High utilization area of sage grouse, elk, and mule deer making seasonal movements between Current Creek WMA and private land. Existing fencing has caused sage grouse mortality and deterred migratory movements of elk and mule deer. Trespassing on private land with motorized vehicles, via the existing easement road on private land, has prompted the landowner to install a permanent fence north of the easement road so the public can continue to access Current Creek WMA to the south while reducing the opportunity to drive motorized vehicles on restrictive private lands. The construction of a wildlife friendly pipe fence would nullify the need for existing barb wire fence on Current Creek WMA which would be removed. An internal wire mesh sheep fence would also be renovated to barbed wire and lay down capabilities where fence crosses sage grouse lek areas. Encroaching conifers in area would be removed using a lop and scatter and bullhog mastication methods.

Construct pipe fence on northern boundary of Current Creek WMA. Remove existing barbed wire fence on northern boundary of Current Creek WMA. Renovate internal paddock fence on private land that runs through sage grouse lek with wire and lay down capabilities where high sage grouse mortality has been recorded. Remove encroaching conifers in area by lop and scatter and / or bull hog mastication methods. Treat invasive weeds along fence right of way and other areas.

Existing fence traverses through / near documented sage grouse leks and also high use migratory movement of elk and mule deer. Sage grouse will begin using lek sites in March of 2018 and existing fence has been deemed detrimental to increasing sage grouse breeding and population numbers. The conifers in the area are early Phase I category with many trees less than six feet tall. Every year that goes by without treatment increases cost to remove encroaching conifers and pushes sage grouse further away due to presence of raptors in area due to tree height and adequate perch sites.

The project will help facilitate management plans for the UTDWR Current Creek Wildlife Management Area and adjacent private landowner grazing plan. Upon further review the proposed project is in conjunction with following existing plans: The Utah Wildlife Action Plan identifies sagebrush as key habitat and identifies conifer encroachment a very high threat to that habitat. Reducing conifer encroachment will help restore characteristic upland vegetation and also reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings which is all consistent with language of UDWR WAP in regards to "potential conservation action", "inappropriate fire frequency", and action code 2.3.14, stating, "conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings". The proposed project is also consistent with the Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan and Statewide Elk Management Plan, specifically identifying threats to habitat and needs for restoration in regards and emphasis on encroachment of conifers in sagebrush. In addition project is consistent with Mule Deer and Elk Plan by improving quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer and elk on crucial ranges by engaging broad vegetative treatment projects. This project is also consistent with Statewide Plans in regards to improving quality and quantity of forage and winter habitat by removing conifers and treating invasive weeds. The proposed project is in conjunction with the USFWS Migratory Bird Executive Order 13186 specifically (1) restoring and conserving habitat for migratory birds such as Brewers sparrow, sage sparrow, and sage grouse. The habitat for these species will benefit by removing encroaching conifers and treating invasive weeds to maintain sagebrush ecosystem. Project area is also attributed to the Strawberry SGMA, as identified in the Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah and will fall in line with Plan by removing conifers, removing fences and building wildlife friendly fence, rotational grazing, and treatment of invasive weeds. Other relationships to general management plans are to allow for safe wildlife passage from private to public land upon installation of pipe fence, while also providing more suitable habitat for sage grouse and other wildlife. The proposed pipe fence funding from WRI and other sources such as USFWS Partners Program would allow the landowner more availability to assets to engage NRCS programs on private land. These practices would include conifer removal using the lop and scatter method of encroaching pinyon and juniper pines in sage brush basins. There has been approximately 1,000 acres identified for potential conifer removal and landowner has been receptive engaging this task over subsequent years. The north / south sheep mesh fence has been identified for removal and potential rebuild using a 4 strand wire fence with fence markers with also the possibility for a lay down fence section where fence traverses near a sage grouse lek. Herbicide control for Russian knapweed, and other weeds, would also be proposed throughout private property for subsequent years with the option of seeding over these areas when invasive plants have been reduced. There are many mesic / wet meadow seeps on the property that could be enhanced by installing grade control structures such as rock dams and rundowns and also "Zuni bowls" for head cuts in high gradient areas. The NRCS has programs for these types of projects and the landowner has been receptive to engage these practices. Depending upon numbers of livestock landowner decides to run on property, and if other habitat projects are contracted, there would be a prescribed grazing plan and monitoring system proposed to landowner that will rotate livestock according to resource and wildlife conditions on a yearly basis. Also, dependent upon which projects are contracted through the NRCS, a wildlife monitoring regime practice could be contracted through the NRCS, recording the progress of habitat projects effecting sage grouse.

Removing trees on private and state land will reduce risk of wildfire by lowering fuel loads. A rotational grazing regime on adjacent private lands of WMA will keep understory vegetation in check and lower fuel load as well.

Water quality will improve because cattle on private land will be forced to use water sources in prescribed pastures thus reducing impact of historic water sources.

Not applicable, but will actions such as fence installation, conifer removal, invasive weed abatement, prescribed grazing will all follow a specification agreement to maintain compliance with NRCS practices.

Pipe fence installation will be implemented by contractor of choice by private landowner and installed in the spring of 2018. Equipment used will be determined on funding but would most likely include trucks, trailers, skid steer, and front end loader. Fence removal of existing boundary wire fence on DWR property will be implemented by UTDWR staff or contractor of choice. Activities will be carried out when disturbance to wildlife and habitat will be least. Fence removal of north / south fence and installation of new fence on private property is proposed before sage grouse lek season (March 2018). Landowner will complete work or choose contractor. Conifer removal will be of the lop and scatter method using chain saws and will be completed by landowner or contractor of landowner discretion. Lop and scatter could start summer of 2018 and into subsequent years. Weed abatement on private land will be completed by landowner or discretionary contractor targeting Russian knapweed using Tordon herbicide or similar applied in the fall of the year after flowering. UTV herbicide sprayers or backpack sprayers will be used.

Monitoring for boundary pipe fence will be implemented by landowner, NRCS staff, and U.S.FWS Partners Biologist. The monitoring will be before, during, and after completion. Monitoring for conifer removal will be completed by NRCS staff before, during, and after project completion. Prescribed grazing will be monitored by landowner using a prescribed grazing plan and data sheet recording pastures used and rested on a yearly basis. Wildlife monitoring will be on a yearly basis implemented by landowner and approved by NRCS staff examining sage grouse fence mortality, water trough drowning, sage grouse sign and sightings, and general vegetation and weather information. Grazing plan and Wildlife Monitoring data sheets can be uploaded to project page on a yearly basis when NRCS staff has approved.

NRCS: agency will implement Conservation Plan for private landowner including cost incentives and technical assistance for fence installation, fence removal, fence renovation, rotational grazing, conifer removal, invasive weed abatement, additional water troughs and pipe, and wildlife monitoring annual reviews and protocol. U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Partner Program: agency will propose funding for fence and other practices on private land up to $25,000. This funding will be used for boundary pipe fence between Current Creek WMA and private landowner, fence removal and wildlife friendly fence installation of north / south existing fence. Funding could also assist other projects including conifer removal and weed abatement. Pheasants Forever: conservation group is willing to commit lop and scatter efforts on Current Creek WMA up to 25 acres of treatment or equal to $1,000 of In-Kind

The proposed pipe fence funding from WRI and other sources such as USFWS Partners Program would allow the landowner more availability to assets to engage NRCS programs on private land. These practices would include conifer removal using the lop and scatter method of encroaching pinyon and juniper pines in sage brush basins. There has been approximately 1,000 acres identified for potential conifer removal and landowner has been receptive engaging this task over subsequent years. The north / south sheep mesh fence has been identified for removal and potential rebuild using a 4 strand wire fence with fence markers with also the possibility for a lay down fence section where fence traverses near a sage grouse lek. Herbicide control for Russian knapweed, and other weeds, would also be proposed throughout private property for subsequent years with the option of seeding over these areas when invasive plants have been reduced. There are many mesic / wet meadow seeps on the property that could be enhanced by installing grade control structures such as rock dams and rundowns and also "Zuni bowls" for head cuts in high gradient areas. The NRCS has programs for these types of projects and the landowner has been receptive to engage these practices. Depending upon numbers of livestock landowner decides to run on property, and if other habitat projects are contracted, there would be a prescribed grazing plan and monitoring system proposed to landowner that will rotate livestock according to resource and wildlife conditions on a yearly basis. Also, dependent upon which projects are contracted through the NRCS, a wildlife monitoring regime practice could be contracted through the NRCS, recording the progress of habitat projects effecting sage grouse. The following is a cost analysis of what these future management practices would cost based off of the "NRCS FY2018 Cost Scenarios Document": NRCS UTAH COST SCENARIOS 2018 PJ Lop and Scatter: 1,000ac = $134,960 Fence(sheep mesh) removal: 13,401ft = $12,194.91 Fence replace/build: 11,860ft=$24,906 Weed treatments: 10ac = $374.70 Monitoring: 1000ac = $5,630 Rx Grazing: 5,856ac = $20,613.12 Total: $198,678.73

Private landowner wants to improve distribution of cattle and fence will allow utilization of pastures while keeping livestock out of Current Creek WMA.

05/01/2018

11/11/2018

2019

Pipe fence separating Current Creek Wildlife Management Area and Steven Ellis property has been supported by UTDWR and NRCS. Built to specifications for ease of movement for wildlife species such as elk and sage grouse. Will keep recreationists off private property and facilitate vehicle traffic along access road. WRI funded pipe fence has been built to allow grazing practices on private land as a tool for conservation and economic sustainability. This project stimulated the DWR wire sheep fence removal on north boundary of Current Creek WMA. Lop and scatter of juniper trees was completed November 11, 2018 on Current Creek Wildlife Management Area for 20 some acres which fulfills obligation agreement of $1,000 IN KIND contribution. (Estimated cost for 20 acres, based off of an $50 per acre rate).

Pipe fence started construction May 2018. Fence finished last week of August. Dollar Ridge Fires contributed to late August completion. Lop and Scatter portion of Current Creek Wildlife Management Area was started on October 10th and completed November 11, 2018. This WRI project helped stimulate an NRCS SGI contract with private landowner. Herbicide treatments to invasive plant species because of fence disturbance is scheduled through NRCS Sage Grouse Initiative Contract for 2018 and 2019. Future monitoring and management will continue for subsequent years. Additional conservation practices are contracted with private landowner and NRCS adjacent to Current Creek Wildlife Management Area through 2022 including sheep mesh fence removal, pinyon juniper eradication (623 acres), herbaceous weed control (65 acres), and wildlife and project monitoring. See uploaded map for project site locations on private land titled "Private Land NRCS SGI Project Map" in Documents section .

Monitor for invasive weeds along roadway and fence corridors and treat with herbicide. Monitor for wildlife passage and cattle enclosure along with recreationists and trespassing violations. Maintain communication, completion schedule, and compliance with NRCS Sage Grouse Initiative contracted practices that include sheep mesh fence removal, invasive species herbicide treatments, pinyon and juniper pine lop and scatter, and upland wildlife habitat monitoring. Future projects that could be contracted through the NRCS include rotational grazing system, erosional gully remediation through beaver dam analogues, additional pinyon and juniper eradication, and seeding efforts where perennial weeds such as Russian knapweed have been reduced through herbicide treatments. See uploaded map of private land projects titled "Private Land NRCS SGI Project Map" in Documents section.