Escalante River Watershed Riparian Invasive Species Restoration - Phase 14
Region: Southern
ID: 5633

Project Status: Completed

Project Details

To address the ongoing threat of invasive species, the Escalante River watershed restoration project grew to become the largest riparian restoration project ever conducted on BLM lands. To date, the Escalante River Watershed Partnership (ERWP) has conducted initial woody invasive removal on 7,569 acres on federal, state, and private lands. The continuation of the project is essential for slowing the expansion of invasive species, especially Russian olive, which threatens the ecological integrity of the watershed. This area includes increasingly valuable recreational lands, including Dixie National Forest, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, at a time they are experiencing an unprecedented increase in visitation. Without continued support for the ERWP's Monitoring and Maintenance Plan, Russian olive and tamarisk will reinvade treated areas. Currently, native vegetation is a component on many project sites. If the proposed work to maintain woody invasive control is not completed, restoration costs will increase as Russian olive re-invades and native biodiversity associated with native riparian habitat is lost.

Non-native trees, such as Russian olive and tamarisk, compete with native vegetation, narrow stream channels, and degrade wildlife habitat. Woody invasive species can alter compositional and functional components of natural systems including food webs, nutrient cycling, fire regimes, and wildlife habitat. The trees constrain the river channel, change flooding dynamics, and alter water temperature and chemistry (see the extensive review by Katz and Shafroth, 2003). Infested areas provide poor quality habitat for most neotropical migrant species, including threatened and endangered species such as the Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus) and the western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis).

Additionally, woody invasives negatively affect native fish species. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) continues to evaluate native and non-native fish distribution in the Escalante River and tributaries with a focus on three native species of concern: flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and roundtail chub. The UDWR works with the ERWP to reduce woody invasive species to improve habitat for these fish. In 2021, the ERWP will work with the UDWR and GSEP to conduct backcountry non-native fish removal, in conjunction with primary tamarisk treatments. This will reduce the threat of escapement of non-native fish, while providing improved in-stream habitat for native fishes.

Tamarisk infestations along the Escalante River expanded nearly unchecked until the arrival of the tamarisk beetle between five and ten years ago in different parts of the watershed. The beetle has slowed the expansion of tamarisk, but many infestations persist. There is also growing concern over beetle-resistant tamarisk trees that are present in the watershed. We intend to use the framework of our backcountry primary Russian olive treatments and apply this to a primary tamarisk treatment.

To address the threats to the Escalante watershed, the Escalante River Watershed Partnership (ERWP) formed in 2009. The ERWP is a partnership of state and federal agencies, nonprofit groups, local businesses and private landowners that coordinate efforts to protect and maintain a healthy watershed for future generations. Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, acts as the fiscal agent and is a principle member of the ERWP. GSEP works closely with land managers to facilitate projects on public and private lands. There are over 30 entities involved in the ERWP with an overarching goal to accomplish a landscape-scale conservation program, encompassing a 1.3 million-acre watershed. For work on public lands, this Russian olive treatment project was developed in committee through a collaborative approach with federal agencies, specifically for the work conducted on Bureau of Land Management, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Dixie National Forest, and other partnering entities. Private land project planning begins with landowner interest and willingness to participate in restoration.

The project area occurs in three key aquatic habitats identified in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015 - 2025 (WAP); Riverine, Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub and Aquatic-Forested. The WAP recognizes that non-native invasive plant species are a priority threat potentially affecting the greatest number of species in these three habitats.

Statewide, Riverine, Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub and Aquatic-Forested habitats comprise a total of 179,144 acres or 0.33% of Utah's land area of which the Escalante watershed encompasses 15,000 riparian acres or 8% of Utah's Riverine, Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub and Aquatic-Forested habitats. Using National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial imagery, nearly 50% of the riparian acres in the Escalante Watershed were identified for woody invasive treatments. To date, Russian olive has been controlled on 7,569 acres which includes lands managed by Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Forest Service, as well as state, county, city, and private lands within and surrounding the Escalante and Boulder communities.

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.

Through this proposal, the ERWP seeks to restore riparian corridors on public and private land with robust retreatment action for woody invasive species. 1,454 acres of previously treated areas will be treated for Russian olive re-sprouts and new growth, and at least 15 monitoring points will be inventoried. 17 acres of primary tamarisk treatment on public land will also be conducted.

*	Public Lands: 17 acres proposed primary tamarisk treatment
*	Public Lands: 1,306 acres proposed Russian olive retreatment.
*	Private Lands: 149 acres proposed Russian olive and tamarisk retreatment.

Project Goal:
"Reduce Russian olive and tamarisk in the watershed to minimal levels through various control methods, thereby allowing native plants and animals to thrive and natural (historical) riparian process to function, such that riparian areas become more naturally functioning, sustainable and resilient to change."

Through the primary and secondary treatment of invasive species of lowland riparian habitat on a watershed scale, this project will achieve the following objectives:

*	Increase native tree species recruitment through the removal of Russian olive and tamarisk and, where necessary, by replanting of native cottonwood, willow and shrub species.
 
*	Increase the prevalence of native grass and forb species through reseeding treatment areas with a seed mixture of native species or through natural recruitment.

*	Reduce invasive plant seed source both locally and regionally.

*	Increase the frequency of riparian area inundation and recharge of groundwater.

*	Improve water quality and quantity in the Escalante River by reducing the adverse effects of run off from adjacent agricultural operations and storm water through the restoration of riparian forest buffers on private lands.

*	Increase actual and perceived value and accessibility of private riparian corridors through removal of impenetrable Russian olive stands.

*	Improve habitat for a diversity of wildlife and fish species, through restoration of native plant communities, and enhancing riparian geomorphic complexity.

*	Provide education in the recognition and treatment of woody invasive re-sprouts and secondary weeds to private landowners on their property thereby increasing opportunities for sustainable uses.

*	Increase southwestern willow flycatcher (SWWFL) habitat connectivity by creating additional suitable habitat and linking to currently restored habitat.

*	Improve understanding of response of passerine bird species and their use of treatment areas at different stages of restoration.

*	Ensure the efficacy of many years of removal efforts through the implementation of a rigorous assessment, monitoring and retreatment protocol.

*	Increase the likelihood of reaching goals by creating opportunities for a collaborative approach among a variety of stakeholders.

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 proposal encompasses three aquatic habitats: Aquatic-Forested, Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub and Riverine. The dense establishment of Russian olive in these three habitats along the Escalante River has led to increased deposition of sediment and the formation of levees leading to extreme narrowing, simplification and confinement of the river channel. Such confinement of the channel has restricted channel movement and altered floodplain dynamics leading to down-cutting of the channel during floods. Channel down-cutting is a significant threat to both habitat and wildlife. The effects of channel down-cutting include severing floodplains from the water table, draining adjacent meadows or wetlands, reducing the area of riparian vegetation, reducing or eliminating complex aquatic habitat, and altering water flow and sediment transport regimes. Following the removal of Russian olive from the riparian forests of the Escalante Watershed, the ERWP has observed more natural (pre-exotic establishment) flood regimes. This allows for the lateral, overbank movement of floodwaters to inundate and recharge the associated floodplain (restoration of floodplain connectivity) and the restoration of characteristic native riparian vegetation. Maintaining Russian olive treatment areas promotes healthy riparian forests and increases accessibility to the river for humans and animals.

If this project is not funded, an opportunity to maintain connectivity of restored riparian habitat will be lost. With the completion of initial treatment on public lands in the watershed, this is a critical time to preserve the momentum of the project with continued retreatment, monitoring, and research.

Without continued support for the ERWP's Monitoring and Maintenance Plan, Russian olive and tamarisk will reinvade treated areas. Currently, native vegetation is a component on many project sites. If the proposed work to maintain woody invasive control is not completed, restoration costs will increase as Russian olive re-invades and native biodiversity associated with native riparian habitat is lost.

Our proposal also creates an opportunity to reduce adverse impacts of current or historic livestock grazing by working with private landowners engaged in restoration efforts in managing the scope, intensity and duration of livestock grazing. Improper current and historic grazing resulted in the spread and proliferation of undesirable plant species such as Russian olive and tamarisk. Improper grazing has also reduced the abundance and richness of native forbs and grasses, degraded the function and condition of soil and water, and has been economically detrimental to landowners and ranchers. Through this proposal, conservation actions will be employed to address threats associated with improper livestock grazing, past and present, by promoting partnerships between the ERWP, landowners, NRCS and/or USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to utilize cost-share and technical assistance programs. The goal is to help landowners adjust grazing, control exotic plants, and establish native riparian vegetation to improve or create functioning and resilient riparian forest buffers for the benefit of habitat, water and wildlife.

To ensure wildlife habitat is minimally affected and seasonal conflicts are negated on public lands, frill cut treatment technique is used for larger trees in our retreatment areas. Frill cut allows for trees to be left standing dead; this reduces the management of biomass at the time of treatment while also minimizing impacts to migratory birds, Mexican spotted owl, and other wildlife. The ERWP, in conjunction with federal partners, has developed protocols for Russian olive treatment techniques that are used as prescription for woody invasive treatments by conservation corps and field staff.

In years past, annual primary treatment areas were in patchwork fashion to leave undisturbed interspace between treatment areas and mitigate disruption to wildlife species. This project has been ongoing for over 18 years where our most downstream treatment areas (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) consist of over 50 miles of previously treated river. This treated area supports a richness and abundance of native vegetation that is a consequence of reducing Russian olive to less than 5% of canopy cover. As a result, active revegetation was not deemed necessary.

Private lands in the watershed also have undisturbed interspace between treatment polygons. The patchwork of treatment on private lands over the years provided for the needs of wildlife both in Alvey Wash and on the main stem of the river within the town of Escalante. Existing desirable vegetative components are site specific on private lands and revealed by pre-treatment assessment. On the Escalante River and Alvey Wash, there are areas where seeding and pole planting of willows and cottonwoods were considered necessary. Other areas had an abundance of native vegetation that have successfully recruited without active revegetation. With the help of partners (USFWS and NRCS), we develop robust revegetation plans that may involve seeding and pole planting. For pole planting, staff and volunteers collect willows and cottonwoods on restored private lands along the Escalante. We have locally adapted native woody species. On some projects we have purchased and planted potted plants.

Our proposal seeks to decrease the threat of extreme fire intensity created by the dense understory of Russian olive laterally connecting native riparian forests along the Escalante River. Maintaining the Russian olive removal areas will reduce the risk of catastrophic fire as both Russian olive and tamarisk produce large quantities of volatile fuels. Unnatural fuel loads of Russian olive and tamarisk are being reduced within and adjacent to the town of Escalante where there are homes, roads, bridges, fences, power lines and other utilities in close proximity to the river corridor.

Other invasive species that occur in surrounding areas could ultimately invade the river corridor, especially hoary cress, Russian knapweed, and Ravenna grass, and are monitored for infestation within the watershed. In addition to removing Russian olive and tamarisk, these secondary weed species are monitored on public and private lands in pre- and post-treatment monitoring.

Woody invasive removal started in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA) in 2001 as a National Park Service project; since then, BLM, US Forest Service, State agencies and private landowners have become involved in the project. Continued funding from UPCD will support close to two decade's worth of restoration and conservation work within the Escalante Watershed.

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.

Objective (1): Accomplish invasive species control through a watershed wide, multi-jurisdictional approach with multiple stakeholders and financial and technical partners:

1.	GSENM and KEPA Management Plan (2020)
a.	Work in conjunction with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in managing fish, wildlife, and other animals to achieve and maintain natural populations, population dynamics, and population distributions in a way that protects and enhances Monument resources.
i.	"Proactive vegetation treatment and habitat improvement projects . . . result in overall beneficial effects on vegetation and ecological conditions in the analysis area and within the watershed."

2.	National Park Service Management Policies 2006, Section 4.4.4 states, "Exotic species will not be allowed to displace native species if displacement can be prevented".

3.	Garfield County Resource Assessment (2013) conservation strategies are implemented through the following activities.:
a.	Working with landowners and conservation partners to plan, develop funding and implement Russian olive and tamarisk removal along river and stream channels.
b.	Increasing funding opportunities for noxious weeds and invasive species.
c.	Identifying and developing watershed projects on the Escalante River to mitigate Russian olive and tamarisk in the riparian buffer zones.
d.	Coordinating efforts with the Escalante River Watershed Project group in the mitigation of Russian olive and in developing conservation plans for private landowners.

4.	Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015 -- 2025 supports this project by guiding "partnership-driven, landscape-scale conservation work to help maintain the full array of Utah's wildlife, and also improve habitat health."

5.	Escalante River Watershed Partnership Woody Invasive Control Guidelines, v.2 (2015), this project advances this objective through the following activities.
a.	Developing control projects with willing private landowners with riparian properties in the watershed.
b.	Developing woody invasive control work through partnerships with federal and state agencies.
6.	Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Recovery Plan (2002) supports joint ventures that move toward flycatcher conservation through the following activities.
a.	Coordination of exotic management efforts among multiple landowners drainage-wide.
b.	Working with private landowners, state agencies, municipalities and NGOs to conserve and enhance habitat on non-federal lands.

7. 	Garfield County General Management Plan, Resource Management Section (2017), Section 2.6 Vegetation and 2.6.2 Invasive Species states that desired future conditions are achieved when land mangers significantly increase efforts to eradicate noxious weeds and replace invasive species with desirable historic plant communities.
	
Objective: (2) Increase the health and diversity of riparian ecosystems through the removal of woody invasive species as woody invasive species are recognized as a threat to healthy riparian forests. (3) Improve suitable habitat and habitat connectivity for a diversity of species including the Southwestern willow flycatcher, an endangered species.

1.	GSENM and KEPA Management Plan (2020)
a.	The overall objective with respect to riparian resources within GSENM and KEPA is to "Maintain and/or enhance riparian areas through project design features and/or stipulations that protect riparian resources."
i.	The noxious weed control program will target invasive species such as tamarisk and Russian olive, which will improve riparian functioning condition.
b.	Work in conjunction with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in managing fish, wildlife, and other animals to achieve and maintain natural populations, population dynamics, and population distributions in a way that protects and enhances Monument resources.

2.	Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of the BLM, by reducing woody invasive species to minimum levels this project promotes FLPMA's goals of management, protection, development, and enhancement of the public lands.

3.	Utah Noxious Weed Act (Nov 2015) lists tamarisk as a Class C noxious weed where the focus to this threat is on stopping expansion and Russian olive as a Class D Prohibited weed.

4.	Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015 -- 2025 supports this project by recognizing the impact of invasive, non-native plant species including the following:
a. 	Non-native plant species that dominate vegetation communities can alter the natural or desired composition, structure and functioning of habitats. Specifically, non-native plant dominance can severely degrade native biological diversity, soil stability, and hydrologic function of habitats;
b.	Non-native plant species negatively impact many species in 3 key aquatic habitats (Aquatic-Forested, Aquatic- Scrub/Shrub, Riverine);
c.	Non-native plant species ranked as a statewide priority level 3 threat to species of greatest conservation need and to key habitats where level 3 is the level towards which conservation actions can most readily be envisioned and directed.  Essential conservation actions to address this threat include:
i.	Eradicate or control established populations
ii.	Restore floodplain connectivity
iii.	Conduct chemical, mechanical and biological control
iv.	Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation

5.	Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL), Utah Forest Action Plan 2016 recognizes the Escalante Watershed as a priority area stating:
a.	Invasive species along rivers, lakes and streams reduce available water resources;
b.	Invasive species are displacing native species and disrupting the normal function of ecosystems;
c.	FFSL will provide leadership and implement strategies that will reduce invasive species in riparian corridors.

6.	Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, Escalante River Watershed Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) calls for the control of exotic plants including tamarisk and Russian olive and the restoration of cottonwood trees to improve temperature regimes.

7.	Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Recovery Plan, 2002, supports this proposal through removal of exotic plants in potentially suitable habitats if:
a.	There is evidence that the exotic species removed will be replaced by vegetation of higher functional value;
b.	The action is part of an overall restoration plan.
c.	Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery Plan First Revision December 2012. The Escalante Canyon is considered riparian forest recovery habitat. Recovery habitat, outside of protected activity centers and key habitat for owl recovery, "could frequently be used by owls for foraging, roosting, daily movements, dispersal and potentially for nesting." Some specific recommendations for recovery are:
i.	Vegetation manipulation including removal of non-native vegetation.
ii.	"Manage for a diversity of age and size classes of native riparian trees and shrubs along with a diverse understory of native riparian herbaceous species to provide potential roost/nest sites for owls and cover for owl prey species."

8.	Escalante River Watershed Partnership Woody Invasive Control Guidelines, v.2 (2015), advances the goal of a healthy riparian ecosystem by:
a.	Recognizing that the reduction of Russian olive to minimal levels of infestation in the Escalante River watershed is critical to maintaining naturally-functioning riparian ecosystems.
b.	Increasing the number of sustainable, healthy riparian and floodplain communities in the watershed.

9.	Natural Resource Conservation Service, Working Lands for Wildlife Program (May 2012) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service's programmatic biological opinion (2012) of the implementation of the SWWFL NRCS project goals:
a.	Protect, maintain and restore riparian habitat.
b.	Increase and improve occupied, suitable and potential SWWFL breeding habitat.
c.	Improve weed and invasive species management.
d.	Increase connectivity of existing and potential SWWFL habitat. This project calls for invasive species removal, habitat restoration and connectivity of suitable habitat of a focus species, the Southwestern willow flycatcher.
e.	NRCS conservation practices that remove non-native vegetation and replace with native species will help return the natural riparian ecosystem and thus reduce catastrophic wildfire risk.

10.	Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan (2014) recognizes that continued loss of riparian habitats throughout Utah could impact turkey habitat and that cottonwood riparian habitats are important for the Rio Grande subspecies of wild turkeys. Strategies that increase wild turkey habitat may help to stabilize populations, decrease human material damage and nuisance complaints.

11. 	Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan's (2014) overarching habitat goal of conserving, improving and restoring mule deer habitat is supported by this watershed wide proposal focusing on improving scarce riparian habitat. 
	
Objective: (3) Apply adaptive management practices and implement a monitoring regime to achieve long-term efficacy of restoration.
1. GSENM/KEPA Management plan (2020) states, "The BLM will coordinate with local cooperative weed partnerships to coordinate noxious weed control efforts among Federal agencies and local groups, as well as improve control efforts for noxious and invasive weeds."
a.	AIM methods will be used to monitor riparian and upland vegetation on BLM lands. 
2.	Escalante River Watershed Partnership Woody Invasive Control Guidelines, v.2 (2015), this plan advances this project objective through the following activities:
a.	Conducting follow-up treatment and rapid monitoring in 100% of treated basins.
b.	Preparing and using a GIS database to improve the planning, prioritization, implementation and tracking of the control efforts and increase the success of the woody invasive control plan.
c.	Control efforts will be planned and conducted to minimize harm to wildlife, especially migratory birds and species of management concern.
d.	Woody invasives will be controlled using a variety of weed management techniques, including chemical, mechanical, cultural and biological techniques and will be selected based on local conditions.
3.	Long-term Management of the Escalante River Corridor Following Exotic Plant Control, 2015
a.	Conduct detailed studies, using long-term monitoring plots, to collect quantitative data at the species level, and to analyze overall channel form, riparian vegetation and erosion using aerial imagery.
b.	Results from long-term studies will be critical in reporting back success to managers and funders on whether restoration goals have been achieved.

See also Williams, B.K., R.C. Szaro and C.D. Shapiro, 2009 (Adaptive Management: The US Department of Interior Technical Guide) for general principles in adaptive management on federal lands.

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.

This proposal seeks to abate the threat of fire intensity on both public and private lands in the Escalante Watershed, encompassing 15,000 riparian acres, through the follow-up maintenance and monitoring of the removal of invasive woody plant species. The proliferation of Russian olive and the fire-adapted tamarisk have created a dense understory of growth below native cottonwood riparian forests. Maintaining the removal efforts will reduce the risk of catastrophic fire as both Russian olive and tamarisk produce large quantities of volatile fuels that allow fire to reach native canopy cover creating destructive crown fires and to move horizontally through ignition of continuous fuels. These destructive fires could have impacts to native and wildlife and species of concern such as the Mexican spotted owl. This species has both detections and critical habitat in the watershed. Destruction caused by the burning of invasive species infestations could have a negative impact on both the habitat and food sources of species like the Mexican spotted owl in addition to: wild turkey, mule deer, yellow-billed cuckoo, and southwestern willow flycatcher.

Unnatural fuel loads of Russian olive and tamarisk are being reduced on private and public lands within and adjacent to the town of Escalante where homes, roads, bridges, fences, power lines and other utilities are in close proximity to the river and Alvey Wash in a community with limited fire protection capacity. Boulder, the second of two towns in the watershed, is in the process of developing a community wildfire protection plan. Boulder and Escalante rely on municipal water from springs and streams within the Escalante Watershed. By decreasing the fire load through the removal of Russian olive and tamarisk, risk to municipal water is reduced, especially related to treatments sites upstream of these towns.

Disturbance regimes such as frequency of floodplain inundation have been reduced due to the channelizing effect produced by Russian olive armoring riverbanks. Removal of Russian olive is expected to produce more lateral movement of the river and subsequent overbank flood events. Flooding is crucial to the movement and redistribution of live and dead vegetation that can accumulate as a continuous fuel load. Floods have a tendency to redistribute vegetation in noncontiguous, patchwork piles. The natural redistribution of excessive fuel loads created by Russian olive and tamarisk are expected to reduce the intensity of wildfires on the public and private lands in the Escalante Canyons.

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.

Over the past 20 - 30 years, the original cottonwood-willow gallery forests that lined the Escalante River and its tributaries were significantly stressed. In some areas, these forests of native trees were supplanted by exotic plant communities dominated by Russian olive and tamarisk. The conversion of these diverse native communities to monotypic exotic communities affected flooding regimes, water supply, siltation, channel morphology and adversely impacted native plant and fish populations. Some riparian areas in the watershed are prone to high severity fire which can promote fire-tolerant species and can lead to poor water quality.

The transformation of the Escalante River bottomland is related to arroyo cut/fill cycles. Arroyo cutting, filling and associated changes in a stream's channel, floodplain, vegetation and water table, can be summarized as follows: 1) Initial conditions prior to 1909 with a small, shallow channel flowing through a broad, largely grassy flood plain; 2) Arroyo cutting, initiated by the flood of 1909, deepened the channel and dropped the water table beneath the floodplain; 3) Widening of the channel in response to a series of floods in the following decades, including the large flood of 1932. Toward the end of this period (approximately the 1950s), woody riparian vegetation, primarily cottonwoods, begin establishing on higher portions of channel bars; 4) Channel narrowing as large numbers of cottonwoods establish on higher portions of the former wide, active channel (Webb and Leake 2005). Since the 1980s, the establishment and proliferation of Russian olive accelerated these changes, specifically the added channel narrowing which negatively affected the Escalante's water quality and quantity.

The invasion of Russian olive is tied to the process of channel narrowing and valley filling. Over time, channelization of the main stem Escalante River and tributaries as well as sporadic major flooding events resulted in significant scour of aquatic food base and adverse effects on native fish populations. In the headwaters, unstable channel morphology in certain stream reaches caused the stream banks to be less resilient during disturbances. Through removal of Russian olive and tamarisk, the natural (historical) riparian processes return to balanced function, and result in ecosystems that are more sustainable and resilient to change.

Over time, the trapping of sand by near-channel Russian olive overbank flooding likely contributed to the creation of channel levees. This resulted in further narrowing and simplification of the channel within the Escalante River Watershed. Woody debris management for this project has played a significant role in the promotion of riffle-pool-run sequences. This benefits fish habitat and also assists in the desedimentation of narrowed stream banks that formed following the Russian olive invasion. The maintenance of these Russian olive treatments will continue to add complexity riparian areas, benefiting wildlife, water quality, and reduce in-channel narrowing caused by the Russian olive infestation.

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 falls within two major land management agencies and on private lands. All cultural clearance requirements have been completed on Glen Canyon Nation Recreation Area (GLCA), Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM), and Kanab-Escalante Planning Area (KEPA). See attached documentation for more information.

Project actions were analyzed in the Programmatic Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Management Environmental Assessment for GSENM. The Finding of No Significant Impacts and a Decision Record were signed in August 2015.

GLCA NEPA and Wilderness Minimum Tools analysis have been completed for this project. 
An archaeological clearance within the Escalante Canyons has occurred and there are no sites located within the riparian and flood plains of the Escalante River within GSENM, KEPA, or GLCA.

On private lands, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP) will work with landowners and partners, ensuring that signed contracts are upheld. As needed, GSEP will work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete any required special status species surveys and/or archaeological survey(s).

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 part of this project, the activities we are proposing fall into four major areas:

1. Primary treatment
2. Retreatment
3. Re-vegetation
4. Monitoring

1. 	Primary Treatment
We propose to support the impact of the tamarisk leaf beetle by conducting targeted treatments on a 17-acre tamarisk stand. A 50% cover reduction in the project area will reduce healthy, possibly beetle resistant, tamarisk while improving riparian habitat and reducing the "shock" of clearcutting 100% of the stand. Additionally, this will allow some forage for the tamarisk beetle within the stand, and possible encourage movement to adjoining infestations along the river. The ERWP plans to make pre-project observations in late summer of 2021 to identify potentially beetle-resistant trees, which will be flagged and targeted as priority for removal.

Treatment consists of the cut-stump method using chainsaws. A chemical treatment of Vastlan (triclopyr) or similar, will be applied to the stump. Woody debris generated within 15 m of the Escalante River will be added in-stream to the river to promote complexity and native fish habitat. Remaining debris will be stacked in "habitat piles", which are intended to provide shelter for wildlife within the riparian corridor.

A total of seven weeks of time are allotted for the conservation corps crew. This will likely be in three, eight day efforts in the backcountry. One extra week is allotted for retreatment in 2022. Equipment and supplies will be packed in by horseback. A total of four trips are planned to bring equipment and supplies and set up a backcountry camp. If the timing is appropriate, non-native fish treatment equipment and camp supplies can be horsepacked in for the Utah Division of Wildlife Services efforts. 
	
2.	Retreatment
Where removal activities have occurred in the past, areas will be revisited and any re-growth or new saplings found will be cut and treated with herbicide using the cut stump, frill cut, and foliar spray methods. ERWP field staff and conservation corps crews will perform the retreatment work on public and private lands.
Invasive plant retreatment on 1,455 acres of BLM, USFS, NPS and private land. Retreatment is done with hand tools (hand saws, loppers, and hatchets) and herbicide application with a hand sprayer. While conducting this work, field crews will also carry out monitoring for secondary weed species such as hoarycress (Cardaria draba), Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), and Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) with the goal of preventing new infestation of weeds from spreading into the Escalante Watershed.

2.	Re-vegetation
In areas where re-vegetation is needed to help stabilize banks, or natural native plant regeneration needs assistance, pole plantings or potted plants will be installed. Re-vegetation will occur in targeted areas and will include planting nursery stock, salvaged plants and pole plantings. Trees to be used in replanting efforts include: cottonwood, willow (black, yellow and coyote, where appropriate), box elder, and river birch. Shrub species include: skunkbush, silverleaf buffaloberry, and roundleaf bullberry, and other browse species. Most areas on public lands will not be seeded due to the readily available seed source from intact native vegetation surrounding most treatment areas. On private lands, both planting and seeding can be a significant component of restoration depending on the prevalence of desirable plant species determined in pre-treatment site evaluations. Planting and seeding are generally conducted by project partners, community volunteers and landowners in a coordinated effort that includes a community education element.

3.	Monitoring
Monitoring for woody invasive species is conducted using the ERWP's rapid "Rapid Monitoring" protocol. This will be described in the "Monitoring" section of this proposal.

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.

A list of monitoring protocols is compiled in the ERWP's Woody Invasive Control Plan and the ERWP's Monitoring and Maintenance Plan. These protocols are used to determine the success of the project, and inform retreatment planning. An online GIS database is used to input all monitoring data. This database is easily accessible for mapping and analysis, and a public version is available on the ERWP website.

The ERWP's monitoring is focused on the Rapid Monitoring protocol, which is conducted annually. This program aims to assess and collect data on one-third of the watershed every three years. In past years, baseline data points were established to assess pre-treatment conditions. Following treatment, these sites are inventoried as performance points. Each point collects data along a 100 m longitudinal transect within the riparian area. The width of the observation area varies based on the extent of the riparian area. For each data point, ten 1 x 1 m plots are established along five riparian transects. Percent cover is estimated within each 1 m x 1 m plot for native woody, non-native woody, and herbaceous plants. Other data collected are indications of impacts from pests, wildlife, and recreation. Permanent photo points are also taken in exact locations for comparison of the monitoring point in subsequent years. Additionally, this protocol monitors for secondary weed species such as hoarycress (Cardaria draba), Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), and Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) with the goal of preventing new infestation of weeds from spreading into the Escalante Watershed. Using these data, an annual monitoring report is written and made available to project partners. Additionally, each point and associated data are stored in our geospatial database. As of 2020, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners began collaborating with Conservation Legacy to spend six weeks inventorying these sites and recording monitoring data. Conservation Legacy will provide two technicians whose primary task will be to collect the monitoring data for the ERWP. GSEP will provide two technicians to aid with logistics, data collection, navigation, and safety during the monitoring effort.

Other wildlife monitoring data for this project is obtained from ERWP partners including BLM and NPS. The Peregrine Fund and UDWR monitor for the California condor. Both BLM and NPS conduct bald eagle monitoring, and this species is present in the upper Escalante. BLM monitor for cougar, and this species is present in the Escalante. The last Bighorn Sheep survey conducted in the lower Escalante by UDWR, as data provided by our partners, was 2015 and population was detected at 150. NPS monitors for Northern Leopard Frogs and they are present in the lower watershed. NPS began monitoring for Mexican spotted owl in 2018 along the river.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources continues to evaluate native and non-native fish distribution in the Escalante River and tributaries with a focus on three species: flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and roundtail chub. Presentations detailing USU and UDWR work are attached.

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.

The ERWP is a partnership of state and federal agencies, nonprofit groups, local businesses and private land owners that coordinate efforts to protect and maintain a healthy watershed for future generations. Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a principle member of the ERWP working closely with land managers to facilitate projects on public and private lands. GSEP seeks funds to conduct initial treatments, retreatments, as well as maintenance and monitoring of treated sites on Bureau of Land Management, Dixie National Forest, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and private lands within the communities of Boulder and Escalante.

There are over 30 entities involved in the Escalante River Watershed Partnership with an overarching goal to accomplish a landscape-scale conservation program. For work on public lands, the Russian olive treatment project, and now the subsequent retreatment, maintenance and monitoring project was developed in committee through a collaborative approach with federal agencies, specifically for the work conducted on Bureau of Land Management, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Dixie National Forest, and other partnering entities. Private land project planning begins with landowner interest and willingness to participate in restoration. Collectively, current conditions, future uses and desired outcomes are determined. Following this determination, financial and technical partnerships may be formed with project partners, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and/or NRCS, to achieve desired outcomes. Through this collaborative approach, annual and long-term work plans are developed, monitoring and maintenance techniques are established, and treatment guidelines and protocols are finalized guiding the work throughout the entire process. Over time, adaptive management strategies have been employed to ensure efficiency and best-practices are being utilized at every step of the way.

The ERWP received recognition by several state and national programs for work in the Escalante, including: The Nature Conservancy's Conservation Partner Award, 2015; Conservation Lands Foundation's Conservation Leadership Award, 2015; and Department of Interior America's Great Outdoors - Rivers Initiative Award, 2012, 2013. With national recognition of successful project work on private lands, and restoration on public lands that benefit multiple users, this highly visible project is spreading the message that healthy rivers contribute to healthy communities.

Matching and in-kind funds for this project are provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Utah State University, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, RiversEdge West, Conservation Legacy, private donors, and volunteer and in-kind services from ERWP partners.

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.

Federal land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and US Forest Service, as well as nonprofit entities like GSEP are committed to continuing with follow up treatments and monitoring. Over the years, GSEP has been conducting retreatments annually as part of its monitoring and maintenance program. Retreatment occurs the year following initial treatment to ensure missed trees and resprouts are treated, then retreatment occurs every three to five years after treatment or as needed. GSEP staff and other ERWP partners have developed a long term funding, treatment, and monitoring plan to ensure the investments made on woody invasive control will not be lost. These documents address the need for continued retreatment of woody invasive species and monitoring of secondary invasive species. A copy of this Monitoring and Maintenance Plan can be found in the attachments.

Private landowners who take part in the woody invasive control program have agreed to ensure the success of the project through resting the ground for two complete growing seasons, adhering to a grazing management plan and fencing if livestock are present or anticipated. Partnerships with USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service provide best practices for successful projects and the three private land owners participating in this project have entered into agreements with both agencies. Additionally, landowners are expected to participate in the treatment of re-growth or re-sprouts. GSEP will provide training to landowners to treat re-growth and monitor recruitment of native vegetation. Please see attached landowner information documents.

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.

Domestic Livestock:

Both Russian olive and tamarisk are not preferred forage for domestic livestock. Growth patterns of both woody species achieve such high densities in the Escalante that they inhibit understory herbaceous growth, limit access to more valuable forage, and block access to surface water sources.

This proposal directly addresses the adverse impacts of grazing on private lands in the watershed by working with private landowners to assist them in managing the scope, intensity and duration of livestock grazing in riparian areas. This proposal includes building partnerships with landowners, NRCS and USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to provide education, funding, and technical assistance to restore these riparian areas on private lands from their current state to functioning, productive, and resilient riparian forest pastures and buffers.

Treatments are expected to increase the quality and quantity of available and accessible forage for domestic livestock within the project area. On private land, this project has the potential to increase desirable forage for domestic livestock through the continued retreatment of Russian olive and tamarisk and the passive recruitment or active vegetation of desirable forbs, grasses and shrubs. Monitoring of past restoration projects on private land has shown that, in the absence of dense thickets of exotics, native grasses and forbs thrive. Application of grazing management practices that maintain or improve the condition of the riparian area and maintenance of initial removal efforts will allow for sustainable, improved forage for domestic livestock.

A portion of this proposed project on public lands within Harris Wash on BLM land is actively grazed in open grazing allotments. Retreating these areas for woody invasives is expected to increase the forage capabilities for the benefit of domestic livestock by opening the canopy for more herbaceous species while also dispersing livestock impacts. Additionally, through the removal of Russian olive and other nonnatives, more water is expected to be available for private consumption.

On public lands, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is currently preparing to implement an Environmental Impact Statement that amends the Monument Management Plan to guide livestock grazing decisions on a large scale within the proposed project area. In the July 2015 GSENM Livestock Grazing MMP-A/EIS, Analysis of the Management Situation, pg. 59, properly functioning condition assessments of riparian and wetland vegetation noted replacement of native species by tamarisk and Russian olive. Presence of either of these species effects vegetation composition and structure that, in turn, impacts the site's potential and properly functioning condition determination.

Other Sustainable Uses:

Restoration within the Escalante River Watershed focuses on native ecosystems through removing exotic, invasive species, promoting native plant and animal species, and restoring natural flooding and biological processes to the system. A healthy watershed provides many ecosystem functions including, but not limited to: nutrient cycling, carbon storage, erosion/sedimentation control, increased biodiversity, soil formation, wildlife movement corridors, water storage, water filtration, flood control, food, timber, recreation, and reduced vulnerability to invasive species, the effects of climate change, and other natural disasters. A healthy watershed also creates more opportunities for tourism tied to recreation and travel as well as economic development in local communities.

Within the ERWP's mission is a goal to restore and maintain the natural ecological condition of the Escalante River. The Escalante River Watershed restoration project is the largest riparian restoration project ever conducted on BLM lands and has coincided with increased visitation to this area. Over 1 million visitors are recreating and enjoying the outdoors in the watershed annually, many spending their time in the Escalante Canyons where much of this restoration project has taken place. Removal of the mid-story woody invasive canopy has allowed for improved wildlife viewing, hunting, water sports, fishing, hiking, and birding.

This project has profound implications on wildlife, ecology, and native plant species as well. Riparian areas are some of the most productive, ecologically valuable and utilized areas within the public and private lands of the Escalante watershed. This project supports the missions of federal agencies and private landowners by improving riparian functioning condition through targeting invasive species.

Aside from monitoring ecological benefits, the positive impacts of the ERWP project are also seen for youth participating in the restoration work. GSEP has made a conscious effort to partner with conservation corps programs to complete work on the Escalante River Restoration Project. By using conservation corps, GSEP provides paid work opportunities and scholarships, restoration education, and valuable skills training to young people who can utilize these benefits to further their developing careers.

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.