The Price River was chosen as the next area of focus because 1) it has a history of use by all imperiled and endangered stream fishes of the upper Colorado River basin (UCRB), 2) it is a "priority river" in The Nature Conservancy's (TNC), Colorado River Business Plan, 3) contains the BLM's Desolation Canyon Wilderness Study Area, and represents a high priority restoration and conservation area for both UDWR and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In addition, complimentary efforts to obtain minimum flows are underway (UDWR, TNC, and Trout Unlimited (TU)). The ecological and geomorphic condition of the lower Price River has been severely degraded over time through a combination of impacts including altered flow regimes and non-native vegetation encroachment. Due to degradation of the river channel, most of the habitat in the Price River is characterized by relatively simple run habitat with sand substrate. Currently, the river lacks sufficient habitat units such as pools, riffles, and backwaters that are important habitat components for different life stages of native fish. Having a diversity of habitat units increases habitat quality for fishes. Riparian habitat has also been severely degraded. Much of the riparian ecosystem is occupied by thick stands of non-native and invasive tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and native vegetation recruitment is low, particularly for cottonwood (Populus fremontii) trees. Despite this degradation, research on the Price River has shown endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and bonytail chub (Gila elegans) use the river at least seasonally, sometimes repeatedly (McAda et al. 1977, Masslich and Holden 1995, Cavalli 1999, Hudson 2002, Budy et al. 2017). These fishes attempt to travel a minimum of 26 miles upstream past a PIT tag antennae located at Woodside, and as such are demonstrated targeted movement and use into and in this tributary. Relative to nearby tributaries to the Green River, the Price River receives a high degree of endangered fish use (Budy et al. 2017). Imperiled and protected Bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) and flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) currently occur on the Price River, and the roundtail chub (Gila robusta) occurred historically, but has since been extirpated (McAda et al. 1977, Masslich and Holden 1995, Cavalli 1999, Badame et al. 2004, Budy et al. 2017). Lastly, relative to other similar tributaries, the Price River has lower densities and diversities of exotic and invasive fishes. Thus, the Price River is a critically important river system for conservation of Colorado River native fishes. One of the major threats to native fish in the Price River is habitat alteration, caused by flow regime modification, which in turn alters sediment dynamics. The Price River has been extensively dammed and diverted, which has reduced spring snowmelt flood magnitude and duration. Monsson flood events still occur, however, and deliver large magnitudes of sediment. The result is an excess of sediment compared to what the present river flows can transport. Over time, excess sediment has accumulated in former active channels and floodplains, narrowing the river system and simplifying formerly dynamic, complex fish habitat (Graf 1978, Allred and Schmidt 1999, Birkeland 2002, Birken and Cooper 2006, Dean and Schmidt 2011, Fortney 2015). Colonization and expansion of nonnative vegetation, primarily tamarisk and Russian olive, has contributed to channel narrowing by stabilizing banks and active channel bars, preventing channel movement, and increasing sediment deposition on floodplains (Cooper et al. 2003, Griffin and Smith 2004, Friedman et al. 2005a). A recent analysis showed that the channel as experienced a dramatic decrease in width since 1938 (Figure 1). Results show an 80% reduction in channel width in the Woodside BLM reach and a 77% reductions in the Upper Canyon reach (Macfarlane, unpublished data; Figure 2). The same flow regime alteration and colonization and spread of nonnative plant species that has negatively affected fish habitat has also substantially altered native riparian plant communities (Friedman et al. 2005b). A recent analysis showed a high degree of departure from historic conditions, due primarily to encroachment of nonnative tamarisk and Russian olive (Macfarlane et al. 2016; Figure 3). Currently, cottonwood and willow comprise about 5-7% of the foliar riparian cover throughout the lower river, tamarisk comprises 20-30%, and Russian olive 1-3% (McGinty et al. 2017). Cottonwood trees provide valuable fish habitat when they fall into the channel, and willows provide food and dam-building material for beaver. Therefore, increasing cottonwood trees and willow and reducing non-native trees is a restoration priority. The presence of thick tamarisk and Russian olive stands has likely contributed to reduced establishment of native vegetation across large areas of the riparian corridor, due to shading effects and competition for soil moisture. Replacement of native vegetation, particularly large cottonwoods, tamarisk and Russian olive has likely further degraded habitat for native fish on the Price River by reducing the amount of large wood and wood accumulations in the river. Analyses of aerial imagery and on-the ground observations have found that wood accumulations and large pieces of wood, primarily large cottonwood trees, increase channel complexity and provide important fish habitat including scour pools, backwaters, and overhead cover. In addition, improving riparian conditions will likely improve habitat for terrestrial species of wildlife including mammals and birds. The lower Price River is very arid with few springs, seeps, or off channel watering improvements such as stock ponds. The Price River provides the only regular presence of water; therefore, like many other arid riparian areas the river supports a great variety of plant and animal species. Additionally, multi-story layers of vegetation (trees, shrubs, ground layer) provide habitat and shelter for a great assortment of species. This diverse structure is often unique to stream corridors in arid lands. Tamarisk has replaced much of the native vegetation along the riparian zone in the Lower Price River (See change maps in image section). Tamarisk traps additional sediments during flood events, eventually narrowing and deepening the channel and disconnecting the river from the riparian zone. Because of these processes, multi-story habitat and riparian vegetation can be lost overtime. To provide diversity we will be planting a mix of 1-gallon native trees (cottonwoods) and 1-gallon shrubs (sumac, four wing salt brush, chokecherry, silver buffaloberry, woods rose) as well as transplanting willows around BDA structures. Additionally, research has shown that tamarisk dominated sites often have less productive and diverse understory vegetation compared to cottonwood sites and lower insect species richness. Other studies have shown that insectivorous birds readily used tamarisk for foraging (Ellis 2000). Mund and Meyerson (1998) concluded that tamarisk communities often have diverse and abundant arthropod assemblages. Potentially explaining these differences Schaffers (2008) suggests that local plant species composition is a better predictor of arthropod assemblages than either vegetation structure or environmental conditions. For example, cottonwood areas may or may not retain a mixed native mid-story containing willows. In some cases, the presence of herbaceous understory might provide a greater effect on insect diversity than the dominant tree type. Willows consistently have the one of the richest and most diverse insect faunas of all tree families. BDA's have the ability to increase local water table, and create new surfaces for willow establishment, the high density of BDA's planned for the lower Price River (45 structures) will have a large footprint, able to facilitate an increase to willow productivity and provide benefits to many aquatic, terrestrial, and bird species. North American beaver (Castor canadensis) currently occupy the Price River and likely were present throughout the river system historically, based on observations of old beaver cuttings and historical accounts. Accordingly, the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT), a decision support and planning tool for beaver management (Macfarlane et al. 2015) was run for the Price River. The BRAT existing capacity model which estimates the upper limits of riverscapes to support beaver dam-building activities shows that the Phase 1 restoration reaches can support occasional (1-4 dams per Km) to frequent (5-15 dams per Km; Figure 4). Beaver may be restricted in their current distribution, because they are known to strongly prefer species of Populus as a food source (e.g., Doucet and Fryxell 1993) and tamarisk is considered undesirable forage due to its low nutrient content and branched condensed tannins (Sharma and Parmar 1998). Although beaver are not listed as a species of conservation concern in Utah, reductions in their populations on the Price River could have added negative consequences for maintenance of high quality fish habitat and native vegetation establishment. Beaver directly provide and maintain woody debris accumulations through dam building activities which alter hydrologic flow patterns to create scour pools and backwaters. In 2016, The Price River Restoration Technical Advisory Team, which includes partners from academia, the federal government, the state, and private NGOs determined it was time to start building an Adaptive and Science-based Restoration Plan for the Price River, using the comprehensive San Rafael Restoration Plan (Laub et al. 2013) as a guide where possible. An important first step in developing a Restoration and Monitoring plan is the identification of problems and causes of degradation and ecological constraints, and considerable progress was made towards that step last year. A fine-scale riparian vegetation map was implemented across the riparian corridor of the lower Price River from the Farnham Diversion to the confluence with the Green River for a total of approximately 142 river kilometers. Fish habitat suitability was identified and mapped to the degree possible, and we installed, attempted to maintain and uplinked two Passive Integrated Antennae (PIA) PIT tag detections systems. Site accessibility and restoration opportunity were identified. The Plan is currently in draft format (Laub et al 2017). The overall objective and mission of this proposed restoration is to conduct actual on-the-ground restoration efforts and guide conservation and recovery efforts targeted to imperiled and endemic fish species and the riparian corridor of the lower Price River. In-stream and riparian habitat improvement is also likely to benefit terrestrial wildlife. Our more specific goals of this restoration effort are to move this riverine ecosystem from its current degraded state towards a more dynamic state that supports natural processes of habitat formation and native vegetation regeneration (Laub et al. 2013). Notably, in addition to imperiled desert fishes, this area also provides habitat for turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottus), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), and Lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena). References can be found in the attached "Literature Cited" document.

The project proposed here (Phase I) is intended to help meet the goals of the overall restoration plan by improving fish and riparian habitat conditions at two strategically selected locations on the lower Price River that have the potential to have a disproportionate ecological impact on watershed health. Phase I includes over 6.2 river miles (355 acres of riparian habitat). The specific objectives for phase I of the restoration project are: 1. Improve the channel and riparian habitat conditions to ensure persistence of native fish and vegetation and promote terrestrial riparian habitat use (e.g., birds, mammals) 2. Recover and sustain natural habitat-forming processes, such as lateral channel movement, and input and retention of large wood. 3. Ensure persistence of native riparian vegetation, including cottonwood gallery forests with several age classes and native understory vegetation. 4. Reduce abundance of tamarisk and Russian olive vegetation along the riparian corridor, thereby reducing the hazardous fuel loads for fire. 5. Improve the water quality of the Price River. 6. Monitor channel, habitat, and fish community responses in treatment areas to determine whether habitat treatments improve channel complexity, native fish use, and which restoration strategies are most effective. 7. Monitor riparian vegetation responses in treatment areas to determine whether desired reductions in nonnative vegetation occur and translate to desired ecological response.

The primary threats that this phase of the project addresses are instream and riparian habitat degradation caused by channel narrowing and non-native riparian plant invasion. Collectively this degradation threatens the persistence of native fish and vegetation, and ecosystem health, in the Price River. If no action is taken to address the threats to native fish as identified above, there is a real possibility that the "three species" could be listed under the Endangered Species Act and populations within the Price and Green Rivers could be extirpated. A secondary threat is the continued expansion of these invasive species into other connected tributaries and subsequent increases in fuel accumulations that could result in more intense and extreme fire events. Large and hotter fires would ultimately lead to a loss of cottonwoods and willows and the wildlife habitat they provide, as well as increasing the potential for continued infestation by these non-native species. This cycle can then repeat all but eliminating the native riparian communities. Over the long-term, these threats are likely to continue and worsen without management and restoration of the river system. Phase 1 is focused on improving the riparian and instream habitat on 6.2 river miles (355 acres) on BLM land of the lower Price River using non-native riparian plant removal, beaver dam analogs (BDA) structures, beaver re-introduction, wood additions, and planting native vegetation. Potential risks of project implementation have been identified based on proposed methods (see below) as the following: 1) secondary weed establishment or vigorous tamarisk regrowth following tamarisk removal, 2) short-term reduction in wildlife habitat due to secondary weed establishment 3) gravel and wood washed away or buried by sand and mud 4) disturbance to riparian areas 5) temporary reduction in cottonwood trees (through beaver herbivory), and 6) a slight temporary increase in suspended sediment during construction that is not greater than the natural sediment regime of these often highly turbid rivers. However, many of these risks can be mitigated as was demonstrated on the San Rafael River (e.g., herbicide treatments can be used to control secondary weeds) or are expected to be temporary (e.g., beaver may use cottonwood trees for dam-building, but dam building is expected to promote conditions for cottonwood establishment over the long-term). Finally, this project will be carried out using an adaptive management framework which explicitly mandates regular project evaluation to minimize risk at each stage of the project. Potential risks will be studied during the project and techniques that are not effective will not be implemented during subsequent project phases.

Management Plans (Revised after comments) Price River Restoration Project The project proposed here is part of a larger restoration effort planned for the lower Price River and will help meet the goals of this restoration effort. The Price River Restoration Technical Advisory Team recommended the development of a plan in 2016 (includes partners from academia, the federal government, the state, and private NGOs). The plan identifies problems and causes of degradation and ecological constraints. A fine-scale riparian vegetation map was implemented across the riparian corridor of the lower Price River from the Farnham Diversion to the confluence with the Green River for a total of approximately 142 river kilometers. Fish habitat suitability was identified and mapped to the degree possible, and we installed, attempted to maintain and uplinked two Passive Integrated Antennae (PIA) PIT tag detections systems. Site accessibility and restoration opportunity were identified. The Plan is currently in draft format and is attached (Laub et al 2017). Three Species Rangewide Conservation Agreement/Utah Three Species Plan The three species are currently managed under a range-wide and state conservation agreement to which the BLM and UDWR are signatories. The proposed restoration specifically targets improvement of three species populations in the Price River through habitat improvement and implementation of a monitoring plan, and thus will help accomplish the goals of this conservation agreement. State of UT Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) https://wildlife.utah.gov/learn-more/wap2015.html The plan pinpoints threats, limiting factors and crucial data gaps. The plan also provides strong, clear guidance for improving habitats and strengthening wildlife populations. It is a strategic tool that, if fully implemented, can help reduce and prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act. All three of the protected and imperiled "three species" and the three endangered big river fishes are listed under the plan as "High" risk (please see Table 8). Threats to these fishes are identified in the 'Species' section below and include habitat loss for all impacted fishes. The restoration work proposed herein aide in reducing many of these threats and will simultaneously help fill data gaps. Beavers are identified in many places in the WAP including under the Objective "Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity", for which a potential conservation action is to "Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape, where social and environmental factors permit (per Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool)." In addition, under the Objective "Channelization / Bank Alteration (direct, intentional)", a potential conservation action is to "Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape, where social and environmental factors permit (per Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool)." These are just 2 examples. Beaver restoration is a key objective of this proposal. Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program The endangered Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and bonytail chub have all been observed in the Price River on a seasonal basis, suggesting potential use of the river for spawning and rearing. The proposed habitat restoration on the Price will benefit these endangered species and contribute toward the goal of recovering populations of each species toward delisting. BLM Price Field Office Resource Management Plan The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Price Field Office, including the Price River. The proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan including objectives to restore riparian function and provide quality habitat to support native fish and wildlife (https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/lup/67041/83197/99802/Price_Final_Plan.pdf). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) Beaver Management Plan: Beaver relocation efforts in the lower Price River will be in compliance with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) beaver management plan, a statewide strategy that, among other measures, encourages relocating nuisance beaver instead of killing them. The latest iteration of the plan uses the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) (Macfarlane et al. 2017) to steer its relocation efforts. BRAT uses streamflow and vegetation data to predict how many dams a given stream reach can support. BRAT has recently been run for the lower Price River using high resolution riparian vegetation data and the model outputs indicate that the Phase 1 restoration reaches can support dam-building beaver. Macfarlane W.W., Wheaton J.M., Bouwes N., Jensen M., Gilbert J.T., Hough-Snee N., and Shivick J. 2017. Modeling the capacity of riverscapes to support beaver dams. Geomorphology. DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.1 The Price River Watershed Plan: This project fits within the overarching goals of the Price River Watershed Plan. As part of this effort, the Price River Enhancement Committee was formed to address the growing concern of water quality degradation and noxious weed invasion along the Price River (extension.usu.edu/water quality). Their goal was and continues to be (as fund come available, to reduce non-native vegetation and revegetate native riparian vegetation, towards a goal of improved water quality and a healthier riverine ecosystem overall. UDWR Utah Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plan: The Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plan assesses current information on bighorn sheep, identifies issues and concerns relating to bighorn sheep management in Utah, and establishes goals and objectives for future bighorn management programs. The Plan highlights that plant succession can dramatically affect habitat quality, and preferred habitat management practices include vegetative treatments and water development. The statewide management goal 'B. Habitat Management Goal' is to "Provide good quality habitat for healthy populations of bighorn sheep, and the objective is to "Maintain or improve sufficient bighorn sheep habitat to allow herds to reach population objectives." The activities proposed in this proposal are predicted to improve potential bighorn sheep habitat and specifically address the following strategies outlined in the Plan: a. Identify crucial bighorn sheep habitats and work with land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance these areas, d. Initiate vegetative treatment projects to improve bighorn habitat lost to natural succession or human impacts, and f. Improve or maintain existing water sources and develop new water sources as needed to improve distribution and abundance of bighorn sheep. The Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds: "The purpose of the Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds is to strengthen, support, and coordinate private, county, state, and federal weed management efforts in Utah (Whitesides 2004). The Strategic Plan is designed to promote the implementation of comprehensive, economical, and ecologically based integrated weed management programs." The plan highligts the known and extensive impacts on invasive plants including the costs to society. In addition, the Plan highlights that the "best weed management practices utilize a well organized and cooperative program" such as the one proposed herein, and addresses 3 key elements of the Plan: B. Mapping and Monitoring, D. Control - Integrated Weed Management, and E. Restoration.

Russian olive alter the structure of plant communities by increasing vertical and horizontal canopy density, increasing fuel continuity, and creating volatile fuel ladders (Zouhar et al. 2008, Katz and Shafroth 2003). Tamarisk and Russian olive can form dense, fire prone thickets that develop into monospecific stands because of vigorous root sprout growth following fire. The potential for more extreme fires will intensify as the density and cover of the tamarisk and Russian olive encroachment increases. Reducing the hazardous fuel load will reduce the possibility for fire events. Increased fire frequency and intensity favor tamarisk and Russian olive re-establishment over less fire adapted native riparian species, such as willow and cottonwood, which are slower to re-sprout post fire (Zouhar 2003).

Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended sediment, capture of sediment loads, increased DO, decrease overall water temperatures and increased base flows. Collectively these water quality and quantity improvements will benefit many aspects of overall riverine ecosystem health and function. Tamarisk and Russian olive have a major impact on hydrology and soil chemistry. Large-scale tamarisk removal has the potential to improve water quality by reducing salinity levels of soils in riparian habitats. In addition, tamarisk tends to have higher rates of evapotranspiration than the native upland plants that it tends to displace from floodplain habitats. Removal of tamarisk and Russian olive has been linked to saving water and over time water quality increases (Shafroth et al. 2009). We will use Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) structures and beaver re-introductions to initiate the same suite of benefits of natural beaver dams explained here. Dam building by beaver has been shown to influence stream hydrology and water quality in a number of important ways primarily by altering the amount, and timing of delivery of water and sediment (Naiman et al., 1988; Gurnell, 1998; Pollock et al., 2003). Ponding upstream of beaver dams slows water velocity encouraging deposition of fine sediment (Butler and Malanson, 1995; Pollock et al., 2007) in the pond itself and during high flows onto the adjacent floodplain. Beaver ponds and dams can act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009).

The NEPA process is currently being conducted by BLM personnel at the Price Field Office. The analysis document, likely an environmental assessment, is expected to be complete by October 2018. The NEPA process includes an estimated 3.5 months for cultural resource inventory fieldwork, evaluation, and consultation with SHPO. In addition, consultation with USFWS regarding federally listed species would occur prior to October 2018 and be included in the analysis document. A portion of the Upper Canyon Treatment unit is within the Desolation Canyon Wilderness Study Area. The proposed treatment will be reviewed to ascertain whether the proposal would impair the suitability of the WSA for preservation as wilderness. A portion of the treatment within the Woodside unit is within an active grazing allotment with one permittee. The permittee has been contacted and is supportive of the project. A Pesticide Use Proposal will be submitted to the BLM before application of chemicals.

For Phase I we plan to install 45 woody instream structures (including BDAs) separated into 3 different complexes located within a 2.9 mile restoration reach (Woodside BLM land). These structures will serve to improve site-specific geomorphic and hydrologic conditions by expanding the width and complexity of the instream habitat. The final design and placement of the wood structures will be determined during the restoration design phase of the project once funding has been secured. Many of the woody instream structures will mimic the structure and function of beaver dams, while other structures will mimic natural accumulations of large woody debris (LWD). All the different structure types will increase overbank flooding which typically leads to an increase in the diversity of riparian vegetation (Wright et al., 2002) and an expansion of the riparian corridor (Westbrook et al., 2006; Westbrook et al., 2011). These structures will also help to widen and add complexity to the river channel. The proposed project will use BDA structures to essentially provide the same function as beaver dams; in that the structures will impound water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplain. The structures will be temporary, lasting 3-5 years. After which when beaver are relocated to the Price River, or if beaver naturally migrate into the treatment reaches, the BDA structures could be maintained by beaver. The design and installation of BDA structures and other types of woody instream structures is a relatively simple, cost effective, and non-destructive restoration approach. Structures are constructed of untreated, sharpened lodgepole fence posts, approximately 3-4" diameter, driven into the active channel and inset floodplain using a hydraulic post pounder. Posts extend no more than 1 m above the active channel bed, which is within the 0.5 to 1.5 m typical height range of natural beaver dams. For a single structure, posts will be spaced approximately 0.5 - 0.8 m apart, and driven to a depth of approximately 1 m into the streambed (Figure 5). Following installation of the post line, willow stems will be woven in between the posts to create a semi-permeable structure that closely resembles a natural beaver dam. The willow weaving acts as a dam, but is also designed to be passable to fish, and is consistent with adult and juvenile fish passage criteria. In addition to weaving willow among the post line, BDA structures will be reinforced by placing cobble, gravel, and fine sediment at the base of the structure, a technique very similar to the way beavers build natural dams. BDA's should last until the pool behind the dam fills with sediment and is colonized by woody riparian vegetation (typically < 5 yr. depending on sediment sources and the flow regime). BDA structures will be strategically placed to mimic the form and function of beaver dam complexes, while non-channel spanning structures will mimic natural accumulations of LWD. Each structure will be designed with defined objectives for triggering and/or maintaining geomorphic and hydraulic processes leading to river rehabilitation (Figure 6). BDAs help create pool and riffle habitat and also expose substrate that has been buried by fine sediment (especially when they breach as a result of flashy flows) that is critical to the native fish utilizing the Price River. These improvements to native fish habitat through the use of BDAs has been documented through the implementation and monitoring of the San Rafael River Restoration Project (Shahverdian et al. 2017). BDA's are underutilized when beaver densities are low, as demonstrated on the nearby San Rafael Restoration; however, the degree to which beavers need dams in these desert rivers remains somewhat unknown (they also use banks) and considered an important knowledge gap. We will relocate beavers to the Price River from within this watershed, to potentially monopolize on already established BDAs and to study the recolonization process, and identify the most effective (in terms of restoration and cost) combinations of passive restoration techniques and beaver reintroduction strategies. In other places in the watershed, there is a bounty for beavers. Therefore, we will work with a local trapper to relocate beavers to this site from within the watershed. It is preferred to relocate a small family unit, but if that is not possible, a male and female pair will be relocated to each of a subset BDAs, preferably in the autumn. This reintroduction strategy has proven the most effective in other beaver relocation attempts (Wheaton and Bouwes, personal communication). An additional subset of BDAs will not receive beavers, for comparison and are referred to as "Reference" BDAs. We note however, that beavers move, and they may either choose a different BDA or rebuild; our study design will be flexible enough to accommodate their choices. Beavers will be individually PIT tagged and ear tagged. Each "Beaver" BDA will receive an instream "wagon wheel" PIT-tag detection antennae, to monitor beaver and tagged native fish activity, the latter is a bonus. Before beaver relocation, each BDA will be mapped for basic dimension and photographs will be taken. These before beaver conditions will be compared to after beaver relocation and to sites that received BDA's but not beaver. A number of restoration treatments have been identified as part of the broad restoration plan for the lower Price River (Laub et al. 2017). For Phase I of the restoration effort we have identified two restoration reaches Upper Canyon (threat reduction section) and Woodside (intensive restoration section). The specific treatments are outlined below by restoration section. Upper Canyon (threat reduction section) Treatment: Hand-crew removal of Russian olive with cut-stump or frill method Treatment: Hand-crew fuels treatment of tamarisk around cottonwood trees and existing regeneration with cut-stump method Treatment: Add Russian olive trees near the channel into the channel. Where possible limbs or tree trunks with an average diameter of 4 inches will limbed and cut to 8-10 foot lengths and placed in the river. The limbing of the logs is expected to minimize potential conflict that could occur between rafters and the addition of large woody debris/habitat to the system. See also below, as we belive the newly opened riparian areas will offer excellent picnicking and camping areas for boaters that were formerly rare. Woodside (BLM specific -- intensive restoration section) Treatment: Mechanical whole-tree removal of Russian olive and tamarisk adjacent to stream channel Treatment: Use Russian olive in wood structures, pile tamarisk for later use Treatment: Install 45 BDAs/wood structures with high density Treatment: Follow-up maintenance of BDAs/wood structures Treatment: Bullhog tamarisk away from channel Treatment: Reseedtreatment areas Treatment: Plant cottonwood and other native woody species Multiple methods will be employed to remove invasive trees (tamarisk and Russian olive) within the treatment reaches described above. Mechanical whole tree removal will be targeted on riverbanks lined with mature trees to encourage lateral scour and channel widening within channelized sections. A tracked excavator with grapple attachment is used to remove the tamarisk and Russian olive at or below the soil surface. This method has been shown effective in removing the root system of tamarisk and minimizing the re-sprouting that occurs in following years. Mastication will be used to remove smaller trees that have established on wide sections of the floodplain where whole tree or hand crew treatment would not be effective. Hand crews will use cut stump or girdling methods to apply herbicide to reduce biomass of invasive trees. After removal tamarisk will be stacked and left to dry for the purpose of burning at a later time, or left onsite to provide brush pile habitat. Trees that are adequate size for BDA's will be stacked near the BDA complexes in order to utilize this wood material for BDA construction. Areas disturbed during mechanical treatment or newly opened areas will be seeded in the fall. In the spring pole plantings will be cut and transplanted primarily along the river edge nearby BDA complexes. To the greatest extent possible, native trees and shrubs which are currently growing on site will be used for planting. If additional native plants are need they will be obtained using a nearby native plant nursery. We also plan to develop and install information and outreach signs for both restoration sites, in order to educate the public about the need for restoration, desert fish, and beaver and riparian ecology. The new riparian zones freed of impenetrable tamarisk and Russion olive should offer excellent picnicking and camping for people who recreate in or near the river, and so we anticipate considerable public support with proper education and outreach.

A detailed monitoring plan was developed as part of the broad restoration plan for the lower Price River (Laub et al. 2017). Given that dynamic desert river restoration is still a relatively new area of management, our project design is adaptive and meant to be modified based on information gathered and lessons learned through monitoring. Monitoring will be conducted by Utah State personnel and through partnerships as part of the adaptive management component of this project. The following variables will be monitored within the project area: 1) channel morphology: impacts of restoration on the shape of the channel, including degree of channel confinement and channel width will be monitored with on-the-ground surveys (RTK-GPS) of channel and floodplain topography, 2) habitat complexity: Amount of pools, riffles, and backwaters in restored sections of the channel will be surveyed in restored areas and compared to pre-restoration complexity already collected (e.g., Budy et al. 2011), 3) riparian Vegetation: Vegetation plots with photo points will be established and monitored before and after restoration to determine extent of changes in non-native vegetation and detect establishment of native vegetation, 4) fish density, distribution, and diversity will be monitored discretely at paired study reaches for each restoration treatment area. Large scale fish response to restoration, movement, diversity and distribution will be monitored by two permanent passive pit tag antennae (PIA) one near Woodside (BoR) and one upstream at "Mounds Bridge" (UDWR) and 5) in 2016 two water quality monitoring stations were re-activated on the Price River through coordination with UDEQ and BLM ( Price River at Mounds Road ID # 4932260 and Price River above Willow Creek ID# 4932810). Starting in 2017 another location was added Price River near Woodside ID# 4931650. The BLM will work with UDEQ to continue monthly sampling at these locations for the duration of the Price River Restoration. Monitoring reports will be generated that can be uploaded to the UWRI website. Beavers build dams in order to create deep water habitat that ensures underwater access to their lodge. In areas where such conditions already exist, beaver may inhabit bank dens, rather than build dams. Observations in the nearby San Rafael River have identified beaver cuttings and other signs of beaver activity, but to date have not included actively maintained dams, suggesting that they are inhabiting bank dens. Therefore, one question to be addressed by our monitoring plan is, to what extent are beaver along the Price River likely to inhabit bank dens or build and maintain dams/BDAs in order to meet their habitat needs? As outlined above, the Price River has been significantly altered by changes to the natural flow regime and the invasion of non-native riparian species. One of the effects of these influences has been a narrowing of the channel, and a change from a multi-thread to a single thread channel. These changes result in a higher unit-stream power than would have been experienced historically, which impacts the ability of beaver to build persistent channel-spanning dams. Along large rivers characterized by high stream power beavers often live in bank dens or build dams along smaller secondary channels. Historic imagery from the Price River study area shows a much wider, multi-thread channel. Whether or not the current channel morphology of the Price River is capable of supporting persistent beaver dams as a result of the geomorphic changes that have occurred due to changes to the flow regime and invasion of non-native species is a question we hope to address through our monitoring plan. BLM Aquatic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) protocol has already been implemented at 6 sites on the Price River and will aide in providing a coarser and overall assessment of river and riparian ecosystem health. More sites are planned in coming years. This monitoring gathers data on biological and physical conditions of the stream and riparian areas using indicators like O/E macroinvertabrate scores, large woody debris, percent pools, percent fines, floodplain connectivity among other metrics. When combined with the detailed restoration-site specific monitoring, this provides a comprehensive monitoring plan to assess conditions pre and post treatment within and outside the treatment areas and assist in planning future efforts river-wide.

The project lead agencies (and partners) are Utah State University, BLM and UDWR (partner contributions are detailed below). Several additional partners include : 1. The Nature Conservancy 2. Trout Unlimited 3. The USFWS 4. Utah Department of Water Quality 5. Private landowners have been contacted and several have expressed interest in participating. USU has been involved in Restoration Plan development and extensive pre-restoration monitoring and planning (e.g., vegetation mapping, etc.). USU will continue to aid in adaptive and experimental study design, implementation oversight, and post project assessment and monitoring. BLM has been and will continue to be lead on project implementation in the field as well as overall coordination and collaboration; BLM solicited and funded the development of the Restoration Plan. UDWR laid the groundwork for the plan, collected and provided pre-project monitoring and assessment, and will aid in implementation oversight. UDWR developed the seed mix and provided the necessary information for implementation budgeting and acreage to be treated etc. The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited have been and will continue to fund raise and to work with private landowners on collaboration and partnerships. Both partners contributed to development of the Restoration Plan. The USFWS and the Utah Dept. of Water Quality have provided institutional support and have reviewed and contributed to the Restoration Plan.

Future Management This project represents Phase 1 of a four Phase restoration, with the final phase being post-project monitoring and evaluation. The larger habitat restoration effort (Phases 2-3) will extend successful activities to other sections of the river, to help ensure that habitat is improved throughout the lower Price River corridor and over the longer term. Herbicide treatments will be planned in Phase II in order to address tamarisk re-sprouting or other secondary weed treatments as needed to maintain Phase I invasive removal sites. In terms of ensuring the long-term success of the current project, another Phase of our restoration plan for the Price River is coordinating with stakeholders in the watershed to provide ecological flows. UDWR, TNC and TU are the leads on this component, and they have already identified willing land owners (holding ponds) and water right holders (e.g., diversions) who are ready to sell. The lead partners have already secured several hundred thousand dollars to contribute to this effort. Providing both low flows and flood flows (after needs of water users are met) will help maintain habitat and create new habitat through natural river processes. Non-native fish control and fish passage improvement are also planned as part of the broad restoration plan and will help ensure native fish populations will be around to use restored habitat. Any future cottonwood establishment sites will be protected from cattle grazing until trees are large enough to resist browsing and trampling. The project will be carefully monitored and managed adaptively. Finally, the Price River is managed under the direction of the UCRB Innovative and Science-Based Desert Tributaries Restoration Initiative, a successful and long-standing collaborative effort between BLM, Utah State University, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR). In addition, the land is largely BLM public land managed by the BLM, one of the project leads, it is a "priority river" in the Nature Conservancy's, Colorado River Business Plan, contains the BLM's Desolation Canyon Wilderness Study Area, and represents a high priority restoration and conservation area for both UDWR and USFWS. Thus there is strong support from a diversity of stakeholders to aid in ensuring the long-term success of the current project.

By eliminating large stands of tamarisk and Russian olive in this riparian system livestock will be able to utilize this system and the vegetation diversity benefits this project will achieve. Removing invasive woody vegetation will facilitate the reestablishment of perennial grasses, native forbs, and shrubs that have much higher forage value than tamarisk. Control of tamarisk can make managing livestock easier. Previously dense stands of tamarisk that have either been removed or thinned (depending on site-conditions) increase access for ranchers to monitor and manage cattle on public allotments, while cottonwoods provide shade for resting livestock. Additionally grazing and animal distribution will increase since more river bank is accessible for watering livestock and wildlife.

03/01/2021

07/01/2021

2022

During FY21 (March 2021) Hall's Hammer Time Construction was contracted to remove 37.5 acres of tamarisk. This is less than what was planned, however cost of whole tree removal went up a great amount from last contract ($900 per acre to $1,621 per acre). The map has been updated to show 37.5 acre removal. We constructed 49 restoration structures, including channel-spanning, mid-channel, and bank-attached post-assisted log-structures (PALS) and beaver dam analogues (BDAs) on the lower Price River. Structure locations were primarily driven by a study design by researchers at Utah State University (USU) which is evaluating the importance of structure density. Treatment densities were high (40 structures/km), medium (20 structures/km), and low (10 structures/km) and built in 300 m reaches. Structure locations were field adjusted based on the availability of suitable building material as well as water depth. We were unable to build structures where water depth exceeded 4 ft. Our restoration effectiveness monitoring approach used both field-based structure-level observations and analysis of drone imagery. The field-based data collection consisted of: 1. Presence-absence -- Is it there? If present -- is it as designed -- for example, structures may have moved to the side of the channel, the material is still in place, but not engaged in the same way, but has the potential to engage with flows. 2. Structure condition - Is the structure blown out, breached, moved or buried (more than three-fourths of crest height sediment accumulation)? Is there additional accumulation of LWD on the structure? Has the structure been taken over by beaver? 3. Geomorphic response -- At each structure we assessed: Erosion and deposition. Distribution of geomorphic features at each structure: pool (scour or dam), cutbank, uniform bed aggradation or degradation; bar deposition (mid or point): range of substrates exposed -- patchiness or not? Evidence of overbank deposition/flow --at each structure. 4. Natural beaver dams and accumulations of LWD. If LWD accumulation occurred, did large wood accumulate on an existing structure, or elsewhere? 5. Total number of structures through time, both restoration and natural structures. 6. Condition of beaver dams -- intact, breached, or blown out -- and active or inactive. Our field-based approach focused on collecting information on restoration structures and natural wood accumulations and assessed the condition, function, and influence (hydrological and geomorphic) of instream structures. Field-based data provided important information on short-term responses and was the mechanistic link to understanding and demonstrating restoration effectiveness. The drone-based data collection consisted of an FAA licensed drone pilot collecting full coverage images for each of the restoration sites at low and high flow discharge before and after restoration was implemented. With these sets of images, we assessed the geomorphic and floodplain changes associated with changes in discharge as well as to track changes over time related to restoration actions. Specifically, we assessed: valley bottom extent, changes to the surface water extent and channel width, changes to the number of high flow channels vs. low flow channels. We also assessed inundation extent and type mapping and compare their extents through time. We assessed the nature of flow overbank vs channelized flows. Assessing these changes in flow type through time is important to track changes in lateral connectivity. Active floodplain extent -- pre and post restoration was assessed. Imagery-based surveys captured large-scale changes (e.g. inundation extent and type mapping [free flowing, overflow, and ponded]) and active and inactive floodplain mapping. These are important indicators of riverscape health that are directly modified by LT-PBR structures and beaver dams. The percent and type of valley bottom inundation and/or active floodplain not only are direct measures of the quantity of aquatic habitat present within the stream corridor, but can be viewed as proxies for hydrogeomorphic and ecological characteristics and processes that are essential to riverscape health such as channel floodplain connectivity and water residence time. Beaver Translocation Study: Beavers were taken from conflict situations, fitted with radio- and PIT-tags, and translocated to the restoration site. Naturally occurring resident beavers in the site were also captured, fitted with tags, and monitored. Beavers were assigned an age class (kit < 1 year, subadult = 1-2 years, adult > 2 years) based on weight and body size. All beavers were monitored 2-7 times per week from May-October 2019 and 2020 via radio tags, and with Passive Integrated Antennae and PIT-tags from May 2019 -- March 2021. We also conducted dam and sign surveys by floating the river, before and after translocations occurred to determine dams built and roughly assess resident beaver occupancy. We compared the site fidelity, survival, space use, and dam building behavior of translocated beavers to resident beavers. To assess site fidelity and survival we used Cormack-Jolly-Seber models to estimate the probability of an individual surviving and staying in the study area for eight weeks post-release (apparent survival). To assess space use we determined the most up- and downstream location an individual was detected, and calculated the total length of river between those locations (river kilometers). Lastly, to assess dam building activity we assigned each observed dam based on its location to the appropriate river reach delineated by the Utah Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool, and performed a Goodness of Fit test to compare the post-translocation sum of river reaches with 1 dam to the pre-translocation sum of river reaches with 1 dam.

The lower Price River is very arid with few springs, seeps, or off channel watering improvements such as stock ponds. The Price River provides the only regular presence of water; therefore, like many other arid riparian areas the river supports a great variety of plant and animal species. Additionally, multi-story layers of vegetation (trees, shrubs, ground layer) provide habitat and shelter for a great assortment of species. This diverse structure is often unique to stream corridors in arid lands. Anabranch was contracted to design and build four BDA's complexes on the Price River below Woodside. These structures improve habitat by prolonging water during droughts, maintaining native vegetation, and diversifying in-stream fish habitat. A total of 49 BDA's were constructed in the spring of 2021. Beaver dams also help improve in-stream fish habitat and mitigate drought. The naturally occurring beaver population in the restoration area appeared to be far below carrying capacity based on sign surveys, and so the goal of translocating additional beavers to the site was to supplement the existing resident beaver population and ultimately lead to more beaver dams in the system. We translocated a total of 39 beavers (16 adults, 17 subadults, and 6 kits) in 16 release efforts to the Price River and monitored them post-release, and monitored 21 resident beavers (8 adults, 5 subadults, and 8 kits) already in the river. We excluded kits from analyses due to low detection rates. Translocated adult and subadult beavers initially appeared to have similar behavior as resident subadult beavers during dispersal, experiencing high mortality and emigration rates, moving long distances, and not building dams. Apparent survival rates (i.e. survived and stayed in the study area) for eight weeks post-release of resident subadult (0.24 +/- 0.34; 1 SE), translocated adult (0.37 +/- 0.01), and translocated subadult beavers (0.24 +/- 0.12) were lower than resident adult beavers (0.88 +/- 0.09). Mean maximum distances detected for resident subadult (11.00 +/- 4.24 river km), translocated adult (19.69 +/- 3.76 river km), and translocated subadult (21.09 +/- 5.54 river km) beavers were roughly tenfold greater than for resident adult beavers (0.86 +/- 0.21 river km). We had limited long-term monitoring abilities due to challenges with transmitter loss and failure, but it did appear that some translocated beavers eventually established and built dams in the restoration area, as there were significantly more river reaches with dams (x2(1, n =210) = 16.38, p = 5.2x10-5) after than before beaver translocations (17 dams pre-translocation, 33 dams post-translocation). At least 7 dams were built post-translocation where there were no known resident beaver colonies. When translocating beavers especially to an arid system such as the Price River where resources and mates are patchy and scarce, high mortality, low site-fidelity, and wide-ranging movement patterns should be anticipated. However, it does appear that persistent releases at the restoration site eventually resulted in some establishment and dam-building, with no apparent negative effects to resident beaver behavior. Translocated beavers can be used to augment the existing low population to reach restoration goals more quickly. Project was carried over info FY22 so a late invoice could be paid. All on the ground work was completed in FY21.

Plants (N.M. privet, sumac, silver leaf buffalo berry, and cottonwood) have been ordered and funds carried over to plant them this fall (Oct 2021). Additionally around 20 BDA's will be added to those already constructed so we have a total of four replicates with a high, medium, and low density of BDA's. This will allow for a study to determine what density of BDA's provides the most benefits. The larger habitat restoration effort (Phases 2-3) will extend successful activities to other sections of the river, to help ensure that habitat is improved throughout the lower Price River corridor and over the longer term. Herbicide treatments will be planned in Phase II in order to address tamarisk re-sprouting or other secondary weed treatments as needed to maintain Phase I invasive removal sites. In terms of ensuring the long-term success of the current project, another Phase of our restoration plan for the Price River is coordinating with stakeholders in the watershed to provide ecological flows. UDWR, TNC and TU are the leads on this component, partners have already secured several hundred thousand dollars to contribute to this effort. Providing both low flows and flood flows (after needs of water users are met) will help maintain habitat and create new habitat through natural river processes. All beaver monitoring and analyses included in this report occurred before BDAs were installed, and represents the before/control component of the study, while continued monitoring and translocations after BDA installations represent the after/impact component of the study. Translocated beaver releases and monitoring of both resident and translocated beavers will continue through 2022 to determine the relationship between BDA installations and beaver dam-building efficacy.