The Diamond Gulch Pasture has been reduced in the season of use for a few years because of improper cattle distribution and exceeding utilization standards in sensitive riparian areas. As a result cattle are grazing about half of the permitteed AUM's. The permittees have hired a rider but still are unable to distribute cattle away from sensitive riparian habitat (Limestone drainage). The permittees requested that this water project be installed and the riparian area fenced to manage as a riparian pasture if needed.

Allow for recovery and better management of the Limestone Spring drainage. Protect/manage sensitive riparian habitat including water quality. Improve cattle distribution to the west side of the Diamond Gulch Pasture. Maintain the full grazing season allowing for proper and uniform utilization.

Lack of water for cattle on the west side of Diamond Gulch resulting in concentrated use in other more sensitive riparian areas while leaving areas ungrazed. Season of use or numbers may be reduced in this pasture if cattle are not distributed properly. Canada thistle has increased due to high cattle pressure and disturbance.

This project is in alignment with the Lena Peak Allotment Management Plan (AMP), Grazing Agreement and the Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. These plans encourage the development of water sources in areas that are lacking. This project has also been analyzed for impacts to resources through the NEPA process. NEPA and cultural clearances are complete.

N/A

A momentary disturbance of water quality may occur during construction. However, the long-term effects of this project are expected to improve the water quality. Water quantity within the spring and the drainage for the duration of the scheduled grazing season (30 days) will be impacted. However, the benefit of the pipeline and to the health of the riparian zone outweighs the impact. Water quality of existing streams in the area is expected to increase as cattle are encouraged to get water from the trough, away from riparian areas. Side note regarding water rights: Forest Service owns water right 45-1043.

Compliance will be achieved by providing water away from the source and by distributing cattle away from other sensitive areas. This proposal is in compliance with the Land Use Management Plan. The NEPA and archeology clearance were completed in 2016. The Forest Service and the permittee have a joint water right.

Construction of 2 miles of 1 1/2 or 2 inch buried pipeline and three new tire troughs. Construction of 0.66 miles of exclosure fence around the Limestone Drainage.

The Ashley National Forest has a monitoring protocol to ensure a) functionality of infrastructure and b) the effect of infrastructure on vegetation. These records are kept in our files and Infrastructure database. Monitoring has been done before implementation and will be done after to document the success of the project long-term and short-term. The hydrologists will monitor water quality to also determine effects of the project.

The Uintah Basin Grazing LLC are the permittees and have been consulted. They will follow through with the planning and construction of the project and will receive the funding. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has also shown interest in helping with this project in terms of labor and equipment estimated to be (40%) of the cost. The Utah Grazing Improvement Program (Terrell Thayne) was also consulted. This project may also provide additional water to the pond downstream from the proposed project on private land owned by the association. The project is entirely on the Forest Service Administered lands.

This project will provide more flexibility in the timing and season of grazing use. Cattle will be better distributed on the ridges east of Limestone Spring away from the riparian bottom.

Additional water will reduce trailing of cattle and make available forage that was once unavailable. Consequentially, cattle may gain more weight and be able to remain in the pasture for the full scheduled time.

07/06/2018

07/14/2018

2019

0.66 miles of fence was completed around the Limestone Spring riparian meadow. The meadow was rested from grazing in the 2019 season. Three tire troughs were installed as planned by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers.

To improve the Diamond Gulch Pasture of the Lena Peak Allotment on the Ashley National Forest additional water supply and protection of sensitive riparian areas were proposed in 2015. NEPA and clearances were complete in 2016. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/Newmont Mine volunteers built 0.66 miles of exclosure fence around the Limestone Spring riparian meadow using Forest Service material from about 7/6-7/14. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/Newmont Mine also installed the three tire troughs the end of July. The troughs were cemented with all the plumbing, ready to be connected to the pipeline. The WRI pipeline contract went out for bid, was awarded and rejected by the contractor due to shortage of time to complete. The other bids were too high, therefore the contract was cancelled. On August 22, 2019 the two mile pipeline was installed by a contractor using a Utah Grazing Improvement Grant. The disturbed area was smoothed and seeded by the contractor (See Finance other contributes). Cattle did not access the riparian exclosure. Forage growth inside the exclosure was excellent. The meadow remained wet from springs throughout the summer.

The UGIP pipeline contractor is still plumbing the troughs and will get it ready for use in the 2020 season. Barricades will be placed on the new pipeline to eliminate unauthorized motorized travel. Monitoring will continue to see the distribution of cattle using the new water sources.