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.

The goal of this project is to ensure the future of native fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mollusks in Utah by reducing threats to the species and their habitats, thereby preventing the need for future species listings under the Endangered Species Act. This project will improve statewide sensitive species information and fill data gaps identified in the Utah WAP. These goals will be achieved through the following objectives: * Implement priority actions identified in the WAP or other management plans to reduce threats to species and their habitats, * Inventory, monitor, and manage SGCN species, * Implement available conservation plans as they pertain to SGCN species, * Enhance and maintain populations of regional SGCN species. * Develop habitat management guidelines as needed for key species based on existing literature, ongoing UDWR studies and project monitoring results. * Maintain, enhance, and use regional sensitive species databases *Develop other planning documents (e.g., repatriation and salvage) that further our ability to protect key species throughout the state *Specific tasks related to each species in each region are available in the attached document.

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.

This project supports the implementation of the 2015 Utah Wildlife Action Plan in the aquatics section. As such, it also supports the implementation of many Conservation Plans, Conservation Agreements and Strategies and Recovery Plans: Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub, Bluehead Sucker, and Flannelmouth Sucker Conservation and Management Plan for Three Fish Species in Utah Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Southern Leatherside in the State of Utah Rangewide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Northern Leatherside Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Least Chub in the State of Utah Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement and Strategy Boreal Toad Conservation Plan in the State of Utah Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Columbia Spotted Frog in the State of Utah Conservation Agreement and Conservation Assessment and Strategy for the Relict Leopard Frog Conservation Strategy for Gila Monsters in Southwestern Utah Conservation Agreement for Springsnails in Nevada and Utah Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Sub-globose Snake Pyrg We also review and our data inform USFS, BLM, DoD, and FWS management plans.

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.

Much of the work proposed under the block grant is inventory/monitoring to support conservation actions, funded through the block, above the block ESMF proposals, and other funding sources (federal partners, non-profits, competitive grants, WRI, etc.). These monitoring data help prioritize conservation actions and help us respond to data requests during listing determinations by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In an effort to be fiscally responsible, while staying up-to-date on species status, the Division is developing a Native Aquatic Species Strategy and Sampling plan. The specific methods we use to implement monitoring and conservation actions depend on the habitat and target species. Most of these methods are outlined in the guiding documents, including the conservation plans and strategies. For many of the listed projects, we seek additional funding through ESMF and other state, federal, and private sources. Those funds are generally for field staff, trucks, and other implementation costs. However, without this essential grant, we would lack the capacity to carry out most, if not all, of the duties of the Native Aquatic Species Conservation Program.

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.

Accomplishment of this program will contribute greatly to the understanding and management of SGCN species as well as key habitats. At the completion of the funding year, UDWR will have improved knowledge of the status of SGCN species populations and their key habitats. Greater understanding of the threats to these species will provide guidance for threat abatement and future conservation programs. Data collected will permit UDWR to monitor trends in populations and habitat conditions. The program will also improve the quantity and quality of key habitats for some SGCN species through implementation of available habitat management plans. Monitoring the effects of habitat alteration projects during the program will improve future habitat manipulation programs. As a result, conflicts associated with human activities and these species/habitats may be reduced or mitigated; by meeting project objectives, conservation of SGCN species may be achieved without the need for listing under ESA or State protection.

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.