Project Details

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.

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.

Many of the WMAs and CEs lie within key habitats identified in the WAP, including sagebrush-steppe, mountain brush, and riparian. WMAs and CEs support many of the sensitive species listed in the WAP including Columbia spotted frog, leatherside chub, June sucker, least chub, Bald Eagle, Greater sage grouse, mule deer, raptors, and neotropical migratory birds. WMAs and CEs also support a variety of important game species not previously listed including bighorn sheep, elk, wild turkey, and Chukar. WMAs and CEs lie within conservation focus areas identified by the Central Region UPCD team. The proposed maintenance activities will help address strategies outlined in the WDARM and SVARM sage grouse conservation plans which include: Reduce pinyon/junpier stands from sage-grouse use areas; reduce the threat of conversion of sagebrush stands to invasive/noxious weed communities; and work with public and private partners to implement livestock management plans that address seasonal needs of sage-grouse and livestock operations.
The proposed project will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: Resource Goal: OBJECTIVE R2 Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. OBJECTIVE R4 Decrease risks to species and their habitats through integrated implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan, species recovery plans, conservation agreements and other management plans (species, AIS, disease, etc.).  OBJECTIVE R5 Manage sensitive species populations to prevent them from being federally listed as threatened or endangered, and work to delist those species that are currently listed.  OBJECTIVE R7 Decrease the number of wildlife-related incidents -- including property damage, crop depredation and threatened or endangered species listings -- that negatively affect private property owners. 
 CONSTITUENCY GOAL Strengthen support for wildlife management by demonstrating the value and importance of wildlife to all Utahns. OBJECTIVE C1 Increase participation in fishing, hunting and other wildlife-related activities.  OBJECTIVE C6 Increase hunting and fishing opportunities.  
  
The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans in the Central Region which include: continue to restore and improve sagebrush steppe habitats; cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvements such as seedings, controlled burns, water developments etc; and maintain and/or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives.

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.

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.