas will be flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with NRCS, DWR, SWARM, etc... The Cultural Clearance will be completed by BLM contract with project over site provide by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist.

Sage grouse telemetry will be utilized to determine if habitat loss and/or fragmentation is a constraint, determine dispersal and connectivity of habitat, determine if there are changes to previously documented sage grouse corridors and allow for analysis of sage grouse use of treatments at various stages of succession.

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.

Pre-monitoring within the Project Area has been ongoing since 2014. Monitoring will continue to be completed, which may include some support from UDWR or other cooperators. Standard surveys will include: Wildlife Use Pattern Surveys (i.e. Pellet Counts), Wildlife Population Surveys, Key Forage Utilization, Nested Frequency (Trend), Line Intercept (Shrub Cover and Age Class), Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health Assessment, Photo Points, Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys, General Wildlife Use Surveys and
Noxious weed inventory / monitoring.

Pre and Post vegetation and wildlife monitoring data will be collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be compiled into an overall monitoring report that will help determine the level of success for the project in the short-term and long-term. This data will be utilized to support an Adaptive Management Strategy to determine if changes in treatment methods, seeding, etc.

There currently is inconclusive data to suggest that the sage grouse population size would increase if the treatments were completed in the project area. Approximately 12,260 acres of vegetative treatments have occurred within the vicinity of the project area since 2013. In addition, Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (Baboon Fire, Badger Fire, Black Mountain Fire, Maple Spring, Roundabout Fire, etc...) in the past several years.

Furthermore, it is expected that by improving Rangeland Health conditions and creating expansion sage grouse habitat through the elimination of pinyon and juniper in areas that should be dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs in accordance with the Ecological Site Description will lead to sage grouse habitat improvements and population increases. This will be verified through further data collection (lek counts, RLH data, trend, utilization data, etc...). Similar treatments in others areas within the Color Country
District Office indicate that sage grouse are utilizing the treatments almost immediately following the removal of pinyon and juniper, which is expected to also occur in this project area.

In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Bald Hills (which is within the project area) as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Bald Hills, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs is those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats. The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM.

Sage Grouse telemetry data has been collected in the area in the past.  If funding is received a follow-up sage grouse project would occur within the area.  The goals of the project would be as follows:  
*	Determine if habitat loss and/or fragmentation is a constraint within the Bald Hills PHMA
*	Determine dispersal and connectivity of habitat within the Bald Hills PHMA
*	Determine if there are changes to previously documented sage grouse corridors
*	Allow for analysis of sage grouse use of treatments at various stages of succession

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.

Partners include the NRCS, Utah State University Extension, The Nature Conservancy, DWR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Iron County, SWARM, UPDOG, UPDRIT, Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (Southern Utah University) and Livestock Permittees.

BLM has continually attended the SWARM meeting to update partners on current treatment progress as well as new treatments that are being proposed within the area. The BLM also coordinated with these partners during the NEPA process when treatments within the project area were being considered for authorization.

The BLM met with the SWARM was met with in January 2020 to discuss the project and the opportunities to create expansion sage grouse habitat within the project area.  In addition, NRCS and BLM have been working with the livestock permittee to signup for funding through NRCS opportunities.  The permittee signed up in January 2019 to take advantage of NRCS funding opportunities and has gained access to approximately $407,232 in funding.

The IIC has been integral to the success of pre and post vegetative and wildlife monitoring throughout earlier phases of the project, which is expected to continue. Livestock permittees within the project area have been coordinated with to ensure that the areas that are treated will be rested for a minimum of two years.

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.

Livestock grazing within the Lizzies Hill Allotment has been assessed through the permit renewal process. The Lizzies Hill Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from December 1st - March 26th. All of the livestock grazing that occurs is during the dormant season.

In addition, utilization has been collected on a continual basis within the allotments. Livestock use has been within established utilization parameters on a consistent basis. It is expected that the vegetative treatment will result in forage production increases that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description.  The additional forage 
that will be made available by the vegetation treatments will improve livestock distribution throughout the Lizzies Hill and Mortensen-Holyoak Allotments.  All areas seeded would be rested for a minimum of two complete growing seasons or until the seedlings become established and set seed. Once seeding establishment has been confirmed, BLM may authorize grazing according to the Utah Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management. Vegetation would continue to be monitored for utilization, cover and trend. Following the two year rest period, the grazing management system identified during the grazing permit renewal process would be resumed. Key Management Areas are typically established in grazing allotments to monitor trend where there is livestock use. The trend sites that have been established in the Project Area will provide for baseline monitoring data so that short-term and long-term treatment success can be monitored. Because trend within the treatment area that has been collected is baseline data trend will be determined in subsequent years as data is collected. Trend will be collected at these sites for 3 years following treatment and then these sites will be incorporated into the overall range vegetative monitoring schedule and be collected every 3-5 years. The current trend at these Key Management Areas would be expected to be static to downward based on pinyon and juniper expansion within the Project Area. Following treatments it is expected that this will be reversed and an upward trend will occur.

As discussed grazing permit renewals have been completed for the allotments within the project area.  Grazing management systems that identified livestock numbers, season of use and AUMs were identified through this process.

Future maintenance projects to protect investments made by UWRI/NRCS/BLM have been addressed and allowed through the project planning document (NEPA). Adaptive Management has been allowed for in the NEPA/Decision document. A large variety of treatment methods have been identified and authorized for use within the Project Area.

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 majority of the project area is in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition.  The project is expected to improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description, which will be beneficial to livestock grazing.  Furthermore, the project will be proactive in improving vegetative communities and removing ladder fuels within areas that are dominated by pinyon and juniper, which will minimize the potential for a catastrophic wildfire throughout the area, which would be detrimental to livestock grazing.  It is expected that the vegetative treatments will result in increased forage production that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description.

It is also expected that the treatment will also benefit hunting opportunities within the area in the long-term.  Treatments that have occurred within the vicinity of the project have been highly successful and wildlife sign (primarily pronghorn and mule deer) is found throughout the treated areas.

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.