The proposed San Juan River Project is needed to complete the initial phase of tamarisk and Russian olive removal along the Utah portion of the San Juan River. Primary objectives for this project include: restoring riparian vegetation communities and wildlife habitat, enhancing off-channel fish habitat, improving the recreational experience, and reducing the risk of wildfire. The introduction of Russian olives (Eleagnus angustifolia) to western North America, combined with altered flow regimes caused by extensive damming and diversion of rivers during the 20th Century, resulted in synergistic interactions that radically altered aquatic and riparian ecosystems on the Colorado Plateau. Dams and diversions have altered flow regimes and reduced or eliminated periods of inundation of floodplain habitats, which favored establishment of Russian olives over native willows and cottonwoods, which thrive in periodically flooded riparian areas. Russian olives then displaced native vegetation and altered ecosystem processes through high levels of nitrogen fixation, high inputs of organic debris (roughly 25 times higher than ecologically similar native vegetation), and input of decay-resistant leaf litter that interferes with aquatic nutrient cycling (Katz and Shafroth 2003. Wetlands 23:763-777; Mineau et al. 2012. Ecology 93:1501-1508). These changes impacted aquatic and riparian ecosystems in ways that favored the establishment and spread of a host of other invasive species, ranging from tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) to common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The cascade of ecosystem changes that establishment of Russian olives sets in motion has been referred to as "invasive species meltdown." The resultant impacts are perhaps most severe in side channel and backwater habitats of rivers, which tend to fill with sediment and organic debris over time when encroached upon by dense stands of invasive vegetation. Russian olives are especially problematic due to their extremely high input of organic debris and their ability to form dense monocultures and closed canopies. The portion of the San Juan River that flows through the Four Corners and Lower San Juan subbasins (HUC 14080201 & 14080205, respectively) serves as critical habitat for remnant populations of three endangered species of fish (Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, and razorback sucker) and supports populations of three sensitive species of fish (roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker). Side channel habitat is especially important as spawning and nursery habitat for these fishes. The side channel habitat in the project area is fringed by native willows (Salix spp.) and is inundated during periods of high flow, but is being rapidly encroached upon by Russian olives. Continued encroachment by Russian olives threatens to eliminate this habitat to the detriment of native fishes and amphibians. In addition, eventual replacement of the remaining native willows by Russian olive monocultures threatens to eliminate habitat important to several species of breeding birds, including the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and the threatened western distinct population of yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canyon Country Fire Zone (CYFZ) conducted an in depth landscape level burn probability analysis based on LandFire data sets and calibrated using a command line version of FlamMap called RANDIG. This fire modeling system was developed by Mark Finney at the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) and Allen Ager with the Western Wildland Threat Assessment Center. The CYFZ burn probability uses higher resolution based on 30 meter pixels and was calibrated at 90th percentile indices set to match conditions of recent large fires in the fire zone. The higher resolution and local calibration of this analysis helps delineate burn probability on long and narrow features, like the San Juan River, by decreasing the number of mixed pixels. The burn probability analysis shows that the main threat of wildfire is only along the San Juan River corridor in the riparian zone. The wildfire threat has been exacerbated by the tamarisk beetle which has killed large stands of tamarisk during the past ten years

The primary objectives of the proposed project are to kill Russian olive, tamarisk, and herbaceous weeds, up to 100 acres (per NEPA), in order to: 1. Prevent the loss of side channel habitat due to the accumulation of organic debris and sediment. 2. Preserve fluvial processes that are necessary to maintain and enhance critical fish habitat. 3. Restore native plant communities by facilitating the spread of remnant native riparian vegetation and through active revegetation. 4. Improve wildlife habitat. 5. Reduce wildfire probability and increase public safety. 6. Improve the recreational experience.

Invasive plants are spreading rapidly across North America, including in the Monticello Field Office. These invasive species alter ecological and fluvial processes, negatively influence rangeland and riparian health, threaten critical fish habitat, increase the fuel loading and risk of fire, cause economic losses, and displace native plant communities. Ecological damage from uncontrolled invasive plant infestations can be permanent; thereby leaving public lands unable to return to desired or natural conditions without control efforts. Noxious weeds are currently spreading at a rate of more than 4,600 acres per day on federal lands in the United States (Belliston, et. al., 2010). The greatest impact of invasive plants in the Monticello Field Office (MFO) is typically along the San Juan River corridor. Common invasive plants in riparian areas include Russian olive, tamarisk, a variety of invasive thistles, Russian knapweed, Whitetop, Ravennagrass, and Camelthorn. There are an estimated 35,000 BLM acres infested with invasive plants, with the majority being based on Russian Olive and Tamarisk infestation of riparian areas, adjacent terraces, and non-riparian ephemeral drainages (Final EIS, 2008). Russian Olives and Tamarisks are invasive in wet-saline environments and certain riparian zones, and have the ability to displace native plant species (USDA, 2002). Introduction of Tamarisks in the early to mid 1900's was followed by channel narrowing along many western rivers, such as the San Juan River (Vincent, et. al., 2009). Populations of Camelthorn are found along the San Juan River corridor, and are the only known infestation of this invasive species in Utah. Thus, Camelthorn is prioritized for treatment to prevent further infestations (Final EIS, 2008). The proliferation of woody invasives, if left unchecked, threatens to: 1. Hasten the loss of critical side channel habitats utilized by endangered and sensitive fish. 2. Alter fluvial and nutrient cycling processes in a way that favors non-native species. 3. Further degrade native vegetation communities. 4. Degrade wildlife habitat. 5. Increase fuel loading and risk of wildfire. 6. Degrade the recreational experience. There are few if any threats associated with implementation of this project. The only conceivable potential impact is loss of winter forage and nesting habitat for birds that may feed on Russian olive fruit or nest within stands of woody invasives, but there will be no shortage of Russian olives or tamarisk in riparian habitats surrounding the project area.

(1) Monticello Resource Management Plan (RMP). The proposed action is in conformance with the MFO Resource Management Plan approved in November, 2008. The RMP responds to issues regarding noxious weeds and invasive species by utilizing BLM's integrated pest management strategies (combined use of mechanical, cultural, chemical, manual, biological, and preventative measures) (Final EIS, 2008). The goals and objectives outlined in the RMP include control of invasive and non-native weed species, and prevent the introduction of new invasive species through the implementation of a comprehensive weed program, including coordination with partners; prevention and early detection; education; inventory and monitoring; and principles of integrated weed management (Final EIS, 2008). (2) BLM National Policy Guidance on Special Status Species Management (Manual 6840). Provides direction for the conservation of special status animal and plant species as well as for their habitats. (3) The National Fire Plan. Designed to manage the potential impacts of wildland fire to communities and ecosystems and to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildland fire. The NFP focuses on strategies for improving fire preparedness, restoring and rehabilitating burned areas, reducing hazardous fuels, assisting communities, and identifying research needs. (4) BLM National Policy Guidance on Wildlife and Fisheries Management. This manual provides direction to restore, maintain and improve wildlife habitat conditions on public lands through the implementation of activity plans. (5) The US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plans for the Colorado pikeminnow (1990), Humpback chub (1990), and razorback sucker (1998) all emphasize restoration of floodplain habitats to serve as fish nursery areas as a means of increasing juvenile recruitment in populations of these endangered species. (6) The recovery plain for the southwestern willow flycatcher (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2002) calls for habitat restoration efforts that "protect, reestablish, mimic, and/or mitigate for the loss of natural processes that establish, maintain, and recycle riparian ecosystems relevant to the flycatcher." Russian olives are a significant impediment to these natural processes and tend to displace the dense stands of willows and ecologically similar riparian shrubs that willow flycatchers depend on for breeding purposes. (7) The Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub Gila robusta, Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus, and Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnes (UDWR Publication 06-18) includes an objective of enhancing and maintaining habitat for each of the three species. (8) The project addresses goals and objectives of the BLM Utah Riparian Policy, what states that "riparian areas are to be improved at every opportunity." (9) The Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) for the State of Utah identifies lowland riparian habitat as being highest priority for conservation and restoration. (10) San Juan County Weeds Plan seeks to treat 200 acres along the San Juan River.

The San Juan River is a popular recreation area. Approximately 12,000 boaters, run, camp, and explore within the corridor each season. Semi-primitive camp sites are dispersed throughout the corridor placing recreationists directly within overgrown dead, dying, and continuous stands of Tamarisk and Russian olive. When these stands burn, fire behavior is of high intensity and is fast moving. Native vegetation intermixed with the invasive species are consumed during these events. Fires of this type have been observed to cross rivers via fire brands and continue to decimate the other side as well, resulting in a fairly large impact area. The Gold Mine/TigerWall Unit builds off of previous work done by the BLM and further protects the highway 191 bridge and the Sand Island campground. The aggressive nature of the invasive and noxious species residing in the area results in secondary invasion of undesirable plants in the disturbed areas post fire. Public safety is at risk. In particular, establishment of dense stands of Russian olive, and the potential for loss of seasonally inundated aquatic habitat due to accumulation of sediment and organic debris that tends to accompany the establishment of Russian olives, increases the likelihood of severe wildfires in floodplains. Litter from Russian olives is unusually resistant to decomposition, leading to accumulation of fuels in areas dominated by Russian olives. This project addresses these threats by reversing the spread of Russian olive and tamarisk and reducing the fuel loading within campsites or adjacent to them. These treatments will facilitate the spread of native willows and help preserve fluvial processes that maintain seasonally inundated areas and high soil moisture levels. If monitoring indicates the need, seed will be applied or stock planted to enhance campsite function and aesthetics. In areas where recreation is not a factor, native vegetation will be protected and enhanced due to decreased competition and diminished chance of destructive fire.

The potential for riparian ecosystems is strongly dependent upon the availability of water in an arid environment found in the MFO. Hydrologic and geomorphic processes are interdependent on the relations between bank alteration, vegetative bank protection, and subsurface water. Riparian areas are prone to invasive plant infestations due to available water for the establishment and growth of plants, altered water flows that disrupt natural hydrologic processes, and disturbances from human and livestock activities. Invasive plants can cause deterioration to these systems through the elimination or reduction in bank-forming plants, encroachment in the uplands and floodplains, and altered riparian plant compositions (USDI, 1998a). Areas with marginal potential for riparian establishment due to limited water availability, such as ephemeral and intermittent drainages, are most prone to invasive plant infestations, such as Tamarisk. Also, riparian areas that are Functioning-at-Risk and Non-Functioning are susceptible to invasive plants, as they are less robust to compete against infestations. Riparian objectives for the MFO are for a Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) system, which is able to dissipate high water flow events, vigorous, supports greater biodiversity, and have developed root masses that stabilize streambanks (Final EIS, 2008). A riparian system in a PFC state is most able to withstand establishment, infestations, and pressures from invasive species. Re-establishment of PFC areas throughout the river corridor will ultimately enhance water quality and quantity. Russian olives tend to degrade water quality by increasing the input of nitrogen and carbon in aquatic ecosystems. The elevated nitrogen levels favor processes that alter productivity and reduce dissolved oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the high input of decay-resistant litter from Russian olives tends to cause accumulation of organic material and sediment that can restrict the flow of water or divert it to other areas. A major objective of this project is to preserve the quantity and quality of water in an important side channel habitat of the San Juan River.

(1) Programmatic Environmental Assessment Integrated Invasive Plant management Plan for the Monticello Field Office, DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2013-006-EA This programmatic EA was tiered to Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States -- Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) (USDI, 2007). The EA provided analysis for 100 acres of mechanical treatment and 4000 acres of herbicide treatments within riparian areas located within the MFO. BLM is implementing projects within these restrictions currently. Work will continue on this scale until further NEPA analysis can be completed to expand and enhance project capabilities. (2) Utah Noxious Weed Act, Rule R68-9. April 2012 The Utah Noxious Weed Act, in conjunction with San Juan County ordinances, state that it is the duty of every property owner to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any land in their possession, or under their control, and shall serve as a warning that if they fail to comply with this notice, enforced weed control measures may be imposed at the direction of county authorities (Rule R68-9, 2012). (3) Endangered Species Act (ESA), 1973, as amended (4) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1927), as amended (5) Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 1958 Section 7 consultation was accomplished as part of the required NEPA process. All activities will be conducted outside of nesting and breeding seasons unless site specific surveys determine that work can proceed without impact to protected species. Project implementation will be phased and designed in such a way that critical habitat will not be detrimentally impacted. (6) Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 1966, as amended Site specific cultural inventory will be conducted if deemed necessary by Agency archaeologists. Treatment units will be designed to accommodate these values. Tribal consultation was conducted as part of the NEPA process prior to project implementation. NOTE: Our archaeologist is reviewing the polygons for any potential conflicts but expects little conflict or mitigation. Arch sites have a low probability of occurrence within current or historic floodplains due to the nature of flood scour/deposition. (7) Monticello Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) No. 2013-UTY020-01-P The Monticello PUP provides guidance for herbicide application within the field office. All guidance, restrictions, and best management practices will be followed. (8) The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is the basic authority for BLM activities. FLPMA establishes the principle that public lands be retained in Federal ownership and provides for the management, protection, development, and enhancement of the public lands under the principles of multiple use, sustained development, and sustained yield.

Riparian areas have been evaluated utilizing several factors that determine need and priority of treatment. The factors to be taken into consideration include but are not limited to; recreation interaction/impacts, potential for off-channel habitat restoration, ratio of native vegetation, accessibility, livestock use, T and E species, cultural resources, and invasive/noxious plants present. Several treatment options exist and will be utilized considering above mentioned factors. (1) Whole-tree extraction will be employed on the Gold Mine polygon, downstream from the highway bridge near Bluff but upstream of the tiger wall. Mechanical removal of individual plants (trees) would likely be conducted utilizing a track-hoe style machine with a thumb to pull and stockpile vegetation for follow up burning or chipping. The biomass will be consolidated into a single or series of large piles that will be burned or chipped. Follow-up herbicide treatments and potential revegetation efforts will be undertaken in fy2020 (WRI fy), once the extent of re-sprouting and passive recovery potential is known. Removing the root systems is critical to restore dynamic fluvial process to the side channel habitats freeing them from entrenchment and allowing for lateral movement. (2) Hand-cutting with chainsaws, cut-stump spraying, piling, and subsequent burning will we employed at all other sites. Cut stump treatments will have herbicide applied directly to the cambium layer of each individual stem to increase mortality rates and decrease the need for follow up treatment. A lop-and-scatter treatment will be substituted if woody invasive density is low. Additionally, biomass may be stacked as firewood in locations with frequent recreational use. Hand sprayers would be utilized for areas such as this. Areas accessible to vehicle may be sprayed utilizing boom sprayer or similar equipment. If seeding is deemed necessary, existing BLM seed supplies will be used and seeding will be accomplished in inaccessible areas by hand followed by rake. All other seeding operations would likely be conducted utilizing a mechanical spreader mounted to ATV/UTV or skidsteer type machine dragging a harrow behind. Willow pole plantings would be done by hand. Larger stock such as trees may be planted by hand tools or machine such as skidsteer with auger or similar tool. RTRL (Navajo BIA) hand crew/ equipment, BLM labor/ equipment, contract labor/ equipment, and Youth Corp labor may all be utilized to accomplish this work.

Project implementation will be directly monitored by BLM staff. Minimum monitoring standards would require observation/interaction at the beginning, critical stages, and at the end of each implementation phase. However, it is more realistic that fuels staff will be involved throughout the entire process providing direction and support. Vegetation monitoring will take place via ocular survey starting post treatment and continuing until desired results have been achieved. Limited acreages associated with project units of this nature allow for rapid assessment of success. Follow up treatments will be undertaken as necessary. Repeat photography will be employed. More extensive monitoring may be implemented depending on funding, need, and workforce capabilities. Monitoring data and reports will be uploaded to the WRI database as completed and/or available through the BLM.

(1) Bureau of Indian Affairs (Navajo fuels crew) Reserve Treaty Rights Trust Lands (RTRL) BLM has partnered with BIA to provide funding and project work for seasonal workers. The RTRL project is actively treating units identified along the San Juan River. This work is directly tied in to this project and is one piece of the puzzle to accomplish the goals and objectives of this undertaking. (2) Canyon Country Youth Corps - We have partnered with Canyon Country Youth Corps to implement the work from Mexican Hat to the park boundary. This work is already funded through a cooperative agreement with BLM using BLM funds. (3) Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands -- FFSL has treated private lands within the river corridor in concert with prior BLM treatments. The treatments have bolstered the overall success of these efforts. Opportunities to treat private lands will certainly present themselves throughout the duration of this project and will be explored through this relationship. (4) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources --UDWR has provided BLM with a contract mechanism to achieve work on the ground. This partnership has worked very well in the past and will likely be utilized for some portions of this project. There are also several State of Utah sections that intersect the corridor. These may be considered for treatment as well to enhance overall project success. (5) San Juan River Restoration Partnership There have been initial discussions about setting up a San Juan River Restoration Partnership involving BLM, Youth Corps, Ancestral Lands, BIA and others. Mapping the polygons that define the suite of potential treatment units was suggested prior to the formation of the group. BLM has recently accomplished this and wants to show treatment progress along the San Juan going into the next meeting. (6) San Juan County San Juan County is under a weed spraying agreement to treat approximately 200 acres a year within the river corridor. This work aligns closely with that goal.

This project will be implemented over a several year period. Wildlife section 7 restrictions and Monticello RMP dictate that only 100 acres per year of critical habitat for SWIFL and Cuckoo can be treated. Future NEPA will analyze the possibilities of additional acreages being treated but dispersed throughout the river corridor so as not to negatively impact these species. Monitoring will dictate areas that need to receive some type of follow up treatment. Areas will be maintained in this fashion to ensure the greatest amount of success within each unit. Local ranchers associated with this project will be worked with should rest periods become necessary due to seeding activities. Monitoring will be ongoing. Some rest from grazing will be addressed depending on drought and or increased fire activity in the area. Future projects will include maintenance of the treatment area to ensure sustained results.

Long-term impacts would be beneficial to the grazing permittee with treated areas providing enhanced forage production and improved vegetative diversity post treatment. This would be accomplished by removal of Tamarisk and Russian Olive trees that allows for increased growth of herbaceous plants (i.e. forage), providing a more reliable forage base, and promoting distribution of livestock by increasing access points to water. Also, long-term benefits of completion of the proposed treatments would reduce fuel loads, and continuity of heavy fuels would decrease the potential for high-intensity and large-scale wildfire in closed-canopy Tamarisk and Olive stands. A severe wildland fire event could negatively affect livestock grazing throughout the allotments by reducing the amount of forage, and because it may require an emergency closure of the burn area to livestock grazing. Thereby, the project would reduce these risks and effects.

07/01/2018

06/30/2020

2020

1) GOLD MINE SITE - RIPARIAN AND SIDE CHANNEL RESTORATION The Canyon Country Youth Corps completed frill cutting of Russian olive and tamarisk on 7 acres at the Gold Mine Site in the spring of 2018. Follow-up basal bark/foliar spraying was completed in November on the same 7 acres to address any re-sprouting of Russian olive from the root crown within the previously frill cut area. In the fall of 2019, an additional 6 acres of frill cut was completed and the original 7 acres was spot treated as necessary for resprouts by the CCYC and the Utah Conservation Corps. The BLM Canyon Country Fuels program used the mini-bullhog, on frill cut trees, to help open pathways and improve access for future treatments. In the spring of 2020, the CCYC completed hand pulling of Russian olive seedlings using weed wrenches and hand tools within Unit 1. The work was completed under the guidance of a strict COVID-19 protocol. The initial treatment of the large side channel habitat is now complete and focus will shift to the cottonwood gallery and lesser side channels. Additional resprout treatments may be needed and will be assessed in 2020. Volunteers from Grand Valley State College assisted in hand pulling Russian olive seedlings and clearing pathways for youth corps crews in both the spring of 2018 and 2019 as part of an alternative spring break program. The following USU Extension instructions were followed for this frill cut treatment: a) Frill cuts are made with a hatchet or ax in the lower trunk area of the tree. b) Chop through the bark, into the sapwood at a slightly downward angle so the frill cut will hold the chemical. c) The number of frill cuts will depend on the size of the tree. One frill per inch of trunk diameter will allow 1 milliliter (1 ml) of chemical to be applied into each frill cut (1 ml = 1 cc). d) The frill cuts must go around the stem. However, care must be taken to not girdle the tree. Girdling severs the phloem all around the stem and stops the flow of plant food from the leaves to the roots. Staggered frill cuts will allow the tree to continue growing and move the chemical through the system. e) Trees with multiple stems must have each stem treated individually. Untreated stems will survive. f) Any Russian Olive present over 4 inches in the Riparian Zone can be Frill Cut/Hack & Squirt g) Russian Olive under 4 inches must still be low-stumped within 1 inch and herbicide applied. 2) SAN JUAN RIVER - MEXICAN HAT TO GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (River Right) The Canyon Country Youth Corps completed lop and scatter of Russian olive and tamarisk on 2 acres along the San Juan River by raft within the Mexican Hat to Glen Canyon Recreation Area boundary section in the Fall of 2018. In the fall of 2019, those same two acres were retreated for resprouts and an additional 19 acres of Russian olive was completed by the CYCC and UCC. This completes the initial removal of Russian olive along approximately 6 miles of river on the right bank. a) Any Russian olive or Tamarisk present must be Cut-Stump-Herbicide. b) This includes any trees that cast shade onto river channel c) Cut within one inch of the ground d) Apply herbicide immediately 1. Easy to lose sight of small shoots 2. Russian olive seals wounds within 10 minutes e) Cover all cambium with herbicide 1. Regrowth appears at untreated cambium 2. Heartwood does not move herbicide f) Lop and Scatter biomass. All main branches or stems shall be cut from the trunk of the tree. All slash shall be bucked or cut into lengths not exceed 4 feet. Lop and then scatter all existing slash so that all the top and side branches are reduced to within 20 inches of the ground at all points. Slash shall not be located within 15' of a trail or dispersed camp site.

The project was completed through collaboration between the BLM Canyon Country District Aquatic Habitats program, the Canyon Country Youth Corps, Utah Conservation Corps, Canyon Country Fuels Program, and Volunteers from Grand Valley State College, and UDWR/WRI. The project focused on treating both Russian olive and tamarisk and completed initial treatment on 33.4 acres, with follow-up resprout work in 9 acres, that was accessed by either vehicle or raft. Significant progress was made (13 acres) in causing woody invasive mortality within the dominant side channel habitat at the Gold Mine Site. This site is dominated by a very high density of large Russian olives which required considerable effort for every acre of work completed. The raft-based work treated 21 acres of Russian olive and about 2 acres of tamarisk covering 6 miles of the right bank of the San Juan River. The crews made progress towards linking to the downstream work already completed in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. Rafting logistics are inherently challenging requiring several days to raft from the work site to the take-out at Clay Hills after completing the treatment objectives. However, near eradication of Russian olive in this river section is conceivable within a multi-year project framework. "After Action Reviews" conducted after raft-based trips have helped refine and optimize (i.e. # of crew, # of rafts, logistics, etc) our approach to raft-based work; the results of which will be implemented in San Juan 3.0. This project took two years to complete for the following reasons: Building capacity to complete more acres in fy2019 was not possible because the youth corps were already committed to working on the plethora of large scale WRI projects occurring within the region. However, capacity was built up in fy2020 with early scheduling, planning, an consultation with the youth corps. Soliciting non-youth corps contract crews was not feasible given the relatively small acreage and failure to secure reasonable bids for similar work on other riparian related proje Additionally, $103,599 of cooperative agreement match funds were spent in conjunction with San Juan 2.0 WRI dollars to complete more work under San Juan 2.0 than was anticipated leaving some San Juan 2.0 funds unspent. The BLM cooperative agreement with the Canyon Country Youth Corps was expiring which was not known at the time of proposal submission. This cooperative agreement was intended to serve as in-kind BLM match for the next several iterations of the project. However, these funds needed to be spent prior to Nov. 2019, zeroing out the primary in-kind fund source for future projects.

The next iteration of this project is San Juan 3.0 which builds off of the work completed here. Basal bark/foliar treatments will be applied to any re-sprouts resulting from work done under this proposal. Once we achieve and can confirm 95-100% mortality of Russian olive along the side channel, a whole tree extraction method will be used to remove above and below ground Russian olive biomass. The goal is to eliminate the influence of Russian olive on fluvial and geomorphic processes leading to the loss of critical side channel habitat. Biomass will be piled in an open part of the floodplain and burned. Additional frill cutting and cut/piling of Russian olive along lesser side channel habitats and under the cottonwood gallery is necessary to achieve the goals and objectives at the Gold Mine Site. Continued raft-based work downstream of Mexican Hat is also proposed under San Juan 3.0 and new lop & scatter removal will be implemented working systematically downstream. Future woody removal projects will focus solely on Russian olive, which will increase productivity. Treatment of herbaceous invasive species by San Juan County will also be incorporated into the next proposal with a focus on Ravenna grass and Arundo.