Project Details

Quichapa Lake sits approximately 6 miles west of Cedar City and consists of BLM, SITLA, and private lands.  The area is a USFWS and National Wetland Inventory designated lacustrine wetland that serves as an important migratory bird stopover and provides general wildlife habitat that promotes unique recreational opportunities for wildlife hunting and viewing in southern Utah.  Since this area is one of the only federally owned wetlands in close proximity to Cedar City and St George, this unique system attracts hundreds of waterfowl and upland game hunters as well as recreational enthusiasts interested in bird viewing, kayaking, etc.  Additionally, the BLM has completed NEPA to improve wildlife habitat and cooperate with Central Iron County Water Conservancy District (CIWCD) in a groundwater recharge project on the northern portion of the wetland area. This groundwater recharge project is ongoing and an adaptive management strategy is being employed.

Tamarisk has invaded over 300 acres within the flood plains and adjacent uplands.  The upland areas mainly consist of older age class sagebrush and greasewood.  In an effort to improve wildlife habitat and hydrologic conditions, this project will focus on tamarisk removal while simultaneously treating the upland vegetation to promote a variety of upland game species.  As tamarisk is removed, future phases of this project will focus on planting and expanding desired hydric vegetation. The primary reasons for controlling non-native tamarisk trees are to increase water yield, improve wildlife habitat, restore native vegetation, and prevent wildfire that could become a hazard as the trees mature and spread further.  By restoring this project area with desired wetland vegetation, the project will also improve water quantity and quality in this ecosystem aiding in the CIWCD recharge efforts and providing more water availability for wildlife habitat.

In addressing specific threats to wildlife, the project aims to mitigate periods of drought and/or low water availability by improving hydrologic condition through tamarisk removal, water inundation management, and creation of deeper pools in an effort to retain water longer.  This will benefit high value waterfowl that are commonly found on Quichapa when water is available including (but not limited to) the following species; Giant Canada Geese, mallards, gadwall, and cinnamon teal.  Other important aquatic birds can be found on Quichapa that would benefit from improved water management efforts including American Pelican and White-faced Ibis which have been observed in the area when inundated.  While observations are more uncommon but documented at Quichapa, the increase in monitoring and recreational bird viewing opportunities that would result from this project will ideally address data gap threats associated with American Pelicans.

Mammals that would benefit from improvements in water management at Quichapa include cottontail rabbits which are commonly found and hunted on BLM lands in the project area. Mule deer have been observed in dry periods traveling from the Vandenburg area to use the wetland habitat.  Improvements in water distribution and availability as well as invasive species management may further attract deer and mitigate private lands issues.

Upland game bird habitat that this project aims to improve is focused on pheasants and morning doves.  Pheasants have been released by UDWR for hunting and has been met with extreme popularity.  This project will address pheasant needs by providing habitat that mitigates droughts as well as the reduction of pheasant numbers in other areas of southern Utah where improvements in irrigation has reduced habitat.  Additionally, morning doves are commonly found in the area, particularly on private lands with water.  This project will alleviate water availability and distribution and attract this upland game bird to public lands to make them available for hunting and viewing.

Golden eagles and bald eagles are commonly found hunting the area during periods of inundation. This project will address invasive plant species threats for both of these eagles and improve prey species richness and abundance through improved habitat conditions.

Phase 1 will be completed 6/30/22 and focused on arch clearance and tamarisk removal.  Phase 2 will also be completed 6/30/22 and resulted in the construction of 2 parking lots, 25 acres of upland game harrow/seed, and the construction of 10 islands within the wetland.  Phase 3 seeks additional funding to complete tamarisk removal, seed mix for islands and tamarisk replacement, and construction of parking lot on the north end of the lake.

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.

The overall management objective of this parcel of BLM will be to support recreational hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities while improving invaluable wetland habitat in southern Utah.  There are 4 main components to the proposed restoration efforts including tamarisk management, wetland management, upland vegetation management, and recreation management.  These will be addressed in over multiple phases. Phase 1 is in progress which has focused on arch clearances and tamarisk removal, scheduled to be completed by 6/30/22.  Phase 2 is also in progress which included the construction of 2 parking lots, harrow/seed 25 acres for upland habitat, and the creation of 10 islands within the wetland.

Phase 3 will focus on construction of the north parking lot. Tamarisk removal in this phase will be used primarily with an excavator to stack and burn piles. Finally, this phase will seek to seed/plant disturbed areas with a wetland mix.

The following is an overview of each objective:

Tamarisk Management: 
Remove tamarisk and replace/promote desirable hydric wetland vegetation to:
- improve migratory bird and semi-aquatic wildlife habitat, 
- reduce risk of wildfire, 
- improve the hydrologic conditions for water quality in support of Iron County's groundwater 	recharge project and increase duration of inundation for wildlife habitat	
 
Wetland Management
Install culvert control system to regulate inundation to:
- Increase tamarisk removal effectiveness by controlling soil moisture
- Allow for dredging to increase wetland depth and create islands for waterfowl
- Improve submergent vegetation for waterfowl forage

Upland Vegetation Management
Increase diversity of upland vegetative community for a variety of game species to:
-Support various life cycles and uses of morning doves, cottontail rabbits, pheasants, and quail to increase recreational opportunities.

Recreation Management
- Install parking lots, signage, and improve roads for hunting/wildlife viewing access 
- Improve aesthetic quality of valuable public lands.

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.

Risks if treatment were not to occur would be a loss of wetland habitat from further establishment and spread of nonnative woody invasive vegetation and continued loss of water resources as tamarisk spreads further into the uplands, replacing xeric vegetation such as greasewood shrublands and mixed salt desert scrub.  "Saltcedar initiates negative changes in the ecosystem.  The deep roots combined with salt glands on leaves account for the redistribution of salts form deep soil profiles to the soil surface.  The excessive salt deposits on the surface inhibit the growth and germination of less salt tolerant native species leading to a reduction in plant and animal diversity.  Although some wildlife species successfully survive in saltcedar-dominated areas, most species are negatively affected by displacement of native plant species..." USU Cooperative Extension 2006, Saltcedar (Agweeds2006.01) 
Risks also included due to the spread and increase of Tamarisk would be reduction of available water for recharge and holding ponds that are Right of ways held by CICWD with the Cedar City BLM Office and possible increase in fire due to Tamarisk's fire behavior (see below in Fire/Fuels).

Additional work to thoroughly treat tamarisk areas will assist in the overall economic management of tamarisk throughout the wetland by reducing potential sources and protecting initial investments.

Social risks exist in the public's demand for more public lands capable of sustaining huntable wildlife such as pheasants, morning doves, and waterfowl.  UDWR has released pheasants in the area which has generated substantial public participation (approximately 50-100 hunters on opening day for both waterfowl and pheasants).  Improvements of the upland habitat available on one of the only public wetlands in southern Utah will contribute to state and federal mandates to provide hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.  Furthermore, economic contributions from hunting and wildlife viewing have been well documented and will continue to benefit local economies.

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's Cedar, Beaver, Garfield, Antimony Resource Managmenent Plan by Soil, Water and Air Objective 1 which states that "the BLM  should avoid the deterioration of or improve watershed condition on federal land."

UDWR's Wildlife Action Plan, by (1) meeting the objective to reduce invasive plant species through conservation actions 2.2.2, 2.2.3, and 2.2.4 (survey, eradicate, and contain established populations of invasive plant species); and (2)  conservation actions 2.2.5 and 2.2.7 by cutting and chemically treating the tamarisk; and, (3) conservation action 2.3.15, by conducting riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loading.

Iron County Cooperative Weed Management Area Agreement

Utah's Noxious Weed Act (R68-9), by removing/containing a new or expanding population of tamarisk, which is a Class 3 noxious weed.

Utah Partners in Flight (UPIF) Bird Conservation Plan" by supporting activities that prevent invasions of exotic species and restore priority habitat.

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Strategic Plan" by addressing specific habitat concerns (invasive species) in a priority habitat type (wetland).

Under the Strategic Goals and Objectives of the "Utah Strategic Tamarisk Management Plan", by meeting goal 1, which states, "Protect the State's natural, agricultural, and ranching resources including water quality and quantity, native plant communities, and wildlife habitat from the impacts of tamarisk through early detection, control, and restoration efforts."

Iron County Resource Management Plan identifies Quichapa as a source for runoff water being available for wildlife.

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.

Although at this time, the infestation of Tamarisk within the ShurtzCanyon-Quichapa Lake hydrographic unit is not tall large mature stands the potential, if left uncontrolled, could have hazardous effects in regard to fire, especially considering the urban setting that has developed and is further developing within the watershed. "...Salt cedar is adapted to fire and recovers more quickly than native riparian species after a burn because of its ability to vigorously resprout from the crown. Historic fire records from the lower Colorado River floodplain show that fire frequencies and size are greater in salt cedar-infested sites compared to analogous non-infested sites. In salt cedar-dominated areas, 35 percent of the vegetation burned within a 10-year period (1981-1992) compared to the mesquite-dominated areas that burned 2 percent of the vegetation within the same time period. Dead and senesced woody materials, combined with an accumulation of leaf litter in salt cedar infested sites, creates a fuel load that can lead to an increase in the frequency of fires..." USU Cooperative Extension 2006, Saltcedar (Agweeds2006.01)

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 first effort of tamarisk removal was completed in November of 2018 through a partnership with Iron County.  A tractor with a mower implement and a sprayer attached to a vehicle was used to complete the mow/cut and spray operation.  The tractor was unable to cut the more mature and dense stands of Tamarisk and along banks where the soil was too wet to access.

Tamarisk Management
The focus of Phase 1 and 2 has been on using an excavator to pull trees and pile them for rabbit habitat.  Phase 3 will repeat methods used in Phase 1 and 2 but will burn the majority of the piled material.  Future efforts will use adaptive methods to ensure tamarisk management throughout the area.  Seeding where mechanical work has been completed will include a wetland see mix while planting willows and other wetland vegetation may occur around the lake shore.  Removal and spray activities will likely occur in mid summer to fall to ensure best success rate and to avoid the potential for nesting birds in the area.

Wetland Management
Phase 3 will include seeding and planting of the 10 islands created in phase 2 (photos attached).  Species to be planted will be based on likelihood of success and may be monitored with the assistance of SUU.  This will be a combination of potted shrubs and seeding.

Recreation Management
Phase 3 will include the construction of a parking lot on the north end, post and pole fencing, and kiosk/signing.

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.

On November 26, 2019 BLM led a tour for UDWR, SUU, County officials, and sportsmen groups to garner ideas, support, and collaboration on the proposed project.  Additionally, CICWD and BLM have had several tours to coordinate CICWD's adaptive approach to water management on the north end.

Iron County-  participated in 2018 as part of the Iron County Weed Management Area Agreement for phase 1 of the project (80 acres in 2018) and expressed their continued support for the effort.

CICWD- Support the plan in conjunction with groundwater recharge efforts and 2018 NEPA analysis

UDWR- Support the plan to remove Tamarisk and create/improve waterfowl and upland game habitat to support hunting and viewing.

SITLA and surrounding private landowners have expressed interest in tamarisk management efforts.  These lands will be collaboratively addressed with future NRCS partnerships.

Sportsment groups, particularly SFW have expressed interest in all phases of this project including private land acquisitions of real estate (Jan 2021) for sale surrounding the lake.

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.

As identified in the Quichapa Lake Wetland and Vegetation Enhancement Project EA, there are several phases to this project (see below, Methods Section, and attached document).  The BLM would continue to aggressively treat Tamarisk resprouts and further phases would likely include the treatment of the surrounding private land, native woody species pole plantings, and construction of small holding ponds to improve habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds.  Overall future management will be to monitor tamarisk establishment and address these issues as needed; however since this is a terminal wetland it is expected tamarisk management will be ongoing.

Phase 1

Aerial / Mechanical control and removal of tamarisk.  Remove approximately 30 acres of old age class sagebrush and replace with preferred grass / shrub species for upland game and pollinators. Plant up to 100 upland trees/shrubs. Create cottontail rabbit habitat with woodpiles of washed out logs.  Install signs to identify BLM boundaries and promote recreational opportunities. Install water regulation system to control inundation south of dam.  
Phase 2 
Continue tamarisk management through hand thinning and chemical treatment.  Pole plantings of willow, cottonwood, etc. of riparian woody vegetation along inundation line. Stabilize wetland vegetation with bulrush, sedges, etc. Manage inundation to promote growth of desirable submergent vegetation. Mechanical removal of tamarisk as needed. 
Phase 3 
Continue tamarisk management through hand thinning. Pole plantings of willow, cottonwood, etc. of riparian woody vegetation along inundation line. Adaptive management of upland vegetation as needed. Construct small islands and ponds through dredging and excavation. Stabilize wetland vegetation with bulrush, sedges, etc.  Seek opportunities for a parking lot and signing to guide recreation.

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.