The initial assessment of the burned area and its surrounding landscape identified risks to the Native or naturalized plant communities on NFS land where invasive species or noxious weeds are absent or present in only minor amounts. The same assessment identified risks to Critical and Substantial Big Game Habitat on NFS land. Critical and Substantial Big Game habitat is not a critical BAER value and restoration of this habitat is not the sole purpose for the seeding proposal. It has been brought forward to disclose the values of partnering agencies concerned with the area. Soil stabilization and invasive/noxious weed exclusion are the main objectives of the proposed treatment. Risk 1- Threat of expanding infestations of noxious weeds: The adjacent landscape, as well as along road and trail corridors within the fire, contain undesirable plant species. There is a high probability of rapid invasion and/or expansion of noxious weeds and other invasive, undesirable species in and around the burned area. Because of inherent dry conditions and proximity to existing populations of invasive species and noxious weeds the entire burn area is prone to infestation. Burn areas on this part of the Fishlake National Forest are highly susceptible to Cheatgrass invasion if left untreated. Recent publications have shown that seeding with perennial bunchgrasses has been successful at competitively excluding Cheatgrass (JFSP Project ID: 15-2-01-22). The restoration that would be recommended if the burn area is converted to an undesirable annual grass system is similar to the treatments the BAER team is requesting post fire. However, the cost to restore this system, once Cheatgrass is established, exceeds the proposed post fire treatment because of the added cost to chemically remove it. Risk 2 -- Soil Erosion and loss: Utilization of cereal grains and perennial grasses will stabilize hillslopes and augment revegetation where seed sources are limited due to the pre-burn conditions of a limited understory. The Forest has experienced success with stabilizing hillslopes with past seeding treatments i.e. Sawmill and Clay Springs fires with perennial grass seed mixes. Monitoring data from past BAER seeding treatments on the Forest, both qualitative and quantitative, supports the recommendation of seeding as an effective year 1 treatment for soil stabilization and noxious weed prevention.

This project objectives will consist of aerially seeding the burned ares of the Cove Creek Fire with suitable grasses, forbs and shrubs. This will be done through contracting out with a contractor to seed a primary and a secondary seeding. UDWR will be working closely with the Fishlake Forest Service Beaver Office to complete these tasks. UDWR and the Forest Service will work together as a partnership to accomplish these objectives and complete the restoration needs to ensure a diverse rangeland community of grasses, forbs, shrubs and browse species are reseeded through this effort.

Monetary analysis of the cost of taking no action considered loss of and effects to; road and trail infrastructure, conversion of native or naturalized plant communities to invasive/noxious weedy species, replacement and loss of use costs for key infrastructure in I-70 and major power grid. Further effects were considered to key partners with loss of habitat improvements in sensitive species areas and effects to human life and safety and possible property damage while on NFS lands. While still extremely valuable, monetary values were not considered in the cost of taking no action, for hydrologic function, soil productivity, off forest infrastructure, and human life and safety on county and state roads. Cost estimates were obtained through consultation with Forest Service engineers, hydrologists, soil scientists, botanists, ecologists, Pacificorp power company, and public safety experts with the Utah Highway Patrol and include repair/reconstruction costs and where appropriate replacement costs. The adjacent landscape, as well as along road and trail corridors within the fire, contain undesirable plant species. There is a high probability of rapid invasion and/or expansion of noxious weeds and other invasive, undesirable species in and around the burned area. Because of inherent dry conditions and proximity to existing populations of invasive species and noxious weeds the entire burn area is prone to infestation. Burn areas on this part of the Fishlake National Forest are highly susceptible to Cheatgrass invasion if left untreated. Recent publications have shown that seeding with perennial bunchgrasses has been successful at competitively excluding Cheatgrass (JFSP Project ID: 15-2-01-22). The restoration that would be recommended if the burn area is converted to an undesirable annual grass system is similar to the treatments the BAER team is requesting post fire. However, the cost to restore this system, once Cheatgrass is established, exceeds the proposed post fire treatment because of the added cost to chemically remove it. That cost is estimated to be approximately $250,000 more than the seeding proposed below.

The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 22 (Beaver Unit ) including: *Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. *Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. *Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and range resources in general. *The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: *Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. *Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. *Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah. *Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs. *UDWR SR critical big game winter range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved. The Division will employ a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments. Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk. *This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire. This project is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement, and fuels management. This project is part of a larger effort by the Forest Service to improve big game habitat, conserve sage-steppe, improve watershed condition, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire. *Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and BLM in past years within the HUC 12 area. *Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities. *Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment *FFSL CWPP Process is a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan created by the fire department, state and local forestry, land managers, community leaders, and the public.The planning process maps values at risk, and requires actions to reduce risk, such as prescribed burning, fuel reduction, or other measures that adapt a community to better confront their wildfire threat. Area is also part of the Millard RWPP FFSL Plan which was implemented in 2014, there are Wildfire Codes and Ordinances associated with this plan. Project would also be relevant to NCS Goals and supported through the FS National Cohesive Strategies. CAT FIRE Objectives and Strategies: In 2013, the State of Utah developed the Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy (CAT FIRE) in response to the severe 2012 fire season. Reducing the catastrophic wildfire requires attention to three interdependent goals identified in the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy -- Restore and Maintain Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities, and Wildfire Response. These goals have been embraced throughout the development of the state's CAT FIRE strategy. Mitigation of hazardous fuels can change fire behavior making it easier to suppress. The effects of the mitigation, however, are not limited to life and property safety but will also affect forest health, water quality, vegetative species abundance, etc. As we continue to implement projects across the landscapes in Utah, the only way to truly be successful is to integrate existing programs, utilize local and federal partners and continue to educate the general public to create the desired shift towards more resilient communities and ecosystems.

The need to reseed and establish a improved community of grasses, forbs, shrubs and browse species is critical to support wildlife and livestock in the future. Through restoration efforts from the USFS, Grazing Permitees and UDWR this will be a partnership that can obtain the goals and objectives through working together to restore and maintain the area effected by the burn. We need to make sure the reseeding efforts are a success to allow for reduction in wildfire behavior due to the resilient seed species being planted that can help suppress fire activity in the future.

Water Quality and Quantity should greatly increase due to the nature of old standing PJ trees along with some conifers in the top end of this project being burned. After seeding efforts and restoration occurs we are more likely to see the improvement of springs, increase water to the troughs, increase grass and fob establishment due to loss of competition from the pinyon-juniper trees. Water should be better utilized by the perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs increasing the quantity down stream for water users and irrigation systems. Soil Productivity - Potential loss of soil due to post fire runoff events. Following the wildfire, erosive conditions exist due to the burning of ground cover, coarse woody debris and soil subsurface organic material. Loss of topsoil negatively affects ecological function for: * native seed bank and native species recovery * root growth and soil stability With BARC imagery and on the ground assessments and verification the BAER team concluded that nearly 60% of this incident burned at moderate to high severity. Approximately 384 acres were mapped as high burn severity and 1,116 acres burned at moderate severity. The lack of ground cover and hydrophobic soils will likely increase surface runoff, flooding, and erosion during typical summer monsoon rain events. Hydrologic function on burned NFS lands -- An adverse change to hydrologic function is expected due to contiguous areas burned at moderate and high severity. According to ERMIT model runs, seven tons per acre of sediment delivery is possible during the first year following the fire.-

There are three mapped prehistoric sites within the burned area, totaling slightly less than three acres. Two of these have been identified as sites that are not eligible for recognition under the National Register, but the third site is potentially eligible and should be protected from any ground disturbing activities. Project will be aerially seeded with no ground disturbance so project will be exempt form Culture Resource Surveys. Forest Service will be the lead agency on this project.

We propose a seeding of 15lbs. per acre with a combination seed mix of native grass and cereal grain species that are intended to supplement the post fire response of the existing plant species and compete well with noxious weeds. The seeding will take place by means of an aerially broadcast.seed mix. This seeding, should counter the potential establishment, and spread of noxious weeds and invasive species. The burned area is essentially free of noxious weeds; however, the area is on the receiving edge of noxious weeds coming in from all directions. The burn area will require use of an early detection/rapid response strategy with the noxious weed program for several years. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has a high interest in the successful restoration of the burned area as the bench areas are Big Game winter range. In addition, the remainder of the fire is Substantial summer range for Big Game. Because of this vested interest, the UDWR is willing to supplement our seed mix with forb, shrub and additional grass species in an effort to speed up the recovery of highly used wildlife species. The recommended seed mix is "of species known to be effective for erosion control, adapted to the target area and compatible with future management objectives". (FSH 2509.13,20 p. 13) The seed mix contains native species and cereal grain to help restore ecosystem function by reducing erosion with the early germinating cereal grains and protecting against the invasion of noxious weeds through the establishment of native grasses. The seed purchased will be certified to the variety claimed. Also the mix will be certified that No noxious weed seeds are present. This project will be done through the help of GBRC to purchase and provide the seed mixes requested, along with working through State Purchasing to hire a contractor that will fly the seed on the project by means of a fixed wing airplane.

Fishlake Forest Service will be looking at utilizing photo points within the treatment site, along with wildlife monitoring from their Wildlife Biologist that will include spring and fall classifications of deer and elk. Forest Service Range Conservationist will be conducting and gathering rangeland data as grass, forbs and shrubs respond to the treatments within the Cove Creek Fire Restoration efforts.

Partners on this project will include but not be limited to the Fishlake National Forest, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, local Sportsman Groups and local Chapters along with County Commissioners and local Livestock Grazing Associations.

Grazing of the specific allotments within the Cove Creek Fire will be deferred for at least two growing seasons or until establishment of grass, forbs and shrubs are deemed ready to be grazed. When grazing is re-established a grazing management plan will be developed and monitored by the Beaver Forest Service Range Conservationist allowing for proper grazing management of the reseeding efforts. Forest Service will serve as the lead agency in monitoring the Cove Creek Fire Rehab efforts for future "At -Risk" conditions that may occur to property, human life and safety and natural resources. Forest Service will also manage the invasion of noxious weed species within the burned areas of the fire. Continue with road and trail repairs, and safety measures that will help the public in the future.

No direct livestock benefit as of right now due to the Cove Creek Fire, but looking into the future and doing the restoration work that will prepare us for the future benefits in the years to come. Through the restoration efforts will will be able to reseed the Cove Creek Fire with perennial grasses forbs, shrubs and browse that will contribute to improved rangeland health, increase water production for grasses species, improved water for troughs and less pinyon junipers to add competition to the rangeland plants. Overall permittees should have more production and better weight gain, calf production in the future due to the restoration efforts that are to take place through this fire rehab effort.

11/15/2018

11/15/2018

2019

Final Methods for the Cove Creek Fire consisted of aerially seeding the fire scar. We where able partner with the Fishlake Forest Service to complete this project. We looked at and identified the burn areas, identified total acres to be seeded and put together a BAER Plan. Within the BAER Plan we identified seed mixes for the elevations we would be working in and opportunities to receive funding for the aerial seeding and seed for the project. With the BAER Plan in place the Forest Service obtain funding for the project. UDWR wanted to partner to add additional forbs, shrubs and grasses to the Forest Service mix. We where funded in the process through WRI for the additional seed. The process worked great, we contracted with Hammond Helicopters for the seed flight. Seed was bought by the Forest Service, UDWR added seed and it was mixed at GBRC. Total acres seeded in the Cove Creek Fire was 990 Acres. We also purchased some browse seed to be planted this fall by hand using Dedicated Hunters, and the possibility of incorporating a Eagle Scout Project as well.

With the Cove Creek Fire of 2018, the Fishlake Forest Service and UDWR partnered together to make the rehab efforts seamless. UDWR Habitat Biologist was contacted by Doug Robinson of the Forest Service to partner on this project, the Forest Service was putting together a BAER Plan and want some input on the application and implementation of seeding efforts. UDWR and the Forest Service put together a plan that would provide funding from the BEAR Stabilization Program. Within this plan we where able to obtain funding for the seed mix that the Forest Service want to apply and aerial seeding cost as well. Funding was transferred to UDWR through a Good Neighbor Agreement and the funding from UDWR WRI was able to provide enough funding to reseed the Cove Creek Fire. UDWR finalized the seed mix and GBRC mixed the seed, UDWR contracted the aerial seeding contract with Hammond Helicopters. All seed was applied at once in the same mix. This project was a great example of working across agency lines and making a project a success, working together to improve existing habitat and establish additional forage for wildlife and livestock on the Beaver WMU in Central Utah.

Future Management of this project will be turned over to the Fishlake Forest Service. They will be looking at doing some post fire rehab inventories of the establishment of the grasses, forbs and shrubs. Grazing will be deferred in the appropriate pastures, allowing for establishment of the seed. Access roads have been restored, ATV trails are repaired for access, and the catchment ponds have been cleaned due to increased debris from the fire. Dozers lines have been reseeded and put back together, the fire created a mosaic pattern with some of the burned areas, allowing for improved forage and vegetation for livestock and wildlife grazing in the future. In addition, the fire left areas of cover for wildlife, during critical times of fawning and calving. Livestock will greatly benefit as additional forage will be provided due to this fire and the rehab effort that took place.