Existing Conditions within the project area sagebrush communities have reached climax densities of 25-40% cover. Sagebrush dominance in these areas has caused grasses and forbs to decline, only to continue declining if current conditions persist. There is also a lack of class diversity, particularly young plants, for several key browse species. Loss of the herbaceous understory, such as forbs, negatively affects the mule deer and elk that use these sagebrush communities for fawning or calving and summer habitat. Populations of both species are currently below Utah Division of Wildlife Resources plan objectives. Approximately 1,600 acres of the proposed project area lies in the Pole Creek drainage headwaters, home of a relict population of Bonneville cutthroat trout (BCTT) which is listed as a Region 4 sensitive species. As one of the few remnant strains, the Pole Creek population has provided fish for several re-introductions and is important to the conservation of this species. The current decadent condition of the area sagebrush continues to threaten unwanted wildfire behavior and subsequent sediment flow into the drainage.

Purpose of this cooperative project is to: Implement the Fishlake National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) to achieve the following goals: 1. Integrate vegetation management with resource management to maintain productivity and provide for diversity of plant and animal communities (LRMP, IV-3). 2. Protect aquatic habitats which are in good or excellent condition and improve habitats where ecological conditions are below biological potential (LRMP, IV-3). 3. Rangeland vegetation is managed to provide needed vegetation species composition and interspersed grass, forb and shrub sites or variety in age of browse plants (LRMP, IV-95). 4. Vegetation characteristics and human activities are managed to provide optimum habitat for the selected species, or to meet population goals jointly agreed to with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (LRMP, IV-95). 5. Grass, forb and browse vegetation characteristics are regulated (LRMP, IV-95). Thinning decadent stands of sagebrush to increase grasses, forbs and shrubs will move the project area toward desired conditions, improving big game fawning or calving habitat. A more diverse and resilient ecosystem will provide long-term benefits to many wildlife species. Need: There is a need to restore the sagebrush ecosystems by removing old and decadent sagebrush in order to diversify age classes and allow young grasses, forbs and shrubs to establish. There is a need to reduce fuel loads and decrease risks of unwanted wildfire behavior on uplands that flow into Pole Creek drainage.

Fire in this area will continue to become a threat, by treating this area we can reduce the overland fuel load of sagebrush that will be consumed by a wildfire, additional threats are that the sagebrush continues to become older and more mature and dominant we will continue to see the reduction of perennial understory with the existing grasses, forbs that are critical in this area for fawning and calving areas as well as livestock grazing, In addition the presents of noxious weed species will become an issues if sagebrush trends increase, soil erosion and decline soil potential of producing perennial grass, and forb species will take hold and the loss of established but suppressed herbaceous understory will be lost. Other threat will be the reduction of grazing on the Forest Service Allotments and on the Private Property due to the shrub and browse component taking over, grass, and forbs are critical summer grazing forage for the livestock industry, and will result in forge loss if treatment is not implemented.

The pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the Mountain Sagebrush Steppe Habitat type which is one of the key habitats identified in the 2015 WAP, and falls one of the UDWR Focus Areas. The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21B (Fillmore Pahvant Unit ) including: *Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. *Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. *Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and range resources in general. *The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: *Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. *Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. *Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered where it will benefit them due to the treatment area and goals. *Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah. *Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs. *UDWR SR critical big game summer range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved. The Division may employ but not limited to a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments. Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk. *This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire. *Other project have been completed by the Forest Service, BLM and UDWR in past years within the HUC 12 area. *Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the Lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities. *Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment *FFSL CWPP Process is a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan created by the fire department, state and local forestry, land managers, community leaders, and the public.The planning process maps values at risk, and requires actions to reduce risk, such as prescribed burning, fuel reduction, or other measures that adapt a community to better confront their wildfire threat. Area is also part of the Millard RWPP FFSL Plan which was implemented in 2014, there are Wildfire Codes and Ordinances associated with this plan. Project would also be relevant to NCS Goals and supported through the FS National Cohesive Strategies. CAT FIRE Objectives and Strategies: In 2013, the State of Utah developed the Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy (CAT FIRE) in response to the severe 2012 fire season. Reducing the catastrophic wildfire requires attention to three interdependent goals identified in the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy -- Restore and Maintain Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities, and Wildfire Response. These goals have been embraced throughout the development of the state's CAT FIRE strategy. Mitigation of hazardous fuels can change fire behavior making it easier to suppress. The effects of the mitigation, however, are not limited to life and property safety but will also affect forest health, water quality, vegetative species abundance, etc. As we continue to implement projects across the landscapes in Utah, the only way to truly be successful is to integrate existing programs, utilize local and federal partners and continue to educate the general public to create the desired shift towards more resilient communities and ecosystems. Relationships to the Fillmore Fishlake National Forest Plan: This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Fishlake LRMP as amended and helps move the project area toward the following desired conditions. *Diversity: Integrate vegetation management with resource management to maintain productivity and provide for diversity of plant and animal communities. LRMP, IV-3 *Wildlife and Fish: Protect aquatic habitats which are in good or excellent condition and improve habitats where ecological conditions are below biological potential. LRMP, IV-3 *Management Prescription 4B: Rangeland vegetation is managed to provide needed vegetation species composition and interspersed grass, forb and shrub sites or variety in age of browse. LRMP, IV-95 *Management Prescription 4B: Vegetation characteristics and human activities are managed to provide optimum habitat for the selected species, or to meet population goals jointly agreed to with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources LRMP, IV-95 *Management Prescription 4B: Grass, forb and browse vegetation characteristics are regulated LRMP, IV-95

This project will have the ability to reduce fuel loading through the process of removing and or thining older age class sage brush within the Watts Mountain Project. this wil be done using a chain harrow piece of equipment this treatment will allow for improved understory of grasses forbs and shrubs that are present and will be released due to the reduction of Mountain Sagebrush. Treatments like this have been proven to prevent wildfire from spreading during an event, this treatment will create several barriers or buffers between treated and non treated areas that is critical for controlling or containing wildfires. The FFO FS/BLM have implemented several prior projects that reduced the likely hood of wildfire within the Pahvant Mountain Range, these projects consisted of clear cutting, burning and reseeding along with cut and pile projects. This project will help protect valuable infrastructures, from Catastrophic Wildfires, such as, summer cabins, outbuildings, livestock corrals and mostly the community of Kanosh which has over 200 residents. Protection of the water supply resources to Kanosh that support the residents year round is associated within this treatment and is the main source of water to irrigated farmland. This project will also have an effect wildlife populations od Mule Deer and Elk as well as a relict strain of Bonniville Cutthroat Trout that are in the head water of Pole Creek. If a Catastrophic wildfire starys in this area all the downflow sediment and ash from the fire would wipe out the population of BCTT. The size of the treatment is around 4,900 acres and is within one mile of several structures including summer cabins, and out buildings, and within 5-10 miles of Kanosh, UT. This treatment will reduce fuel loads and improve critical habitat for mule deer, elk and turkeys in the future, along with providing additional forage for livestock.

Water quality and quantity should increase by implementation of this project, improvement to the rangeland through improved grasses, forbs will allow for better water usage and less evaporation on the soil as we now stand. Removal of the older sagebrush will allow for improved production and less soil and wind erosion. Over land flow of water due to snow and rain will be minimized due to the increase production of the planted grass species. We will be evaluationg existing springs and areas that may produce additional water for fish and wildlife within this treatment as well as improve the overall goals and objectives of the Forest Service through their Land and Resource Management Plan. (LMRP)

This project has been reviewed by the Fillmore Forest Service and a Categorical Exclusion has been analyzed and will be review with Forest Service. Watts Mountain Record of Decision was signed by Brian Monroe Fillmore District Ranger on 02/07/2017. All Arch surveys and inventories will need to be met on the private property portion of the project. Project Manager and UDWR Archaeologist will work together to contract this portion of the project out.

Methods will consist of a two-way chain harrow project to reduce the existing older sagebrush component on this project. This will be done by the use of a D-7 or D-8 tracked cat pulling the chain harrow, we would like to use two chain harrows one will be on the Forest Service and the other harrow will be associated with the private portion of the treatment. With this treatment we will contract out the work on the Forest Service Property through the State Purchasing through competitive bid process. As for the private portion we will work with them as they are willing to do their's through "in-kind" services. There will be no seeding taking place on the project due to a healthy stand of existing perennial grasses and forbs already established.

Monitoring of this project will be done through the Fillmore Forest Service Office, along with the UDWR and Private Landowner. Monitoring will be done through the use of Photo Points, vegetation transects and browse canopy inventory. Pre-season classification of elk ans deer will be conducted by the area UDWR Biologist. Project Manager will also be in touch with the rang trend crew fro GBRC to request a permanent range trend study be placed within the treatment area. Monitoring of the perennial understory will be done as to the recruitment and reseeding that is expected post treatment. Through a Cooperative Agreement the UDWR and Forest Service will work with the private landowner to conduct similar surveys of the vegetation treatment that will be implemented on their property.

Partnerships will include the UDWR and the Fillmore Forest Service Office, and Pahvant Ensign Ranches. We will be working together to make this a great cooperative effort to work across boundary lines and on a large scale treatment. With the Fillmore Forest Service working on their property to make it better, the need for the Private Landowner to partner with us was critical. We have been working towards this project for the last ten years and due to the efforts of the Fillmore Forest Service, UDWR and the Private Landowner we are making this project happen. We look forward to working together to meet the goals and objectives of each agency and cooperator, with improvements to the habitat in this area wildlife populations will have the needed forage during the summer months. Sportsman and Recreationist's will enjoy this area in the future as they travel through this area it will be a showcase for what partnerships can do by working together to achieve a common goal. Other Partnerships that may come from this project will include but not limited to the RMEF, MDF, SFW, NWTF, and Bowman's Association who may all be supportive of the treatments that will be implemented to benefit Utah's Wildlife.

Future Management of the project will be based on the effectiveness of the treatment and how much of the sagebrush is reduced through this project. Mountain Sagebrush can respond quickly to treatment and the need to retreat maybe needed in the future. We will look at the loss of sagebrush and how the perennial forbs and grasses are responding, if amount of forge for livestock utilization has improved, possible weaning weights for livestock in comparison to previous years due to the treatment being done. Improvement of springs in the area that are providing water for wildlife due to the treatments. Treatment may need to be followed up, if portions of the project is not completed this fall, we may need to complete in early spring. A Cooperative Agreement will be in place with the Private Landowner, and the need to work with the Forest Service Rangeland Specialist on pasture rotational efforts will need to be addressed going forward.

The limiting of livestock use will not be a factor in this treatment the Forest Service and the Private Landowner will be able to graze on their normal rotation, due to the fact that we will not be applying any seed on the areas that will be treated. The Forest Service and the Permittee will work on a rotational system that will benefit the livestock during this time, depending on the pastures that will be treated and the timing of the implementation. With this being said this treatment should produce additional forage for livestock and wildlife in the Watts Mountain Area of the Pahvant Mountain Range, increasing weaning weights, producing better milk for you calves and distribute cattle throughout allotments, allowing for improved grazing of the range.

09/27/2017

11/20/2017

2018

Final Methods for this project included both the Forest Service and the Private landowner pulling a chain harrow with a D-8 tracked cat over the landscape to remove older age class browse species such as Mountain Sagebrush and Service Berry to enhance the understory of native grasses and forbes that have been suppressed in the past due to over growth of these species. The private landowner provided his own D-8 Cats along with one Dixie Harrow, fuel and labor. In addition to that the Forest Service provided two sets of seasonal employees to implement the project on their property. UDWR leased the cats from a local vendor along with providing the fuel to run them and the Forest Service provided trucks and equipment necessary to complete the work.

This project was brought to the UDWR Habitat Biologist with hope of partnering to get this project complete. After some discussion of how and when to implement we decided to get the private landowner involved as they had shown interest in the past of wanting to do a project like this. UDWR and the Forest Service along with the Private landowner provide information a knowledge of the areas and ways to improve the production of forage that would benefit both livestock and wildlife moving forward. With the Forest Service and the Permittee on board the implementation process began, the UDWR provided the two D-8 Cats to the FS along with two 24' chain harrows, the private landowner provided his own D-8 Cat along with a home made Dixie Harrow that was used in conjunction with the DWR Chain Harrows to implement the project. UDWR conducted the Culture Resource surveys on private land and the FS provided the necessary information on their NEPA to implement the project on FS Administrated lands. UDWR provided funding for the fuel and seasonal employees for the FS to implement the project, the private landowner provided fuel and labor to complete his portion of the project. In completing the project the private landowner was able to help the FS and the FS was able to do the same for the private landowner, this project worked well and all parties are excited to see the results that this treatment will bring. A total of 4,826 acres was completed on the Forest Service Portion with 869 acres completed on the private portion. With funding from WRI, Sportsmans Groups and Habitat Council this project is another success of how partnership benefit one another for the primary goals of State, Federal and Private interests.

Future management will be provided by the Forest Service out of Fillmore, along with the Private landowner. In working on and implementing this project the need to see additional increase in forage for cattle and livestock was key. The Forest Service will work with the private landowner as they are the permittee with the allotments that where treated, the Forest Service and the Permittee will continue to rotate cattle as needed to graze these allotments in a positive way. Additional forage for wildlife will be present during critical times of year as deer and elk move through the treatment areas. Riparian areas will be less impacted due to the treatments opening up additional uplands for forage that can be utilized by both wildlife and livestock. This project was a good partnership between the UDWR, Forest Service, Permittee and the Private Landowners to get completed, great benefits will come from see this done in the future.