The fire burned 1600 acres of mostly step terrian on private lands east of Morgan. The ground provides for year long habitat for Mule Deer, Elk and Moose. The ridgetops and basin that will be seeded are a small percentage of the burn but provide the best habitat and are also wintering areas as evidenced by reports from the area biologist, landowner and shed antlers found.

To seed a variety of grasses, forbs and shrubs into the best avaiable areas of the burn. Both areal broadcasting and drilling will be used.

Threats of doing the project is that the seeding will not grow. Threats of not doing the project are that areas of critical winter habitat for mainly deer and some elk will be lost to bulbous bluegrass.

2011 Utah NRCS Action Plan to Conserve Priority Fish and Wildlife Species and Habitats, December 2010, prepared by Utah NRCS with assistance from the State Technical Advisory Committee. This project will seek to improve both shrubsteppe and grassland habitats, as well as to improve habitat for a number of bird species (e.g. sage-grouse, shrub-steppe birds, mule deer). NRCS’s Wildlife Action Plan also outlines objectives for using the WHIP and EQIP programs to improve wildlife habitat in Utah as well as partner with agencies Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer, December 4th 2008. Under “Issues and Concerns, G. Private Land/ Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit Issues” the importance of private lands and habitat quality on private lands is stressed. This project takes place entirely on private lands Northern Utah Soil Conservation District Long-Range Plan 2006. This project addresses this plans stated goal of addressing water quality through actions that reduce soil erosion on rangelands (see page 4, 1.1.2). Wildlife conservation and rangeland conservation efforts are listed as action priorities as well (see page 5-7, items 2.1, and 3.1). Unit 4 Mule Deer management plan. -Habitat – Winter range condition is the major limiting factor on the Morgan-South Rich unit. Range condition ranges from Poor to Good depending on where you are on the unit.. Limiting factors could include habitat loss and degradation, increasing numbers of elk utilizing what was once reserved for mule deer winter range, and reduced browse by competition from introduced weedy species. Excessive habitat utilization will be addressed by antlerless harvests.

1 Archaeologist, Survey will be completed in-house by DWR. Include 2,000$ in-kind for cultural resource inventory., Sep 4 2014 / 6 NEPA, NEPA is not required for private land, Sep 4 2014

To drill seed 74 acres of a flat ridge top that is basically the only area a drill can be used but is also one of the best habitat areas. To broadcast seed with a helicopter 528 acres of south facing slopes in a prime basin that provides gentler slopes and great habitat.

Wildlife monitoring - The area is flown by the area wildlife biologist every 3 years. Vegetation Monitoring - The area will be revisited by the Farm bill biologist for 2 years to ensure it is ready for grazing.

The area will be rested from grazing for two growing seasons.

09/29/2014

11/20/2014

2015

The smaller flat area on top of the ridge was drill seeded as planned but less acres were completed. In part because the planned area was "generous" in consideration of where the tractor could pull the drill due to topography. Secondly the landowner, Scoot Rees, who pulled the drill with his tractor, got 3 flats while drilling. The short stubs of sage, maple and oak proved to be too hard to negotiate in the terrain. The flight went well. It was the day after the habitat managers meeting so talked to Mountain West about narrowing their flight paths and they agreed to do so. One thing they mentioned was that for projects with us there seemed to be less seed on the trailer than what was on the spec/bid sheet. That was the case here by 20 lbs. but it could be a larger problem for projects with more acres. There was a mix up with the seed. The sage and kochia was keep separate while we thought it would be all included in one mix. It was noticed until after the flight since the temporary fill in for the restoration biologist picked up and delivered the seed. It was a good lesson to double check things even when you can't be on site all the time.

The partnership with the landowner worked well and I always feel when the landowner/partner whoever has some investment, whether time; money or equipment the project goes better. Scott Rees provided the tractor and also the staging area for the flight. Earlier in the year Scott Walker and I were able to fly over the burn scar as part of another flight and that really helped to get a hold of what things looked like. We were able to save a lot of money by determining areas that were not suitable for seeding due to rockiness, slope or oak domination.

The area wasn't grazed with domestic stock before and won’t be after for at least 2 years. I would like to try some work on the mahogany that is adjacent to the area that was drilled. It has been high lined and if it could be rejuvenated it would help the wintering deer, elk and moose.