The purpose and need for this project are the following: to improve cattle distribution on the Johnson Canyon and School Section allotments located on the GSENM, implement a three pasture deferred grazing system on the Johnson Canyon allotment and to reduce cattle/auto collusion from occurring along the Johnson Canyon Road within the Johnson Canyon allotment..

The objectives for this project are the following: 1.) Reduce cattle use in the Skutumpah Creek area of the allotment. 2.) Reduce cattle use along the Johnson Canyon Road right of way that is fence within the Johnson Canyon allotment. 3.) Enhance and improve cattle distribution within the Johnson Canyon and Swapp Canyon pasture on the Johnson Canyon allotment and to spread cattle use throughout the State Section Allotment. 4.) Eliminate cattle/auto collusion cause by cattle trailing to and from water along the Johnson Canyon road.

The area that would be disturbed during the installation and construction of the project would be approximately 0.44 acres. The pipe would be installed in the middle of the existing two track. No trees or sagebrush would be removed during installation of the pipe, trough and fences. Implementation of the project may cause invasive/noxious weed establishment within the disturbed areas; however, mitigation measures will be identified that will limit these threats/risks to the project area.

The proposed action is in conformance with the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan (MMP), effective February 2000. New water developments can be used as a management toll for better distribution of livestock Kane County, Utah - General Plan Adopted 28 November 2011 Availability and location of water is a key component to proper livestock management. The access to reliable water largely determines the timing and intensity of livestock use in an area. By controlling the availability and access to water, resource managers are better able to manage the rangeland resources. Wildlife is also depending upon developed livestock water sources (p. 53)

The project would provide for proper distribution throughout the project area, which would reduce fuel loads throughout the Johnson Canyon and State Section allotments..

The water source for this project would come from the existing Kane County Water Conservancy District water distribution system east of Kanab. The connection would be made on the distribution line coming from Well #3 in Swapp Canyon for the use of livestock/wildlife watering. 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 throughout the Johnson Canyon and State Section allotments. 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.

The cultural resource survey was completed for this project in 1992. The NEPA documentation for this project was started in May of 2017. We expect the Environmental Assessment for this project to be completed by December 31, 2017. ESA surveys would be completed during the NEPA process.

A water meter would be install adjacent to the Kane County Water Conservasry Disrict Johnson Canyon Pipeline. A 1 1/2 inch HPDE pipeline would be connected to the water meter. The pipeline would start at the water meter and extend for approximately 300 yard to a 3 foot by 3 foot float box constructed from either cement or HPDE material. The pipe would be buried approximately 24 to 36 inch deep along the pipeline right-of-way with either a backhoe or trencher. A 30 foot pipe would connect the float box and the trough. A new 100 by 100 foot four strand barbed wire fence would be constructed around the new 1,000 gallon trough. The fence would be constructed out of steal gray tip green fence post that would be place 10 feet apart. The braces for the fence would either be out of cedar post or metal easy braces.

Cattle use would be monitored during and after the grazing seasons to determine if cattle are better distribuend throughout the allotment. The BLM would also be monitoring long term trend to determine the effects to vegetative resources from the installation of the new livestock watering location on the allotment.

The BLM, Kane County Water Conservancy District, Utah Grazing Improvement Project program and the current permittee would partner together to install and implement this project. The permittee and the BLM have worked together in planning this project.

The BLM and the current permittee would cooperate in maintaining the pipeline and troughs. The permittee has committed to pay for the water that is used by his cattle during the Johnson Canyon grazing season. A Range Improvement Cooperative Agreement would be completed between the permittee and the BLM to show who is responsible for the maintenance of the new pipeline and trough. Once the installation and construction activities are done on the pipeline and trough the BLM will provide fencing material so that the permittee can repair the existing Swapp Canyon pasture fence. The maintenance of this fence and the installation of the new trough will allow the implementation of a three pasture deferred rotational grazing system on the Johnson Canyon allotment.

Permitted livestock on the allotment would benefit from the installation of a new pipeline and trough because there would be a more reliable source of water for them to use during the entire grazing season. Another reason is that there are portions of the Johnson Canyon and Swapp Canyon pastures and State Section Allotment that cattle have to trail more then 1.5 mile to and from water. In providing water at the new trough location this would reduce the distance that cattle need to trail to and from water on the Johnson Canyon and State Section Allotments. The catchment would reduce the amount of water that the permittee has to haul in order to support the permitted livestock. The project is expected to improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description, which will be beneficial to livestock grazing. Furthermore, the project will be proactive in improving vegetative communities through ensuring proper livestock distribution in the long-term. As discussed, an effective grazing management system that limits critical growing period use is in place within the allotment. The project will increase opportunity areas for livestock once it is constructed. It is expected that once the project is completed that the forage available and improved livestock distribution will continue to improve throughout the allotment.

10/24/2017

10/27/2017

2018

.We located the north-south trending water line that follows the Johnson Canyon road through excavation with a small backhoe. Once the line was exposed, we were able to connect into the existing line and run a lateral line to the west along an existing disturbed road. A water meter was also installed at the point of connection. The new line ran west for approximately 100 yards to its terminus at a 600 gallon round tire trough. The new line was 1.5" polyethylene and it was excavated and buried with a gas powered trencher.

The project was completed in October of 2017 and was completed as planned without any unforeseen complications.

The trough and water line will be inspected and maintained several times throughout the year. The permittee is billed for the water used out of this new line.