Project Details

This proposed project is working with UDAF (GIP) and Robins Livestock which is located in Millard County east of Scipio, Utah. This Pipeline project will help distribute water through a pipeline to watering facilities within the Robins Livestock and the Snags BLM Grazing Allotment, the need for this project is to increase livestock distribution among the allotment, improve watering source for livestock and wildlife in the area.  The existing pipeline is in need of repair, and upgrade to a newer system that is better served within the allotment.  This project will consist of a new solar pump with panels and installing 1,510 feet of 2" HDPE Pipe within this project, along with two (2) water troughs for storage to distribute enough suitable water to the allotment that will benefit both wildlife and domestic cattle.  This pipeline will begin at the storage tank and solar pump site, water will then be pumped to fill the storage tank and gravity fed from the storage tank to new water troughs within the two allotments.  This new line will improve water capacity for the grazing permittee's and allow additional storage for wildlife such as mule deer, elk and turkeys along with providing additional water sources for livestock.

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.

This project will provide additional water to the BLM Snags Allotment as well as providing additional water to the private property of Robins Livestock.  Implementing this project will secure the need for year round water in this area which is a critical source within the  Wildlife Management Unit.  This project will partner with the UDWR,  UDAF (GIP) and Robins Livestock (Grazing Permittee) to accomplish this task.  Objective's are to distribute additional water sources within the allotment allowing cattle to utilize the allotment more efficient.  This will also allow additional water for wildlife to utilize during the year.  2 watering troughs to be installed.  In addition a new 2" HDPE pipeline will be installed to service the water to the troughs, this pipeline will be installed below ground. We will also provide a new solar pump for the project as this will provide the needed water to the troughs and allow for water to be stored during the grazing season.  Increase water storage and distribution will allow for additional grazing utilization of the livestock as well as providing much needed water for wildlife within the XXXX Unit.

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.

Threats to this project will consist of additional loss of water that can be utilized in this area, allowing for no water to be stored for wildlife species and livestock grazing within the allotment. Increased maintenance on the watering facilities and pipelines by the livestock grazing association, allowing for additional time and effort, loss of forage value in specific areas of the allotment due to overgrazing, not distributing the cattle effectively enough can increase noxious weed species.

By implementing and installing this pipeline, we can reduce the risk of overgrazing this allotment, improve water quality and quantity for wildlife and livestock will enhance better rangeland health and overall management.  If we can implement this project it will serve as a improvement for range conditions, and reduce the loss of water due to older pipelines, smaller diameter pipe and maintenance issues that persist with outdated material such as pumps and water troughs.  Grazing permittee would install these improvements through in kind services and continue to oversee the main function of the pipeline moving forward.  With the use of new technology we can improve and update to a solar pump allowing less water loss and better efficiency moving forward.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

The project falls within the Central Mountains, Nebo unit management plan. Current winter range surveys show that mule deer winter range in this area is poor. This unit identifies habitat as a limiting factor and states that "P/J encroachment on traditional winter rangelands is decreasing diversity and vigor of browse plants." and then identifies as a habitat management objectives:  
*Winter range restoration efforts must be completed for this deer herd to reach its population objectives.  Pinyon and juniper reduction treatments and sagebrush restoration are necessary to stabilize winter range conditions and allow this herd to withstand heavy winters.
*Continue to be committed to the statewide goal of supporting habitat projects that increase forage for both big game and livestock.  Discourage the encroachment of Pinyon and Juniper (PJ) trees into sagebrush and other habitats.  Seek opportunities to improve habitat through grazing practices and mechanical treatments to improve habitat where PJ encroachment is occurring.

The plan also identifies barriers to acheiving unit management objectives: 
*Degradation of rangelands by woody vegetation. 
The proposed treatments will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit by removing PJ and improving habitat for deer and elk.

The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: 
* Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges.

The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan:
*Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat.
*Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state.
*Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered.

CENTRAL UTAH FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP):
 *Greater use of vegetation management to meet resource management objectives
 *Hazardous fuels treatments will be used to restore ecosystems; protect human, natural and cultural resources; and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities
 *Sagebrush steppe communities will be a high priority for ESR and fuel reduction to avoid catastrophic fires in these areas

Federal Land Policy and Management Act
*Sec. 102 (a); the public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals
*Sec. 103 (c); The BLM is directed to manage public lands in a manner that will best meet present and future needs of the nation.

Richfield Field Office RMP 
 *Manage for a mix of vegetative types, structural stages, and provide for native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats.
* Sustain or reestablish the integrity of the sagebrush continuity, and quality of habitat that is necessary to maintain sustainable populations of sagebrush-dependent wildlife species.

BLM Grazing Management Regulations:
 *Objectives are to promote healthy sustainable rangeland ecosystems; to accelerate restoration and improvement of public lands to properly functioning condition
 *Maintenance and enhancement of habitats to promote the conservation of Federal proposed, Federal candidate, and other special status spec.

Wildlife Action Plan 
Improving Conditions 
Lowland Sagebrush: 
*Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the Uncharacteristic class, including cutting/mulching/chaining of invading pinyon and juniper trees, herbicide or mechanical treatment of non-native invasive species such as cheatgrass and secondary perennial weed species, and rehabilitation of burned areas following wildfire.
*Continuing the development of new plant materials and restoration techniques suited to this
habitat.
*Developing and deploying techniques to diversify the understory species composition and  age classes of decadent even-aged sagebrush stands.
*Developing and deploying techniques to diversify species composition in monoculture or near
monoculture stands of seeded non-native plants (e.g. crested wheatgrass).
*Promoting management that includes seeding a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs that will lead to increased resiliency and resistance in the plant community.

Mountain Sagebrush:
Improving Condition
*Promoting policies and management that allow fire to return to a more natural regime.
*Promoting policies that reduce inappropriate grazing by domestic livestock and wildlife.
*Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the Uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class, including: Dixie/chain harrow, brush mowing or other treatments that reduce the older age class and stimulate the younger/mid age classes; herbicide or mechanical treatment of non-native invasive species such smooth brome; single tree mulching/cutting of invading conifer.
*Continuing the development of new plant materials, especially native forbs.
*Promoting zoning/policies/laws that lead to responsible human/energy intrusion and development.
*Promoting management that includes seeding a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs that will lead to increased resiliency and resistance in the plant community.

Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan
 *Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with
emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been
taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by
encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes
contain sufficient forbs and browse species.
 *Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management
plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer
habitats, especially fawning, wintering and migration areas.

*SITLA Management Plans:
Correspond with the  Utah Code Title  53C Chapter Five Section 101, 102 and 103 in accordance with Management of Rangeland Resources

Utah Administrative Code R850-50-1100 Range Improvement Projects within the SITLA Property.

Sanpete County RMP
 *Support the removal of conifers and manage land to promote the establishment of attendant grass, brush, and forbs.
 *Sanpete county encourages federal and state agencies to adopt and maintain scientifically sound forest management policies based on high quality, recently acquired data, and
to pursue multiple use of public forest resources to provide sustainable and continuous yield of timber, forage, firewood,wildlife, fisheries, recreation, and water.
 *Support managing forest cover types to perpetuate tree cover and provide healthy stands, high water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat.
 *Support agencies in providing for harvest of forest products when the activity would improve water production and does not adversely affect water quality.
 *Support the management of forests and woodlands for healthy conditions that contribute to healthy habitat for animal and plant species, proper watershed functioning conditions, and
riparian restoration and enhancement.
 *Support agencies in prioritizing fuel reduction treatment in high-value/high-risk areas.
Implementation of fuels management actions should be prioritized using the following criteria:
 *Wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas.
 *Areas with fuel loading that could potentially result in the loss of ecosystem components following wildland fire.
 *Support the prioritization of using native seeds for fuels management treatment based on availability, adaptation (site potential), and probability of success. Where probability of
success for native seed is low, desirable non-native seeds may be used to trend toward restoring the fire regime. When reseeding, use fire-resistant native and desirable non-native
species, as appropriate, to provide for fire breaks.
 *Hazardous fuels reduction treatments should be used to restore ecosystems, protect human, natural, and cultural resources, and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities.
 *Support the reduction of fuel loading conditions in forests and woodlands.

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.

Fire or fuels loading may not play a factor in this project due to the fact that the pipeline will be installed below ground.  If by chance a fire does go through this area it may may cause damage to the troughs, solar pump and storage tank depending on the severity of the burn and the time of year the burn occurs.   It would also damage or burn the structure that are holding the troughs in place such as wooded lodge pole rails and cedar posts. If this does occur the grazing permittee will work on replacing the pipeline, wooden rails and troughs depending on the damage that may of occurred. Watering troughs maybe will be made of galvanized metal and that may with stand the intense heat of a wild land fire in this area.

The reduction of forage due to grazing efforts from Livestock will also reduce cheatgrass, and perennial grass species in the allotment that may carry a fire during certain times of year.  By implementing this project this will allow cattle to disperse through the grazing allotments, overall grazing will be better managed throughout the season.  Installing the additional water troughs will spread out the cattle grazing and reduce congregation at the one water source that is present today.

I have uploaded CATFIRE Report for this area,   5-10 nearby structure would be in jeopardy of being burned in a wildfire, nearest structure would be 2-3 miles to the west of the project.

This area is critical to wildlife as it is fawning and calving summer range for mule deer and elk, if a fire did happen to burn through this area we would definitely feel the impact and see the impact due to loss of summer habitat.

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

This project will improve water quality and quantity due to the fact that we will be collecting water through a well site development that is already existing and delivering it overland through a pipeline that will prove to be more efficient  than allowing the water to not be captured and disbursed on site, collecting sediment, debris and lose water due to evaporation.  The quality of the water will be improved as it will be held in water troughs that will allow cattle and wildlife to drink clean clear water verse allowing water to be lost or made unavailable in a damaged seep. Water Right is held by Ivan Robins or Robins Livestock and was a diligent right. Water Right #XXXXX.

With water being in short demand wildlife such as deer, elk, turkeys and small mammals would funnel to these areas using the water that the permittee had pumped for his livestock.

With the development of this water system that will include solar pump, HDPE pipelines, and the installation of watering troughs we are positive that this will help improve this aspect of the allotments, reduce time and energy from the livestock grazer, save in fuel, and labor cost.  Implementation of this project will benefit XXXXX acres within Snags BLM  Grazing Allotment within the Central Mountain Nebo Wildlife Management Unit.

This project will allow for distribution of water within the grazing season as cattle move from different pastures as will be available from start to finish.  In the past water was critical and moving from pasture to pasture became harder as water was in short supply.  Areas of the allotments where not grazed due to cattle congregating around sole sources of water in the fall of the year, as other sources have been over utilized.

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.

This project will be implemented with the help of the private landowner, BLM, UDAF (GIP) and UDWR to re-place a pipeline to deliver water to the Snags BLM Allotment.  This pipeline will deliver water to 2 new troughs within private and BLM Properties.  This will be done by the use of a D-8 Cat, which is set up to install and carry the spools of pipe, the pipe will be installed below the surface and ripped in with the dozer.  This project will be installed within the Snags BLM Allotment, private landowner will contract with a company that has experience working with this type of pipe and is set up with the proper equipment to have it installed.  Permittee will help the contractor install the pipeline and watering troughs along with working along side the contractor to make sure the project runs smoothly. Fillmore BLM has looked at this project and is in favor of helping out the permittee to address the need of distributing water within the allotment. UDWR is also in favor as additional watering locations that will benefit wildlife populations of mule deer, elk, and wild turkeys within the Central Mountain Nebo WMU.

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.

Monitoring of this project will be done by the livestock grazing permittee, UDWR and UDAF will be able to inspect the pipeline, and the watering troughs to make sure all connections are tight and working properly.  Also the permittees will be assigned to monitor the storage tank and remove any sediment that may effect the pipeline, water will be monitored in the fall watching the tanks and troughs so they drain and not freeze.  Grazing Permittee, will also monitor the livestock distribution as it pertains to the grazing allotment moving cattle when needed to allow for grass, forbs and shrubs to not be over utilized. UDWR will also monitor the need to keep the troughs clean and free from debris and small mammals along with allowing access for wildlife and cattle to the watering locations.  Monitoring would also be done by the use of vegetation basket studies or forage measurements that would be useful to see if overgrazing is occurring.  UDWR Biologist may also conduct wildlife surveys within the Valley Mtn, Central Mtn Nebo Units, increased water sources my help to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions as available water would reduce the need to travel for a drink.

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 for this project will consist of UDWR, Habitat Council, UDAF (GIP), Fillmore BLM  Sportsman Organizations along with Robins Livestock (Livestock Permittee).  Projects like this  have been successful in working with them in the past on habitat related projects such as chaining, and fire rehab projects that reduce pinyon and juniper encroachment on winter range to benefit mule deer, elk and wild turkey.

Additional support has been leveraged through great partnerships looking for projects that will provide benefits to the local community, that protect the livestock grazing and wildlife within Millard County.  Great efforts and strides have been made by Sportsman Organizations to improve the overall goals and objectives to increase and sustain wildlife through these types of projects.

In working with the Grazing Permittee we are able to leverage funds for water troughs, solar pumps and pipelines as well as some in-kind services.    We will be working with them to help installing water troughs within this project outline.

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.

Management of this project will be to ensure that the project is installed correctly, pipeline and watering troughs are set correct and all fittings are secure.  The need to fix or repair items associated with this project will be left up to the grazing permittee in the future, and allow for the distribution of cattle during the grazing period.

Additional phases of this pipeline project may be needed in the future as water is limited in this area and the need for additional watering sites is critical to the distribution of livestock as well as wildlife in this area. Grazing Permittee will need to work with the BLM, UDWR, GIP, or NRCS to continue projects like this within the Snags BLM Allotment, water is critical and will always be valuable to livestock and wildlife populations in the future.

Grazing Management will be key, as water becomes limited projects like this one allow for cattle movement, grazing practices and timing to be adjusted in drought type years.

With this project installed over 800 acres of Private property will benefit along with several thousand acres of BLM from the improvement and additional grazing acres will be utilized due to water improvements and the reduction of livestock congregation.  Livestock utilization of cattle in the past have had to travel long distances to get to water each day.  With this project we will be better to utilize forage on a more manageable level, keep cattle from trailing, provide water for wildlife and improve grazing practices within the private and BLM Allotments.

Other grazing improvements will be seen in the riparian areas of the allotments as cattle will not be congregated around them, destroying vegetation and over utilizing these wet areas.  In turn we should be able to pull livestock away from these areas with better water distribution and improve management practices.

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.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the Snags BLM Allotments as well as the private portion reducing impacts of grazing on other critical areas.  This project will sustain 100 AUM's on the BLM Snags Allotment.

Water is critical within the allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water trough will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weighing weights for the producer due to reduction of traveling to different areas to water.  Expansion and implementation of the water troughs will increase water capacity and allow for additional storage, and easy to water larger groups of cattle at once.

The pipeline portion just allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of the possibilities of hauling water by truck to different locations, during critical times of the summer.  This project will provide the only source of water for two miles to the southeast of Scipio, as well as the only water source to the north until you hit Yuba Lake.

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.