Project Details

The Big Summit fire occurred in the summer of 2020 burning through portions of Rice Canyon Creek. The wildfire made these areas void of vegetation, resulting in the loss of hydrologic and ecological function of the system that increases the risk of head-cutting, gully erosion and channel incision. This proposal would implement multiple zeedyk structures along the burned stretches of the creek to restore the hydrological and ecological function of the creek along with creating possible mesic meadow habitat and restoring riparian areas. These structures would include (i.e. rock dams, check-dams and Zuni pools/bowls) to slow the flow and improve infiltration of water. The majority of these structures may be implemented using heavy equipment to collect and place rock found on site equipment could include (skid steer loader, mini excavator, backhoe). Desirable perennial forbs, wetland obligates, pollinator, and other vegetation conducive to mesic meadow sites and riparian areas in the Great Basin area would be applied as indicated in the specifications attached in the documents section.

Elk, mule deer - Benefits from riparian and mesic meadow development are expected to occur overtime as a result of restoring and creating wetter areas throughout the project area.  The structures would slow water down during runoff events (i.e. snowmelt or monsoonal rain) and provide for floodplain development along these stretches. It is expected the project will allow for vegetation to stay green longer; especially, during drought conditions, which will provide wildlife species with opportunity areas for high quality forage.  The project could be expected to promote fawning habitat for elk and mule deer within the area in the long-term. Deer and elk are known to utilize this area frequently and are dependent upon the proper functioning of this system. Recently in the fall while surveying portions of the creek upstream and designing riparian exclosures (see WRI proposal CCFO Riparian Exclosures) sage-grouse were observed along the creek.

In addition, because the project would consist of planting highly desirable forbs within the structure development it is expected that a large variety of pollinators would also benefit.

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.

There are minimal, risks to resources during the construction phase of mesic meadow structures since the area has been recently burned. The overall goal of the project is to keep the burned stretches of the creek from crossing a ecological threshold that may be irreversible and lead to failure of the entire system over time.

The Big Summit fire burned over the perennial herbaceous and woody vegetation in a short stretch of Rice Canyon creek. Being void of vegetation this portion of the creek has high risk of erosion if high runoff events were to occur in the next few years due to lack of vegetation in the upland areas and inadequate vegetation to dissipate energy within the creek itself. These structures would dissipate the energy until the site has the proper time needed to recover. These structures would be designed with the goal to prevent a high flow runoff event from occurring that could create channelization problems and could end up impacting the system further upstream in the future. These structures are also designed to promote and improve the ecological system by expanding riparian and mesic meadow habitat.

Structure failure could occur; however, structures will be monitored. This will be an adaptive management approach using the Zeedyk structures. This could result in future work being completed along the Rice Canyon creek lotic and lentic systems.

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.

Riparian Restoration and Wetland Enhancement - October 2018
The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the promotion of mesic wet meadows throughout the Cedar City Field Office.

Pinyon Management Framework Plan (1983)
The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Cedar City Field Office the project area.  Although this project is not specifically addressed in the RMP, the proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan.  In addition, improvements to soils was addressed; specifically, involving reduction of erosion and associated improvement/maintenance of soil productivity.

Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan (SDLWGCP) 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.

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

There are no specific objectives or management actions identified in the SGARMPA or the SDLWGCP for mesic meadow development.  The project is expected to improve brood rearing in localized areas and entice sage grouse to use higher elevation areas where extensive vegetative treatments to convert large areas to sagebrush steppe habitat have occurred between 2015 - 2017.  The areas that were converted to sagebrush steppe are expected to serve as long-term opportunity/habitat expansion areas.

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.
 
Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (SDDHUMP) (2015)
The management goal of the Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit is to increase the unit deer population. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Mesic Meadow Development Project are (1) Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. (2) Maintain the population at a level that is within the long-term capability of the available habitat support.

The SDDHUMP identified fawning recruitment as a major concern on the unit and lack of fawning recruitment may be the single greatest factor limiting the population.  The project is expected to provide for localized improvement to fawning habitat through the mesic meadow development would create floodplains that would be seeded with highly desirable grasses/forbs component.

Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (SDEHUMP) (2016)
Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities including hunting and viewing.  Maintain the population at a level that is within the long term support capability of the available habitat.  Maintain and enhance forage and cover habitat through vegetative manipulation and other management techniques.  Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the project are to (1) develop new and protect/improve existing water sources for wildlife and livestock to improve distribution and minimize overutilization in proximity to water sources (2) enhance riparian systems through continue, prescriptive grazing and mechanical or chemical treatments.

The SDEHUMP identified barriers to achieving unit management objectives including drought impacts to rangeland forage condition and abundance.  It is expected that the localized improvement through the mesic development project would limit erosion and provide for opportunities for areas to remain greener longer.  This would improve vegetative diversity and perennial understory in drainages throughout the project area.

Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (UPSMP) (2009)
The management goals are to increase the current population or establish new populations of pronghorn in all suitable habitat within the state and assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive pronghorn populations.

The UPSMP identified the lack of succulent forbs and grasses on spring/summer rangers as a critical limiting factor in much of Utah's pronghorn habitat, which is the result of xeric, low annual precipitation conditions.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

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 scope of the project includes:
1. Installation of 90 Zeedyk structures along burned stretches 
2. Strategic planting of native vegetation with each structure

The structures will be built to the specifications found in the documents section. The area has plenty of rock material on site that can be used to build the structures. Heavy equipment will be used to collect rock material from nearby and move the material to the structure site. Then heavy equipment will be used for digging and placing heavy rock. Hand crews will be able to construct the rest of the structures by hand.

The structures will provide an increase in sediment storage on the floodplain and benefits to downstream water quality. Strategic ponding will provide wildlife habitat with succulent forbs, grasses, etc... throughout the year.  In addition, it is expected that the structures will prevent erosion from excessive run off events and work to restore and improve the hydrologic and ecological function of the rice canyon creek system.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

The project is expected to restore and improve existing riparian & mesic habitat within the project area.  As mentioned, vegetation treatments & ES&R treatments have been implemented throughout the area. Sage grouse were observed utilizing the area this fall. This could be a potentially important area for sage grouse that has not been known that falls on the west side of the valley, especially with the vegetation treatments and ES&R treatments that have been completed within close proximity the Rice Canyon Creek and other surrounding spring sources.

These vegetation treatments are at higher elevation where grasses, forbs and shrubs remain green and as a result are higher in vigor for a longer period of time in the summer due to cooler temperatures and more precipitation that is received at this elevation than the lower lying areas where sage grouse are currently inhabiting.  The project would allow for planting forbs, grasses, etc.. that are highly desirable to sage grouse in immediate proximity to the Zeedyk structures.  The structures would allow for these areas to remain wetter for a longer period of time and would provide succulent vegetation for sage grouse and big game species during the hot and dry portion of the summer.

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.