The need to protect resources and rehabilitate vegetation communities within the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project Area has been recognized for many years. This area continues to be a high priority area for vegetation resource enhancement, resource protection and fuels reduction. The Hamlin Valley Project is located within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) and also within the Hamlin Valley Priority Area for Conservation (PAC), which is part of the southern Great Basin (Nevada) population. The project area and treatment method has been identified for the Project Area (Year 3) and are identified as follows: 1. Stateline (Bull Hog - BLM - 1,376 acres) Note: Refer to Attached Funding Table (Estimates Costs for the Project) Proposed management prescriptions/strategies for the sagebrush vegetation management area are based on departure from the ecological site, the potential for the community to respond to various treatment methods, as well as the desired future condition of the sagebrush/steppe vegetative community. The excessive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment into areas that were once dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs according to the Ecological Site Description is of concern throughout the majority of the Project Area. The extensive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment has been detrimental to sage grouse and other wildlife habitat throughout the project area. The implementation of Year 3 for this project would improve 1,376 acres of crucial sage grouse habitat. Year 3 of the project could be separated into multiple projects based on funding. Year 3 of the project would also tie into efforts that have been completed on private lands within the project area over the last 10 years as well as ongoing efforts on private lands. Currently, the NRCS is actively working with livestock permittees through the sage grouse initiative/farm bill to identify projects on SITLA and private lands that could be implemented at the same time as treatment on public lands in Year 3.

The overall objective of this project is to remove pinyon pine and juniper and achieve a vegetation community that more closely resembles the sagebrush ecological site. The majority of the project is within a sagebrush ecological site and the project objectives are as follows: 1. Maintain adequate habitat components to meet needs of greater sage-grouse in nesting, brood-rearing, and winter habitats in accordance with current guidelines and in coordination with UDWR and SWARM while providing for other wildlife values. 2. Manage to maintain/create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages which would meet the seasonal needs of sage-grouse. 3. Improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description. 4. Reduce pinyon pine and juniper density by 100% or in accordance with what is described in the Ecological Site Description. 5. The Composition by air-dry weight would be approximately 45-55% grasses, 5-10% forbs, and 40-50% shrubs. 6. Vertical canopy cover for grasses/forbs would be 20-40%, shrubs would be 15-45%, and trees would be 0%.

The project is focused on eliminating pinyon pine and juniper from the sagebrush ecological site. Improving this community and removing ladder fuels to minimize the potential for a sagebrush stand replacing fire is a high priority. Historically it is expected that sage grouse in the area had a greater distribution and population. There is research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others that have documented that sage grouse stop utilizing a lek with as little as 4% tree canopy cover. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored pinyon and juniper expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that juniper and pinyon pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat. Implementation of the project has risks/threats including annual precipitation fluctuations and invasive/noxious weed establishment; however, mitigation measures have been identified that will limit these threats/risks to the project area. The project is located at an elevation of 6,000 feet, which is expected to help counteract the impacts of drought. Typically, rangelands at this elevation receive adequate precipitation to promote vegetative growth and viability in the short-term and long-term. In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. This research indicates that even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity. In addition, extensive pre-monitoring vegetative data collection has occurred within the project area for extensive Sage Grouse Habitat Assessments. Rangeland Health assessments (basal gap, canopy gap, line point intercept, shrub height, Rangeland Health Assessments), nested frequency and utilization data will be collected prior and post treatment. Sage grouse telemetry data has also been collected and will continue to be collected within the Project Area. This information will be utilized to identify future treatments and determine whether sage grouse are utilizing ongoing treatment areas. All of the information that has been collected will serve as a baseline to determine success/failure of the project for sage grouse and other wildlife within the project area on a short-term and long-term basis. Wildlife monitoring data including Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys and General Wildlife Use Surveys will be collected throughout the Project Area.

Rangeland Health in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. The focus for management within this area is to improve greater sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat while maintaining the dominant aspects of the sagebrush community to ensure adequate cover is available. High quality brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for sage grouse in the Hamlin Valley population area. BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners. Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7). B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows: Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14). C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3) D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MA-LG-13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17). The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan established incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas. The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups, and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses. Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area. In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs is those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats. The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Final) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50). Pinyon Management Framework Plan (PMFP) (1983) Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office. Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006) The SUSAFMP identifies the area as a priority for conversion of encroached pinyon and juniper dominated communities to a sagebrush community with a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. This would be consistent with the vegetative monitoring data that has been collected within the Project Area to identify the Ecological Site Description. National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004) The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following: 1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process. 2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation. 3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts. 4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome. 5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community. 6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation 7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation. 8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. 9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel. 10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands. Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (2012) The management goal of the Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit is to increase the unit deer population. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project are (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives. (2) Maintain critical fawning habitat in good condition. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2006) The management goal of the Southwest Desert Elk Herd Management Plan is to achieve a variety of healthy vegetative communities within the herd unit to maintain a diverse elk population in balance with available habitat. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Project are TO (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit on winter and summer range to achieve population management objectives. (2) Identify areas suitable for seasonal access management to encourage elk use in areas of low potential conflict. Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005) The priority habitat identified for this area was shrub-steppe, which was identified as a Priority A (High threat, high opportunity, and high value to birds statewide) habitat. Priority birds identified within this area include sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, sage sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow. Sagebrush restoration was identified as an opportunity within this area to address concerns with sagebrush die-off and potential for cheatgrass invasio

The majority of the area is at moderate to extreme on the fire risk index. There have been several very large fires in the Hamlin Valley area, especially in the last 10 years. There is a large fuel loading build up in Hamlin Valley and an alteration in fuel types. Pinyon and juniper trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Without this project, fuel conditions are such that a wildfire may be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) within the project area is predominately FRCC 3 which is where fire regimes have been extensively altered and risk of losing key ecosystem components from fire is high. Treatments identified within this proposal, including seeding with more fire resistant vegetation, would help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a catastrophic wildfire which could impact outlying residential properties and infrastructure. Treatments in and around the sagebrush areas would break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire entering these sensitive areas. Removing pinyon and juniper in a mosaic pattern would also break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of a high intensity wildfire. Because there is a greater risk of conversion of shrublands to annual grasslands under a high intensity fire, managed, pro-active treatments proposed would reduce the likelihood of cheatgrass invasion and help perennial grasses and forbs persist long-term. One component of this project (Priority 2) is a firebreak that will provide protection to an adjacent community that is at a very high risk should a fire occur.

The Project Area is located at 6,000 feet above sea level; therefore, it is expected that the opportunity to restore native species to the composition and frequency appropriate to the area is high. As discussed, this area is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper (Phase 2 and Phase 3). There is noticeable soil erosion throughout the area due to the absence of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. The project is expected to improve herbaceous understory, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration. Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by pinyon pine and juniper to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration. As discussed, extensive Rangeland Health monitoring data will be collected throughout the project area prior to treatment. This monitoring data will be utilized as baseline data to determine the success of the treatment while providing for a scientific measurement of the indicators identified above. In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

The NEPA/Final Decision documents were completed for the project area in June 2014. The treatment would be rested from livestock grazing for a minimum of two years following project implementation to ensure adequate rest and seedling establishment. The project area boundaries will need to be flagged and cultural clearances will be completed prior to project work. Extensive monitoring data (upland and wildlife) will be collected to provide baseline data to determine the success of the treatments.

The BLM has identified an ID Team and invited cooperating agencies (UDWR, NRCS, SWARM, etc.) to assess the current condition and formulate a vegetation management prescription that achieves the Desired Future Conditions, management intent, and management goals and objectives within the project area. BLM will provide overall project oversight. BLM will also refine flagging of the treatment area (i.e. leave islands (cultural and wildlife) in cooperation with UDWR and SWARM. All areas within Year 3 of the Project Area will be aerially seeded to meet wildlife habitat objectives in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. Seed will be requested through GBRC. Juniper and Pinyon Pine Encroachment (Phase 2 and Phase 3 P/J Encroachment) Objective is present in the Treatment Area: 1. Stateline - BLM (Bull Hog Treatment Method -1,376 acres) The majority of the Project Area is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in portions of the Project Area that are currently in Phase 2 condition the species vigor, composition and production are well below what should be expected for the site as revealed by the Ecological Site Description. The Bull Hog Treatment Method would be utilized to eliminate juniper and pinyon pine from the existing sagebrush and perennial grass community. Application of a diverse seed mix including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the project area. In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley (which is within the project area) as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs are those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats. The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM. The project area is dominated by Juniper and Pinyon Pine; however, this is not consistent with what should be expected according to the ESD, which states that the site should be dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush and a diverse composition of perennial grasses and forbs. The project areas will be flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with NRCS, DWR, SWARM, etc... In addition, archaeology clearances will be completed by DWR contract with project oversite provided by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist.

Pre-monitoring within the Project Area has been ongoing since 2014. Monitoring will continue to be completed by BLM, which may include some support from UDWR or other cooperators. Standard surveys have included: Wildlife Use Pattern Surveys (i.e. Pellet Counts), Wildlife Population Surveys, Key Forage Utilization, Nested Frequency (Trend), Line Intercept (Shrub Cover and Age Class), Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health Assessment, Photo Points, OHV Monitoring (to determine if new roads are being created), Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys, General Wildlife Use Surveys and Noxious weed inventory / monitoring. Pre and Post vegetation and wildlife monitoring data will be collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be compiled into an overall monitoring report that will help determine the level of success for the project in the short-term and long-term. This data will be utilized to support an Adaptive Management Strategy to determine if changes in treatment methods, seeding, etc... need to occur in order to meet measurable objectives. There currently is inconclusive data to suggest that the sage grouse population size would increase if the treatments were completed in Hamlin Valley. Vegetation treatments were completed in Fall 2015 within the Chokecherry and Spanish George areas. These vegetation treatments consisted of lop and scatter (1,623 acres) and bull hog (1,423 acres). Vegetation treatments were completed in the Fall 2016 within the Atchison Creek, Jackson Wash and Spanish George areas. These vegetation treatments consisted of chaining (1,900 acres) and bull hog (1,622 acres). Treatments have also occurred on private and SITLA lands in the last 5-10 years. Sage Grouse telemetry data has been collected since 2010 throughout Hamlin Valley. It is expected that this baseline data and future data will allow for correlation of whether sage grouse are utilizing treatment areas. Furthermore, it is expected that by improving Rangeland Land Health conditions and creating expansion sage grouse habitat through the elimination of pinyon and juniper in areas that should be dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs in accordance with the Ecological Site Description will lead to sage grouse habitat improvements and population increases. This will be verified through further data collection (telemetry, lek counts, RLH data, trend, utilization data, etc...). Similar treatments in others areas within the Color Country District Office indicate that sage grouse are utilizing the treatments almost immediately following the removal of pinyon and juniper, which is expected to also occur in Hamlin Valley. A joint sage grouse telemetry project is occurring between BLM administered lands in Cedar City Field Office and the Shell Field Office (Ely, Nevada). In addition, CCFO is coordinating with SFO (Ely, NV) on their future vegetative treatment projects immediately adjacent to Hamlin Valley. This coordination is expected to continue to provide for habitat connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries.

Utah State University Extension, NRCS, The Nature Conservancy, DWR, SWARM, Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative - Southern Utah University, Schell Field Office (Ely, Nevada), livestock permittees, private landowners (homeowners)

Livestock grazing within the Stateline Allotment has been assessed through the permit renewal process. The Stateline Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from July 1st - September 30th on an annual basis. The Stateline Allotment is deferred until after the completion of the critical growing period. In addition, utilization has been collected on a continual basis within the allotments. Livestock use has been within established utilization parameters on a consistent basis. It is expected that the vegetative treatment will result in forage production increases that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description. All areas seeded would be rested for a minimum of two complete growing seasons or until the seedlings become established and set seed. Once seeding establishment has been confirmed, BLM may authorize grazing according the Utah Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management. Vegetation treatments would continue to be monitored for utilization, cover and trend. Following the two year rest period, the grazing management system identified during the grazing permit renewal process would be resumed. Key Management Areas are typically established in grazing allotments to monitor trend where there is livestock use. Trend sites will be established in the Project Area which will provide for baseline monitoring data so that short-term and long-term treatment success can be monitored. Once trend within the treatment area has been collected as baseline data, trend will be determined in subsequent years as data is collected. Trend will be collected at these sites for 3 years following treatment and then these sites will be incorporated into the overall range vegetative monitoring schedule and be collected every 3-5 years. Trend sites have bben established near the project area. The current trend at these Key Management Areas would be expected to be static to downward based on pinyon and juniper expansion within the area, similar to the Project Area. Following treatment it is expected that this will be reversed and an upward trend will occur. Future maintenance projects to protect investments made by UWRI/NRCS/BLM have been addressed and allowed through the project planning document (NEPA). Adaptive management has been allowed for in the NEPA/Decision document. A large variety of treatment methods have been identified and authorized for use within the Project Area.

As discussed, the majority of the project area is in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. The project is expected to improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description, which will be beneficial to livestock grazing. Furthermore, the project will be proactive in Improving vegetative communities and removing ladder fuels within areas that are dominated by pinyon and juniper, which will minimize the potential for a catastrophic wildfire throughout the area, which would be detrimental to livestock grazing. It is expected that the vegetative treatments will result in increased forage production that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description. BUDGET WRI/DWR Other Budget Total

12/26/2017

02/08/2018

2018

842 acres were mechanically treated within the Stateline Project Area. The contractor started December 26th and completed the project February 28th. The project area is within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). Excessive juniper and pinyon had encroached into areas once dominated by perennial grass, forbs and shrubs becoming detrimental to to Sage Grouse and other wildlife throughout the project area. Through Aerial seeding and mechanical mulching the site will achieve a vegetation community that more closely resembles the sagebrush ecological site. The Stateline proposal was initially wrote to include 1,136 acres that would be mechanically masticated with a Bullhog. But through NEPA process clearances project acres changed to 860 acres, which was aerially seeded with a perennial grass and forb seed mix in November. Post seeding several small leave islands were included into the project. With the islands being small and scattered it was decided to seed the same 860 acre polygon which included the islands with the second shrub seed mix which was flown on in January.

The Project Area encompasses a diverse landscape that provides important forage values to livestock, wildlife and wild horses. It also provides for multiple-use by diverse groups of resource users. This area is important today for a variety of reasons. The BLM, along with various partners and cooperators, has recognized the need to maintain and protect resources and communities while providing for fire fighter safety, build off of treatments previously completed on private property and improve habitat in a variety of vegetation communities. The BLM's overarching goal for vegetation management is as follows: Through an interdisciplinary collaborative process, plan and implement a set of actions that improve biological diversity and ecosystem function and which promote and maintain native plant communities that are resilient to disturbance and invasive species. The purpose and need of the Proposed Action is to protect resources and improve various components of the vegetation communities within the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project Area. This area is identified as a high priority area for vegetation resource enhancement, resource protection and fuels reduction.

The areas that were treated will be rested from livestock grazing for a minimum of two years or until objectives are achieved. Once treatment has been determined to be successful livestock grazing will recommence. The season of use within the allotments where the treatments were completed begins after the end of the critical growing period. In addition, there are grazing management systems that have been identified. This is expected to provide for the long-term maintenance of the project. Currently, utilization objectives are well within acceptable parameters.