Historically, Green, Providence and Logan Dry Canyons wintered large numbers of mule deer. The number of mule deer wintering within sagebrush and bitter brush that grow on the foothills of these canyons have declined for at least two decades (UDWR Northern Region Range Trend Studies in1984-2011) indicating that these habitats are not in properly functioning condition. The cause of these declines are a combination of droughts, fires, encroachment by juniper, and competition from non-native grass species such as cheat grass, intermediate wheat grass and smooth brome. The 2006 Northern Region Range trend Studies publication states "herbaceous understory's are dominated by annual grasses and weedy forbs. Recruitment from young sagebrush and other shrubs has been minimal the last 3 readings (taken every 4 years) and the competitive understory may be limiting them from replenishing the population." In the Cache Unit Area, which includes the Logan Ranger District, "The browse trends for the mountain big sagebrush studies have steadily been declining since 1996. Only 6 out of 17 studies in 2006 had young shrubs to replace old, dying plants in the population." Range trend surveys were read again in 2011 and 2016, and a similar trend continued. Because of the lack of recruitment, sage brush and bitterbrush, as well as key forage species for wintering big game the average number or shrubs per acre has declined. Winter habitats along the south-facing slopes of Green, Providence and Logan Dry Canyons are crucial habitat for the survival of wintering big game on the Logan Ranger District. While summer forage appears abundant at higher elevations, wintering animals congregate in limited areas in winter time because of the snow and cold temperatures. Winter survival of deer in these areas depends on the quality and quantity of forage on winter ranges. Since deer and elk eat mostly shrubs during the winter, shrubs are a crucial component of their winter habitat. Declines in shrub density have caused high losses of deer and in particular, fawns, in this area.

The project proposes Juniper removals in Green, Providence and Logan Dry Canyons. The project areas are approximately 287 acres in Green Canyon, 50 acres in Providence Canyon and 44 acres in Logan Dry Canyon. In areas of high juniper densities, competition from juniper trees would be reduced through hand cutting. The cut Junipers would be either "cut and removed", "cut piled and burned" or "lopped and scattered". We would remove between 50 -100 percent of the juniper in targeted areas to create a mosaic of areas with junipers and open areas. To restore browse species in the area Mountain Big Sage (Artemesia tridentate vaseyana ), Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and snowberries would be planted or seeded. These treatments would be conducted in the late summer, fall or winter to improve success and avoid impacts to migratory birds. The project does not include wilderness. Implementation may begin in Fall of 2018.

Threats to this area from juniper invasion are a loss of crucial winter habitats for Mule Deer and Elk. Losing this habitat component would render this area ineffective as winter habitat for deer and elk and summer and transitional habitat for deer. Action taken now would help to maintain these habitats against this threat.

The project is consistent with the following plans, as well as goals and objectives: Forest Plan of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Forest wide Goals: 3-Biodiversity & Viability, Goal 3d, Goal 3f., Goal 3g. Goal 3o., The project is consistent with the following Forest Plan Objective: 3.d. Increase grass and forb production and plant species and age class diversity in sagebrush and pinyon/juniper by treating approximately 2,000 acres average annually1 for a 10-year total of 20,000 acres. Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan: Statewide goal A, Strategy r. Properly manage elk populations to minimize competition with mule deer on crucial mule deer range. Habitat Management Goal B: Habitat Objective 1. Maintain elk habitat throughout the state by identifying and protecting existing crucial elk habitat and mitigating for losses due to human impacts. Strategies A. and B. Habitat Objective 2:Improve the quality and quantity of forage and cover on 250,000 acres of elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and upper elevation elk winter range by the end of this plan. Strategies c, d e, h. and j. Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer: Habitat Goal and Habitat Objective 1, Strategies a, and b. Habitat Objective 2 and strategies, B, C, D, E, F and H. DEER HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN, Deer Herd Unit # 2 (Cache) Meets habitat goals and objectives for this plan. * Logan, Green, Providence and Blacksmith Fork Canyons. Projects should be focused on removal of encroaching juniper, and reestablishing understory with winter browse species as well as species of plants that can be used in the spring by wintering deer. ELK HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN Elk Herd Unit # 2 Cache: Habitat objective: Maintain and/or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit on winter range to achieve population management objectives. Pay special attention to WMA's and areas were holding elk could alleviate pressure on private landowners experiencing damage by wintering elk.Work with private and federal agencies to maintain and protect critical and existing winter range from future losses.

One of the major threats to sagebrush habitat is fire. This project will help protect and preserve sagebrush habitat by decreasing both fuel loading and fire potential. Removing the juniper will help improve the understory condition and bring the vegetation back to where it should be.

Juniper removal can increase water availability to understory species. Juniper are prolific water users and they outcompete understory species which eventually die off. Because of the water and nutrients made available to other species once Junipers are gone, removing juniper is critical for restoring hydrologic function and ecosystem resilience.

Archaeology surveys were done for potential areas for pile burn. A categorical exclusion was used for this project and NEPA will be completed in a few months.

Hand crews would lop and scatter or lop and pile junipers within the project area. Up to 100% Junipers will be removed. Junipers would be cut down below 6 inches to reduce visual effects. In dense areas, Junipers will be piled and burned. Logan ranger District will issue permits to collect fire wood in the cut area to reduce fuel in the area. Also, working with Darren McAvoy with USU to experiment Biochar to reduce fuel in the area. . To restore browse species in the area Mountain Big Sage (Artemesia tridentate vaseyana ), Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and snowberries would be planted by volunteers. Grass and forbs will be seeded where pile burns occur in FY 2020.

Vegetation monitoring will include photo points. Focus Species monitoring will continue. Range studies will be continued. There will be follow up surveys in the next three years to ensure no young juniper trees were missed and actions take to remove missed trees.

This project is supported by UDWR and also by grazing permitees. City of Logan and City of Providence. Utah State University-Dr. Darren McAvoy

Future management includes monitoring sites by visual inspection and photo points. In the long term, the project area will be maintained by slashing young junipers within the project area. Pile burn and seeding will occur later. May plant more shrubs if needed.

Green Canyon is within Cottonwood Sheep allotment. Providence Canyon is within the Providence Allotment. Domestic livestock will benefit from improved understory conditions.

08/15/2018

06/04/2019

2019

Hand crews lopped and scattered or in dense areas lopped and piled junipers within the project areas. 100% of Junipers in the project areas were removed. Juniper slash was cut to below an 18" height and stumps were cut below 6 inches to reduce visual effects. Logan Ranger District issued permits to collect fire wood in the cut areas to reduce large boles in 2018 and will be sold again this year. Forest Service employees will start burning piles in the fall 2019 and will continue until complete. In Dry Canyon the pile burning will be in conjunction with Logan City. Darren McAvoy with USU will experiment with Big Box burning. Biomass will be burned in large kilns to create Biochar which will be thrown on site to enhance the soil. To restore browse species in the area Mountain Big Sage (Artemesia tridentate vaseyana ), Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), chock cherries, mountain and curl leaf mahogany and snowberries were seeded and planted by volunteers. Grass and forbs will be seeded after pile burns.

This project treated a total of 483 acres, which is more acres than planned. This project removed juniper in Green Canyon, Providence Canyon and Logan Dry to improve crucial winter habitat for mule deer. We received both positive and negative public comments for the project. Due to the complaints, Forest Service specialist met at the project site to discuss the project and lessons learned. Most of the negative comments were in regards to shade trees being removed from picnic areas and the visual aspect of the project from the nearby popular trail in Green canyon. 100+ volunteers came out to seed and plant shrubs.

Forest Service employees will start burning piles in the fall 2019 and will continue until complete. In Dry Canyon the pile burning will be in conjunction with Logan City. Darren McAvoy with USU will experiment with Big Box burning. Biomass will be burned in large kilns to create Biochar which will be thrown on site to enhance the soil during 2019 fall/winter. Native grass and forbs will be seeded and shrubs will be planted after burning piles.