The need for this project is to improve cattle distribution by providing additional water to unused areas on the south end of the Barker Pasture. The permittees have had to haul water to this allotment during years of drought. These ponds would allow range managers to continue implementing allotment management plans (AMPs), improve vegetative communities in concentration locations, and decrease the workload and cost for the livestock operators. The ponds would also improve proper cattle distribution, maintain the season of use, allow for an enhanced rotation system by deferring and/or resting areas of the pasture and result in improved wildlife habitat and protection of springs and other riparian areas. These ponds would also move cattle away from sage grouse lek and nesting habitat.

The objective of this project is to encourage cattle to use the southern end of the Barker Pasture to improve cattle distribution and even forage use which also moves them away from sage grouse leks.

Lack of water for cattle resulting in concentrated use in other more sensitive riparian areas. Season of use or numbers may be reduced in these pastures if cattle are not distributed properly. A temporary risk is the possibility of lack of sufficient overland flow to fill ponds.

This project is in alignment with the Brush Creek Allotment Management Plan (AMP) and guidelines from the Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The Forest Plan recommends developing water in areas that are lacking.

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. Overland water quantity will be impacted. However, the benefit of the ponds for the health of the riparian zone will outweigh the impact. Three week temporary impact. Side note: a subbasin change to the water right is pending.

Compliance will be achieved by providing water away from the source and by distributing cattle away from other sensitive areas and bringing the water system up to the standards required. This proposal is in compliance with the Land Use Management Plan. NEPA is pending. The decision will be posted for a 45 day objection period July 5, 2017 and should be approved August 19, 2017. The Archeology clearance has been approved.

Ponds will be constructed using a backhoe and hand labor. A bentinite or salt seal will be added to the pond.

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 (see attached photo monitoring document).

Brush Creek Permittees (Bryce Olsen, Kent Olsen, Chivers Ranch). The Utah Grazing Improvement Program (Terrell Thayne) has been consulted. This project has also been sent to the public, local, state and federal agencies as part of scoping for the D2 Range Improvement Project NEPA (expected to be approved August 19, 2017). Uintah County commented in favor of the project.

This will provide more flexibility in the timing and season of grazing use. Monitoring will continue to document the results of our expected outcomes and objectives.

Additional water will reduce trailing of cattle. Cattle will spend less time traveling to water, and more forage will be available to them due to improved distribution. Consequentially, cattle may gain more weight.