There are GRSG populations Within the Green River District/Northeastern region where the agencies are lacking knowledge/information, including; seasonal movements and habitat requirements for GRSG. Currently there have been a number of habitat enhancement projects that have been completed in the project area. The habitat within the Northeastern region includes sagebrush that is in a state less than desirable condition because of poor sagebrush structure, monotypic age class, poor understory, and encroachment. Trend data has shown that the habitat projects completed through WRI and other means, have improved the habitat and provide better conditions for sage-grouse. Monitoring of seasonal use and habitat use will allow the different agencies to identify areas that have been successfully enhanced for GRSG and to collect data on areas that may need habitat enhancement or restoration for GRSG.

The objective of the GRSG monitoring is to provide BLM/USFS/UDWR with scientifically based data that will enhance the understanding of GRSG habitat requirements and movement patterns, along with helping design future habitat projects to benefit GRSG (i.e. WRI). The results of the monitoring will also allow biologists and land mangers to make better decisions for GRSG and their habitat.

The main threat is the continued lack of data and knowledge of GRSG population seasonal movements and habitat requirements. This lack of data could lead to the mismanagement of their habitats and also lead to inadequate land use policies.

Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah (2013): *Protection of habitat which provides for the year-round life-cycle needs of the species. *Protect, maintain, improve and enhance sage-grouse populations and habitats within the established Sage-grouse Management Areas. Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Management Plan 2009: *Objective B-1; Protect and maintain currently occupied sage grouse habitat and the ecosystems that sustain them. *Objective B-2.1,A;Increase the continuity of habitats by designing habitat projects on a landscape scale and working with multiple land management agencies, WRI, and private landowners. *B-3.2,A;Coordinate with and utilize the WRI evaluation crew to monitor and evaluate vegetative and sage-grouse response to habitat improvement projects. Utah BLM Greater Sage Grouse RMP (2015): Objective SSS-3: In all GRSG habitat, where sagebrush is the current or potential dominant vegetation type or is a primary species within the various states of the ecological site description, maintain or restore vegetation to provide habitat for lekking, nesting, brood rearing, and winter habitats. Objective SSS-4: Within PHMA, increase the amount and functionality of seasonal habitats Objective SSS-5: Participate in local GRSG conservation efforts (e.g., the appropriate State of Utah agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and local working groups) to implement landscape-scale habitat conservation, to implement consistent management to benefit GRSG, and to gather and use local research and monitoring to promote the conservation of GRSG.

The monitoring data will help to better inform the fire/fuels reduction treatments for the benefit of GRSG.

Not Applicable

No NEPA or archaeology clearances would be required.

The project would be carried out by the purchasing of GPS transmitters which would be attach to sage-grouse in the fall/spring. The GPS transmitters will collect location data for each marked bird each day.

Each GPS transmitter will collect data points every day. The data will be downloaded by UDWR and shared with USFS and BLM. The expected life-span of a GPS transmitter is three years.

This project is a collaborative effort between BLM, USFWS, and UDWR.

The data will be used to inform future land use and habitat management for the the agencies involved.

Grazing will not be deferred for the project. Data collected could help direct management of season of use, and pasture rotation schedules.

03/01/2019

06/30/2022

2022

Final methods included purchasing gps backpacks and data for Greater sage-grouse. Over the last 4 years 50 collars have been placed on grouse tracking their movements. The Ashley National Forest Service has also participated and purchased collars and data to track movements on the forest. Together the data is used to show connectivity of grouse across the landscape.

Grouse were collared on Blue Mountain, Diamond Mountain, in Three Corners and Clay Basin. Documented movements using the collar data has help design new habitat treatments as well as documented use in existing habitat treatments areas. Thousands of points have been collected showing grouse movements throughout the areas including grouse traveling into Wy and Co.

Future management includes the continued use of the gps collars which can be refurbished, as well as the purchasing of new collars and data. Collar data will be used to identify areas of grouse use and aid in the design of future habitat projects and potential maintenance of existing treated areas.