The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources manages a free ranging bison herd in the Book Cliffs. The management plan for bison calls for up to 450 individuals. While the bison have not yet reached objective and only minor concerns have been identified, UDWR wants to be proactive in staying ahead of any conflicts with domestic livestock or other wildlife species. The upper elevations of the Book Cliffs is dominated by mountain big sagebrush. This sagebrush subspecies grows at higher elevations and takes advantage of higher precipitation patterns. As a result, it can quickly become dense and impact understory vegetation such as grasses and forbs. Several areas in the Book Cliffs have mountain big sagebrush exceding 20% canopy cover. This project is intended to reduce mountain sagebrush cover in polygons and drainages in an effort to increase grass and forbs. The project is not designed as a block treatment, but rather as a mosaic treatment focusing on significant sagebrush density reduction within polygons as a means to achieve density reduction over a longer period of time, while still maintaining cover nearby. The project is within summer habitat for mule deer and elk and increasing forbs and grasses should benefit these species. The area is not defined as sage grouse habitat and no reports have been documented of sage grouse in these areas for several decades.

The objectives of this project are to: 1.) Increase grass and forbs in the treatment polygons 2.) Increase available forage for bison, elk, deer, and domestic livestock 3.) Decrease mountain sagebrush cover to less than 15%

There are a few minor threats and risks from implenting this project: 1.) If application rate is too high, other desirable shrubs such as bitterbrush and mountain mahogany could be impacted. In addition, forbs and grass could be impacted if rate it too high. However, we plan on using a reduced rate from other projects completed in the Book Cliffs where significant impacts did not occur. 2.) Some of the polygons may have different soil types where tebuthiuron may become mobile and not as effective. This would result in a reduced control of mountain big sagebrush.

Book Cliffs Bison Plan: B. Habitat Management Goal: Provide quality habitat to establish and maintain a healthy bison population in the Book Cliffs. Objective 1: Maintain or improve sufficient bison habitat to allow herds to reach population objectives. Strategies: 1. Identify critical bison use areas and work with land managers and private landowners to improve or maintain habitat quality in these areas. 3. Continue cooperative habitat improvement efforts. 4. Vegetation monitoring will be established on habitat projects prior to implementation, and read two years after implementation to evaluate success or failure of the project. Objective 3: Achieve bison population distribution that effectively utilizes available habitat and minimizes conflict. Strategies: 1. Provide adequate forage on summer and transitional ranges to discourage bison use on winter ranges during summer months. Consider other alternatives such as gap fences, herding, and fencing of water sources on winter ranges. 4. Discourage bison from areas with potential conflicts by improving range conditions in areas where conflicts do not exist.

Reducing mountain big sagebrush cover will result in a change of fuel type to grasses and fobs. Flame lengths will be reduced and allow for increased chance of suppression after the treatment is completed. The treated polygons should reduce the fire intensity in the event of a future wildfire. However, Landfire data indicate that there is a lower fire risk in this area. Nonetheless, adjacent areas rapidly burned during the 2002 Rattle Complex Fire.

This project may result in a small improvement to water quality. As mountain big sagebrush increases, perennial grass and forb species are diminished, and bare soil is a result. Increasing ground cover will reduce the amount of sedimentation and erosion as compared to when herbacious understory is limited. Water quantity is not expected to measurably change.

The project is located on SITLA lands and no NEPA is required. A range improvement project form and authorization will be secured from SITLA. The project does not include ground disturbing activities, so no archaeological surveys will need to be completed.

A fixed wing aircraft will be contracted to apply tebuthiuron to the treatment area polygons. Rates of herbicide will be consistent with those previously used in the Book Cliffs. GPS technology will be used to define treatment location and to set up grids for application. Tebuthiron will be applied at a rate of 0.7 lbs/acre of active ingredient.

UDWR will establish a basic photo point monitoring plot including a line intercept transect to monitor the canopy cover of mountain big sagebrush. Other formal range trend monitoring sites exist in the Three Pines area, and serve as a suitable surrogate of vegetation response from tebuthiron application in the Book Cliffs.

SITLA is a partner in this project and will ultimately approve the RIP project form as the land management agency. In addition, GIP and the other permittee, Main Canyon Ranch, are also partners in this project. Previous projects have received funding support from conservation groups including Utah Bowman's Association, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Safari Club International, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Mountain big sagebrush at higher elevations and precipitation zones has a faster return interval than other sagebrush types. It is anticipated that sagebrush cover will again dominate within a 20 year time period. Future treatments will be needed to maintain a balance between sagebrush, grass, and forb cover. In the mean time, no additional management activites are planned or anticipated.

The project will increase forage in the project area. Increases in available forage will help prevent conflicts in the future as bison populations expand. The treatment occurs within the McClelland grazing allotment on SITLA leases held UDWR and Main Canyon Ranch.

09/24/2019

09/25/2019

2020

Tebuthiuron herbicide (Spike) was applied using a fixed wing aircraft to identified project areas. Herbicide was applied at a rate of 0.7 lbs of active ingredient per acre.

Olathe Spray Service was contracted to apply the herbicide. Application began on September 24, 2019. The contractor had planned to complete the application the same day, but experienced clogging in his equipment and had to return the next day to finish. Application ended on September 25, 2019.

The project was designed to reduce heavy sagebrush cover and increase grass and forb cover, with the intent of providing forage for bison and reducing conflicts between wildlife and livestock. Present management practices will continue on the project area while the effect of the project is being evaluated.