Deep Creek Fire started January 1, 2018. Over the first week of January the fire slowly burned through oak brush and small stands of pines on 40 acres of private ground. Due to the timing and fuel types, the burn severity was low over nearly all the burned area. Seeding will help reestablish grasses and forbs and compete with invasive plants that thrive in the disturbed areas.

-Reestablish desired vegetation in burned areas. -Stabilize soils and reduce erosion. -Increase forage for livestock and wildlife.

Risks to water quality for domestic and agriculture uses, ecosystem stability and native plant vegetation recovery from invasion of noxious weeds, soil productivity and hydrologic function from accelerated erosion, impacts to multiple wildlife species as noted above.

Utah's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP): Identifies key habitats that may be addressed: Riverine, Mountain sagebrush and Aspen-Conifer. The WAP lists Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity a high level threat for Aspen-Conifer Ecosystems with the following as potential conservation actions. 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 2.3.17 Apply or allow more fire in habitats/locations where fire was historically more frequent or intense. UTAH MULE DEER STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN This project is designed to help meet Habitat Objective 2 to improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer habitat (p. 19). Specifically the strategies to Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats improve aspen communities that provide crucial summer/winter habitat by increasing regeneration and reducing conifer encroachment, improve aspen communities that provide crucial summer habitat for mule deer and manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages using various methods including timber harvest. Specifically this project addresses the winter range for mule deer and has specific reseeding efforts that help to restore these critical areas. UTAH ELK STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN This project is designed to help meet to meet Habitat Objective 1 - Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. Specifically the proposed treatment will contribute toward increasing forage production by treating elk habitat, and will be conducted on summer ranges (aspen communities) to improve calving habitat. UTAH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY UPPER NORTH FORK VIRGIN RIVER TMDL 6.3.2- Wildlife account for 15% of the bacteria found in the North Fork of the Virgin. Livestock contribute 78% of the bacteria. Improving range out of the raprian area theoretically should decrease the time spent in raprian area. DEER HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN, DEER HERD UNIT # 29 ZION February 2015 -Work with federal and state partners in fire rehabilitation and prevention on crucial deer habitat through the WRI process. -Future habitat work should be concentrated on the following areas. -Seek opportunities to increase browse in burned areas of critical summer and winter range. ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN ZION UNIT #29 2016 Unit Habitat Objectives: * Continue to be committed to the statewide goal of supporting habitat projects that increase forage for both big game and livestock. * Work with private, state and federal agencies to maintain and protect crucial ranges. Continue projects with USFS, BLM, state and private entities to enhance habitat across the unit.

After fires the likelihood of invasive species establishment is increased. Cheat grass is a species of concern for this site. If cheat grass becomes established, increase fire frequency will follow. Establishment of a desire plant community decreases the amount of invasive and noxious weeds in burned area.

The nature and timing of the this fire, decreases amount of erosion that could be expected, but doesn't eliminate the risk of rill and possible sheet erosion on the effect soil. Increasing the density of plants will stabilize soils maximizing the surface soil loss. When water movement is slowed, infiltration is increased, improving the soil moisture content and holding capacity. Deep Creek is a tributary of the North Fork Virgin River. The North Fork Virgin River is currently listed as 303d because of increased levels in Escherichia coli (E. coli). These levels have been linked to livestock and wildlife according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) report October 2017. UDEQ has conclude that livestock and wildlife in the raprian areas is leading to higher levels of E. coli in the watershed. With this information, any seeding that will help attract wildlife and livestock from the raprain systems. This seeding through small in size, theoretically should provide better forage out of the raprian systems.

All seed will be applied only private ground using hand or ATV spreaders. UDNR archaeologist will be consulted.

Seed will be applied using ATV or hand seed spreaders in early spring or fall of 2018 depending on the weather trends and conditions. Seed will be applied at 10 lbs per acre and Farm Bill Biologist will assist in setting seeding rate and application.

-Recommend to UDWR Range Trend for a site to be established. -Seasonal checks by Farm Bill Biologist.

Private Landowner

-Grazing plan using NRCS prescribed grazing tool. -Landowner is interested in a much larger private lands project, which should be developed for FY 2020.

This is summer range for cattle. The property consist of 1,100 acres of accessible ground for livestock. 70 cow calf pairs are grazed for about 130 days. According to the ESD and NRCS prescribed grazing tool, with the burned acres removed from usable acres, 78 pairs could be grazed for 130 days. Using the same tool, assuming that the acres would usable again, 85 pairs could be grazed for the 130 days.

10/19/2018

10/22/2018

2019

Using hand and ATV seed spreaders seed was applied at approximately 12 lbs/ac. Seeding took place in Oct. and treatment area had a above average snow pack, and above average spring rain.

Seed was applied by hand in late fall by hand and ATV seeders by private landowner and family members.

Landowner has agreed to remove livestock grazing for at least growing season. UDWR personal will inspect at the end of this growing season to determine if seeding was a success.