The need to protect resources and rehabilitate vegetation communities within the Project Area in the Paragonah Cattle allotment 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 project is located in the Chipman Peak EA and Decision. The project area is within or adjacent to habitat for greater sage-grouse in the Bald Hills Sage-grouse Management Area. The project is expected to expand greater sage-grouse habitat and provide habitat for other species, such as mule deer. The sagebrush steppe vegetation treatments would exhibit a mosaic of dominant Wyoming big sagebrush with perennial grassland openings across the landscape mimicking natural disturbance similar to pre-European settlement. These sites would promote sagebrush with an adequate and desirable perennial grass and forb understory. The area is largely dominated by pinyon pine and juniper. Treatments in this area would be conducted primarily to restore, enhance and expand wildlife habitat. In areas with more dense pinyon pine and juniper (i.e., class II and III wooded areas) mastication/ bull hog will be the primary method utilized to remove the trees. In isolated high elevation areas, including areas where there is old-growth pinyon pine and juniper, the BLM may conduct treatments with an objective of improving woodland health rather than enhancing opportunity areas for sage-grouse habitat. There would be increased vigor of sagebrush as indicated by plants with leader and seed production in balance with precipitation levels. Proposed treatments would move sagebrush ecological sites to the desired condition described above. Use of bull hog or lop and scatter are appropriate management tools to meet or enhance sagebrush habitat goals (Appendix 3 (EA) - Vegetation Treatment Methods). Treatments would remove pinyon pine and juniper trees and change even-aged sagebrush stands to multiple age structures. Where grass, forb, and shrub diversity is limited, appropriate seed mixes would be used to provide a mix of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs (Appendix 6 (EA) - Seed Mixes). Goals: 1) Improve health, composition, and diversity of shrubs, grasses, and forbs. 2) Reduce pinyon pine and juniper density by 90-100%. 3) Maintain adequate habitat components to meet the needs of greater sage-grouse in nesting, brood-rearing, and winter habitats in accordance with current land use planning guidelines and in coordination with UDWR and SWARM. 4) Manage to maintain/create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages which would meet the seasonal needs of sage-grouse.

The project is focused on eliminating pinyon pine and juniper to promote a sagebrush step ecological site. Improving this community and removing ladder fuels to minimize the potential for a sagebrush stand replacing fire. Historically it is expected that sage grouse in the area had a greater distribution and population. There is research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others that 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 pinyon and juniper expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that juniper and pinyon pine expansion will continue to dominate the area 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. Seeding before the mechanical treatment to establish desired plant species to grow after the treatment. Also avoiding treating in areas where invasive species (e.g. cheat grass) are heavily present. The project is located at an elevation that ranges between 6,500 - 7,000 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. In addition, recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. This research indicates that even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. 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. In addition, extensive pre-monitoring vegetative data collection has occurred within the project area. This includes extensive Sage Grouse habitat Assessments, Rangeland Health assessments (basal gap, canopy gap, line point intercept, shrub height, Rangeland Health Assessments), nested frequency, utilization, etc... Sage grouse telemetry data has also been collected and will continue to be collected in this area as a whole. This information will be utilized to identify future treatments and determine whether sage grouse are utilizing ongoing treatment areas. All of the information that has been collected will serve as a baseline to determine success/failure of the project for sage grouse and other wildlife within the project area on a short-term and long-term basis. Private property and homes are within the vicinity of the project area. It is expected that the treatment provide a buffer to existing homes and private property that is immediately adjacent to this portion of the project. The only other values at risk would be Range Improvement Projects. There is a significant amount of fences throughout the area that may be impacted by fire.

Chipman Peak EA/FONSI/DR - December 2016. The EA/FONSI/DR recognized the importance of the Project Area with regard to improving the vegetation component within the Bald Hills Sage Grouse 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 Bald Hills 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 establishes 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. 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. 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). Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Resource Management Plan Resource Management Plan (1986). 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 Black Mountains 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. Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Beaver Mountains WMU #22 (2015) Habitat objectives are to; 1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population objectives, 2) Maintain critical fawning habitat, and 3) work with federal and state partners in fire rehabilitation and prevention on crucial deer habitat through the WRI process. 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.

The majority of the area is at moderate to high on the fire risk index. The Fire Regime condition Class (FRCC) within the bull hog portion of the project area is classified as FRCC 2 and 3 (lands that are significantly altered from their historical range. The Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) for areas that have been identified for lop and scatter is FRCC 1. There have been numerous large fires (Baboon, Badger, Black Mountain, Maple Springs and Roundabout) within the immediate vicinity of the project area. Of the entire Mineral Black Mountain Fire Management Unit (FMU) (646,151 acres), 235,986 acres have burned over the past 20 years. This amounts to over 36% of the FMU being impacted by high intensity wildfire. Of the acres burned, more than 40,000 acres have burned more than once (cheatgrass burn/re-burn cycle). Most alarming is the fact that for the 22 years in which fire records are available (1993-2014), while the number of fires has decreased over the past 10 years, the acreages burned has increased more than 200%. Without this project, the trees will continue to expand and existing trees would be fuel in the area for a fire. It would be more difficult to control and would have much more devastating effects by burning at a higher intensity and getting larger. 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. 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 the watershed, and sage grouse and mule deer habitat. Treatments in and around the sagebrush areas would break up continuous fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire entering these sensitive areas. Reducing cover from even aged classed sagebrush stands 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 shrub lands 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.

The Project Area is located at 6,500 - 7,000 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, the majority of 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. 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, recent research 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. 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.

The NEPA/Final Decision documents were completed for the project area in December 2016. 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 cultural contract will be issued in Spring 2019 and it is expected that the cultural clearances will be completed by late summer 2019. The treatment area will be flagged in Spring 2019. Extensive vegetative monitoring data 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. All areas within Year 3 of 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. Archeology clearances will be completed by DWR contract with project oversight provided by the BLM Fuels Archaeologist. Multiple project areas have been identified within the Project Area (3,350 acres). It is expected that the project will be treated with mastication (bull hog) with the possibility some acres could be treated by the lop and scatter technique within the project area where trees are less dense. Project Area is currently in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in portions of the Project Area that is 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 diverse seed mix including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the bull hog project area. The lop and scatter treatment method would occur on the remaining acres within the treatment polygon. The majority of the lop and scatter project area occurs in Phase 1 pinyon/juniper encroachment. Perennial grass, forbs and shrubs are present throughout this portion of the project area; therefore, seeding is not necessary for this portion of the project. Sage grouse telemetry will be utilized to determine if habitat loss and/or fragmentation is a constraint, determine dispersal and connectivity of habitat, determine if there are changes to previously documented sage grouse corridors and allow for analysis of sage grouse use of treatments at various stages of succession.

Pre-monitoring within the Project Area has been ongoing since 2014. Standard surveys will include: Wildlife Use Pattern Surveys (i.e. Pellet Counts), 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. Management Area trend, Rangeland Health, Canopy Gap Intercept, Basal Canopy Gap Intercept, Line Point Intercept, Shrub Height, etc... has been collected throughout the allotments. Sage Grouse telemetry data has been collected since 2010 throughout the project area. It is expected that this baseline data and future data will allow for correlation of whether sage grouse are utilizing treatment areas. Telemetry data that has been collected has indicated that in areas that sage grouse have moved into the area. In addition, leks have been established within a couple of treatments in Little Horse Valley. 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 even if sage grouse do not move into them immediately following treatment. 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 this project area. In addition, the Project Planning Areas (PPAs) in the Great Basin Fire and Invasive Assessment Tool (FIAT) have identified Bald Hills (which is within the project area) as a high priority for Conifer Focus (Removal). Through this process the top FIAT PPAs, including Bald Hills, 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.

Utah State University Extension, NRCS, SITLA, The Nature Conservancy, DWR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Iron County, SWARM, UPDOG, UPDRIT, Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (Southern Utah University), Livestock Permittees. 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, UPDOG, SWARM, USU extension, UPDOG, UPDRIT etc... during the NEPA process when treatments within the project area were being considered for authorization. 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. BLM has also completed outreach with SITLA to provide for treatment opportunities on SITLA lands within the area.

The Paragonah Cattle Allotment has authorized livestock grazing from April 1st - August 31st (Year 1) and June 16 - August 31st (Year 2) to ensure critical growing period rest on an every other year basis. In addition, utilization has been collected on a continual basis within this 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. 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 the Utah Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management. Vegetation 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 treatments it is expected that this will be reversed and an upward trend will occur. As discussed grazing permit renewals have been completed for all allotments throughout the project area. Grazing management systems that identified livestock numbers, season of use and AUMs were identified through this process. Future maintenance projects to protect investments made by UWRI/NRCS/BLM have been addressed and allowed through the project planning document (NEPA). Adaptive Management has been allowed for in the NEPA/Decision document. A large variety of treatment methods have been identified and authorized for use within the Project Area.

The majority of the bull hog portion of the project area is in Phase 2 and Phase 3 condition. The majority of the lop and scatter portion of the project area is in Phase 1 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. Based on the potential of the ecological sites, precipitation and other vegetation treatments within the area it is expected that forage improvements will be substantial. Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation efforts that have occurred within the Black Mountain and Maple Spring Wildfire areas have been extremely effective. Herbaceous species have an excellent response within these areas.

12/21/2020

05/21/2021

2021

The methods used for this project were an aerial seeding to reestablish vegetation diversity in areas encroached by pinion juniper trees and mechanical mastication with bullhogs to remove the trees encroaching shrub steppe vegetation habitat. Hammond Helicopter was the contractor for the aerial on 2,755 acres. Glies Construction contracted to treat the same 2,755 acres with the mechanical removal of the pnion juniper trees.

After the archaeological and wildlife surveys were complete, the acreage for the project was reduced from 3,350 acres to 2,755 acres to preserve cultural sites from possible disturbance and nesting habitat for birds and thermal cover for ungulates. Prior to the mechanical treatment, the seed was flown onto the treatment area (December 2020). The mastication started early January and went through May.

Photos were taken to inventory before and after treatment to monitor state and progress to vegetation reestablishment. Rest from livestock grazing for two growing seasons will be implemented to allow vegetation to re-establish. BLM employees will monitor the range for compliance on resting the treatment site. The AIM method of monitoring to be implemented in at least one site in the project to quantify plant species frequency and diversity.