Upland Component Vegetation: Sagebrush habitats throughout the west have declined drastically and continue to decline under many threats that are impacting this habitat type (Bradley 2010, Miller and Eddleman 2000). The greater sage-grouse is one of several species that has been impacted by the loss of sagebrush habitat (Miller and Eddleman 2000). The Miller Creek Watershed Restoration project will target restoring and protecting sage habitat and is one of the BLM's utmost priorities. One of the greatest threats to sage habitat is encroachment of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) (Bunting et al.1999). Through fire suppression, historic livestock over-grazing, and changes in climatic conditions, PJ have expanded and encroached into areas once dominated by sagebrush (Tausch 1999). When PJ canopy cover and tree density reaches certain levels, the diversity and density of under-story vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and forbs) decline. This removes an important component of food and shelter for elk, mule deer, sage-grouse, sage sparrows, brewer's sparrow, and small mammals, such as jackrabbits, which are a large component of Golden Eagle diets (Bates and Moretti 1994, Naillon et al. 1999, Vaitkus and Eddleman 1991). In addition to out-competing under-story vegetation, increased PJ tree densities within sage-brush parks have been proven to reduce the use of these habitats by sage-grouse. Sage-grouse avoid these areas because of the increased risk of predation by aerial predators (i.e. raptors) that can use these trees as perches (Commons et al. 1999). Thus, potential habitat for this imperiled bird is lost. This project will help to remove the threat PJ is causing on crucial sagebrush habitat and benefit the species that rely on it for survival. Water Quality: Another negative impact on the watershed from PJ encroachment is soil erosion (Farmer 1995). Removing PJ will allow grasses and forbs to expand and decrease the speed of water-flow and the size of soil particles that can be transported. Also, PJ have been shown to intercept about 10-20 percent of precipitation and have greater precipitation runoff (Farmer 1995, Skau 1964). By removing PJ and establishing grasses and forbs water will more readily infiltrate the soil and remain in the system. Dense tracts of PJ are a big concern for stand replacing wildfire which tends to sterilize and cause hydrophobic soil. Removing sections of trees will help to slow down fire spread and intensity, and help to prevent invasive species like cheatgrass from establishing post-fire. It has been observed that by cutting PJ, the under-story vegetation will grow back in greater amounts than in those areas that are not cut (Bates et al. 2000). Mechanical PJ removal (e.g. Bull hog or chainsaw crew) projects like this project have proven to be a successful method for replacing the function of fire in the ecosystem and help to maintain watershed health. Wildlife: The Miller Creek Watershed Restoration project area has an expansive PJ ecosystem which is encroaching into the domain of sage brush habitats. This plateau system is crucial mule deer and elk winter and summer range and primary sagegrouse habitat. This project will provide several hundred more acres of usable habitat for sage-grouse and ungulates. It is essential that we implement this project as soon as possible to help mitigate the numerous impacts affecting sage habitat. Stream and Riparian Component In the summer of 2012 the Seeley fire burned on the Manti La Sal National Forest, part of it burning the upper end of the Miller Creek Watershed. The slow rehabilitation of native vegetation in Upper Miller Creek and the increase in high flow flood events have resulted in moderate to severe channel incision and sediment movement, and subsequently the destruction and/or disconnection of stream and riparian habitats throughout the watershed. Beaver dam analog (BDA) structures are an inexpensive and highly effective method of reconnecting floodplain and riparian habitats in highly eroded streams. Furthermore, check dam structures such as BDAs have been proven to trap sediment from going downstream, halt stream channel incision, and increase habitat complexity. This is particularly evident when the structures are built with natural materials, and constructed in a way to promote logjams. In other watersheds in Utah where streambed incision is severe following catastrophic fire, introducing large amounts of woody debris in the form dead and burned trees has been successful at aggrading streambeds and increasing stream complexity by trapping eroded sediments and holding them in place. In the summer of 2016, UDWR installed two beaver dam analog complexes on private property downstream of this proposed project area. Within just a few months, the analog complexes filled with sediment from summer flood events. This aggraded the formerly incised streambed as much as four feet. The rapid success of these complexes indicated a higher than expected sediment load from the upstream portions of Miller Creek, and the need for further investigation and possibly more project effort. Upon speaking with landowners further up the drainage, it was apparent that channel incision was more severe in the upper reaches of Miller Creek. In the fall of 2018, 25 additional beaver dam analog complexes and 17 post assisted analog structures were installed on the upper portion of the Middle Fork of Miller Creek to help support the 2016 stream restoration efforts. These previously completed project phases and the work outlined in this proposal will greatly improve sediment balance throughout Miller Creek. The upper end of Miller Creek continues to incise its channel and mobilize dissolved solids, contributing to impaired watershed listing and a TMDL for the Price River. We need to complete this project, in order to reduce and repair ongoing damage to watershed health, riparian and stream habitat values, and water quality in the Miller Creek and Price River watersheds.

Stream and Riparian Component In order to address the severe down cutting/channel incision, high sediment load, and the slow rehabilitation of native vegetation in Miller Creek after the Seeley fire, we are proposing the following project objectives: Stream and Riparian Objectives: Objective 1 - Aggrade down cut streambed habitats. Objective 2 - Trap eroded sediments from the Upper Miller Creek Watershed. Objective 3 - Increase channel complexity and reconnect floodplain habitats. Objective 4 - Plant woody riparian species to allow reintroduction of beavers in the future to increase the health of the drainage. Objective 5 - Increase the water table to allow for sufficient water flows for trout to occur all summer with the future goal of restoring Colorado River cutthroat to Miller Creek. Objective 6 - Increase landowner driven conservation work in the Price River Watershed. Objective 7 - Increase awareness and interest in wild turkey populations through improving habitat to support introduced turkey populations. Stone Culvert Component Objective 1 -- Stabilize the culvert structure to prevent further erosion and loss of original construction materials. Objective 2 -- Stabilize the gully headcut downstream of the culvert to prevent further downcutting of the channel that would undermine the culvert. Upland Component: In order to address the current threat that PJ encroachment poses to the critical sagebrush habitats within our designated project area, and within the WRI rangeland focus area, we are proposing the following project objectives: Upland Objectives: Objective 1 - Remove the immediate threat of encroaching PJ to sagebrush stands. Objective 2 - Increase available habitat for sage-grouse by removing trees within sagebrush stands. Objective 3 - Increase available forage and habitat utilization for mule deer and elk. Objective 4 - Increase under-story plant diversity and cover (e.g. Forbs, grasses, and shrubs). Objective 5 - Increase numbers of small prey for raptor species by increasing forage and seed sources. Objective 6 - Increase available water by removing PJ trees. Objective 7 - Decrease potential soil loss and erosion by increasing under-story vegetation. Objective 8 - Reduce risk of destructive fires in the area by reducing PJ stand density. Objectives will be quantified by qualitative monitoring utilizing before and after high resolution imagery and repeat photography.

Upland Component The Miller Creek Watershed Restoration project is focused on aggressively reducing the current prominence of pinyon pine and juniper in sagebrush highlands on the Miller Creek, Gordon Creek and Northsprings tributaries. Improving this sage community and removing dense PJ fuels to minimize the potential for stand replacing fire is a high priority. Historically it is probable that sage grouse in the area had greater distribution and population. Research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others have documented that sage grouse stop utilizing a lek with as little as 4% tree canopy cover. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored PJ expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that PJ pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat. Stream and Riparian Component Lowland riparian habitat, and perennial lotic (flowing-water) habitat, are among the very rarest and most threatened habitats in the region and the state. The project area contains about 8 miles of potential perennial lotic habitat and adjacent lowland riparian habitat, a truly significant amount in this region and state. The former riparian and perennial lotic habitat functions in the project area were recently destroyed by the Seeley Fire's aftermath. It is fully expected that if this stabilization and recovery project does not occur, the recently-destroyed habitat will not recover on its own, and the recently-lost habitat functions (e.g., energy dissipation, sediment storage, pollutant capture and biofiltration, mediation of temperature fluctuations, water storage, provision of forage and cover) are not likely to return on their own for the foreseeable future. This is due to the continuing impacts of scour and deposition, enabled by the loss of channel roughness and complexity, and the presence of tall vertical gully walls. Without slowing and reversing the loss of habitat extent and function, there is much less hope for recovering fish and wildlife species that pose a Threatened or Endangered listing risk or burden to the state. Conversely, the devastation of this stream and riparian habitat has had the effect of virtually eliminating woody invasive riparian species from the project area. There is a brief window to recapture the site with desirable native plants. Taking no action virtually guarantees site recapture by noxious weeds. Stone Culvert Component As outlined in the "Need for Project" section, erosion of the lower courses of stone blocks by high runoff events and debris flows removes the support for the entire culvert walls. If erosion of the walls continues unabated, at some point the walls will collapse and bring the culvert top and overlying fill down with them. Besides losing a remarkable cultural feature and road access to the Left Fork of Miller Creek, structural failure of the culvert would have a significant effect on the creek. Depending on the timing and scale of the failure, large amounts of rock and soil would enter the channel. A severe enough collapse could block the channel with an unengineered earthen dam that would impound water and possibly fail catastrophically.

State and County Resource Management Plans: State of Utah Resource Management Plan Wildlife *Conserve, improve, and restore 500,000 acres of mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025. *Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands. Livestock and Grazing *Improve vegetative health on public and private lands through range improvements, prescribed fire, vegetation treatments, and active management of invasive plants and noxious weeds. *Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation, and wildlife *The state supports the active removal of pinyon juniper encroachment on other ecosystem, such as sagebrush, due to its consumption of water, detrimental effects on vegetation and available forage, and its negative effects on wildlife habitat. Noxious Weeds *Establish immediate revegetation or rehabilitation after treatment. The state of Utah supports prevention as one of the best methods of managing noxious weeds. T&E Species *Work with stakeholders and partners to continue to implement recommendations from the Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015--2025 to conserve sensitive species and their habitat. *Restore 75,000 acres of critical habitat for sensitive species each year through the Watershed Restoration Initiative and by partnering with other government and nongovernmental entities. Water Quality and Hydrology *Cooperate in the protection, restoration, enhancement and management of water resources in the State of Utah to the extent of each agency's authority, expertise, and resources. Carbon County Resource Management Plan Land Use *Encourage public land management agencies to restore damaged areas. *Encourage coordination between federal agencies and local governments, public land managers, and private landowners. Support responsible development and the long -term health of the land. Fire Management *Fuel reduction techniques such as conifer reduction, grazing, prescribed fire, and chemical, biological, and mechanical treatments may be acceptable, given site-specific variables. *Work with the private landowner(s), federal, or state agency, in cooperation with Utah Forestry Fire & State Lands to remove fuel load buildup by prescriptive grazing, silviculture prescriptions or mechanical means. Wildlife * Forest and range health are managed to provide more forage for both livestock and wildlife. *Cooperation between livestock owners and wildlife agencies occurs to manage the lands to the benefit of all species. *Funding increases for the increased quality of habitat for all species. *Promote hunting and wildlife photography in the area. T&E Species *The county support finding local solutions to protect sensitive species in an effort to prevent federal listing. *Support efforts to help ensure that the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) remains under the management of UDWR and does not become listed as threatened or endangered. Water Quality and Hydrology *Carbon County participates in the management of watersheds on public and private lands to optimize quality and quantity of water. *Preserve our watershed and ensure that reclamation occurs on areas destroyed by fire. *Support projects and policies that maintain and improve soil ecology and vegetative cover in uplands. *Carbon County will participate in the management of watersheds on public and private lands watersheds to optimize quality and quantity of water. *Where water resources on public lands have diminished because grasses have succeeded to woody vegetation, a vigorous program of mechanical treatment should be applied to promptly remove the woody vegetation and stimulate the return of grasses. These efforts would be intended to provide a watershed that maximizes water yield and water quality for livestock, wildlife, and human uses. *To identify and control noxious weeds and invasive plant species, beginning at the head of each natural drainage area of the watershed. Noxious Weeds *Remove noxious and invasive vegetation along rivers and streams, followed by revegetation. *Control noxious weeds and poisonous plants in cooperation with public land users and state and local agencies. *Continue to encourage, coordinate with, and participate in public land management agency projects to implement an aggressive noxious weed and invasive species control operation on all of the lands they manage. Livestock and Grazing *Encourage rangeland health, forage, and grazing stability on public lands. Promote the use of good science to establish data used in rangeland decision-making. *Encourage the implementation of rangeland improvement projects including brush control, seeding projects, pinion and juniper removal, noxious and invasive weed control, and livestock water developments. *Where once-available grazing forage has succeeded to pinion juniper and other woody vegetation, or where rangeland health has suffered for any other reason, a vigorous program of mechanical treatments such as chaining, logging, seeding, lopping, thinning, burning, and other vegetative treatments should be applied to remove woody vegetation and stimulate the return of the grazing forage for the mutual benefit of livestock, wildlife, and other agricultural industries. Upland Component Rangeland Health in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. The focus for management within this area is to improve greater sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat while maintaining the dominant aspects of the sagebrush community to ensure adequate cover is available. High quality brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for sage grouse in the Carbon County population area. DOI Secretarial Order 3336 sets forth enhanced policies and strategies for preventing and suppressing rangeland fire and for restoring sagebrush landscapes impacted by fire across the West. These actions are essential for conserving habitat for the greater sage-grouse as well as other wildlife species and economic activity, such as ranching and recreation, associated with the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem in the Great Basin region. This effort will build upon the experience and success of addressing rangeland fire, and broader wildland fire prevention, suppression and restoration efforts to date, including the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, and ensure improved coordination with local, state, tribal, and regional efforts to address the threat of rangeland fire at a landscape-level. Sec. 4 Policy. Protecting, conserving, and restoring the health of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem and, in particular, greater sage-grouse habitat, while maintaining safe and efficient operations, is a critical fire management priority for the Department. Allocation of fire management resources and assets before, during, and after wildland fire incidents will reflect this priority, as will investments related to restoration activities. We are meeting the objectives set for in Sec. 5 Developing an Enhanced Fire Prevention, Suppression, and Restoration Strategy of Secretarial Order 3336 by: a.) Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Federal agencies, states, tribes, local stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations on fire management and habitat restoration activities, including: (i) Enhancing the capability and capacity of state, tribal, and local government, as well as non-governmental, fire management organizations, including rangeland fire protection associations and volunteer fire departments, through improved and expanded education and training; and (ii) Improving coordination among all partners involved in rangeland fire management to further improve safety and effectiveness. b.) Utilize risk-based, landscape-scale approaches to identify and facilitate investments in fuels treatments, fire suppression capabilities, and post-fire stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration in the Great Basin. c.) Seek to reduce the likelihood, size, and severity of rangeland fires by addressing the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive, non-native species. d.) Advance the development and utilization of technologies for identifying areas of high ecological and habitat value in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems to enhance fire prevention and sage-grouse habitat protection efforts. e.) Apply science and research to improve the identification and protection of resistant and resilient sagebrush-steppe landscapes and the development of biocontrols and other tools for cheatgrass control to improve capability for long-term restoration of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems. f.) To the extent practicable, utilize locally-adapted seeds and native plant materials appropriate to the location, conditions, and management objectives for vegetation management and restoration activities, including strategic sourcing for acquiring, storing, and utilizing genetically appropriate seeds and other plant materials native to the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. g.) Encourage efforts to expedite processes, streamline procedures, and promote innovations that can improve overall rangeland fire prevention, suppression and restoration efficiency and effectiveness. h.) Explore opportunities to pilot new strategies to reduce the threat of invasive, nonnative plant species and rangeland fire to sagebrush-steppe ecosystems and greater sage-grouse conservation, including enhanced use of veteran fire crews and youth conservation teams, and efforts to further public-private partnerships to expand capacity for improved fire management. i.) Establish protocols for monitoring the effectiveness of fuels management, post-fire, and long-term restoration treatments and a strategy for adaptive management to modify management practices or improve land treatments when necessary. BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners. Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7). B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows: Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14). C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3) D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MALG- 13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17). The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan established incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands, Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas. The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups, and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses. Price Field Office RMP: (VEG-1) -- Allow vegetation manipulation with restrictions to achieve the desired vegetation condition. Etc. (pg. 69) (VEG-2) -- Design sagebrush treatment projects (including fire and fuels vegetation projects) conducted in greater sage-grouse occupied or historic habitat. (pg.70) This project will meet the goal of protecting the sagebrush community by removing Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). (VEG-3) -- (2) enlarge the size of sage brush patches with emphasis on areas occupied by greater sage-grouse and/or other sage dependent This project will meet the goal of protecting the sagebrush community by removing PJ that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025: This project proposes to increase the amount and/or improve the condition of three of the thirteen key habitat types in the state: lowland sagebrush, aquatic scrub/shrub ("riparian"), and riverine ("lotic" or flowing water). Principal WAP-listed threats to these habitats, which this project has direct and immediate relevance for, include (and are followed by their relevant WAP objectives in quotation marks): Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity - "1) Fire is excluded from habitats in which potential burns now would be frequent, large, and destructive to soils and native vegetation; the habitats are being actively managed (treated) to reduce components or factors that promote risk of catastrophic fire, such as cheatgrass, excessive conifer encroachment, or unnaturally large stands of mature Gambel oak. 2) Fire is returned to habitats from which it had been unnaturally excluded; the fire regime (frequency and intensity) in these habitats generally approximates a natural, pre-settlement regime." Invasive Plant Species - Non-native - "1) Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. 2) Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic (ecologically and economically)." Problematic Plant Species - Native Upland - (due to the statewide, all-habitats-and-species way in which priority threats were identified and then chosen for detailed write-ups, this threat was not considered a statewide, plan-wide priority. However, for certain specific species and habitats, it is a priority threat. This is the case for lowland sagebrush.) Droughts - "1) Terrestrial SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. 2) Aquatic SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions." Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) - "Scope and severity of channel downcutting are declining for impacted species and habitats." CARBON COUNTY MASTER PLAN (October 1 1997): 10. Goal: To maintain a continuous supply of timber and to protect water sheds and water quality through minimization of soil erosion and. other deleterious effects from insect damage and catastrophic fires. (This project conforms with the goals found in the Carbon County Master Plan, Goal (10) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods (mechanical, prescribed fire, hand, chemical and biological) to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem.) 10.2 Objective: Manage forests and woodlands for commercial production and Noncommercial harvesting of resources. 32.1.1 Strategy: Prevent forest fires in watersheds by the use of proper logging and thinning. (This project conforms with the goals found in the Carbon County Master Plan, Strategy (32.1.1) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem.) Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2019. d. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species. Deer Herd Unit Management Plan- Deer Herd Unit # 16- Central Mountains Unit Management Goal 1: Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. Unit Management Goal 2: Balance deer herd impacts on human needs, such as private property rights, agricultural crops and local economies. Unit Management Goal 3: Maintain the population at a level that is within the long term carrying capacity of the available habitat Habitat Management Objective 1: Protect, Maintain, and/or improve deer habitat through direct range improvements to support and maintain herd population management objectives Habitat Management Objective 2: Work with private landowners and federal, state, and local and tribal governments to maintain and protect critical and existing ranges from future losses and degradation Habitat Management Objective 3: Provide improved habitat security and escapement opportunities for deer. Habitat Management Objective 4: Provide a long-term continuing base of habitat quantity and quality sufficient to support the stated population objectives. Habitat Management Strategy: continue to improve, protect, and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer. Cooperate with agencies and private landowners tin carrying out habitat improvements such as pj remove, reseedings, grazing management etc on public and private lands. Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan Population Management Goal: Maintain healthy elk populations throughout the state that are managed within habitat capabilities and in consideration of other land uses. Population Objective 1: Seek opportunities to increase population objectives in individual elk unit management plans to attain a total statewide population objective of 80,000 elk, ensuring that any increases will be subject to an analysis of the impacts to habitat, landowners, livestock operators, and/or mule deer populations. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain elk habitat throughout the state by identifying and protecting existing crucial elk habitat and mitigating for losses due to human impacts. Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of forage and cover on 250,000 acres ofelk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and upper elevation elk winter range by the end ofthis plan. Recreation Management Goal: Provide a diversity of elk hunting and viewing opportunities throughout the state. Recreation Objective 2: Increase opportunities for viewing of elk while educating the public concerning the needs of elk and the importance of habitat. Elk Unit Management Plan Elk Herd Unit #16 Central Mountains Habitat Objective 1: Protect and maintain existing habitats that are functioning properly. Enhance elk habitat on a minimum of 20,000 acres during the next 5 years through direct range improvements. a. Remove pinion-juniper encroachment into winter range sagebrush parks and summer and transitional range mountain brush communities. Approximately 2,000 acres per year will be targeted using primarily mechanical treatments. b. Minimize and mitigate for habitat loss and displacement of elk as a result of coal, oil and gas development and urban expansion c. Cooperate with livestock operators and federal agencies to improve range management practices in such a way to optimize both livestock and elk forage production and thus minimize conflicts Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan Goal A. Maintain and Improve Wild Turkey Populations to Habitat or Social Carrying Capacity Objective1.Stabilize populations that are declining outside of natural population fluctuations; especially through catastrophic events (i.e. following fires, severe winters, etc.). Strategy c: Conduct habitat projects to address limiting factors. Objective 2.Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide by 2020. Strategy d: Conduct habitat improvement projects in limiting habitat(s). Instream component Rationale for TDS Site Specific Criteria 2. Price River and tributaries up to 7,500 feet in elevation from the confluence with Soldier Creek to Carbon Canal Diversion: 1,700 mg/l. Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming iii. Goals - To assure the long-term viability of CRCT throughout their historic range. Areas that currently support CRCT will be maintained, while other areas will be managed for increased abundance. New populations will be established where ecologically and economically feasible, while the genetic diversity of the species is maintained. The cooperators envision a future where threats to wild CRCT are either eliminated or reduced to the greatest extent possible. Objective 3 - Increase the number of stream populations by restoring CRCT within their native range. Local restoration goals and approaches will be developed to meet this objective. Objective 4 - Strive to improve watershed conditions for CRCT, including development of protocols for monitoring. Price River Watershed Plan Applicable strategies listed for reducing TDS on the Price River and its tributaries and meeting the 3000 mg/l TMDL from the confluence of Soldier Creek to the Carbon Canal Diversion. -Create vegetated buffer strips along streams and ditches to reduce erosion -Revegetate stream banks with soil holding species, use rock barbs to divert flow from banks, and re-slope steep streambanks to allow for vegetation establishment -Maintain plant cover with proper grazing strategies -Identify areas where, due to erodible soils, grazing may not be sustainable -Improve riparian condition through grazing management and establishment of wetland species Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018, specifically: Section 1. Policy, (b) Coordinating Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Assets. Wildfire prevention and suppression and post-wildfire restoration require a variety of assets and skills across landscapes. Federal, State, tribal, and local governments should coordinate the deployment of appropriate assets and skills to restore our landscapes and communities after damage caused by fires and to help reduce hazardous fuels through active forest management in order to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. (c) Removing Hazardous Fuels, Increasing Active Management, and Supporting Rural Economies. Post-fire assessments show that reducing vegetation through hazardous fuel management and strategic forest health treatments is effective in reducing wildfire severity and loss. Actions must be taken across landscapes to prioritize treatments in order to enhance fuel reduction and forest-restoration projects that protect life and property, and to benefit rural economies through encouraging utilization of the by-products of forest restoration. Sec. 6. Collaborative Partnerships. To reduce fuel loads, restore watersheds, and improve forest, rangeland, and other Federal land conditions, and to utilize available expertise and efficiently deploy resources, the Secretaries shall expand collaboration with States, tribes, communities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Secretarial Order 3372: (2)(b) Coordinate and Collaborate with Land-Managing Partners and Stakeholders. Managing wildfire is not unique to the Department. The Department shares this responsibility with other Federal land-managing Agencies, States, Territories, Tribes, localities and stakeholder groups. (c) Utilize active Land, Vegetation, and Wildfire Management Techniques that are supported by Best Practices and Best Available Science.

Wildfire is one of the greatest threats to sage grouse habitat. This project will help protect and preserve sagebrush habitat by decreasing both fuel loading and fire potential. Pinyon and juniper trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Dense PJ fuel conditions are to the point that if a wildfire occurred it would be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) within the project area is predominately FRCC 3 which is where fire regimes have been extensively altered and risk of losing key ecosystem components from wildfire is high. Treatments identified within this proposal, will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a destructive wildfire which could impact outlying properties and oil & gas infrastructure. Functional riparian areas create a fuel break since they have green vegetation most of the time. By repairing and creating a healthy riparian area in the Miller creek drainage it will provide a robust fuel break in the Miller creek watershed.

Upland Component The Miller Creek upland project area elevation is over 5,800 feet above sea level; therefore, it is expected that the opportunity to restore native species to the composition and frequency appropriate to the area is high. The area is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper (Phase 2 and Phase 3). There is noticeable soil erosion throughout the area due to the absence of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. The project is expected to improve herbaceous understory, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration. A recent publication by Roundy et al. 2014 (Pinyonjuniper Reduction Increases Soil Water Availability of the Resource Growth Pool. Range Ecology and Management 67:495505) showed that phase 3 juniper removal can increase available moisture for more than 3 weeks in the spring. And removing juniper from phase 1 and 2 stands can increase water from 6-20 days respectively. Because juniper are prolific water users they readily out compete understory species which eventually die off. Results of the Great Basin Landscape Conservation Cooperative study in Nevada (Desatoya Mt.) found that by removing (lop and scatter) P/J (130 trees/acre) there is the potential to increase water recharge yields 4% on wet years. On wet years this will increase recharge, but does not increase stream flow. Wet meadows and upland plants benefit by utilizing the increase soil moisture, providing for better resiliency during drought years. This provides for an increase in water quantity for herbaceous plants on sites where PJ is removed. Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by PJ to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration. In Channel Component In 2012, the Seeley fire burned the upper end of the Miller Creek Watershed leaving the landscape devoid of vegetation that could reduce the energy of runoff water in Miller Creek. As a result portions of the upper Miller Creek watershed have experienced severe downcutting ranging from just a few feet to more than 20 ft. It is suspected that the streambed has been degraded to bedrock in locations. The result of downcutting erosion is large pulses of sediment being transported downstream. As a tributary to the Price River, sediment flows during flooding are carried through to the main river channel. The P4rice River is currently 303(D) listed as an impaired waterbody with a Total Maximum Daily Load for Total Dissolved Solids that is being exceeded (Utah Division of Water Quality 2016). Reduction in erosion and trapping sediment to agrade the streambed and reestablish a flood plain in Miller Creek will effectively reduce the amount of both suspended and dissolved solids that reach the Price River. Adding complexity to a stream through Beaver Dam Analogs and introduction of large woody debris has been shown to trap sediment and promote healthy sediment transport. Aggrading the streambed through these activities will reduce the salt loading and Total Dissolved solids in the Price River. Stone Culvert Component The high runoff and debris flows resulting from the Seeley fire have contributed to the destabilizing erosion of the culvert. Where the sandstone blocks have been washed out from the culvert walls, the unconsolidated earth fill behind the walls is exposed and subject to erosion, contributing to sediment loading in the creek (and further destabilizing the culvert). Although chronic minor erosion is a concern, the primary concern is the long term risk of structural failure of the culvert from prolonged erosion and the collapse of fill into the channel.

This project falls within the exiting scope of the BLM Price Field Office RMP and DOI Secretarial Order 3336. Parts of the treatment area will be rested from livestock grazing for a minimum of two years following project implementation to ensure adequate rejuvenation and seedling establishment. The NEPA for the pinyon/juniper removal is completed and signed (DOI-BLM-UT-G020-2014-0046-EA). Archaeological Clearance for pinyon/juniper is not yet completed but will be completed before the project activities begin. Stream work is on private lands, a stream alteration permit will be obtained prior to instream work. Working with DWR archaeologist to complete stream archaeological clearance A SITLA RIP application will be submitted for upland work. Culvert Component UDOGM/AMRP is federally funded through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining's Abandoned Mine Land Fund. As such, it is required to comply with applicable federal laws, including NEPA, ESA Section 7, and NHPA Section 106. Environmental compliance for all planned Hiawatha reclamation work was completed when the Office of Surface Mining issued a Categorical Exclusion and Authorization to Proceed on August 28, 2018.

In Channel Methods The lower sections of Miller Creek support pinyon/juniper woodlands while the upper reaches transition to sub alpine fir, douglas fir, engelmann spruce, and aspen. Our FY19 Miller Creek Project focused on the Middle Fork, where the Seeley fire (2012) burned steep slopes containing primarily mixed conifer stands. Much of the oak brush and under story also burned exposing bare soil, increasing overland flow, and sediment input into the channel. Post fire Miller Creek experienced rapid down cutting and scouring of native vegetation. In this FY20 proposal our focus will be on monitoring our restoration sites in Middle Fork while applying our refined methods to the North Fork to further "scale up" the watershed benefits. A combination of traditional restoration structures built with heavy machinery (log rollers, step pools, cross vanes) as well as Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA's) will be used to stabilize the stream channel, preventing further down cutting. Rock structures will likely be needed to stabilize the 10' head cut below the stone culvert. Willow waddles, addition of top soil, and coir fabric will be used around rock structures to ensure vegetation establishment and long term stability. Within the moderate slope sections, gravel and other finer substrate is still present in the bed material. Within these sections log structures, including log rollers and log step pools will be installed. The log roller structure was designed to emulate natural features of stable streams with high slopes and low sinuosity typically found in low order streams that drain steep hillsides. In the American west, these stream types are often adjacent to conifer forests such as lodgepole and limber pine that grows in Utah from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, or douglas fir forests found in Utah at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet. When these trees die and fall or wash into the channel they significantly contribute to the hydraulics and function of the stream. The in channel trees redirect flow, creating sinuosity or scouring pools, over time, the trees can become embedded in the channel with gravel and sand, and acting like a dam they back up water and stabilize the bed elevation. Using the natural process as a guide, machinery is used to precisely arrange and bury logs in the channel to maximize benefits to the stream. These structures provide grade control, add flow resistance to dissipate energy, and decreases near bank stress by directing flow to the center of the channel. Based on our experience on the Middle Fork, we will construct as many as 10 structures with heavy equipment and 30 BDA's. Larger diameter logs, (>10") will be used on most structures. Log rollers and cross vanes are used to direct the velocity vectors to the center of the channel. The logs will be embedded deep into the bed and streambanks a minimum of three feet, which will require constructing trenches for log placement. A geo-textile fabric is placed on each log before the next log in a series is placed. The fabric is tacked on the lower half of the log from the upstream side. The fabric is buried with gravel or sand substrate to prevent water from under cutting the structure. Step pool structures are similar to log rollers, however they combine logs and rock to emulate the natural arrangement of wood and rock in systems where large woody debris and native rock influence flow resistance and morphological characteristics. We will use on-site rock and dead trees that will be harvested with a combination of chainsaw crews and heavy equipment. Some sections will require longer or uniform diameter logs for proper construction, for this reason we will use 30' wood telephone poles that can be cut to the precise size needed. All structures will be installed in November to avoid fall rainstorms that frequently occur in southeastern Utah. Based on previous experience on Miller Creek the structures will quickly work as intended, facilitating aggradation of sediment or scouring pools as needed. In the spring, likely after rain events have interacted with the structures we will evaluate each structure making modifications as needed as well as develop a plan for re-vegetation that will focus on transplanting willows and other woody plants during the dormant season. Stone Culvert Component Culvert stabilization will be accomplished by replacing the areas of missing blocks with reinforced concrete. Stabilization of the downstream gully headcut will likely be done using traditional hard engineering techniques (riprap structure). Upland The areas that will be treated this year will be treated with hand crews (lop and scatter). The areas still have an understory that is sufficient to re-seed the area. Lop and scatter areas that were treated 2 years ago have seen establishment of grass from within the area, that is why we think this method will work well in this area. Some areas appear to have been chained in the past and need re-treatment. Affect Areas will be arch cleared for future treatments. Hand forb plantings polygons areas have been identified. On the WRI data base it shows them as points but the 96 points will be approximately .6 acres each (actual planted area). Variations of of soil type, aspect, soil depth, elevation, raking depth, and proximity to roads has been considered. Forb plots are at a min of 8'x8' but no larger than 40'x40'. Forb plots will be a min of 40 feet apart with no more than 100 feet apart. 8'x8' was considered an easily achievable plot without removing any existing plants, and the forbs will "fill in the gaps". Forb seedings will not be fenced. Prescription calls for an average of 13 seeds per square foot. Hand tools such as fire rakes, McClouds, short tined garden rakes will be used to break up the soil allowing for 1/8' to 1/4 inch of penetration into the soil scattering the seed and then lightly "back raking" to cover the seed. Forb plots will be monitored 2x a year for the next 2 years to help determine success for possible future plots. Each plot will be GPS'ed and recorded. The reservoir will be cleaned out by local permittee with a bulldozer and fill will be utilized to broaden and reinforce current banks. BLM range/engineering will provide oversight and project specifications prior to equipment mobilization.

Upland Component Monitoring will consist of randomly located vegetation transects with the purpose of measuring both overstory and understory vegetation change. Measurements will include line-point intercept cover, tree density, species richness, and seeded species frequency using BLM's Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocols. Repeat photographs will also be taken. Monitoring data will be maintained by Canyon Country Fire Fuels program. DWR will also place photo monitoring plots that will be revisited pre-treatment and 3 years post treatment. Line point vegetation monitoring will be completed along with the repeat photography. Stream Component Effectiveness of stream restoration (e.g., BDAs) will be monitored with the Rapid Stream-Riparian Assessment (RSRA) survey (see attached). The RSRA generates a score for water quality, hydrogeomorpohology, fish and aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation, and terrestrial wildlife habitat. This method was selected because it is a time and cost efficient means to monitor restoration projects. Wild Utah Project biologists and their volunteers will conduct the RSRA surveys before and after restoration. Stone Culvert Component UDOGM/AMRP has no set monitoring program, but does revisit past projects on an "as available" basis to check on conditions. Funding for maintenance repairs is available if needed.

This project has been a collaboration between DWR, Trout Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, BLM, USFWS, SITLA, UDOGM/AMRP, Wild Utah Project, multiple landowners, livestock permittee, ConocoPhillips and NRCS. This project began in 2016 on a private lands. The project was successful and it gained interest by other parties and we slowly gained all of the partners we have now. In the summer of 2017 and 2018 ConocoPhillips donated man power to help fix BDAS built in 2016 and to install additional BDAS in other section of the stream. The goal is to see a better riparian area and more wildlife on the section of Miller Creek they own. They partner where they can help including staff to help install future BDAS. The landowner have seen the improvements on sections of the stream and would like to see improvements on their sections. The landowners would like to eventually see fish on their properties. Trout unlimited has an interest in seeing Colorado Cutthroat Trout in the Miller Creek drainage and has been a large part of the planning and implementation of this project. USFWS has identified Colorado cutthroat trout as a priority species and willing to assist in project implementation and also in obtaining funding for project activities. NWTF has an interest in improving the riparian area and the adjacent uplands as a place to release turkey's and see overall stream health of all kinds of wildlife. The NRCS has worked with landowners in the area on upland projects and has helped with pre project monitoring along Miller Creek. SITLA and BLM mange portions of the uplands and riparian areas and can see the overall benefit of p/j removal and stream restoration in the area for all wildlife and residents of Utah. DWR is very interested in seeing habitat improvements as well as the potential to re-introduction of wildlife species to the area. The livestock permittee is involved with the project and is willing to provide labor where they can. BLM has completed the NEPA for the upland portions of the project and can see that is benefits the area with fuels reduction and increases the riparian area as a fire break. DWR has been involved with all of the projects in this area, it is a very important area for wintering wildlife in the uplands and a healthy riparian area can be used by a number of wildlife species. This area is also a focus area for the DWR Wildlife Action Plan Implementation Team and was chosen by a group of partners. All of these partners have contributed to writing and planning this proposal. Stone Culvert Component The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program in the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (UDOGM/AMRP) is tasked with mitigating public safety hazards and environmental disturbance created by past mining practices. UDOGM/AMRP is funded from the Abandoned Mine Land Fund administered by the U.S. Office of Surface Mining under the authority of the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA, PL 95-87). The mission of the UDOGM/AMRP complements that of the WRI. UDOGM/AMRP has identified safety and environmental hazards at the Hiawatha mine complex. The first phase of work at Hiawatha, sealing 18 mine portals, was completed in November, 2018. A second phase seeks to ameliorate environmental risks, including threats to water quality in Miller Creek posed by the damaged culvert, is planned for 2019. Reclamation of coal refuse at the Hiawatha mine is also under consideration for 2019.

This area has been chosen as a focal area for the DWR Wildlife Action Plan Implementation Team. A group of partners determined that the Miller Creek watershed would be an important place to do upland and riparian improvement for watershed health as well as wildlife. Since this area has been chosen by the WAP IT partner group upland and stream projects will continue in this area until the stream health can support fish, the uplands are balanced and can provide habitat for multiple wildlife species such as wild turkey, quail and big game to name just a few. The areas on public lands will continue to managed for multiple use including grazing, recreation, wildlife viewing, hunting and all aspects of multiple use. The SITLA lands will continue to managed for the benefit of Utah schools. DWR will continue to manage wildlife in the area for game and non-game benefits and for the citizen of Utah. The private lands have used NRCS resources to improve the grazing practices in the area to benefit their operations and wildlife. The livestock permittee will use a herder to move livestock across the range to more effectively and maximize forage production on the range. The private landowners will enter into a contract with USFWS. As part of the landowner agreement with USFWS the landowner agrees to leave the habitat restored in place for a 10 year period and during that time will work with the USFWS biologist to monitor and access needs, success, and any needed adaptive management. Upland Component The site will be monitored and if maintenance needs to be done in the future we will do what is necessary to maintain the health of the range. Adjacent treatments have occurred on the Gordon Creek tributaries which includes summer range habitat for sage grouse, and winter habitat for mule deer, and elk, with benefits to grass, sage, and forb rejuvenation. This project will be the missing link for connectivity between other adjacent projects for seasonal transitional wildlife range. Instream Component The site will be monitored and maintained as needed to continue to meet the restoration potential of Miller Creek in the riparian area and in the channel. The project will be expanded both upstream and downstream and into the adjacent forks of Upper Miller Creek with the success of this project.

The permittee is going to hire a full time herder to move livestock on all of areas where they graze. This will include areas that will and have been treated. The permittee has done this in the past and feels like this will be more effective than fences. This way if areas are being overgrazed by livestock they can keep them off and rest them while still grazing other areas. They are committed to and will sign an agreement to resting seeded treatment areas for a minimum of 2 years and longer if needed. The removal of Pinyon Juniper (PJ) will open up the canopy and release soil moisture which will allow other vegetation to take advantage of the light and moisture that was previously being taken up by the PJ. The seeded areas of project will be left ungrazed for at least 2 growing seasons allowing the seeding to become established prior to being included in the grazing rotation. In the current state there is very limited grazing potential for livestock therefore, long term this will increase the amount of forage that will be available, improving the overall grazing management. Within the upper reach of the Miller Creek watershed the private property land manager has been working with the NRCS to develop several pastures through livestock water development and pasture fencing. The land manager has agreed to rest the riparian area to allow for establishment of riparian species. Once some riparian species are established and the stream aggrades the area will be able to be grazed however it will take close monitoring to ensure that the grazing does not put the stream restoration work in jeopardy. The federal lands will continues to be manged for multiple use such as recreation, mineral development, fire/fuels, grazing, wildlife, hunting and all other multiple uses in the area. Areas of private lands are on a CWMU and will continue to provide public benefits for wildlife as well as hunter opportunity on private lands.

05/19/2020

06/13/2020

2020

Stream restoration methods were conducted between 10/21/2019 and 11/1/2019. A contract was awarded to Goodfellers who used a crew of 4-6 people to install 80+ low tech structures through approximately 1 mile of Miller Creek on private property. Goodfellers personnel were also used to lead a 5 person conservation corp crew for five days during the restoration to help with post pounding and bough weaving in the low tech structures. Spring planting occurred from 5/12/2020 to 5/13/2020. Over 20 volunteers and employees with DWR, TU, and WUP planted 2,150 seedlings (300 beaked sedge, 400 field sedge, 400 common spikerush, 300 Nebraska sedge, 400 Nuttalls sunflower, 200 swamp milkweed and 150 water sedge) around the BDAS to help jump start the re-vegetation process. Additionally, several thousand willows were cut from the Gordon Creek WMA, cut into poles, and planted throughout the restoration area. The upland treatments on private land were delayed until FY21. Super Trees was awarded the contract for conifer treatments on 2,815 acres of BLM property and began work on May 19, 2020. Worked progressed well through project completion on June 13, 2020. Little to no issues were observed or reported. The Super Trees crew is relatively new to this type of contract and performed well. Their work focused on retreating a project area so the trees were very small and allowed for work during the spring. The seed for the forb islands was purchased and applied to 8 of the identified areas. The remaining forb islands will be completed in the fall/winter of 2020 by BLM staff. The pond that was identified for maintenance was not completed due to COVID-19 and a lack of workforce at the time. The affected areas were to complete needed archaeological clearances and update any outdated arch. clearances before future treatments.

Super trees was awarded the contract and began work on May 19, 2020. Worked progressed well up until the project was completed on June 13, 2020. Little to no issues were observed or reported. Crew is relatively new to this type of contract in this fuel type and reacted well to the situation. Low tech structures such as BDAs continue to be an effective method for aggrading the streambed and reconnecting the floodplain post Seeley Fire in Miller Creek. In 2019, we installed nearly 90 structures including BDAs, PALs, and rock dams between October 21 and November 1. The work was led by project partners but the majority of the labor was largely performed by a crew from Goodfellers who led a UCC crew. In all, between 9 and 12 individuals per day worked on structure installation for five days. The Goodfellers crew remained on Miller Creek for another few days to complete as much work as possible before the end of their contract. The low tech structures demonstrated their effectiveness with stream aggradation when project partners returned in May 2020 to plant native vegetation on the project site. All of the structrures had captured sediment from upstream erosion and some had nearly filled. On May 11 and 12, project partners and volunteers met Mr. Hardy on his property to install 2,150 sedges, rishes, and native forbs. Several thousand willows were cut from Gordon Creek WMA on May 11, soaked overnight, and cut into poles and planted on May 12. Approximately 20 employees and volunteers from DWR, TU, and WUP worked to install the vegetation while observing COVID-19 precautions. The upland treatments within the pinyon and juniper areas were originally treated 10 to 15 years ago. Some small trees that were not treated properly or had re-sprouted were treated during this phase. This area provide habitat for many sage obligate species as well as it is crucial winter range for deer and elk. This treatment provide a low cost maintain of a previous treatment.

The upland areas on BLM administrated lands will continue to be open for fuel wood permits and monitored for project effectiveness. DWR will continue to manage big game on upland areas toward the identified population objective outlined in the unit plans. Upland areas will continue to be a high priority for habitat management. The riparian project area will continue to be monitored in to the future with photo points and drone imagery. Additionally, water temperature loggers will be installed in late 2020 to evaluate whether the temperatures are suitable to reintroduce Colorado River cutthroat trout. The landowner, is currently working with DWR to sign up his property as a walk in access area to qualify for trout to be stocked on his property. As trout are stocked the population will be regularly monitored from year to year. The landowner is making efforts to keep grazing out of the riparian area of Miller Creek. However, the neighboring property owners have cattle that continue to trespass and graze in the riparian area. There was ample evidence of this happening on the project site during the summer of 2020. Project partners will continue to work with the landowner to resolve trespass concerns and protect the investment in restoration. In 2020-2021, project partners plan to continue our work downstream in Miller Creek to finish installation of low-tech structures on the property and begin work on adjacently owned riparian area. The project will also expand to the adjacent Gordon Creek drainage to resolve similar issues of channel degradation and habitat loss resulting from the effects of fire.