The Ophir fire burned approximately 1,568 acres on the west side of Rush valley, west of highway 73. About half of the fire burned on SITLA lands and the other half burned on the Tooele Army Depot, south area. This area is classified as occupied sage grouse habitat and sage grouse winter habitat. The area is also classified as crucial pronghorn year long habitat. In addition, mule deer use this area during some winters. This area is becoming increasingly dominated by cheatgrass after wildfires. If the burn areas are not seeded, cheatgrass will increase and cause an increase in fire frequency and a reduction in sagebrush habitat in Rush valley.

Control cheatgrass in the burn area for at least 2 growing seasons to a cover value of less than 5%. Establish perennial grass cover to a value of 12% by the 3rd growing season. Establish forage kochia to a density of at least 500 plants/acre

Lack of treatment will allow an increase in cheatgrass cover and an increased possibility of future wildfires.

The project area occurs within the sagebrush steppe type which is one of the key habitats identified in the WAP. This area supports mule deer (Tier III). Numerous other species of concern (Tier III) also inhabit the area including neotropical birds and raptors. 1. The proposed project will help address some of the goals and objectives of the UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MULE DEER. Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on critical mule deer ranges. Habitat Objective 1. Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting existing critical habitats and mitigating for losses due to human impacts. Strategies: Work with land management agencies and private landowners to recognize and properly manage critical mule deer habitats, especially fawning and wintering areas. Habitat Objective 2. Improve the quality of forage and vegetation for mule deer Strategies: Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on sagebrush winter ranges. 2. The proposed project will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer management plan for herd unit 18 Oquirrh - Stansbury including: continue to restore and improve sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWR’s Habitat Initiative; cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvements such as reseedings, controlled burns, water developments etc. on public and private lands; and maintain and/or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives. 3. The proposed projects 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 by 2011. Objective 2: Increase fish and game populations to meet management plan objectives and expand quality fishing and hunting opportunities. 4. The proposed treatments will help address strategies outlined in the WDARM sage grouse conservation plan; Reduce the threat of conversion of sagebrush stands to invasive/noxious weed communities. Work with public and private partners to implement livestock management plans that address seasonal needs of sage-grouse and livestock operations. By 2016, increase brood-rearing habitat quality in the Resource Area.

2 PMArchaeology, No ground disturbance planned on SITLA land, Aug 9 2012 / 6 NEPA, Not required, Aug 15 2012

Plateau herbicide will be applied to 758 acres of SITLA lands by fixed wing aircraft during the fall of 2012. About 439 acres of Tooele Army Depot land will be ground sprayed with Plateau herbicide. Desirable perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs will be drill seeded on military and private lands in October and November. Forage kochia and some perennial grass seed will be applied by fixed wing aircraft in February of 2013.

Photo points will be established on SITLA and Depot property.

The treatment areas will be rested from grazing for at least 2 growing seasons.

09/03/2012

02/14/2013

2013

The Ophir canyon fire started along highway 73 and burned south onto the Tooele Army Depot, south area. Total acres burned was about 1,569 acres. About half of the fire, 750 acres, occurred on a large SITLA block of land. Another 53 acres of private burned in the fire and the rest occurred on the Army Depot. Plateau herbicide was applied to the SITLA portion of the fire on September 13th 2012 by fixed wing aircraft. The herbicide was applied at 4 oz per acre with a surfactant added. An additional 247 acres on the Army Depot property was ground sprayed with Plateau at the same rate. Seed for the 53 acres of private land was delivered to the land owner in early October. The land owner drilled the seed on the property by the end of that month. The Arm Depot purchased their own seed mix and drill seeded 615 acres on the Depot. In November of 2012, approxximately 548 acres of the SITLA land was aerially seeded. In February of 2013, sagebrush and kochia was seeded into strips on the fire with ATVs. Strips were about 90 ft wide and were planted to act as fuel breaks.

It will be interesting to compare the Depot side of the fence which was drill seeded with the SITLA side of the fence which was just aerially seeded. The wind blows hard on this site and a considerable amount of top soil was blown off the fire scar.

Both the SITLA land and the Depot property will be grazed in the future, but not until after at least 2 years of rest.