The need to protect resources and rehabilitate vegetation communities within the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project Area has been recognized for many years. This area continues to be a high priority area for vegetation resource enhancement, resource protection and fuels reduction. The Hamlin Valley Project is located within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Management Area (SGMA) and in close proximity to the Hamlin Valley Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). Sage grouse are in close proximity to the project area. The project will provide for creation of additional habitat and connectivity within the Hamlin Valley area. The project has been submitted the last several years and has ranked high; however, it has been delayed due to the ongoing issue with the Hamlin Valley NEPA/Decision. The project consists of the following acreage: 1. Indian Peak (Bull Hog) - BLM - 744 acres Note: Indian Peak (Bull Hog ) cultural surveys were completed in 2017 during the last phase (3934) of the Hamlin Valley project. Note: This project was submitted in 2019 (Indian Peak (Bull Hog)/Atchison Creek (cultural clearance) - 4453. The Atchison Creek (cultural clearance) was funded and has been completed; however, the Indian Peak bull hog project was not funded. Note: SITLA lands to the east of the project area were encompassed into the chaining/seeding that occurred in 2017 to the east of the project area. The SITLA lands to the south of the project area will be incorporated into future project phases. This will allow for adequate rest for future phases of the project prior to reinitiating of livestock grazing. In addition, funding is being requested to purchase 10 solar PTT transmitters to monitor sage grouse movements within the project area in collaboration with USU/SUU extension (Refer to attached Sage Grouse Telemetry Proposal). Proposed management prescriptions/strategies for the area is based on departure from the ecological site, the potential for the community to respond to various treatment methods, as well as the desired future condition of the vegetative community. The excessive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment with limited understory into areas where the understory once was dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs is of concern. The extensive juniper and pinyon pine encroachment with lack of a healthy and diverse herbaceous understory has been detrimental to wildlife habitat throughout the project area. The threat of wildfire within the area is high as indicated by multiple wildfires in close proximity to the project. The Indian Peak (bull hog) portion of this proposal will tie in with the Indian Peak (chaining) project (3934) that was completed in December 2017. The project area is also located immediately adjacent to the Hamlin Valley Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). The project is located within the Sage grouse Management Area (SGMA) as identified by the State. Proposed management prescription/strategies for the area are based on departure from the ecological site, the potential for the community to respond to the identified treatment method as well as the desired future condition of the sagebrush/steppe vegetative community. The excessive juniper and pinyon pine with a lack of a herbaceous understory is of concern throughout the Project Area, which has been detrimental to sage-grouse and other wildlife habitat. The Indian Peak (Bull Hog) project has been flagged; however, additional islands (cultural, wildlife, sensitive plants) still need to be identified. In addition, the cultural resource inventory has been completed within the project area. Approximately 15,000 acres have been completed within the Hamlin Valley project between 2015 - 2017. It has been noted through visual observations and utilization transects that elk sign within areas that has been treated in previous phases is high. By completing more vegetation treatments within the project area it is expected that wildlife distribution will occur over a larger number of acres and potential negative impacts would be negated. The project area would provide an opportunity area for sage grouse expansion in the long-term. Sage Grouse -- As discussed in the Need for Project section the project is located adjacent to the Hamlin Valley Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). The project is expected to provide for long-term expansion opportunity areas for sage grouse in the long-term. In addition, with all of the work that has been completed in the area it is recommended that the PHMA is adjusted through the SWARM in the long-term. Elk, Mule Deer and Pronghorn - The project is located in Elk (year long substantial), mule deer (summer) and pronghorn (year long crucial) habitat. As discussed, the project area vegetative component consists of Phase 2 and Phase 3 P/J encroachment. The project will provide for improvements to the wildlife habitat, which is expected to improve distribution of wildlife throughout the area. Visual observations of the Indian Peak (chaining) that was completed in 2017 have indicated that elk are concentrating on this treatment. The Indian Peak (bull hog) project will make more acres available for wildlife use in this area and take wildlife pressure/concentration off the Indian Peak (chaining). This project would also tie into vegetation treatment efforts that have been completed on BLM and SITLA lands immediately adjacent to the Indian Peak (Bull Hog) project.

The overall objective of this project is to remove pinyon pine and juniper and achieve a vegetation community that more closely resembles the sagebrush ecological site. The majority of the project is within an ecological site that should be dominated by sagebrush. The project objectives are as follows: 1. Provide for firefighter safety (fuel breaks/escape routes/safety zones) 2. Manage to maintain/create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages. 3. Improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description. 4. Reduce pinyon pine and juniper density by 100% or in accordance with what is described in the Ecological Site Description.

The majority of the project area is in Phase 2/early Phase 3 condition. The project is focused on reducing pinyon pine and juniper and improving perennial grass, forb and shrub component to more closely resemble the ecological site. Improving this community and removing ladder fuels to minimize the potential for a sagebrush stand replacing fire is a high priority. Earlier phases of the project concentrated on reducing P/J encroachment while improving herbaceous understory. This project is located immediately adjacent to those areas. Phase 1 of the project was implemented in 2017. In addition, historically it is expected that sage grouse in the area had a greater distribution and population; however, this is restricted by pinyon/juniper encroachment. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored pinyon and juniper expansion. It is expected if the project does not occur that juniper and pinyon pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat. Implementation of the project has risks/threats including annual precipitation fluctuations and invasive/noxious weed establishment; however, mitigation measures have been identified that will limit these threats/risks to the project area. Vegetation treatments totaling 14,864 acres have been implemented within the Hamlin Valley Project Area since 2015. The vegetative communities have responded and consist of a diverse perennial grass, forb and shrub component. Treatments have been highly successful throughout the project area. The project is located at an elevation of 6,000 feet, which is expected to help counteract the impacts of drought. Typically, rangelands at this elevation receive adequate precipitation to promote vegetative growth and viability in the short-term and long-term. The primary values at risk from fire include potential for conversion to cheatgrass, excessive soil erosion following a wildfire and short-term loss of wildlife habitat. Although wildlife habitat in the area is marginal due to the Phase 2 -- Phase 3 encroachment of pinyon and juniper the immediate loss of wildlife habitat could be significant dependent on the size and severity of the wildfire. Although cheatgrass is a very minor component within the Hamlin Valley project area it is expected if a large amount of acreage burned that it could become susceptible to cheatgrass invasion. Extensive pre-monitoring vegetative data collection has occurred within the project area. This includes Rangeland Health assessments (basal gap, canopy gap, line point intercept, shrub height, Rangeland Health Assessments), nested frequency, utilization, etc... The primary threats that were identified through pre-monitoring within the project area included annual precipitation fluctuations, cheatgrass, the expansion of pinyon pine and juniper into the sagebrush steppe vegetative community and wildfire. AIM (Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring) data is also being collected throughout the area. A Landscape Forecasting project in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy has been completed. The objectives of this project were to 1. Develop maps of potential vegetation types and current vegetation classes within each biophysical setting by conducting remote sensing of satellite or aerial imagery. 2. Refine computerized predictive state-and-transition ecological models for the ecological systems by updating models or creating new models 3. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of ecological systems under minimum management to quantify future threats 4. Use Return-on-Investment analysis to assess which strategies for which ecological systems yield the most advantageous results 5. Use computerized ecological models to forecast anticipated future condition of ecological systems under alternative management strategies 6. Determine current condition of all ecological systems (a broad scale measure of ecological system health) using the ecological departure using Fire Regime Condition metric and Fire Regime Condition Class. Ecological departure was be measured by comparing the current condition of vegetation to reference conditions. Additional metrics of ecological condition were developed to describe either different desired future condition or special vegetation classes The vegetative monitoring data and the Landscape Forecasting will be utilized to verify ecological sites, identify treatment methods, determine cost effectiveness, etc... to ensure the success of future projects. The second phase of the Landscape Conservation Forecasting project has focused on climate change to determine the long-term viability of vegetation treatments within the project area considering impacts of climate change. The Landscape Forecasting project that has been completed identified that most of the poor ecological conditions (high departure values) in ecological systems were attributed to six types of problems that are substantial or widespread across the Project Area: (1) encroachment by juniper and pinyon pine trees; (2) annual grasses, primarily cheatgrass; (3) degraded or depleted shrubland understories; (4) exotic forbs; and (5) loss of aspen clone. The conclusion of the Landscape Conservation Forecasting project was that conditions within the project area after 25 years of "MINIMUM MANAGEMENT" (no active treatments or management) are forecasted to remain moderately to highly departed. In addition, the Return On Investment values are high or moderately high for most shrubland ecological systems within the project area. Wildlife monitoring data including Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys and General Wildlife Use Surveys has been collected throughout the Project Area (Indian Peak (Bull Hog) in 2016 and 2017.

Hamlin Valley EA/FONSI/DR - June 2014 Note: NEPA is currently being updated. The 2014 EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the Project Area with regard to improving the vegetation component within the Hamlin Valley Sage Grouse Priority Habitat Management Area. A variety of vegetation treatments were authorized that would improve/maintain 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 Hamlin Valley population area. 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. Note: Since the project is in proximity to PHMA and within SGMA habitat their is an opportunity to expand/grow sagebrush for future sage grouse habitat needs. 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. Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area. In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs is those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats. The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Final) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50). Pinyon Management Framework Plan (PMFP) (1983) Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office. Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006) The SUSAFMP identifies the area as a priority for conversion of encroached pinyon and juniper dominated communities to a sagebrush community with a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. This would be consistent with the vegetative monitoring data that has been collected within the Project Area to identify the Ecological Site Description. National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004) The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following: 1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process. 2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation. 3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts. 4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome. 5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community. 6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation 7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation. 8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. 9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel. 10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands. Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (2015) The management goal of the Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit is to increase the unit deer population. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Hamlin Valley Resource Protection and Habitat Improvement Project are (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives. (2) Maintain critical fawning habitat in good condition. Fawn recruitment is a major concern on this unit and may be the single greatest factor limiting the population. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2016) The management goal of the Southwest Desert Elk Herd Management Plan is to achieve a variety of healthy vegetative communities within the herd unit to maintain a diverse elk population in balance with available habitat. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Project are To (1) Continue to cooperatively work with the BLM, private landowners, and SITLA to implement landscape scale habitat improvements; and 2) Remove pinyon and juniper tree encroachment into all ranges and vegetative communities with a target of at least 3000 acres each year. Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (UPSMP) (2009) The management goals are to increase the current population or establish new populations of pronghorn in all suitable habitat within the state and assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive pronghorn populations. The UPSMP identified the lack of succulent forbs and grasses on spring/summer rangers as a critical limiting factor in much of Utah's pronghorn habitat, which is the result of xeric, low annual precipitation conditions. Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005) The priority habitat identified for this area was shrub-steppe, which was identified as a Priority A (High threat, high opportunity, and high value to birds statewide) habitat. Priority birds identified within this area include sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, sage sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow. Sagebrush restoration was identified as an opportunity within this area to address concerns with sagebrush die-off and potential for cheatgrass invasion.

There have been several large fires in the Hamlin Valley area, especially in the last 10 years. There is a large fuel loading build up in Hamlin Valley and an alteration in fuel types. Pinyon and juniper trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Without this project, fuel conditions are such that a wildfire may 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 fire is high. Treatments identified within this proposal, including seeding with more fire resistant vegetation, would help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a catastrophic wildfire, which could impact outlying residential properties and infrastructure. Treatments in and around the sagebrush areas would break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire entering these sensitive areas. Removing pinyon and juniper in a mosaic pattern would also break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of a high intensity wildfire. Because there is a greater risk of conversion of shrublands to annual grasslands under a high intensity fire, managed, pro-active treatments proposed would reduce the likelihood of cheatgrass invasion and help perennial grasses and forbs persist long-term. This portion of the project is near some springs on the east side of the valley and will be done in a mosaic design leaving stringers of trees for deer and elk to use as hiding and thermal cover and corridors.

The Project Area is located at 6,000 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. As discussed, this 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. These improvements will provide for reductions in pollutants, nutrient loading and sediment loading that are prevalent within the area as revealed by the noticeable soil erosion throughout the area. The project is also expected to reduce severe wildfire within the area. There have been multiple wildfires within the surrounding area in similar vegetation (i.e. Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition). 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 pinyon pine and juniper 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. As discussed, extensive Rangeland Health monitoring data has been collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be utilized as baseline data to determine the success of the treatment while providing for a scientific measurement of the indicators identified above. In addition, Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity. There are several perennial streams within the area that drain into the Hamlin Valley Wash. It is expected that the improvements in the vegetation community will reduce excessive runoff while increasing the water table in the surrounding area. Mesic meadow development will also occur throughout the project area through other WRI projects (i.e. 4829 - Wetland Enhancement (Mesic Meadow Habitat Development). Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity. There are perennial water sources in close proximity to the project area.

The treatment would be rested from livestock grazing for a minimum of two years following project implementation to ensure adequate rest and seedling establishment. The project was flagged in Fall 2015 and Cultural Clearances have been completed within the project area, which includes the following: 1. Bull Hog - 798 acres (Indian Peak). Extensive monitoring data (upland and wildlife) has been collected to provide baseline data to determine the success of the treatments.

The BLM has identified an ID Team and invited cooperating agencies (UDWR, NRCS, SWARM, etc.) to assess the current condition and formulate a vegetation management prescription that achieves the Desired Future Conditions, management intent, and management goals and objectives within the project area. BLM will provide overall project oversight. BLM will also refine flagging of the treatment area (i.e. leave islands (cultural and wildlife) in cooperation with UDWR and SWARM. The project area will be aerially seeded to meet wildlife habitat objectives in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. Seed will be requested through GBRC. Treatment methods have been identified for the Project Area as follows: 1. Indian Peak (Bull Hog - 798 acres (BLM - 798 acres) The majority of the Indian Peak (Bull Hog) Project Area is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 PJ condition. Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in portions of the Project Area that are currently in Phase 2 condition the species vigor, composition and production are well below what should be expected for the site as revealed by the Ecological Site Description. A Bull Hog Treatment Method would be utilized to eliminate juniper and pinyon pine from the existing sagebrush and perennial grass community. Application of a diverse seed mix including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the project area. In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Hamlin Valley (which is within the project area) as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Hamlin Valley, had the highest priority for sagebrush restoration, protection and conservation within the 5 Great Basin FIAT assessment areas. The highest priority PPAs are those that contain Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA), high breeding bird densities, conifer threats, wildfire and invasive species threats. The Project Planning Areas (PPA) prioritization will be used to develop an integrated multi-year program of work for all fuels and vegetation management projects and other related activities aimed to protect, conserve and restore sagebrush and sage grouse habitat. The priority PPAs will be used to inform and influence funding decisions by the BLM. The project area is dominated by Juniper and Pinyon Pine; however, this is not consistent with what should be expected according to the ESD and TNC Landscape Conservation Forecasting, which states that the understory should be dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush and a diverse composition of perennial grasses and forbs. The Indian Peak (Bull Hog) project area has been flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with NRCS, DWR, SWARM, etc... In addition, archaeology clearances have been completed by DWR contract with project oversite provided by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist.

Pre-monitoring within the Project Area has been ongoing since 2014. Monitoring will continue to be completed by BLM, which may include some support from UDWR or other cooperators. Standard surveys have included: Wildlife Population Surveys, Key Forage Utilization, Nested Frequency (Trend), Line Intercept (Shrub Cover and Age Class), Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health Assessment, Photo Points, Breeding Bird Surveys, Raptor Nest Surveys, General Wildlife Use Surveys and Noxious weed inventory / monitoring. Pre and Post vegetation and wildlife monitoring data will be collected throughout the project area. This monitoring data will be compiled into an overall monitoring report that will help determine the level of success for the project in the short-term and long-term. This data will be utilized to support an Adaptive Management Strategy to determine if changes in treatment methods, seeding, etc... need to occur in order to meet measurable objectives. Refer to the 2016 and 2017 Indian Peak Allotment Monitoring Report. In addition, Key Management Area Trend within the Atchison Creek and Indian Peak Allotments has been attached for reference. There currently is inconclusive data to suggest that the sage grouse population size would increase if the treatments were completed in Hamlin Valley. Vegetation treatments were completed in Fall 2015 within the Chokecherry and Spanish George areas. These vegetation treatments consisted of lop and scatter (1,623 acres) and bull hog (1,423 acres). Vegetation treatments were completed in the Fall 2016 within the Atchison Creek, Jackson Wash and Spanish George areas. These vegetation treatments consisted of chaining (1,900 acres) and bull hog (1,622 acres). Vegetation treatments will be completed in the Fall 2017/Winter 2018 within the Atchison Creek, Indian Peak, Spanish George and Stateline areas. These vegetation treatments consisted of chaining (2,265 acres), bull hog (1,549 acres). Treatments have also occurred on private and SITLA lands in the last 5-10 years. Sage Grouse telemetry data has been collected since 2010 throughout Hamlin Valley. It is expected that this baseline data and future data will allow for correlation of whether sage grouse are utilizing treatment areas. Furthermore, it is expected that by improving Rangeland Land Health conditions and creating expansion sage grouse habitat through the elimination of pinyon and juniper in areas that should be dominated by perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs in accordance with the Ecological Site Description will lead to sage grouse habitat improvements and population increases. This will be verified through further data collection (telemetry, lek counts, RLH data, trend, utilization data, etc...). Similar treatments in others areas within the Color Country District Office indicate that sage grouse are utilizing the treatments almost immediately following the removal of pinyon and juniper, which is expected to also occur in Hamlin Valley. It appears that sage grouse are using areas immediately adjacent to areas that have been previously treated in Hamlin Valley (i.e. Spanish George (3934 and 3696) and Chokecherry (2076). It is important to note that some areas that are treated throughout the Field Office may not have sage grouse move into them immediately; however, the importance of these treatments should not be underestimated. These areas have been identified by DWR, SWARM, BLM, etc... as important and may be identified as PHMA, GHMA or SGMA (Refer to attached maps). It is expected that all treatments identified would at the minimum serve as opportunity areas even if sage grouse do not move into them immediately following treatment. A joint sage grouse telemetry project is occurring between BLM administered lands in Cedar City Field Office and the Shell Field Office (Ely, Nevada). In addition, CCFO is coordinating with SFO (Ely, NV) on their future vegetative treatment projects immediately adjacent to Hamlin Valley. This coordination is expected to continue to provide for habitat connectivity across jurisdictional boundaries. Through the Landscape Conservation Forecasting (LCF) project that was completed by The Nature Conservancy extensive ecological system data collection and modeling was completed. Through this project Twenty-six ecological systems were identified in the Hamlin Valley Project Areas, and they and their component vegetation classes were mapped to a high degree of accuracy and precision via interpretation of satellite imagery. Eleven of the ecological systems were selected for detailed modeling analyses based on their size, current and likely future condition (degree of ecological departure). Most of the poor ecological conditions (high departure values) in ecological systems can be attributed to the encroachment by juniper and pinyon pine trees within the Project Area. The Return on Investment within Black Sagebrush and Wyoming Big Sagebrush (According to the ESD) is the highest with the exception of the Utah Serviceberry. This appears to be the highest because the amount of acreage of Utah Serviceberry is minimal compare to other ecological systems. The following is an excerpt from the final report: "The relatively high ROI values of three sagebrush systems -- Black, Wyoming, and Montane -- generally reflect a combination of problems that are severe at present, and/or are predicted to become or remain so under MINIMUM MANAGEMENT. Predicted improvements under PREFERRED MANAGEMENT are moderate to substantial, though for very large costs. These three sagebrush systems are by far the costliest in both Project Areas, yet their ROI values are relatively high because their considerable costs are spread across their extensive areas -- these sagebrush systems are also the three largest in both Project Areas." Refer to the attached Landscape Conservation Forecasting Final Report.

As discussed, the BLM in coordination with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) and Southwest Desert Adaptive Resource Management local working group (SWARM) have identified the project as a priority area for treatment. Partners including Utah State University Extension, NRCS, SITLA, The Nature Conservancy, DWR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Iron County, SWARM, Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative - Southern Utah University and Livestock Permittees and private landowners (homeowners) have been actively engaged in the project. The Nature Conservancy has completed a Landscape Conservation Forecasting for the project area in November 2015 and a supplemental report in April 2018. BLM has continually attended the SWARM meeting to update partners on current treatment progress as well as new treatments that are being proposed within the area. The BLM also coordinated with DWR, SWARM, USU extension, etc... during the NEPA process when treatments within the project area were being considered for authorization. Furthermore, SWARM was met with in December to discuss the project and the opportunities to create expansion sage grouse habitat within the project area. The IIC has been integral to the success of pre and post vegetative and wildlife monitoring throughout earlier phases of the project, which is expected to continue. Livestock permittees within the project area have been coordinated with to ensure that the areas that are treated will be rested for a minimum of two years. The Indian Peak (Bull Hog) project area has been flagged and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with DWR, SWARM, etc...

Livestock grazing within the Indian Peak Allotment has been assessed through the permit renewal process. The Indian Peak Allotment has authorized livestock grazing on a year round basis; however, there are eight pastures within the allotment. A livestock grazing management system that incorporates the pastures has been identified within the allotment to eliminate repeated livestock grazing during the critical growing period. In addition, utilization has been collected on a continual basis within the allotment. Livestock use has been within established utilization parameters on a consistent basis. It is expected that the vegetative treatment will result in forage production increases that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description. The identification of a grazing management system that eliminates repeated critical growing period use in anyone pasture on an annual basis is expected to provide for the long-term maintenance of the project. The current livestock grazing management system is expected to continue in the long-term. All areas seeded would be rested for a minimum of two complete growing seasons or until the seedlings become established and set seed. Once seeding establishment has been confirmed, BLM may authorize grazing according the Utah Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management. Vegetation treatments would continue to be monitored for utilization, cover and trend. Following the two year rest period, the grazing management system identified during the grazing permit renewal process would be resumed. Key Management Areas are typically established in grazing allotments to monitor trend where there is livestock use. The trend sites that have been established in the Project Area will provide for baseline monitoring data so that short-term and long-term treatment success can be monitored. Because trend within the treatment area that has been collected is baseline data, trend will be determined in subsequent years as data is collected. Trend will be collected at these sites for 3 years following treatment and then these sites will be incorporated into the overall range vegetative monitoring schedule and be collected every 3-5 years. The current trend at these Key Management Areas would be expected to be static to downward based on pinyon and juniper expansion within the Project Area. Following treatment it is expected that this will be reversed and an upward trend will occur.

As discussed, the majority of the project area is in Phase 2 and Phase 3 PJ condition. The project is expected to improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines and the Ecological Site Description, which will be beneficial to livestock grazing. Furthermore, the project will be proactive in improving vegetative communities and removing ladder fuels within areas that are dominated by pinyon and juniper, which will minimize the potential for a catastrophic wildfire throughout the area, which would be detrimental to livestock grazing. Currently, livestock management within the allotment is being minimally impacted by the current conditions within the allotment. As discussed, an effective grazing management system that limits critical growing period use is in place within the allotment. The majority of the treatment areas that have been identified are opportunity areas for livestock once treatment has been completed. These areas are in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition and are minimally used. It is expected that once these areas are treated and there is forage available that livestock distribution will continue to improve throughout the allotment. It is expected that conditions throughout the allotment will improve post-treatment, which will benefit livestock within the allotment in the long-term. It is expected that the vegetative treatments will result in increased forage production that are consistent or greater to what has been identified in the Ecological Site Description. It is expected that the treatment will also benefit hunting opportunities and wildlife viewing within the area in the short-term and long-term. Treatments that have occurred between 2015 - 2017 have been highly successful and wildlife sign (primarily elk) is found throughout the treated areas.