Mesic meadow habitat would be prioritized within and adjacent to Greater Sage-grouse Priority Habitat Management Areas (PHMA) and existing vegetation treatment areas within the Spanish George area. The project would limit soil erosion that is occurring in existing drainages that are downcut and have limited amounts of vegetation while improving vegetative recovery in these areas due to floodplain development and seeding. In addition, vegetation treatments have been implemented throughout the area within 1 - 1.5 miles of known sage grouse leks and locations (determined by GPS telemetry data). These vegetation treatments are at higher elevation where grasses, forbs and shrubs remain green and as a result are higher in vigor for a longer period of time in the summer due to cooler temperatures and more precipitation that is received at this elevation than the lower lying areas where sage grouse are currently inhabiting. The project would allow for planting forbs, grasses, etc.. that are highly desirable to sage grouse in immediate proximity to the mesic meadow structures. The structures would allow for these areas to remain wetter for a longer period of time and would provide succulent vegetation for sage grouse during the hot and dry portion of the summer. Prior to the vegetation treatments in the higher elevations, the area was dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, which is not conducive to sage grouse; however, following the treatment these areas have been converted to perennial grass, forb and shrubs that are highly desirable to sage grouse. It is expected that sage grouse will utilize the mesic meadow structure areas and begin moving to the higher elevations that have recently been treated, which would provide for an abundance of additional brood rearing habitat. Mesic meadow habitat may be promoted by constructing structures (i.e., Zuni pools/bowls, media lunas, rock dams, and check-dams) to slow the flow and infiltration of water in strategic locations. The majority of these structures may be implemented using hand tools (i.e., shovels, rakes, picks, buckets, etc.), but heavy equipment (skid steer loader or backhoe) may be used to install rock vanes, random rock clusters, large logs, root wads and other woody debris. In addition, this project would focus on planting desirable perennial forbs, grasses, wetland obligates, pollinator, and other vegetation conducive to mesic meadow sites in the Great Basin area. Note: Please refer to the Images/Documents Section for documents including the NRCS - Approved Erosion Control and the NRCS Technical Note for design features (i.e. zuni bowls) and photos of the structures that will be constructed to provide for Mesic Meadow Habitat Development. The project will benefit wildlife species as follows: Sage grouse -- Benefits would be to encourage sage grouse to move to the upper elevations that have been recently converted from Phase 2 and Phase 3 pinyon/juniper encroachment through mesic meadow development. These areas are expected to provide for expansion habitat/opportunity areas within the project area. The mesic meadow areas would be expected to provide for brood rearing habitat due to the perennial forb component that would be planted within the immediate area. Elk, mule deer, pygmy rabbit - Benefits from mesic meadow development are expected to occur overtime as a result of creating wetter areas throughout the project area. The structures would slow water down during runoff events (i.e. snowmelt or monsoonal rain) and provide for floodplain development in drainages within the area. Riparian and mesic wet meadow areas are limited within the project area. It is expected the project will allow for vegetation to stay green longer; especially, during drought conditions, which will provide wildlife species with opportunity areas for high quality forage. The project could be expected to promote fawning habitat for elk and mule deer within the area in the long-term. In addition, because the project would consist of planting highly desirable forbs within the structure development it is expected that a large variety of pollinators would benefit.

The project would provide for the following objectives: * Create mesic meadows (high value perennial forb sage grouse habitat) * Reduce storm runoff (rain and snowmelt) velocities * Trap sediment * Assist in floodplain development; * Limit soil erosion (i.e. stabilize drainages that exhibit vegetative recovery) * Create desirable wildlife habitats * Provide opportunities for sage grouse to migrate to existing upper elevation vegetation treatments

There are minimal, risks to resources during the construction phase of mesic meadow structures. Structure failure could occur; however, a plan similar to what was developed in the Birch Creek Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and Improvement Project (3688) would be developed so that monitoring data that is collected would allow for adaptive management strategies to be employed in future phases of the project. The vast majority of the work will be done with hand tools; therefore it is anticipated that only small amounts of dirt will be moved during construction.

Riparian Restoration and Wetland Enhancement -- October 2018 The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the promotion of mesic wet meadows throughout the Cedar City Field Office. Pinyon Management Framework Plan (1983) The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Cedar City Field Office the project area. Although this project is not specifically addressed in the RMP, the proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan. In addition, improvements to soils was addressed; specifically, involving reduction of erosion and associated improvement/maintenance of soil productivity. Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan (SDLWGCP) 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. BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMPA (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: There are no specific objectives or management actions identified in the SGARMPA or the SDLWGCP for mesic meadow development. The project is expected to improve brood rearing in localized areas and entice sage grouse to use higher elevation areas where extensive vegetative treatments to convert large areas to sagebrush steppe habitat have occurred between 2015 - 2017. The areas that were converted to sagebrush steppe are expected to serve as long-term opportunity/habitat expansion areas. 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. Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (SDDHUMP) (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 Mesic Meadow Development Project are (1) Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. (2) Maintain the population at a level that is within the long-term capability of the available habitat support. The SDDHUMP identified fawning recruitment as a major concern on the unit and lack of fawning recruitment may be the single greatest factor limiting the population. The project is expected to provide for localized improvement to fawning habitat through the mesic meadow development would create floodplains that would be seeded with highly desirable grasses/forbs component. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (SDEHUMP) (2016) Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities including hunting and viewing. Maintain the population at a level that is within the long term support capability of the available habitat. Maintain and enhance forage and cover habitat through vegetative manipulation and other management techniques. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the project are to (1) develop new and protect/improve existing water sources for wildlife and livestock to improve distribution and minimize overutilization in proximity to water sources (2) enhance riparian systems through continue, prescriptive grazing and mechanical or chemical treatments. The SDEHUMP identified barriers to achieving unit management objectives including drought impacts to rangeland forage condition and abundance. It is expected that the localized improvement through the mesic development project would limit erosion and provide for opportunities for areas to remain greener longer. This would improve vegetative diversity and perennial understory in drainages throughout the project area. 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. Note: to my knowledge there has not been a project like this done to entice sage grouse to use new areas. In addition, it is acknowledged that benefits to wildlife with the exception of sage grouse would likely be very localized or long-term.

Mitigation for wildfire would be accomplished by developing mesic meadow habitat and planting a diverse seed mix on a very localized basis, which will lead to improvement in drainages within the project area.

Mesic meadow structures are expected to influence stream hydrology and water quality in a number of important ways primarily by altering the amount, and timing of delivery of water and sediment (Naiman et al., 1988; Gurnell, 1998; Pollock et al., 2003). The mesic meadow structures are expected to provide the following benefits to streams: 1. Slow water velocity encouraging deposition of fine sediment (Butler and Malanson, 1995; Pollock et al., 2007) in the pond itself and during high flows onto the adjacent floodplain. 2. Act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009). The project will use mesic meadow structures will impound water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplain. Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended sediment, capture of sediment loads, increase DO, decrease overall water temperatures and increase base flows.

Cultural Site Clearances will be completed prior to project implementation. NEPA was completed and authorized the project under the Cedar City Field Office - Riparian Restoration and Wetland Enhancement EA/Decision Record in October 2018.

The scope of the project includes: 1. Installation of mesic meadow structures 2. Strategic planting of native vegetation The mesic meadow structures will provide an increase in sediment storage on the floodplain and benefits to downstream water quality. Strategic ponding will provide Greater sage grouse with succulent forbs, grasses, etc... throughout the summer. In addition, it is expected that the structures will capture/settle/stabilize drainages within the project area.

Ocular observations including photo points will occur pre-treatment and on an annual basis post treatment to document changes to drainages and seeding success in the project area. In addition, GPS telemetry data will continue to be collected to determine if sage grouse are utilizing the immediate mesic meadow structure locations.

Partners to support the project will include the BLM, Southwest Desert Adaptive Resource Management local working group (SWARM), Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Utah State University and Anabranch Solutions. The project will be developed with full participation of these groups.

The Spanish George Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from May 16th - June 30th (Year 1) and August 16th - November 30th (Year 2). A two year livestock grazing management system has eliminated repeated livestock grazing during the critical growing period. In addition, a plan similar to what was developed in the Birch Creek Bonneville Cutthroat Trout and Improvement Project (3688) would be developed so that monitoring data that is collected would allow for adaptive management strategies to be employed in future phases of the project.

The project is expected to improve and expand mesic habitat within the project area. As discussed, vegetation treatments have been implemented throughout the area within 1 - 1.5 miles of known sage grouse leks and locations (determined by GPS telemetry data). These vegetation treatments are at higher elevation where grasses, forbs and shrubs remain green and as a result are higher in vigor for a longer period of time in the summer due to cooler temperatures and more precipitation that is received at this elevation than the lower lying areas where sage grouse are currently inhabiting. The project would allow for planting forbs, grasses, etc.. that are highly desirable to sage grouse in immediate proximity to the mesic meadow structures. The structures would allow for these areas to remain wetter for a longer period of time and would provide succulent vegetation for sage grouse during the hot and dry portion of the summer. Prior to the vegetation treatments in the higher elevations, the area was dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, which is not conducive to sage grouse; however, following the treatment these areas have been converted to perennial grass, forb and shrubs that are highly desirable to sage grouse. It is expected that sage grouse will utilize the mesic meadow structure areas and begin moving to the higher elevations that have recently been treated, which would provide for an abundance of additional brood rearing habitat.

07/01/2024

06/30/2025

2025

The BLM, along with UCC and ACE crews completed 65+ wood and rock structures to stabilize multiple headcuts and incised channels in August and October 2023, and November 2024. Rock was purchased from a quarry in Milford and delivered to the site. Crews reshaped headcuts using shovels and picks and constructed structures by hand.

The original project was to take place in Hamblin Valley at over 40 potential sites, however, a similar site in Pine Valley where sage grouse have been observed was identified as more "at-risk" as there were several active headcuts working through an extensive wet meadow, Cottonwood Meadow. BLM, UCC, and ACE crews met in August and October 2023 and November 2024 to construct over 65 wood and rock structures that led to the stabilization of over 35 acres of wet meadow.

Structures will be monitored annually for effectiveness and modified with rock that remains on site on an as-needed basis. Any additional erosion features identified will be stabilized using rock that remains on site. The BLM will continue to monitor, identify, and address additional sites that are at risk due to excessive erosion and headcutting throughout Hamblin Valley and Pine Valley.