Project Details

The Cedar City Field Office has been trying to reestablish sagebrush species following wildfire through Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) .  Approximately 35,000 acres of sagebrush has been burned in the past 15-years within the Bald Hills Greater Sage Grouse (GSG) Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA).  Adequate sagebrush cover is becoming a limiting factor to provide for the health and viability of sage grouse in portions of the PHMA.  In addition, opportunities for sagebrush plantings have been identified in the Flat Fire and Parowan Front areas to provide additional habitat for mule deer in crucial winter range.  The project is expected to benefit sage grouse, mule deer and other sagebrush obligate species.

The CCFO partnered with Utah State University (USU) Extension to apply for a grant to implement a research project geared at improving success of sagebrush plantings.  The BLM, USU Extension and UDWR implemented the sagebrush research project at 6 locations in the Bald Hills in Fall 2021 utilizing a variety of methods.  In addition, BLM has partnered with the Southern Utah University (SUU) Farm to plant locally sourced sagebrush plants and seed.  This will allow locally sourced seed to be produced in the immediate area that will support future ES&R and WRI projects.

Information obtained from the research project will be utilized to refine treatment techniques and opportunity areas within the project area.  In addition, sagebrush plantings and seeding will occur in localized areas based on past sage grouse telemetry (Bald Hills) and ongoing mule deer telemetry (Parowan Front) data that has been collected.  Islands or patches of sagebrush between 50 - 200 acres will be established throughout the two areas in multiple phases using a variety of methods (Refer to Methods section).

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.

The project is focused on sagebrush restoration.  The project area is currently in an early seral state (i.e. perennial grass/forb dominated) as a result of wildfire.  The project would be expected to move the project area to a mid seral state (i.e. perennial grass, forb and shrub dominated).  The project would be expected to improve habitat conditions for sage grouse and mule deer.  
 
Sage grouse telemetry data has also been collected within the Bald Hills portion of the project area.  It is expected that future sage grouse telemetry efforts may occur in this area.  Mule deer telemetry data has been collected within the Parowan Front portion of the project area.  This telemetry effort is ongoing.  The telemetry information will be utilized to identify future treatments and determine whether sage grouse and mule deer are utilizing the areas that were replanted to sagebrush.

Risks of the project are the failure of Wyoming Big Sagebrush to establish following treatment. BLM will actively coordinate with Utah State University (USU) Extension, UDWR and SWARM to determine where the greatest opportunity for success of the planting would occur.

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.

BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015
A.	The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows:  Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners.

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

B.	The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows:  Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14).

C.	The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows:  Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3)
D.	The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the  
 
Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows:

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

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

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

Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area.

The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Final) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50).

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

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

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

National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004)
The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following:
1.	Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process.
2.	Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation.
3.	Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts.
4.	Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome.
5.	Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community.
6.	Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation
7.	Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation.
8.	Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats.
9.	Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel.
10.	Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands.

Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan - Bald Hills area
The project will be consistent with the habitat management strategies identified in the Deer Herd Unit Management Plan for Deer Herd Unit #20 (Southwest Desert) (UDWR) which pertain to the Project Area are as follows:
*	Evaluate and implement potential habitat improvement projects on BLM, state, and private lands.
*	Evaluate opportunities to address problems created by closed canopy pinyon pine and juniper.

Panguitch Lake Deer Herd Unit Management Plan Parowan Front area
The project will be consistent with the habitat management strategies identified in the Deer Herd Unit Management Plan for Deer Herd Unit #28 (Panguitch Lake) (UDWR) which pertain to the Project Area are as follows:
*	Evaluate and implement potential habitat improvement projects on BLM, state, and private lands.
*	Evaluate opportunities to address problems created by closed canopy pinyon pine and juniper.

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

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

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

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.

Treatment methods including the following may be utilized:
1. Sagebrush seed would be harvested from a source population of sagebrush within close proximity to the project area
2. Sagebrush tublings/seedlings would be grown in a greenhouse prior to planting
a. Variations in sagebrush age prior to planting (i.e. 4 months, 6 months, etc...)
b. Tublings/Seedlings would be planted during different times throughout the year; particularly Fall or Spring.  
c. Tublings/Seedlings would be planted by a hand crew using a variety of tools (Pulaski, shovel or dibble bar), planting depths and removing vegetation competition (i.e. scraping vegetation) vs. not removing competition, etc...
d. Soil moisture monitors would be deployed prior to plantings to determine the best planting times based on moisture availability for seedlings.
3. Drill seeding
a. Vary application rates from 1/2 lb to 4 lbs per acre
b. Plant sagebrush with and without perennial grass and forbs to determine if competition other perennials is an issue
4. Scalper/Broadcaster
a. Scalper consists of a tractor that pulls a moldboard plow that blades existing vegetation from a localized area, which reduces competition with sagebrush seed that will be broadcasted. 
5. Pothole Seeding -- create pockets of greater soil moisture and reduce competition

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.

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.