The need of the project is to reduce encroachment of pinyon/juniper to enhance deer & elk winter range and improve potential habitat conditions for sage grouse by promoting the growth of perennial under-story species, increase species diversity, increase structural diversity, rejuvenate remnant stands of sagebrush and bitter brush.

Remove approximately 300 acres of encroaching pinyon and juniper within the identified private land acres. Improve potential sage-grouse habitat by maintaining sage bush and bitter brush components; increasing the edge affect and improving desirable, vegetative diversity. Enhance crucial mule deer, and elk range by removing encroaching pinyon and juniper within selected areas. Increase plant diversity and vigor by removing encroaching pinyon and juniper; thus freeing valuable resources. Improve wildlife

The invasion of pinyon and juniper trees into areas once dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs increases the risk of losing key areas for mule deer, elk, and potentially sage grouse. . The increase of pinyon and juniper also increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire in these habitats. As with any type of disturbance there is some risk of invasion of non-native undesirable plant species. Lop and scatter treatment method will greatly minimize that risk as the area will be disturbed by foot travel only. There is also a potential threat / risk of temporary displacement of wildlife species while the project is implemented. Normal and increased wildlife use is expected to occur after implementation. There is also a risk that PJ obligate wildlife species will be negatively impacted however, there will be an expected increase in vegetative diversity, and a corresponding increase in wildlife diversity overall

1.)The North American Mule Deer Restoration Plan identifies restoring or improving mule deer habitat function throughout mule deer range as a primary objective. The plan states; proactively manage shrub communities (using prescribed fire, mechanical treatment, or other approaches as appropriate at a site specific basis) to maintain mosaics of uneven aged stands to enhance habitat conditions for mule deer. 2.)Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008) identifies the following objective; Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. 3.) The Paunsaugunt Mule Deer Management Plan identifies pinyon-juniper thinning project on BLM and private land as a primary habitat objective. 4.) The Paunsaugunt Unit Elk Management Plan states, "continue to be committed to the statewide goal of supporting elk habitat projects"

Removal of the pinyon and juniper trees will reduce the fuel loads, and create a break in fire regimes. Allowing for better control and suppression efforts when a fire starts.

Water quality and quantity degradation has been linked to pinyon and juniper stands. Currently we have not reached a stage that has caused significant impacts to the watershed, but this project will prevent more costly projects in the future.

This is 100% ground with no federal funds attached. I have consulted with Monson Shaver, for WRI purposes.

Pinyon and juniper, which currently occupy and are encroaching upon the site will be removed by hand crews with chainsaws which will be contracted by the UDWR. Project areas would be flagged, identified and the contract will be admistered by UDWR staff.

Vegetative monitoring will be done through selected photo points with pre and post treatment of the lop and scatter project.

Alton Coal and private land owners

No grazing restrictions would be imposed as no seeding would take place. Re-encroachment of woodland will be monitored and maintenance carried out as needed via subsequent habitat proposals. This project will link existing NRCS projects and future projects on State, BLM and Private lands.

The removal of the encroaching trees will result in long term benefits for livestock, by maintaining forage availability and watering benefits, while not removing shading and loafing areas.

01/09/2018

01/26/2018

2018

The area was lop and scattered by a hand crew as proposed. Final acres were 336 acres as planned.

Solicitation began in November of 2017. The bids were all higher than originally planned, so an amendment to the cooperative agreement had to be made. Once the amendment was agreed upon the bid was awarded to 3B's Forestry Inc. The bid was $74.00 /acre on 336 acres, for a total of $24,564.00. Using the lop and scatter method, all pinyon and juniper trees within the treatment polygons were cut, no greater than 6" from the ground. Trees were cut into section 5' or less. A crew of 6 employees started January 9, 2018 and the crew finished January 26, 2018. There were no issues in regards to meeting specification and all work was preformed within scope of work.

The treatment area is private ground. Only areas with pinyon and juniper encroachment, that had established under story were treated. Grazing will not be deferred and a future brush pinyon and juniper manipulation will be take place in the fall of 2019 as part of the Upper Kanab Creek project with the BLM, connecting more greater sage grouse habitat. One collared bird did stop in the these areas shortly after the treatments were completed according to Utah State University collar data. Once future treatments take place, a grazing management plan will be provided for the producer and resting the treatment areas will be required to encourage seeding establishment.