The San Rafael River has been severely impacted by the invasive species, tamarisk. Tamarisk has replaced much of the native vegetation along the riparian zone. The presence of tamarisk in these locations traps additional sediments, eventually narrowing and deepening the channel and disconnecting the river from the riparian zone. As a result of these processes valuable fish habitat and riparian vegetation is lost. A large irrigation dam in the lower river is a complete barrier to fish movement, which has prevented endangered fish of the Colorado River from utilizing the upper San Rafael River, however recent research has found significant use of the lower river by endangered fish, especially Colorado Pikeminnow. The other native fish species that do occur at Fuller Bottom, are known collectively as the "three species", the roundtail chub (Gila robusta), bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) and the flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis). These species are currently managed under a multi-state, multi-agency conservation agreement. The roundtail chub has been warranted but precluded for listing under the Endangered Species Act in the Lower Colorado Basin. The range and abundance of all three species have declined dramatically throughout their historic range. The three species currently occupy only ~50 percent of their historic range, largely due to habitat perturbations, fragmentation, and interactions with non-native fish. The San Rafael River is one of the few tributaries in Utah where all three species still exist, making it a high priority conservation area. One advantage native fish species have in the upper San Rafael is that non-native fish species and numbers are very low, this is due to the fact that the barrier in the lower river has prevented non-native fish present in the Green River from colonizing the upper river. We know that populations of the three species appear to be controlled through source-sink dynamics, with the populations in the upper San Rafael River providing a source to the downstream sink populations. Therefore protection of the populations in the upper river is critical to the long term viability of populations in the lower river. Fuller Bottom provides important spawning habitat for the three species and whole tree removal of tamarisk along the bank will help maintain river complexity needed for providing various spawning habitats. For example, lateral scour increases when removing tamarisk from the outside river bank, this creates low velocity habitat required for young of year and larval fish. This process also widens the river and decreases steep banks. Over time more water will access the floodplain maintaining native vegetation. Removing tamarisk from the uplands will open up the canopy and increase forage for cottontail rabbits that are present within the management area. The cottontail population is currently using tamarisk stands for burrowing as the dense stands provide protection from predators. In 2016 wildlife brush piles were constructed using removed tamarisk trees to provide cover for small animals (birds, rabbits, reptiles) To provide cover from predators, materiel from tamarisk piles will be used to construct additional cover piles near existing burrows. A pond was excavated on the south side of the river for wildlife. Overflow from the pond will create a small wetland benefiting many wildlife species. Another additional need that will be provided by this project is increasing hunt-able area for small game in the southeast region. WMA's in the area such as Desert Lakes and Huntington Game Farm, have been used in recent years for pheasant releases, the popularity of these releases have led to safety and overcrowding concerns. During the first phase (FY16) 25.7 acres of tamarisk was removed from the property, increasing open upland habitat where pheasants were released during the 2016 hunting season. Continued removal of tamarisk with additional herbicide and seeding treatments will increase the upland hunting value of the property.

Objectives of Phase II include: (1) Supplying a drip irrigation system to grow shrubs and trees favorable to game species, especially turkey. A 3/4 arce pond has already been excavated that will be filled by an artesian well producing 35-40 gallons per minute, providing consistent flow, benefiting aquatic life as well as supporting irrigation for terrestrial wildlife. Installing drip lines off the artesian well will minimize water evaporation increasing the amount of food crops for wildlife. (2) The pond was constructed near large cottonwood trees providing roosting habitat for turkeys. Additional trees will be planted around the pond increasing nesting/roosting habitat for migratory birds. (3) Implement upland seeding and tamarisk re-sprout treatments to improve open spaces created by tamarisk removal. The loose earth around the pond and dam will also be seeded. (4) Maintain property fence on WMA to resolve trespass cattle issue and protect newly constructed pond. (5) Create wetland habitat by allowing pond to overflow towards a river oxbow. (6) Improve riparian function and fish habitat. (7) Increase suitable native fish rearing or holding habitat if desired in the future (using the pond).

Fuller Bottom provides important spawning habitat for the three species and whole tree removal of tamarisk along the bank will help maintain river complexity needed for providing various spawning habitats. The three species currently occupy only ~50 percent of their historic range, largely due to habitat perturbations, fragmentation, and interactions with non-native fish. One advantage native fish species have in the upper San Rafael is that non-native fish species and numbers are very low, this is due to the fact that the barrier in the lower river has prevented non-native fish present in the Green River from colonizing the upper river. We know that populations of the three species appear to be controlled through source-sink dynamics, with the populations in the upper San Rafael River providing a source to the downstream sink populations. Therefore protection of the populations in the upper river is critical to the long term viability of populations in the lower river. Failing to implement conservation projects for three species in the upper San Rafael could result in the decrease or loss of three species populations. The upper San Rafael River is a stronghold for roundtail chub, a species that has been petitioned for listing in the lower Colorado Basin, future petitions in the upper basin (encompassing the San Rafael) are likely. Missing opportunities to improve habitat for roundtail chub increase the threat of federally listing this species. The San Rafael River is listed on the states 303 D list, for Impaired Waters, water quality issues include high salinity, TDS, and chlorides. Increasing connectivity to the flood plain and decreasing salt concentration within the soil can be achieved by implementing this project. Tamarisk removal can have negative impact to bird species that prefer nesting in thick tamarisk. The risk of destroying bird nests can be mitigated by conducting the removal outside of the nesting period. Disturbing fish spawning is also a concern, this can also be prevented by avoiding work in the spring and summer months.

Relationship to Management Plans #4050 Fuller Bottom Riparian and Upland Improvement Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail chub (Gila robusta), Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus), and Flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) Developed to expedite implementation of conservation measure for roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker throughout their respective ranges as a collaborative and cooperative effort among resource agencies. Objective B. Establish and/or maintain roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker, and bluehead sucker populations sufficient to ensure persistence of each species within their ranges. Objective C. Establish and/or maintain sufficient connectivity between populations so that viable metapopulations are established and/or maintained. Objective D. As feasible, identify, significantly reduce and/or eliminate threats to the persistence of roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker that: 1) may warrant or maintain their listing as a sensitive species by state and federal issues, and 2) may warrant their listing as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA. Ac tion 5. Increase roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker populations to accelerate progress toward attaining population objectives for respective species. Action 6. Enhance and maintain habitat for roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker. Enhance and/or restore connectedness and opportunities for migration of the subject species to disjunt populations where possible. Restore altered channel and habitat features to conditions suitable for the three species. Provide flows needed for all life stages of the subject species. Maintain and evaluate fish habitat improvements throughout the range . Utah Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Developed to ensure State Wildlife Grants funds are spent to effectively restore and enhance wildlife populations and their habitat, and prevent the need for additional listings on the Endangered Species List. Bluehead Sucker- Tier 1 (conservation agreement species) Threat: Habitat fragmentation Action: Identify areas that need to be connected and implement appropriate actions Flannelmouth Sucker -Tier 1 (conservation agreement species) Threat: Habitat fragmentation Action: Identify areas that need to be connected and implement appropriate actions Roundtail Chub- Tier 1 (conservation agreement species) Threat: Habitat fragmentation Action: Identify areas that need to be connected and implement appropriate actions Lowland Riparian Habitat Threat: Channelization- lack or riparian vegetation; increased sedimentation Action: restore degraded habitats- add meander to streams and plant desirable vegetation Lotic Habitat Threat: Channelization-increased water velocity; lack of riparian vegetation; increased sedimentation Action: Restore degraded habitats- add meander to streams and plant desirable vegetation Threat: Invasive Plant species-thick stands of tamarisk can reduce the amount of flowing water in a stream, narrow channels Action: restore degraded habitats- use herbicides, mechanically remove, or otherwise control invasive non-native vegetation; plant desirable vegetation San Rafael Drainage Management Plan Hydrologic Unit 14060009 Plan identifies objectives and strategies for management of aquatic species and their habitat in the San Rafael River drainage. Native, non-sport fish species- Colorado pikeminnow, roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker, and bluehead sucker in the San Rafael River need special protection from factors which threaten their existence. Objective 1. Maintain or ehance populations of Colorado pikeminnow, roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker Objective 2. Maintain or enhance population of other native, non-sport fish species Strategy 2. Continue participation in the Three Species Conservation Agreement. Strategy 4. Work with local, state, and federal authorities to improve habitat in the lower drainage, specifically the removal of tamarisk. Upper San Rafael River Wildlife Management Area Habitat Management Plan Identifies important fish and wildlife habitats including: lowland riparian, wet meadow, and lotic key habitats; flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, and roundtail chub. Providing and protecting for these native fish in the focus of the WMA. Habitat Threats: Invasive plant species- tamarisk; nutrient enrichment-eutrophication of water habitats due to excess nitrogen, phosphorous, and other nutrients The Upper San Rafael WMA will be managed to increase its functionality, appeal, availability and use by all fish and wildlife species Noxious Weed Control- UDWR personnel will spray and control noxious weeds on the WMA as required by state law. Habitat Improvement plan- Habitat projects to remove tamarisk plants should be considered a high priority for the WMA; Restoration of native plan habitat should be implemented; stream bank work would be advantageous to benefit native fish and their habitat; the focus of habitat improvement projects should target improvements for native fish. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Strategic Plan The DWR maintains sustainable and diverse wildlife populations that are valuable to all citizens of Utah. Resource goal: Expand wildlife population and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. Conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. Utah State Water Plan Utah's Water Resources Planning for the Future Water Quality, the Environment and Other Considerations Water Quality Concerns in Utah- Preservation and Restoration of Riparian and Flood Plain Corridors- stream bank modification and channelization are the cause of many water quality impairments to Utah's streams. Riparian zones and flood plains need to be preserved and protected because they help improve water quality. West Colorado River Basin Section 14- Fisheries and Water-Related Wildlife Protection of native fish species is important to keep functioning ecosystems intact. Protection of riparian vegetation will produce benefits including absorption of flood waters, reduced erosion, filtering of sediment and chemicals from runoff, and aesthetic and recreational values. Issue: There is a need to protect wetlands and riparian habitat and reduce sedimentation of lakes, reservoirs and streams. When riparian areas are in good condition, they provide streambank stability, maintain channel countours, reduce sedimentation, regulate water flow, and enhance water quality. Recommendation: BMP's should be used to protect and enhance wetlands and riparian areas Issue 3: Over time, streamflows tend to stabilize the streambed. If stream channels are altered, this upsets the hydraulic regime and causes erosion and sediment deposition, impairing stream use for fish and wildlife purposes Emery County Land Use Plan San Rafael River Region Section 5- Manage the watershed in the san Rafael river region to achieve and maintain water resources at the highest reasonably sustainable levels. Management practices should be employed in the San Rafael river to restore, maintain, and maximize water resources through restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of the watershed in the San Rafael River region Where water resources in the San Rafael river region have diminished beforce of succession by woody vegetation, a vigorous program of mechanical treatments should be applied to promptly remove the vegetation and provide a watershed that maximized water yield and water quality for wildlife. The Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds A plant is considered a weed when it interferes with beneficial uses of land or water, displaces desirable or native plants, or affects human and animal health. Mission: Appropriately manage existing and invasive weeds in Utah Key Element 3: Management of established populations Key Element 4: Revegetation or Restoration

Previous tamarisk removal on WMA has reduced risk of fire on the property, however this was not a primary goal of the project.

The wildlife pond constructed on the south side of the river will create wetland habitats due to overflow from the pond inundating ground between the pond and the river. This area will be seeded with the "wetland mix" found in this proposal. Several ephemeral washes are found below the pond, establishing wetland species within these washes will buffer storm water, decreasing gully erosion and sediment input into the river, benefiting water quality. Developing the well to supply the pond, with a flow rate of ~40 gal/minute, will increase water quantity available for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

Project occurs all on state property. NEPA not required for proposed actions. Archaeology clearance surveys were conducted prior to excavation of the pond.

Vegetation Planting/Seeding: Seeding will occur in the fall in both the upland and wetland areas using ATV's and drag harrows. The upland seeding area includes the 24 acres where tamarisk removal occurred in 2016 as well as a few additional acres around the pond to stabilize the dam and disturbed areas due to excavation. The wildlife pond constructed on the south side of the river will create wetland habitats due to overflow from the pond inundating ground between the pond and the river. This area will be seeded with the "wetland mix" found in this proposal. A water jet will be used to transplant willows to the river edges where whole tree removal was completed in 2016. Pond Improvements: The pond will be completed by installing a flash board riser and piping the inlet with 2" pvc running from the well to the pond. A drip irrigation system will be installed on the well before reaching the pond and used to water trees and shrubs. A timer will be used to alternate water delivery between the pond and the drip system. Herbicide Treatment (Invasive tree control): Tamarisk re-sprouts will be treated in the Fall with hand crews and ATV's following foliar application guidelines. The active herbicide used in the uplands will be Triclopyr (Element4) or similar available brand. Imazapyr (Habitat) with an aquatic label will be used near the river. Fence: A boundary fence does exist on the WMA however sand drifts and broken sections currently allow cattle to trespass. Most of the fence will need minor maintenance, some sections will need to be rebuilt with new posts, braces, and wire.

Fuller Bottom is a long term electrofishing index site for native fish in the Upper San Rafael River. We have trend data going back over ten years giving us the ability to track fish populations, and will continue to monitor fish abundance, habitat preference, and changes to river habitat annually. Photo points and cover transects will be set up to monitor vegetation response throughout future phases of the project. We also have 10 cm resolution aerial imagery of the site captured in 2010 for a different fisheries project that will be very useful for planning the project and monitoring changes to both vegetation and river habitat (See attached for imagery examples). I have also attached a publication describing the methods used to detect and monitor positive river changes in the lower San Rafael. The monitoring methods and management recommendations developed in this paper will be used to guide work at Fullers Bottom.

BLM Fisheries Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Geological Service, U.S.Bureau of Reclamation, Utah State University, and Utah Water Research Laboratory have all been critical partners during planning and implementing restoration efforts on the San Rafael River (see "Final Plan 7-15-13", attached in documents). The upper San Rafael River, (Including Fullers Bottom) plays a major role in conservation of native fish (Three-species), not only in the San Rafael but the lower Green River Drainage. UDWR will be overseeing this project as it occurs on a State WMA, however the native fish objectives of this project fit nicely into the San Rafael Restoration Plan and is supported by the above mentioned partners.

A large project is currently being undertaken on the lower San Rafael designed to test various restoration practices and develop future management recommendations. The results of this experimentally designed project will be used to guide future restoration practices on the upper San Rafael and other tributaries (see attached Final Plan 7-15-13) Implementing BDA structures could likely be a component of future management, again depending on the results of the ongoing BDA pilot project on the lower San Rafael. The pond has a max depth of 15 ft making it suitable for fish if desired in the future.

Livestock will be excluded from the property after fixing the boundary fence. The proposed improvements to the range and fence will improve the grazing value of the property should it ever be leased in the future.

11/13/2017

06/30/2020

2020

In 2015 whole tree removal was completed that significantly reduced the density of tamarisk on site. Over the past two years re-sprouts have grown from root masses still living in the soil, these re-sprouts range from 6-10 feet tall. In 2018 Utah Youth Corps (UCC) was contracted to chemically treat (cut stump) re-sprouts within the 24 acre site. Chain saws, brush saws and hand tools were used to cut tamarisk re-sprouts as close to the ground as possible and paint brushes were used to apply herbicide to the cut stem within 1 hour of cutting. Construction of the pond was completed in the Spring 2017, including installation of a flashboard riser that can control the water level (pictures in Images). Both seed mixes from the proposal were acquired from GBRC and broadcast with ATV/Harrow in April 2018. We used 2" PVC to connect the well to the pond, additionally 2 irrigation valve boxes were installed off the main 2" line sized down to a 1" PVC. Risers will be installed at each tree so they can be watered individually to maximize the limited water supply. We had issues with trespass cows heavily using the pond, so planting shrubs and trees along the drip irrigation lines was postponed until a fence is constructed to exclude livestock. In June of 2020 materials for a post and rail fence was purchased with remining WRI funding. In August 2020 DWR staff installed 1,500 feet of post and rail fence around the pond, as well as a plot of land south of the pond where a drip irrigation system will be installed at a later date to grow shrubs and trees for wildlife. Short sections of fence were also constructed on the north side of the river where recreation, including launching watercraft to float the river in the spring is common. Numerous side roads had been created that were damaging vegetation and creating confusion about what road should be used to access the river. The new fencing will protect cottonwood galleries by keeping vehicle travel to authorized roads and provide easier access to the river.

The pond was constructed near large cottonwood trees providing roosting habitat for turkeys. Additional trees will be planted around the pond increasing roosting habitat. Water Quality was monitored in the pond and found to be of excellent quality, however water level in the pond has been lower than anticipated due to seepage. Bentonite was used to line the pond prior to filling, however additional bentonite may be needed in the future. Currently the water level is too low to support fish, however amphibians including Great Basin Spadefoot and Leopard Frogs are already using the pond. Project started as whole tree tamarisk removal on outside river bends to encourage lateral scour and in stream complexity, as well as Hydro Ax mulching of tamarisk and seeding in upland areas to improve habitat for small game. Fencing the pond and constructing recreation fencing on the north side to improve river access and protect habitat was completed in 2020.

Now that a fence has been installed we can continue our plans for tree and shrub planting around the pond. Water level in the pond has been lower than anticipated due to seepage, bentonite was used prior to filling the pond however additional bentonite may be needed in the future. 2017/2018 was a very dry water year, thus its likely that pressure from the well has been reduced. Flow rates should increase during wetter years. We acquired left over bentonite from a different project and plan to line the pond with this bentonite in the fall of 2020, this should greatly benefit the ponds ability to hold water. Use of the pond to grow roundtail chub will assist in conservation of this fish in the San Rafael River. The suitability of the pond for fish will continue to be assessed, in the meantime the pond is creating habitat for other wildlife.