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.

Threats to this project will consist of increased loss of water that can be utilized in this area, allowing for no water to be stored for wildlife species and livestock grazing within the allotment. Increased maintenance on the watering facilities and pipelines by the grazing association, allow for additional time and effort, loss of forage value in specific areas of the allotment due to over grazing, not distributing the cattle effectively enough within the pasture rotations can and does lead to increased noxious weed species.  By implementing and installing this pipeline, we can reduce the risk of overgrazing areas of this allotment, improve water quality and quantity for wildlife and livestock for better rangeland health and overall grazing management.  In June of 2021, we completed the first phase of this project, the project was a success and has paid dividends for wildlife species and livestock grazing systems.  The opportunity to complete the second phase of this project will allow for increased water storage and delivery to existing water troughs for many years to come, help to reduce water leaks, the loss of water due to breaks and old worn out fittings.  The time is critical and worth the effort in making this water enhancement project move forward with success.

In addition to the above listed objectives the below goals/objectives are identified in the Elk Statewide Plan:

B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state.
Habitat Objective 1: Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives
and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock.

Strategies:
C. Habitat Improvement - 
a. Utilize Habitat Council, Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, Wildlife Conservation
Permit funds, and other funding mechanisms to restore or improve crucial elk habitats.
b. Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk
habitat.
c. Coordinate with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private
landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative
working groups to identify and prioritize elk habitats that are in need of enhancement
or restoration.
i. Identify habitat projects on summer ranges (aspen communities) to improve
calving habitat and summer forage.
ii. Encourage land managers to manage portions of forests in early succession
stages through the use of controlled burning, logging or other methods.
Controlled burning in areas with invasive weed and/or safety concerns should
be supported only when adequate planning and mitigation measures have been
identified.
iii. Promote Fire Use (let-burn) policies in appropriate areas that will benefit elk,
and conduct reseeding efforts post wildlife.

In addition to the above listed objectives the below goals/objectives are identified in the Mule Deer Plan for the Fillmore/Oak Creek Unit #21:

Habitat Protection, Improvement and Maintenance
- Work with public land management agencies to develop specific vegetative objectives to maintain the quality of important deer use areas.
- Coordinate with federal and state partners in designing projects that will improve fire resiliency and protect areas of crucial habitat.
- Cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvement projects. Protect deer winter ranges from wildfire by reseeding burned areas, creating fuel breaks and reseed areas dominated by cheatgrass with desirable perennial vegetation.
- Reduce expansion of Pinion-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinion-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects.
- Seek opportunities to increase browse in burned areas of critical winter range.
- Continue to utilize water sources that can benefit wildlife species where applicable, promoting year round water availability, seeps, springs, wetlands and mesic areas.

In addition to the above listed objectives the below goals/objectives are identified in the Turkey Statewide Plan:

General
Suitable habitat includes three key ingredients: trees, forbs and grass. Regardless of the type of environment, this combination must exist for turkeys to thrive. Trees provide food, daytime
loafing and escape cover, and- --most importantly -- nighttime roost sites. Grasses and forbs
provide food for adults and are especially important to poults as an environment in which they
can efficiently forage for insects.

Brood Rearing:
During the first eight weeks after hatching, there are three essential components of brood
rearing habitat. First - Poults need an environment that produces an abundance of insects.
Second - Poults need habitat in which they can frequently and efficiently forage throughout the
day. Third - Poults need an area that provides enough cover to hide, but allows the adult hen
unobstructed vision for protection from predators.
Therefore, the fundamental component of brood rearing habitat is herbaceous vegetation
interspersed with trees. Herbaceous vegetation is key because it provides an ideal foraging
environment for Poults.

Fall and Winter:
Wild turkeys seek two imperative habitat ingredients in the fall and winter --food and roosting
cover. Vegetation that turkeys utilize during the fall and winter is highly varied. Turkeys increase their use of forested cover during the fall and winter and decrease their use of open areas. Mast (pine nuts, acorns, berries) is the primary food source during fall and winter. Habitat value increases with higher proportions of mast-producing species in the forest and their degree of maturity. In mountainous environments, spring seeps are an important source of fall and winter food. Seeps provide invertebrates, mast and green vegetation. Because such water does not freeze, it provides a microclimate that allows foraging throughout the winter.

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.

The pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the Mountain Sagebrush Steppe Habitat type which is one of the key habitats identified in the WAP (Wildlife Action Plan).

The proposed project will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21 (Fillmore Oak Creek Unit ) including: 
*Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. 
*Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. 
*Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners and or grazing permittee to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and livestock range resources in general.

*The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial/critical ranges.

*The proposed project will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan:
*Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat.
*Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state.
*Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered.
*Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah.
*Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs.

*UDWR SR critical big game winter range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved.  The Division will employ a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments.  Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan, 2015 Publication Number 15-14, State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Effective 2015-2025 -- Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class, including: Dixie/chain harrow, brush mowing or other treatments that reduce the older age class and stimulate the younger/mid age classes; herbicide or mechanical treatments single tree mulching/cutting of invading conifer.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer 2025-2030
States: 
Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 600,000 acres of crucial range by 2030 Implications: Habitat will need to be improved on at least 600,000 acres of crucial mule deer range to meet the population objectives in this plan. If habitat improvement projects cannot be completed because of inadequate funding, environmental restrictions, or unfavorable climatic conditions,
population objectives may not be achieved. Additionally, because habitat treatments often require a number of years before they provide optimal benefits to mule deer, and if large catastrophic wildfires and energy developments continue to negatively impact crucial mule deer ranges, the population and habitat goals of this plan may not be achieved within the 6-year life of this plan.

Strategies:
A. Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI)
a. Utilize WRI as a tool to improve deer habitat with all partners across the state
b. Continue to support and provide leadership for WRI, which emphasizes improving
sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah
c. Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners,
and local leaders through the regional WRI teams working groups to identify and
prioritize mule deer habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration (Figure 6).
Emphasis should be placed on crucial habitats which include summer range habitats
such as improving aspen, winter ranges sagebrush habitats, and improving riparian
areas.
d. Work with partners such as NRCS and University Extension to increase landowner
participation in the Watershed Restoration Initiative Program this may include the private landowner or grazing permittee seeking funding at their own accord.  Landowner/Permittee will need to understand the application and funding allocations along with the length of the contract time frame before applying for funding. 
e. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve and restore mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species
f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinyon-juniper woodlands and
aspen-conifer forests in early successional stages using various methods including timber
harvest and managed fire 
g. Support post-fire rehabilitation on crucial mid/low elevation deer ranges which are
susceptible to weed invasion and loss of critical browse
h. Continue to support conservation permit, wildlife habitat account, federal aid and other
funding sources which provide critical funding for habitat improvement efforts
i. Explore opportunities to engage with non-traditional users to fund habitat
improvements
j. Continue to seek new funding sources for habitat improvement projects
k. Financially support early planning (NEPA) and/or clearances needed to implement
habitat treatments.

Fillmore Pahvant/Oak Creek Deer Herd Management Plan Unit #21 (2015) - Habitat Management Objectives -- Encourage vegetation manipulation projects and seeding to increase the availability, abundance, and nutritional content of browse, grass, and forb species. Strategies: Habitat Protection, Improvement and Maintenance - Reduce expansion of Pinyon-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog and chaining projects; maintain summer fawning areas by increasing beneficial habitat work in summer and transitional habitat areas.(p3-4)

Information from the new Mule Deer Management Plan 2025-2030 sates on page 9:

B. Water Distribution Water is a fundamental need for mule deer (Larsen et al. 2023). When browse, forbs, and grasses consumed by mule deer have high water content, mule deer don't need to drink as they can obtain adequate amounts of water from their food. However, when forage contains only limited amounts of water, access to drinking water becomes important. The spatial distribution of mule deer populations is often positively associated with the availability of water in arid regions of western North America (Hervert and Krausman 1986, Boroski and Mossman 1996). Consequently, recent work by state wildlife agencies depicts large expanses of the Intermountain West ecoregion as water-limiting to mule deer (Wasley et al. 2008). Wildlife water developments, or guzzlers, can help provide water to mule deer in arid areas, but need to be designed and placed in areas conducive to use by mule deer. To maximize benefits to mule deer, guzzlers should be built in areas used by females with young and spaced less than 5 km from other water sources. Fencing should be of sufficient size to allow access (Krausman et al. 2006, Larsen et al. 2011, Shields et al. 2012).

Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan
Newly treated areas through fire or mechanical means will attract use by wild turkey which are abundant on Oak Creek Management Unit. Insects and new growth will be readily available to support turkey populations, also the availability of more water in the Church Hills, Clay Springs, Leamington Canyon, Whiskey Creek and Long Canyon areas. shrub/browse species allows for improved cover for nesting in the spring.

UDWR Wildlife Action Plan
This project is geared toward meeting the goals found within this plan for a variety of wildlife species from large to small. The entire proposed project area is found within a UWRI conservation focus area.

*This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire.

*Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and UDWR in past years within the Leamington Canyon, Fool Creek Peak, Long Canyon and Whiskey Creek HUC 12 area.

*Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities.

*Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment

We have also added to the documents tab the Millard County Plan that addresses these types of habitat projects along with edits from the State of Utah Resource Management Plan.

**Attached below is information from the Statewide Bighorn Sheep Plan:

Bighorn sheep are uniquely adapted to inhabit some of the most remote and rugged areas in Utah.  They exist in some of the most hostile climatic conditions ranging from the hot, dry canyonlands of southern Utah to the cold, snowy alpine regions of Utah's northern mountains.  Bighorns are sometimes referred to as a wilderness species because of the naturally remote and inaccessible areas they inhabit.  Bighorns prefer open habitat types with adjacent steep rocky areas for escape and safety.  Habitat is characterized by rugged terrain including canyons, gulches, talus cliffs, steep slopes, mountaintops, and river benches (Shackleton et al. 1999).  The diet of mountain sheep is comprised primarily of grasses and forbs, although sheep may also utilize shrubs depending on season and availability.  Most Rocky Mountain bighorns typically have seasonal migrations with established winter and summer ranges, whereas most desert bighorns generally do not have distinct summer and winter migrations.  Extensive historical bighorn habitat occurs throughout Utah (Figure 1).  However, not all habitat is currently suitable for reestablishment of bighorn populations.  Vegetative changes, human encroachment, and domestic sheep grazing make some areas unsuitable for bighorn restoration.  Habitat management practices include voluntary grazing allotment conversions from domestic sheep to cattle, vegetative treatments, and water developments.  UDWR considers grazing conversions and restrictions "involuntary" when the party negotiating for the conversion/restriction threatens to seek more burdensome grazing restrictions, reductions, or conversions in court or through other regulatory means unless the livestock grazer consents to the requested conversion/restriction.  UDWR, in partnership with conservation groups and land managers has been extremely helpful in negotiating, funding, and participating in habitat projects.

Habitat Degradation or Loss: 
Bighorn Sheep habitat can be degraded, fragmented, or lost to a variety of causes including human disturbance, energy development, and natural succession.  Reductions in the quality or quantity of habitat can result in corresponding losses to bighorn populations (DeForge 1972, Hamilton et al. 1982).  Human disturbance may cause bighorn sheep to change use areas and abandon certain habitats because of those disturbances.  Loss of preferred habitat can compel bighorns into habitats that reduce productivity, decrease survival rates, and increase risk of pathogen transmission.  Human disturbance is also thought to be a possible stress inducer, which may lead to disease problems in some populations (DeForge 1981, Bunch et al. 1999).  Working with federal land management agencies to protect the habitat needed for healthy herds may improve herd health. Plant succession can also dramatically affect habitat quality.  Encroachment by pinyon-juniper and other shrubs has resulted in the fragmentation and loss of large expanses of bighorn habitat.  Vegetative treatments, including fire management and mechanical treatments, can restore and improve bighorn habitat to its condition prior to settlement times.

Habitat Management Goal:  Provide good quality habitat for healthy populations of bighorn sheep. 
 
Objective:  Maintain or improve bighorn sheep habitat to enhance individual herd success and thereby promote the overall sustainability of bighorn sheep statewide. 
 
Strategies: a. Identify valuable bighorn sheep habitats and work with land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance these areas. b. Assist land management agencies in monitoring bighorn sheep habitat. Habitat monitoring by the land management agencies will be contingent on available funding and personnel.  c. Work with land managers to minimize and mitigate loss of bighorn habitat due to human disturbance and development. d. Initiate vegetative treatment projects to improve bighorn habitat lost to natural succession or human impacts. e. Under the correct circumstances, encourage land management agencies to allow fires to burn when such action improves bighorn sheep habitat.   f. Improve or maintain existing water sources and develop new water sources as needed to improve distribution and abundance of bighorn sheep.  g. Support research and monitoring efforts to evaluate bighorn sheep use of water sources to ensure the water sources are having the desired effect.    h. Work with land management agencies and private landowners to voluntarily implement agency guidelines for management of domestic sheep and goats in bighorn areas similar to those proposed by the WAWFA Wild Sheep Working Group. i. Support conservation groups' efforts to pursue willing conversions of domestic sheep grazing allotments by working with willing permittees in bighorn areas to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission. j. Inform and educate the public concerning the needs of bighorn sheep including the effects of human disturbance and the need for habitat improvements.   k. Create preferred habitat for bighorn sheep in areas not proximate to domestic sheep and goats to attract bighorns away from risks of pathogen transmission.

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.

This project will improve water quality and quantity due to the fact that we will be collecting water through a head box and delivering it overland through a pipe line will prove to be more efficient  than allowing the water to run down a stream, collect sediment, debris and lose water due to evaporation.  The quality of the water will be improved as it will be held in water troughs that will allow livestock and wildlife to drink clean clear water verse allowing water to be lost or made unavailable in a stock watering pond or overflow. Water Right is held by the Fillmore Forest Service, approval has been granted to complete this project.  Water Right #67-980, UDWR project manager will consult with Eric Anderson on the this project before implementation can take place and coordinate with the Fillmore Forest Service Office.

Information from the new Mule Deer Management Plan 2025-2030 sates on page 9:

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.

This project will be implemented with the help of the Fillmore Forest Service, UDWR, and Whiskey Creek Grazing Association to re-place a pipeline to deliver water to the Church Hills Allotment, we will tap into the existing East Fork pipeline.  This pipeline will deliver water to 5 existing troughs all within Forest Service and BLM Properties.  This will be done by the use of a D-8 Cat, which is set up to install and carry the spools of pipe, the pipe will be installed below the surface and ripped in with the dozer.  This project will be installed within the Church Hills Allotment, the UDWR and Whiskey Creek Grazing Association will contract with a company that has experience working with this type of pipe and is set up with the proper equipment to have it installed.  Permittees will help the contractor install the pipeline and attach the hook ups to the watering troughs along with working along side the contractor to make sure the project runs smoothly. Fillmore Forest Service has looked at this project and is in favor of helping out the permittee to address the need of distributing water within the allotment. UDWR is also in favor as additional watering locations that will benefit wildlife populations of mule deer, elk, and wild turkeys within the Oak Creek WMU.

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.

Partners for this project will consist of UDWR, UGIP, Fillmore Forest Service and the Whiskey Creek Grazing Association, along with vested Sportsman Groups.  We have been successful in working with the fore mentioned partners to implement good projects within this allotment in the past few years, additional support has been leveraged through great partnerships looking for projects that will provide benefits to the local community, that protect the livestock grazing and wildlife within Millard County.  Great efforts and strides have been made by Sportsman Organizations to improve the overall goals and objectives to increase and sustain wildlife through these types of projects.  Past Partnerships on these particular water enhancement projects include but are not limited to MDF, SFW, NWTF, SCI, RMEF UBA, and FNAWS.  We appreciate all they bring to the table on projects like this that allows for improved water distribution across the landscape that benefits all wildlife species and livestock.

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.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the allotment as far as grazing additional areas that have not been grazed, reducing impacts of grazing on other over grazed areas.  Water is critical within this allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water troughs will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weaning weights for the producer due to traveling longer distances for water. The Whiskey Creek Grazing Association graze approximately 908 cow/calf pairs within the overall Whiskey Creek/Church Hills Allotments from May 15th to October 15.   Expansion of the new pipeline will increase and allow for additional storage, and easy access to water larger groups of cattle at once.  The pipeline allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of hauling water by truck to different locations and always fixing existing problems, leaks and breaks.  Wildlife will defiantly benefit from the additional water within this area, limited water sources are available, by increasing water troughs and distribution this will allow for increased fawn and calf survival as well as overall population health within our mule deer and elk populations.  Opportunities for water in the spring/summer/fall will allow wild turkey's and their chicks the opportunity to forage for insects and bugs having multi sources of open water from the overflow dirt ponds and water troughs.

Other sustainable resources will include but not limited to hunting both big game and small game, hiking , wood cutting both cedar post and cedar fence stays. Horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as the need to enjoy the outdoors camping and spending time with family.  Millard County has a ATV/UTV Jamboree each year and the overwhelming access points run though this area and receive a lot of use.

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.