Boreal Toad (Western Toad, Anaxyrus boreas boreas) populations have declined significantly throughout their range, as a result in 2011 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition requesting the agency list either the Eastern population or Southern Rocky Mountain population of the Boreal Toad as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act. In Utah, the Boreal Toad was listed as a state sensitive species in 1995 at which time the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) began conducting surveys to determine the status of existing populations. Boreal Toad populations in Utah's Southeast Region have significantly declined; previous reports even suggested Boreal Toad may be extirpated from all historical sites (Breidinger 2009). However, in July 2015 UDWR discovered three adult Boreal Toads on East Mountain in Emery County. We also identified a large number of Boreal Toad tadpoles in a shallow wetland nearby the spring where adults were found. Prior to the finding on East Mountain, surveys were focused on North Horn Mountain where four adult toads have been encountered since 2000; however, egg masses, tadpoles, and metamorphs have not yet been discovered on North Horn Mountain. Finding tadpoles and metamorphs on East Mountain was the first known documentation of successful breeding and recruitment of Boreal Toad in UDWR's Southeastern Region. Precipitation from rain events or snow melt causes water to run over the road grade and pool up in a depression on the road. This creates two issues, first vehicles have been traveling around the bog to avoid getting stuck, second we found toad egg strands in the road, these eggs did hatch, however all tadpoles were eventually ran over or dried up (we moved as many as we could back into the pond). Installing a stand pipe drain made of 6" pvc (or culvert) will drain the overflow water under the road and supply a complex of wet meadows down the valley. The berms needed to hold water (east side of road below breeding pond) only need to be 12-18" tall to mimic the shallow wet meadow on the west side of the road that is being impounded by the road grade. This will fix the drainage problem on the road and create additional breeding habitat. Additionally, we have observed tadpoles drying up due to lack of summer rain in previous years, making yearly recruitment of toads very dependent on infrequent and variable summer storms. This small site is the only known breeding habitat on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, if we can increase the available breading habitat and survival of this small population we can reasonably expect to see expansion to nearby areas. We need ~480' of pipe to connect the spring to the breeding site, and 1,100 feet of poly-pipe to run to the proposed livestock trough areas.

(1) Increase footprint (square meters) of known breading site habitat (2) Decrease boreal toad road mortality due to vehicle travel within breading site (3) Increase survival of tadpoles by piping nearby spring to prevent late season desiccation of the wetland (4) Improve wetland by adding livestock troughs and salt away from springs (5) Increase wet meadow habitat below toad breading site (6) Increase deer browse by planting shrubs around the edges of the project (7) Increase elk forage by watering meadows

USFWS is currently under review, evaluating a petition to list Boreal Toad under the Endangered Species Act. Boreal Toad populations have declined significantly throughout their range, this decline has been significant in southeastern Utah. The outcome of efforts to protect the only known population in Southeastern Utah has the potential to greatly effect the listing decision. Actions proposed here will be completed outside of the breeding season to avoid the risk of interference with breeding.

WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (WAP): Boreal Toad (Western Toad) is included in the WAP, this project as proposed directly addresses threats associated with the Wildlife Action Plan. Boreal Toad population threats addressed by this proposal include: Drought, and Improper Livestock Ranching (Page 341). Projects proposed under the future management section (controlled burns for aspen regeneration) relate to the threat of "Fire and Fire Suppression". The WAP also identifies the following conservation actions to achieve these objectives: 1) Adjust grazing practices per the grazing principles of timing, duration and intensity to improve conditions of habitat, water and wildlife. 2) Restore aquatic habitat complexity. Boreal Toad Conservation Plan for the State of Utah: The goal of the Boreal toad Conservation Plan is to "maintain or restore multiple, viable breeding populations in nine of the 14 mountain ranges or geologic areas in Utah where boreal toad historically occurred ." The Plan identifies seven key Conservation Strategies including: "Identify and reduce threats from habitat loss and degradation (Habitat Management)," and "Restore populations in suitable historic and potential habitats." The proposed project will work to improve current breeding habitat on East Mountain and to expand breeding habitat to other portions of the drainage. Taking actions to protect and increase Boreal Toad breading sites directly relates to the goal of creating self sustaining populations. A population can be considered self sustaining when breeding, recruitment, and multiple age classes have been observed at a minimum of three breeding sites per mountain range or geologic area in three of the past five years. This project is intended to increase breeding site habitat and survival of all life-stages at our only known breeding site so they can expand to new areas. UTAH MULE DEER STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN: The project meets Habitat Objective 2 to improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer habitat (p. 19). Shrubs will be planted around the fringes of the meadows to create browse for mule deer. High quality browse species such as true mountain mahogany, cliffrose, serviceberry, and bitterbrush will be used (depending on availability). UTAH ELK STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN This project meets Habitat Objective 2 to improve the quality and quantity of forage and cover of elk habitat (pp. 14-15). Creating wet meadows will result in additional forage for elk.

This project will increase wet meadows and green vegetation around the meadows. Natural water features such as streams, ponds, and wetlands reduce fire potential as standing water creates fire breaks throughout the landscape. Vegetation around water sources are the last to stay green during dry summer months, buffering fire danger and reducing the risk of starting unintentional forest fires.

High elevation wet meadows are important to downstream water quality acting as filters reducing erosion and cleaning water. This project will increase wetlands and wet-meadows, however the footprint is small and measurable benefits to water quality would be minor. However, providing water sources away from the spring will help keep cattle out of the spring head which will directly benefit water quality down the drainage (Rilda Creek & Huntington Creek).

The work proposed is associated with existing springs and road drainage therefore is covered by previous NEPA under road and spring maintenance activities. The work described in the future management section will be several years in the making and will need to be considered for inclusion in the next Forest Mgmt Plan and associated NEPA.

Installing a stand pipe or open bottom culvert will drain the overflow water under the road and supply a complex of wet meadows down the valley. The berms needed to hold water (east side of road below breeding pond) will be 12-18" tall to mimic the shallow wet meadow on the west side of the road that is being impounded by the road grade. Additionally we are looking at designing a open bottom culvert to pass water used the road. This method is beneficial as adult toads can move under the road reducing the threat of road mortality. During the joint UDWR / USFS field day berms will be constructed using hand tools (picks, shovels, tampers, etc). A skid-steer or small backhoe attachment might also be used for rocky or difficult to dig areas. An elevation survey from the spring to the breeding pond will establish the best route for the pipe and determine how much of the hill will need to be cut. A trenching attachment or excavator will likely be needed for this effort. Running water from the spring to the breeding site will allow us to control the amount of water flowing through the lower complex of wet meadows. A locking valve box will be buried in a hidden location near the spring to control the flow rate. Vegetation and Grazing Management: Cattle troughs will be installed to the North and South (see attachment) of the project area and supplied with fresh water from the main spring. This will draw cows away from the breeding site and provide a water source if the breeding site is fenced in the future. Seeding disturbed areas and planting shrubs around the edges of the meadows will increase forage for deer and elk. For the shrubs, bareroot or containerized planting stock will be used to shorten the period of seedling vulnerability. Meadow sedge and beaked sedge will be seeded around the new wet-meadows. Both sedge species are typically found in areas of shallow water or immediately adjacent to water. These include swamps, wet meadows, pond or lake shores, streams, old riverbanks. Water sedge is grazed by many ungulates, is high in nutrition and also has high protein content. Beaked sedge grows in Utah up to 10,500 ft (our site is a 10,200') Animal preference for beaked sedge varies seasonally. Beaked sedge provides good forage in the spring but becomes tough during the summer; however, palatability in riparian areas is higher late in the growing season. Elk consume beaked sedge late in the season (USU Extension). Native bunch grasses will also be in the seed mix that will do well above standing water in the meadow bottoms. Streambank wheatgrass (or thickspike wheatgrass) is found at elevation from 4,000-11,000 feet. It is found on dry hillsides, exposed flat ridges, well-drained meadows, along roadsides and other disturbed sites. It can withstand moderate flooding, but will not tolerate long periods of inundation. Streambank wheatgrass's low stature and fine herbage make it a good source of forage for cattle, horses and deer (USU Extension). All planting will be done by hand in the fall after all ground disturbance is complete. Seeding will be in and adjacent to the meadows below the springs.

Now that a breeding site has been discovered we plan to collect additional water quality and habitat data that will provide insight into breeding habitat selection and conduct inventory of suitable habitat in the surrounding area. Due to the sensitive status of Boreal Toad, the USFS is cooperating with UDWR to determine if a self sustaining population of Boreal Toads persists on East Mountain. A population can be considered self sustaining when breeding, recruitment, and multiple age classes have been observed at a minimum of three breeding sites per mountain range or geologic area in three of the past five years. Monitoring will also be completed in the future to document Boreal Toad use in the newly created wetland and wet meadows.

UDWR will be partnering with the Manti- La Sal Forest to implement a field day where much of the ground work will be completed by volunteers from both agencies. Berms needed to hold water below the breeding site will be constructed during the volunteer day. Shrub planting can also be completed during the combined work day/s. Fixing the road, installing troughs, and running water to the wetland will be completed by UDWR and USFS employees.

Now that a breeding site has been discovered we plan to conduct additional water quality and habitat data that will provide insight into breeding habitat selection and conduct inventory of suitable habitat in the surrounding area. Due to the sensitive status of Boreal Toad, the USFS is cooperating with UDWR to determine if a self sustaining population of Boreal Toads persists on East Mountain. A population can be considered self sustaining when breeding, recruitment, and multiple age classes have been observed at a minimum of three breeding sites per mountain range or geologic area in three of the past five years (Hogrefe et. al. 2005). In the future UDWR would like to work with the USFS to create a long term plan to improve grazing practices (add rotational pastures) as well as implement aspen & range regeneration project (controlled burns, forb planting) to improve wildlife habitat. Boreal Toad and other sensitive species will also be considered in future big game projects so that multiple game and conservation species will benefit.

We will be adding stock water troughs and salt areas. Fencing of the toad breeding site might be advised in the future, however having stock water troughs out side of the fence will provide a water source and the fence will be constructed with gates so that seasonal grazing can continue. The purpose of the fence would be to exclude cattle during the times when toads are most vulnerable, such as before egg strands hatch. Periodic grazing of the wetland is beneficial as it creates open spaces for breeding and ensures the site doesn't become overgrown with vegetation.

07/17/2017

06/13/2018

2018

A summary of the project including after pictures can be found under the attachment section (SERO_BorealToad_2017). To address the road damage to the breeding site we installed a 25 foot galvanized culvert with gravel-lined bottom to drain excess water under the road. During a combined UDWR / USFS field day held on July 18, 2017 we constructed three berms below the culvert to collect water passing under the road. The culvert was set on the existing road grade and filled over the top with material so that vehicles can now pass over the wetland without driving across open water. The bottom elevation of the culvert was set at the water surface elevation of the wetland at full pool to ensure the depth and size of the breeding site remained unchanged. Installing the culvert at this elevation allows the breeding site to reach full pool before passing water under the road where it can supply the three new wetlands. A skid-steer was used to peel up sod mats from the meadow and replace them on top the bare earth berms, providing stability and maintaining cover / habitat around the new wetlands. The small wetlands were designed with depths, shape, and long axis north facing aspects to mimic the established breeding site. We conducted an elevation survey from a nearby spring to the breeding site to establish the best route and installed a buried polyethylene pipe to convey water from the spring to the breeding site. Moving water from the spring to the breeding site allows us to control the amount of water flowing through the lower wet meadows. Multiple locking valve boxes and lateral pipes were installed on the main line so water can be sent to both the breeding site and new wetlands. Having multiple valves will allow us to add water to the breeding site only when needed to prevent cooling the breeding site more than necessary. Additional valves were installed along the main line so in the future cattle troughs can be installed away from the water sources being used by boreal toads. This will draw cows away from the breeding site and provide stock watering if the breeding site needs to be fenced in the future. After the implementation of the habitat project, several trips were made to East Mountain to check on the tadpoles in the wetland and monitor water levels to ensure the wetland remained full until the tadpoles morphed into toadlets. On August 14th, we found that most all of the tadpoles had transitioned to toadlets and were emerging from the water. Despite having little summer rain in 2017 the habitat improvements provided the ability to augment water reaching the breeding site therefore increasing tadpole and metamorph survival.

Based on three years of close observation of the East Mountain breeding site it is likely that in the past recruitment has been sporadic due to the ability of this site staying wet being dependent on infrequent and variable summer storms. Additionally, we learned that under certain circumstances as observed in 2016, the road bisecting the breeding site results in significant mortality. Two of the five egg strands observed at the site were found in the road, a location with little chance of survival; therefore, the road reduced potential recruitment by 40 percent. The habitat project implemented in 2017 will facilitate yearly reproduction and survival of young life stages of boreal toad. Additionally, we anticipate that having the ability to control water levels in the new wetlands and managing them to mimic the depths and water temperatures when successful recruitment was documented will increase available habitat and breeding productivity.

It is recommended that cattle troughs be installed to the North and South of the project area and supplied with water from the main spring. This will draw cows away from the breeding site and give livestock a place to drink that is not a stream, spring head, or seep. Providing offsite water also gives us the option to fence the breeding site in the future if necessary.