The Taylor Mountain Fire burned 305 acres of private lands near Steinaker Reservoir on July 5, 2014. The fire intensity was severe, and the site burned clean. The drainage from this burned area lead directly into Steinaker Reservoir, an important fishery, irrigation storage, and culinary water supply. In addition, the site is crucial winter range for mule deer. Deer frequent the area in the winter, and without reclamation, will likely be forced into the Ashley Valley where depredation problems will increase. The site was dominated by Wyoming sagebrush and Utah juniper before the fire, and generally lacked diverse herbaceous understory. As a result, this leaves the site as a candidate for cheatgrass invasion if reseeding is not completed. Because cheatgrass densities on these parcels were generally low prior to the fire, application of Plateau herbicide is not proposed at this time.

The objectives of the project are to: 1.) Restore a diverse vegetative community on the site. 2.) Restore crucial mule deer winter range by establishing shrubs on the site. 3.) Prevent erosion and sedimentation into Steinaker Reservoir, and important water supply for the Vernal area. 4.) Establish perennial vegetation before invasive annual grass dominates the site.

Without successful rehabilitation, the site will not function as crucial winter habitat for mule deer. Furthermore, annual weeds will likely dominate the site. Elevated erosion will occur and increase sedimentation into Steinaker Reservoir.

The project is relevant to the Statewide Mule Deer plan, by supporting objectives to enhance and improve habitat for mule deer and reclaim habitat lost by wildfires. South Slope Vernal Mule Deer management plan.--Habitat improvement for mule deer. The Steinaker Reservoir TMDL identifies phosphorous from run off as an issue. This project will help address some of those issues.

1 Archaeologist, 248 acres x 23 = 5,704$, Sep 17 2014 / 2 PMArchaeology, Survey needed., Sep 8 2014 / 6 NEPA, NA, Sep 8 2014

A total of 305 acres of private lands will be aerially seeded with a seed mix of browse, grasses, and forbs. Following aerial seeding, and anchor chain will be drug across the site. There will only be one chaining pass. Following chaining and near the first snowfall, a secondary seeding pass of sagebrush and forage kochia seed will be applied to the site.

Photo points combined simple line intercept cover monitoring will be established to document the success or failure of the project to establish.

The private landowners have agreed to rest the treatment area for two years. However, they have not been grazing livestock on the parcels in the past decade.

11/01/2014

12/19/2014

2015

The primary seed mix was flown over the site with fixed wing aircraft in early November 2015. The primary seed mix contained a number of grass, forb, and browse species. This seed mix was applied on 305 acres. Following seeding, a 60lb link Ely anchor chain pulled by 2 D8R sized bulldozers was used to cover the seed. 248 acres were chained due to topographic and other limitations. During December, sagebrush and forage kochia were applied to the entire 305 acres using a fixed wing aircraft.

The project was completed without major delays or problems. Good soil moisture was present once the chaining began. Snow was spotty while secondary seed mix was being applied and remained spotty throughout the winter despite a few small snowstorms. Unseasonably warm temperatures persisted throughout the winter. However, a number of spring moisture events occurred in March, April, and May that provided rain to the treatment area.

The site will be closely monitored for cheatgrass cover. If cheatgrass becomes a problem, we will work with the landowners to pursue funding to treat the site with Plateau herbicide. The landowners have agreed to keep livestock off the treatment sites until the area has become well established. Two years following the treatment, we will meet with the landowners and discuss future management.