Currently water distribution across the Sunset Cliffs allotment is lacking. There one spring on the west edge of the allotment on private land that provides water to wildlife and livestock within the Sunset Cliffs allotment. During winter months large herds of elk occupy the east part of the allotment utilizing snow, the private spring or Sevier river for water.

1. Provide reliable water to wildlife including sage grouse, mule deer, pronghorn, elk and other species. 2. Provide reliable water to cattle during the summer and fall. 3. Improve distribution and use by livestock and wildlife. 4. Provide onsite water so that wildlife don't have to cross fences and the highway to access water.

Currently water is not distributed evenly across the Sunset Cliffs allotment and grazing utilization shows heavy use around the private land in the northwest corner of the allotment. By not doing a water system we continue to graze in an uneven pattern. Elk use the allotment during the winter months and must travel to the Sevier River or depend on snow for water.

This project is in conformance with the Kanab Field Office Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed October 31, 2008. Numerous other management plans have identified the need for these projects, including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008). Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005). Of particular concern within this area are: Mule deer, and shrub steppe (key habitat). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008). Other plans that relate to the proposed project are: Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005), and Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005).

The project would provide for proper distribution throughout the project area, which would reduce fuel loads throughout the affected allotments.

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 ensuring proper distribution of livestock and wildlife throughout the affected allotment. 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.

Most of the affected are has been surveyed for Archeolgy as a part of the WRI vegetation work that has taken place. BLM will complete the survey on the remaining portions and complete SHPO consultation before implementation of the project. NEPA for this project was started on June 1, 2017 and should be complete in the early fall. Currently the BLM doesn't hold any water rights on the Sunset Cliffs allotment, but the permittee is in the process of transferring part of a share of West Panguitch irrigation water to the BLM to drill a well on the allotment.

A well would be drilled utilizing a well drilling company, Pipe would be ripped into the ground using a dozer and a ripper and where needed a backhoe to dig the pipe in through the rocky areas. Troughs and a storage tank would be installed with covers or escape ramps to facilitate the use and protection of wildlife species.

Availability of water for use by wildlife and livestock and the well and pipeline functionality will be conducted regularly by the grazing permittee, BLM, and UDWR employees. Vegetative monitoring will be conducted by BLM on BLM lands as it relates to prescribed grazing program.

BLM is partnering on this project with the UDWR, and the permittee that grazes cattle on the Sunset Cliffs allotment. Sunset Cliffs- Claude Hatch, Leland Polloch

After the instllation of the well, pipeline and troughs BLM will assign the maintenance to the Permittee through a Cooperative Range improvement agreement. The Permittee will then be responsible for maintenance on the system.

Domestic Livestock will see a large benefit from this project as it will serve the Sunset Cliffs allotment with reliable water.

10/15/2017

06/25/2018

2018

Project was completed as planned, a well was drilled and a solar pump and solar panels were installed by Canyon Country Drilling Inc. The BLM used a dozer to rip in the pipe and a backhoe for trough and storage tank installation.

Canyon Country Drilling Inc. was contracted to drill a new well and install a solar pump and solar panels south of Hwy 12 on the Sunset Cliffs Grazing Allotment. The BLM Kanab Field Office range staff and Color Country District equipment crew installed a 13,000 gallon water storage tank, 1 mile of 1.5in SDR 11 200psi polyethylene pipe, and 2 water troughs made from large rubber tires. This project will provide reliable water for livestock and wildlife in the Sunset Cliffs allotment.

Maintenance of the well, solar pump system, pipeline, troughs and storage tank is being assigned to the grazing permittee on the Sunset Cliffs grazing allotment. BLM will inspect yearly and be involved to ensure the project is maintained and that wildlife water is left in the tanks and troughs at the end of the grazing season where possible for wintering wildlife.