We have 17 aspen regeneration protection fences on Monroe Mountain that are approaching removal. They have been maintained on a regular basis by Forest Service crews and Dedicated Hunters. The units consist of 25.5 miles of high fence or 13,4640 linear feet. The fences protected 1175.9 acres if burnt or clear cut treatments. The fence has been highly successful and aspen sprouts are reaching an average of 8-12 feet tall. Grasses, forbs, and other brush species have established and can provide great forage to many species.

Remove units 1, 2, 9-13 consisting of 58,080 feet of high fence in the fall of 2018 (WRI funding year 2019) and remove units 3-8, 14-17 consisting of 76,560 in the fall of 2019 (WRI funding year 2020). Material will be saved and stored for future use if needed.

Approximately 1,176 acres of aspen are currently fenced and not accessible for ungulate use. Aspen sprouts are not 8-12 feet tall. Grasses, forbs, and other brush species have established and could provide great forage to several species. Standing dead trees are beginning to fall on the fence more regularly. Weekly maintenance is becoming more difficult. It's important to begin removing the fences while materials are still salvageable and can be used in the future if needed, and it's important to re-establish access to these highly productive areas. Without removing the fences, maintenance will become an increasing issue and ungulate species (elk deer, cows, sheep) won't be able to access these high quality areas. Relationships and trust will also be negatively impacted if the fences are not removed. The original intent was to build and maintain the fences for 3-5 years; 2018 will be year 5 since the fences were installed.

1: Fishlake Land and Resource Management Plan - restoring aspen ecosystems, improving species diversity, improving wildlife habitat, and creating additional forage for wildlife and livestock are all consistent with the goals and direction outlined in the Fishlake Land and Resource Management Plan. Removing the high fences and making these 1,176 acres available to wildlife and livestock is also consistent with the Fishlake Forest Plan. 2:

Within the fences aspen ecosystems have been restored on approximately 1,176 acres. Healthy aspen ecosystems are low risk to severe wildfire effects. These 1,176 acres are healthy and doing well and pose minimal risk to fire.

By removing the conifer encroachment and restoring these 1,176 acres of aspen ecosystems, the water quality and quantity has been greatly improved in these areas. Little to no impact to water quality and quantity is expected as a result of removing these high fences.

The environmental analysis and a Decision (NEPA) was completed prior to construction of the fences. Fence removal is also consistent and compliant with the Decision. The Decision acknowledges the fences would be temporary; 3-5 years and then removed. All clearances have been obtained and the fences will be ready for removal in 2018 and 2019.

High fences will be removed, wire rolled, posts bundled and stacked, and all fence material will be stored and secured in a safe location for future use if needed.

Aspen monitoring is being done by BYU. Several monitoring plots have been installed in non-treatment and in treatment areas. Most of the monitoring plots are being monitored annually. Several small exclosures have also been installed. This monitoring by BYU will continue to occur for many years after the fence removal is completed.

The entire Monroe Mountain Working Group (21 stakeholders) support aspen restoration on Monroe Mountain. The fence construction, weekly maintenance, and now this proposal to begin removing fences has been communicated and coordinated with the Monroe Mountain Working Group. WRI and Secure Rural Schools helped construct the fences in 2013.

Once the fences are removed big game and livestock will have access to high quality habitat and forage. High density aspen regeneration average 8-15 feet tall and will provide improved early succession aspen ecosystem attributes improving overall forest health of the area. This improvement process creates age class diversity in the area which may offer diverse management opportunities for wildlife and livestock.

High fence areas consisting of approximately 1,176 acres are part of grazing allotments that have been restricted from grazing the protected areas. Opening the treatment areas will provide high value and robust AUM grazing opportunities for livestock.