This project is working with the Fillmore Forest Service and the West Bench Grazing Association to help distribute water through a pipeline to watering facilities within the Long Canyon and John Williams Allotment. The need for this project is to increase livestock distribution among the allotment, improve watering source for livestock and wildlife in the area. With recent fires like the Clay Springs Fire several watering facilities and pipelines have been damaged or in need of repair, loss of woody vegetation has allowed additional water to become abundant allowing springs to begin to flow and more water is available at certain times of year. This project will consist of installing 5,900 feet of 2" HDPE Pipe within this project, to distribute enough suitable water to the allotment that will benefit both wildlife and domestic cattle. This pipeline will be an additional spur off of the Long Canyon Pipeline, and will replace an existing line. This new line will improve water capacity for the grazing permittee's and allow additional storage for Wildlife and Livestock.

This project will provide additional water to livestock grazing allotment along with providing year round water source for wildlife species such as mule deer, elk, turkeys, chuckers and other small game mammals on the Oak Creek Wildlife Management Unit. This project will partner with the UDWR, West Bench Grazing Association, and Fillmore Forest Service to accomplish this task. Objective are to distribute additional water sources within the allotment allowing cattle to utilize the allotment more efficient. This project will allow water to be piped from John Williams Canyon and the initial Long Canyon Pipeline 5,900' to an existing water trough. This project will allow for additional water at critical times of year for wildlife species to utilize during the year. Water will remain in the troughs after livestock has been moved to different allotments. This water pipeline will be a upgrade from the original one in the ground and will have better water storage and improve the maintenance of the existing pipeline.

Threats to this project will consist of additional loss of water that can be utilized in this area, allowing for no water to be stored for wildlife species and livestock grazing within the allotment. Increased maintenance on the watering facilities and pipelines by the grazing association, allowing for additional time and effort, loss of forage value in specific areas of the allotment due to overgrazing, not distributing the cattle effectively enough can increase noxious weed species. By implementing and installing this pipeline, we can reduce the risk of overgrazing this allotment, improve water quality and quantity for wildlife and livestock for better rangeland health and overall management. If we can implement this project it will serve as a improvement for range conditions, and loss of water due to older pipelines, smaller diameter pipe and maintenance issues that persist with outdated material. We have made improvement to the main existing line and would like to update this one to match the efficiency of the pipeline replaced in 2018.

The pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the Lowland Sagebrush Steppe Habitat type which is one of the key habitats identified in the 2015 WAP. The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21 (Fillmore Oak Creek 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. *Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. *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. Utah Wildlife Action Plan, 2015 Publication Number 15-14, State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Effective 2015-2025 -- Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class, including: Dixie/chain harrow, brush mowing or other treatments that reduce the older age class and stimulate the younger/mid age classes; herbicide or mechanical treatments single tree mulching/cutting of invading conifer. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule deer. Section IV Statewide management goals and objectives. This plan will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2013 (p11-12). Strategy C. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. Strategy f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages. Fillmore Pahvant Deer Herd Management Plan Unit #21 (2015) - Habitat Management Objectives -- Encourage vegetation manipulation projects and seeding to increase the availability, abundance, and nutritional content of browse, grass, and forb species. Strategies: Habitat Protection, Improvement and Maintenance - Reduce expansion of Pinyon-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog and chaining projects; maintain summer fawning areas by increasing beneficial habitat work in summer and transitional habitat areas.(p3-4) Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan Newly treated areas through fire or mechanical means will attract use by wild turkey which are abundant on Oak Creek Management Unit. Insects and new growth will be readily available to support turkey populations, also the availability of more water in the John Williams and Long Canyon areas. UDWR Wildlife Action Plan This project is geared toward meeting the goals found within this plan for a variety of wildlife species from large to small. The entire proposed project area is found within a UWRI conservation focus area. *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. *Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and UDWR in past years within the Long Canyon 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. Millard County General Plan: Information from Page 61 of the Plan pertaining to Habitat Restoration and Vegetation Improvements. Vegetation/Forage Management Several County industries depend on open range grazing opportunities. Therefore, the County supports responsible rangeland management. The County encourages private and Federal/State agency partnerships organized to improve range conditions. Methods supported by the County include prescribed burns, reseeding and reclamation. The County is particularly interested in wildfire management and post-burn rehabilitation efforts. The County also supports vegetation manipulation programs designed to reestablish traditional uses and use levels. The County will continue, and expand as financially feasible, current noxious weed management programs. In order to adequately protect the land and accompanying resources, management decisions must be made in a timely manner and programs implemented quickly. Millard County will actively participate in these processes.

Fire or fuels loading will not be a factor with this project, pipeline will be buried under ground, and not be effected buy a wildfire, although the chance of a fire could burn the watering troughs or cause damage to them of one does occur. Watering troughs are already present and are made of concrete/rock and may with stand the intense heat of a wildland fire in this area. Also this winter the Fillmore Forest Service will be implementing a fuels reduction project in the Long Canyon Area. This treatment will reduce encroaching pinyon-juniper trees by over 500 acres, allowing for reduction of fuels and the safeguarding against a catastrophic wildlife in the area.

This project will improve water quality and quantity due to the fact that we have implemented phase I of this project. We have installed a new 2" HDPE Pipeline and improved the collection source for increasing the water flow and storage capacity for this pipeline. Collecting water through a spring development or constructed head box and delivering it overland through a pipeline will prove to be more efficient. This project will allow for improved translocation of the water through a new pipeline, additional storage will be supplied, better quality water for livestock and wildlife will be available throughout the year. The quality of the water will be improved as it will be held in water troughs that will allow cattle and wildlife to drink clean clear water verse allowing water to be lost or made unavailable in damaged pipelines being non functional. Water Right is held by the members of the West Bench Grazing Association and the Fillmore Forest Service, approval has been granted to complete this project. Water Right #66-230 and 66-231, will be involved as UDWR project manager will consult with Eric Anderson (UDWR Master Water Right Expert) on the this project before implementation can take place and coordinate with the Fillmore Forest Service Office as well. Information from the Millard County General Plan with concerns of Water Resources: Water is considered the "lifeblood" of Millard County. Current and future residential, industrial, recreational, and agricultural development is determined by water quality, availability and allocation. It is in the County's interest to protect this limited resource by promoting the efficient use and management of its water resources. Relative to this agenda, the County will take an active role in all relevant State, regional, and local water-resource management plans and decision-making processes. The County maintains that private water rights located on Federal and State lands must be protected. This position is further expanded to include the identification and adequate protection of community watersheds and groundwater recharge areas located on Federal and State lands. Millard County desires to protect and enhance the quality and quantity of useable water by promoting and expanding the efficient management of water resources. The County supports the development, adoption, and implementation of water storage and distribution plans by individuals, irrigation companies, industrial users, and municipalities. Millard County also benefits from the vast water knowledge and expertise of its residents. Many are directly involved in water management, allocation, and use within the region. The County encourages increased cooperation among irrigation companies, special service districts, municipalities, and water user associations as these entities address water management issues and make county-impacting decisions. Objective: The County encourages and supports the development of water management plans and facilities. Objective: County support and participation in responsible Federal and State land water resource management activities. (pg 63-64 of the Plan)

Compliance of this project will be from the Fillmore Forest Service providing the details of the installation of the pipeline, this is a maintenance project and all necessary NEPA has been completed and this project approved by the Fillmore Forest Service under a improvement or maintenance type project to improve an existing water line. Portion of the project is located on private lands and the Project Manager will consult with UDWR Archaeologist to conduct survey if needed within this project. Pipeline is scheduled to follow an existing pipeline and may not need NEPA or ESA clearances.

This project will be implemented with the help of the Fillmore Forest Service, UDWR, and West Bench Grazing Association to establish a pipeline to carry water from an existing pipeline that is located in John Williams Canyon. This pipeline spur will feed one additional watering trough all within the Long Canyon Grazing Allotment. This will be done by the use of a D-8 Cat to carry the spool of pipe and install below the surface. All pipe will be buried approximately 3' under ground and this will be done by ripping it in with the D8 Tracker Dozer. The UDWR and West Bench Grazing Association will contract with a company that has experience with this type of work, installing 2" HDPE fuesable pipe and is set up with the proper equipment to have it installed. Permittees will help install the pipeline, attach fitting and set valve boxes within the pipeline system. Fillmore Forest Service has looked at this project and is in favor of helping out the permittee to address the need of distributing water within the allotment. UDWR is also in favor as additional watering locations will benefit wildlife populations of mule deer, elk, chuckers and wild turkeys within the Oak Creek WMU.

Monitoring of this project will be done by the Fillmore Forest Service, and the West Bench Grazing Permittees, they will be able to inspect the pipeline, and the watering troughs to make sure all connections are tight and working properly. Also the permittees will be assigned to monitor the collection box or spring development and remove any sediment that may effect the pipeline, water will be turn off in the fall allowing for the pipeline to drain and not freeze. Grazing Permittee, and the Forest Service will also monitor the livestock distribution as it pertains to the grazing allotment moving cattle when needed to allow for grass, forbs and shrubs to not be over utilized. UDWR will also monitor the need to keep the troughs clean and free from debris and small mammals along with allowing access for wildlife and cattle to the watering location.

Partners for this project will consist of UDWR, UGIP, Fillmore Forest Service and the West Bench Grazing Association, along with vested Sportsman Groups. We have been successful in working with them to implement good projects within this allotment in the past few years, additional support has been leveraged through great partnerships looking for projects that will provide benefits to the local community, that protect the livestock grazing and wildlife within Millard County. Great efforts and strides have been made by Sportsman Organizations to improve the overall goals and objectives to increase and sustain wildlife through these types of projects.

Management of this project will be to ensure that the project is installed correctly, pipeline and all fittings are secure. The need to fix or repair items associated with this project will be left up to the West Bench Grazing Permittees in the future, they along with the Fillmore Forest Service and will be working together to improve this allotment and improve the distribution of cattle during the grazing period for both the Fillmore Forest Service and the West Bench Grazing Permittees. Additional phases of this project may be considered as water is limited in this area and the need for additional watering sites is critical to the distribution of livestock as well as wildlife in this area. Permittees will be checking this pipeline project and additional locations of this pipeline at least one or twice each week during the grazing season. Water troughs associated with this pipeline project will also be monitored.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the allotment as far as grazing additional areas that have not been grazed, reducing impacts of grazing on other areas. Water is critical within the allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water trough will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weighing weights for the producer due to traveling to different areas to water. Improving of this pipeline will increase the allowable storage, hold additional water for ease of watering larger groups of cattle at once. The pipeline portion just allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of hauling water by truck to different locations, and reduces the maintenance needs associated with an older pipeline. Other sustainable uses would be hunting upland game and big game on the Oak Creek Units. This unit is a limited entry deer unit and is a unit that is open for general bull elk. Many people also hunt chuckers in the area, along with wild turkey's as well as small game animals such as cottontail rabbits. The Oak Creek Mountain Range is also area for recreation of UTV, ATV and family outings such as camping, and fishing. Family members from around the area also collect Christmas Trees, explore mines and look for hidden treasures such as gold and silver.

09/06/2019

09/20/2019

2020

2" HDPE Fuseable Pipe was installed by the use of a D8 Cat with a vibratory ripper. Installation was contracted out by the permittees from Thirstycows.com (Jed Heaton). Installation of the valve box and fittings was done by the West Bench Grazing Association. This pipeline was a spur off of the initial pipeline installed in 2018. We installed a fitting on the previous pipeline to make the transition easier for this phase.

This project was a great o have finished, it completed the final phase of a pipeline from the Forest Service to private lands. We completed the first phase in 2018 and this phase in fall of 2019. With both phases of this pipeline complete, additional water will be provided within the West Bench Grazing Allotments along the east side of the Oak Creek Mtn Range. With the completed water sources all functioning correctly it provides water to livestock and wildlife in the area. Key partners who provided funding was the UDWR through WRI, UDAF through the GIP Program and the UDWR Habitat Council. With the necessary funding in place the West Bench Grazing Association took on the task of helping with the install and setting the valve box along with installing all fittings and valves. We have installed escape ramps in the water troughs through the use of the DH Program, which is critical for small mammals and birds to escape from the troughs. Great project with lots of success from the partnerships and the Contracts to the Livestock Grazing Associations to complete this project and make it a success for many years to come.

Future Management of this project will be completed and repairs made if need by the Wast Bench Grazing Association. The livestock grazing association will also work with the Fillmore Forest Service to make sure all pipelines are working, free of cracks and debris and provide necessary water to the water troughs associated with the grazing allotments during the summer months.