Big Brush Creek crosses Highway US-191 about 10 miles north of Vernal Utah and then runs down a dramatic sandstone canyon for about 1 mile before it flows into Red Fleet Reservoir. Currently an access road leaves Highway 191 and travels into the canyon just below the highway to a flat area adjacent to Brush Creek. Several two track travel ways have been used in the canyon near the flat area and this area has seen use that degrades from the character of the surroundings. Brush Creek in this area is prime fishing habitat and is considered a high use area, mostly for day use. Fishermen are currently accessing brush creek on user created trails that cross through dense brush in some areas, direct access to the stream is hard in some places. This area is BLM lands and adjacent to Red Fleet State Park. The State Park Campground is 1.25 miles east from this location on the South side of Red Fleet Reservoir. On the North side of Red Fleet Reservoir on State Park lands and adjacent BLM lands is a complex of hiking and mountain biking trails. There is currently no trail connection from the campground around the reservoir to the trails complex.This project centers around a trailhead to be constructed in brush creek in an area that is currently used as parking and access for the area. The trailhead would include 15-20 parking spaces. Leaving south from the trailhead, the ages trail is an existing unmarked unimproved trail that leaves brush creek and allows hikers to connect to the Red Fleet State Park access road and then beyond towards Steinaker State Park. The Ages trail travels parallel to US191 through a portion of the "Drive through the Ages" portion of the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway highlighting the unique geology of the area. Leaving east from the trailhead and down Brush Creek, a formal trail utilizing exiting routes and possibly new trail sections to improve fishermen access/fish habitat and this same trail will be the beginning of the connection to the existing Red Fleet Trails complex. The first phase of this project will assist final NEPA clearances and the 404 permit in 2018. In 2019-2020 improvements to the trailhead and both trails section would be completed as a subsequent phase. Construction in this following phase will include minor improvements to the ages trail (it is the existing trail), signage for both trails and the fish habitat improvements. This application will outline the proposed improvements for the entire project, but this funding request for 2018 only includes the NEPA and 404 permitting.

1. Complete NEPA for the construction of trails, trailhead, and streambed improvements on BLM managed property on Brish Creek above Red Fleet Reservoir. 2. Complete 404 permitting for the stream segment passing through the above named property.

Currently an access road leaves Highway 191 and travels into the canyon just below the highway to a flat area adjacent to Brush Creek. Several two track travel ways have been used in the canyon near the flat area and this area has seen use that degrades from the character of the surroundings. Brush Creek in this area is prime fishing habitat and is considered a high use area, mostly for day use. Continued use the current pattern will continue to contribute to degradation of the Brush Creek and its surrounding habitat

The Uintah County Trails Master Plan will be completed in August 2018, but the draft of the report includes this project as a top priority project for Uintah County based upon connectivity with existing and proposed trails, public support and project feasibility. As mentioned in the project description, this project is a missing link to connect the Red Fleet State Park Campground with the existing trails complex on the north side of the reservoir. The ages trail also extends towards Stieinaker State Park, and future projects will make the rest of that connection.

None in this phase of the project.

Improvement of access trail and the limiting of motorized vehicle access in conjunction with strembed rehabilitation will reduce erosive potential of the stream and improve water quality.

This phase of the Brush Creek Trail and Trailhead Project will complete NEPA and 404 permitting.

A contractor (Sunrise Engineering) will be hired to complete the NEPA and permitting process.

TBD with future phases of the project.

Utah DIvision of WIldlife REsources has supported this project through written letters to the BLM. The BLM has contributed to this oint with review of plans and will review the NEPA documents once completed. The Dino Trail Committee has submitted letters of support to the BLM. Trout Unlimited will contribute financially to the project and actsas project manager.

Trailhead maintenance will be done by BLM iin the future. There is no future management focus to this phase of the project as it is designed to complete NEPA and permitting.

This phase of the project has no livestock benefit as it is designed to complete NEPA and permitting.

06/01/2018

08/31/2018

2019

Sunrise Engineering was contracted to complete NEPA for instream habitat improvements and an adjacent trail alignment on Brush Creek. They subcontracted to complete archaeology and biological assessments. They have turned documentation into BLM for approval. Final documentation is still pending.

Brush Creek is a popular hiking and fishing location in Northeast Utah and drains from the Eastern Uinta Mountains into Red Fleet Reservoir. Angling groups, such as the High Desert Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited have sought to improve the stream habitat and access along the creek. The first step to planning and construction is to complete NEPA as it falls under BLM jurisdiction. The funding through WRI for this portion of the planning phases of the project complemented funding from TU to complete NEPA.

During the next fiscal year project engineering and plans will be completed and construction started. TU will work with Sunrise Engineering to continue progress toward project completion. TU will also work together with UDWR and BLM to monitor habitat improvements, trail use, and fish populations.