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Sunnyside Project Phase I
Region: Southeastern
ID: 5828
Project Status: Cancelled
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Project Details
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Need for Project
The project area is crucial big game winter habitat, and is located near the towns of Sunnyside and East Carbon (WUI). Pinyon-Juniper trees have been steadily invading the upland/sagebrush habitats over the last decades within the project area. As these trees increase in size and density, habitat values for wildlife and grazing are lost as available forage declines. In addition, the increase in trees has also increased the hazardous fuel loading and the risk of unplanned fire events. Studies have shown that the invasion of juniper and other conifers into the sagebrush rangelands degrades sagebrush habitat types. The project area is within Phase I, II, and III development. In Phase II PJ trees are co-dominant with shrubs and herbs and all three vegetation layers influence ecological processes on the site. In Phase III, trees are the dominant vegetation influencing the ecological processes on the site.
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.
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Objectives
The overall objectives of the project area is to to alter the fire behavior, intensity and fire frequency by decreasing the amount and arrangement of hazardous fuels. The treatments of the proposed project are designed to change the overall fire behavior; the project is expected to limit the size and intensity of large unplanned wildland fire events. Specific objectives are: -Reduce the hazardous fuel load, -Remove Phase I, II, & III PJ growth -Maintain and improve under-story vegetation and sagebrush conditions 150ft on each side of the road. About 588 acres of lop and scatter will be contracted for state FY23. The other portions of the project will be conducted in state FY24.
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.
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Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?)
The more immediate threat is that with the increased fuel loading from the invading trees, the risk of an unplanned fire event occurring is higher. Much of the surrounding area of this project has been treated in the past, and further removal of P-J trees in this area is critical to maintain and improve the understory vegetation.The project area is comprised basin big sagebrush and Colorado Plateau mixed low sagebrush shrubland, an unplanned fire event would result in the long term loss of these shrub communities, and the habitat values associated with this type. The longer term threat/risk, is the slow but continual increase in PJ trees that out competing the more desirable shrubs, forbs, and grasses. If the invasion continues unabated, then eventually the sagebrush shrubland habitats will be converted to a PJ type, resulting in a long term loss of sagebrush habitat and sagebrush obligate species.
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.
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Relation to Management Plans
The proposed project will meet multiple objectives found within different plans; Deer Statewide Management Plan: the plan illustrates work with land management agencies and private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning and wintering areas, and will improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer. Elk statewide management plan; the project supports objectives and strategies in this plan to project elk habitat and mitigate loss, habitat improvement projects that increase forage for both big game and livestock, maintains elk habitat throughout the state by identifying and protecting existing crucial elk habitat and mitigating for losses due to human impacts.the proje Price RMP ROD: Emphasize the use of mechanical, chemical, and biological methods, as well as fire and livestock grazing, to achieve the desired plant community for fish and wildlife habitats. Promote the use of native plant species that are desirable for wildlife, livestock, watershed management, and other resource values while maintaining vegetation species diversity. Coordinate with federal, tribal, and State agencies to develop information, strategies, and plans to manage fish and wildlife habitat and facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities. Maintain or improve the connectivity and productivity of fish and wildlife habitats to support the UDWR population objectives. Fire and fuels; To reduce risks and restore ecosystems through fuels management, allow the following fuels management tools throughout the planning area unless otherwise restricted: wildland fire use; prescribed fire; and mechanical, chemical, seeding, and biological actions.
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.
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Fire/Fuels
PJ trees have steadily encroached over the last decade into basin big sagebrush habitat. As these trees increase in size and numbers, habitat values for wildlife and grazing are lost as available forage declines. In addition the increase the trees has also increased the hazardous fuel loading and the risk of an unplanned fire event has also been increased. As sagebrush ecosystems shift to mid tree dominance by PJ, fuel loads double. As they shift to full tree dominance, fuel loads double again. An unplanned fire event would result in the long term loss of sagebrush habitats, and the habitat values associated with this type. In PJ woodlands, the ability of understory plants to recover after disturbance rapidly declines after pre-fire tree cover reaches about 40 to 50% (Fire science brief, Fire Science Program).
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.
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Water Quality/Quantity
The proposed treatment areas are within HUC 8,10, and 12, Grassy Trail Creek Utah. Studies have shown that the removal of PJ can improve watershed condition; enhances water yield, enhances groundwater recharge, reduction of trees reduced catastrophic wildlife, and improved spring snow-melt flow. PJ trees can have a major impact on hydrology. The distribution and quantity of water that reaches soil and other vegetation can be altered by the presence of PJ through many different avenues such as PJ canopy interception of precipitation, evapotranspiration, transpiration, and competition with understory vegetation for nutrients and water (Thurow and Hester 2015). The competition with understory vegetation can increase the amount of bare soil, which can lead to an increase in runoff, soil loss and erosion (Thurow and Hester 2015). Erosion can lead to a reduction in soil productivity and can also increase non-point source water pollution, thus having the potential to affect water quality within a watershed over time (Thurow and Hester 2015).
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.
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Compliance
NEPA will be completed by the PFO. SITLA and BLM cultural clearances will need to be completed. The PFO/Green River Fuels will complete the cultural resource reports and SHPO consultations for the entire treatment.
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.
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Methods
The planned methods of removing the invading PJ would be through a mastication, mowing, and lop and scatter. The project would be contracted out through SE Region DNR. The project will be completed in the fall of 2023 and 2024.
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.
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Monitoring
Vegetation monitoring for this project would be establishment of density studies to determine if the objective of reducing PJ stems/acre was achieved. Density studies will also determine the need for future treatments. All monitoring data; trend data, photo points including pre - and post - treatments, will be uploaded into the WRI database.
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.
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Partners
Multiple partners support this project, DNR, SITLA, and BLM. Carbon County; Coordination with county road crew to ensure access issues are addressed and acreage treated data will be passed along to county weed office. Although the majority of the project (404 acres) does fall within federal lands (BLM), 161 acres are within private , and 22 acres are within SITLA lands.
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.
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Future Management
Existing grazing management of the project area will continue, and no rest will be required, except in areas that may need to be seeded in the future. In two years the BLM will evaluate the need of a seeding within the bullhog treatment area.
Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.
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Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources
There will be no change to current livestock grazing management. After removal of the Phase I,II, and III PJ, monitoring will be continued to identify the need for any further PJ removal, if necessary. Five to ten years a lop & scatter treatment may be needed within the bullhog treatment area
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.
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