UM Creek supports a Conservation Population of Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) that was established in 1996. CRCT are a Utah sensitive species and are covered under a Conservation Agreement and Strategy in the state, as well as a range wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy with partners in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado (both attached). These agreements and strategies were developed to help prevent CRCT from being listed as threatened or endangered. CRCT in UM Creek are at risk of habitat degradation through sedimentation from the vehicle crossing at Black Flat. They are also at risk of non-native species invasion due to the ability of fish downstream of the lower-most UM Creek barrier to circumvent the barrier. The need for this project is to provide security to CRCT from potential non-native rainbow trout invasion, and subsequent hybridization, by securing the lower barrier on UM Creek through barrier repair work. Additionally, improving CRCT habitat by restoring the vehicle crossing at Black Flat will improve riparian condition and reduce sedimentation in the stream. Lastly, removal of the Right Fork UM Creek Barrier will improve habitat connectivity and fish passage for CRCT. UM Creek is a popular fishing destination and, along with being occupied by CRCT, is home to tiger trout, a popular sport fish. Tiger trout are sterile and are used in fisheries management, in part, to provide variety as well as an opportunity to catch a unique, desirable species. Pursuing CRCT and tiger trout is popular among anglers who fish UM Creek and the portions of the stream on Forest land are a frequented by local anglers. Tiger trout are at risk as well from effects from an ineffective fish barrier and sediment from the vehicle crossing. This project will benefit this species as well and protect and enhance sport fishing opportunities in the stream. This project will provide benefits to the entire watershed by enhancing riparian habitat through restoring at Black Flat. Restoration will also we decrease sedimentation and habitat degradation in the stream, thereby improving CRCT habitat and supporting the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements on UM Creek and Forsyth Reservoir. Additional benefits will include a decrease in potential fire intensities and movement in the riparian areas due to higher soil moistures, cooler temperatures and greater productivity.

Provide habitat connectivity and fish passage to help maintain a healthy, viable population of CRCT. Reduce sediment inputs and habitat degradation and improve riparian condition in support of the TMDL on UM Creek and in Forsyth Reservoir. Secure a population of conservation CRCT from non-native fish invasion.

CRCT in UM Creek are at risk of non-native species invasion due to the ability of fish downstream of the lower UM Creek barrier to circumvent the barrier. Two sterile sport fish species stocked regularly in Forsyth Reservoir, splake and tiger trout, have been observed above the UM Creek barrier. Two rainbow trout (RBT) individuals were captured in a gill net survey conducted by UDWR personnel in 2016. Biologists suspect the two RBT were either introduced illegally or migrated upstream from Mill Creek Reservoir and passed through the dam of Forsyth Reservoir while the reservoir was drained in 2015. Regardless of how RBT entered Forsyth Reservoir, recent presence of RBT in Forsyth Reservoir increases the risk of invasion into UM Creek upstream of the nonfunctional barrier because fertile RBT were stocked in Mill Meadow Reservoir from 2013-2015. If RBT, which can hybridize with CRCT, were to cross the barrier into UM Creek, the genetics of the conservation population of CRCT would be at risk of dilution and prior restoration efforts would be compromised. UM Creek CRCT would lose conservation population status and the stream would likely need to undergo costly fish-removal treatments. Repairs of the lower barrier on UM Creek is time sensitive for this reason. Rehabilitation of the vehicle crossing at Black Flat will reduce the risk of habitat degradation through sedimentation from the vehicle crossing at Black Flat. Removal of the Right Fork UM Creek barrier and construction of grade control structures will increase stream connectivity and allow the stream to step down gradually, decreasing erosion risk.

I. Utah Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout 3) Enhance and maintain habitat (HABITAT ENHANCEMENT). a) Enhance and/or restore connectedness and opportunities for migration to disjunct populations where possible. Migratory corridors should retain some degree of their natural physical and biological condition to enable migration and gene flow. b) Enhance and/or restore habitat conditions in designated waters throughout the range of CRCT. Actions may include bank stabilization and runoff control structures, road closure and restoration or road relocation, riparian fencing and sustainable grazing practices. c) Maintain and restore where possible natural hydrologic characteristics such as flow quantity, timing and duration to maintain active channel and floodplain features (e.g. riparian vegetation, undercut bank, bed structure and sediment transport regimes). 4) Selectively control nonnative species (NONNATIVE CONTROL). a) Determine where detrimental interactions, such as hybridization, competition and disease, occur between CRCT and sympatric nonnative species. b) Control or modify stocking, introductions, spread of nonnative aquatic species and spread of disease where appropriate. c) Eradicate or control detrimental nonnative fish where feasible. Targeted species may include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and some hybrid populations. This action includes construction of fish barriers to prevent nonnative fish movement where presence of nonnative species preclude reestablishment of migratory corridors. II. Conservation Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming 1. "Objective 2: Secure and enhance conservation populations - Secure and if necessary enhance all known and suspected genetically pure CRCT populations. These efforts might include, but are not limited to: -Restricting introduction of non-native fish species -constructing in-channel barriers" 2. "Objective 4: Secure and enhance watershed conditions: Strive to improve watershed conditions for CRCT, including development of protocols and monitoring." 3. "Strategy 2: Secure CRCT conservation populations - Restrict introduction of non-native fish species - Construct in-channel barriers If natural barriers cannot be used, in-channel barriers will be constructed downstream of the populations at risk from invasion by non-native fish species or hybridized cutthroat populations. Maintenance schedules appropriate to each type of barrier will be developed, and maintenance work funded and completed." 4. "Strategy 7: Improve habitat conditions for CRCT, Improve... stream habitat: Habitat improvement techniques will be used where appropriate to provide missing habitat components or improve existing ones. Examples of these techniques include building instream structures to improve pool to riffle ratios, stream bank stabilization, riparian management, instream cover, pool or spawning gravel enhancement, and provision of fish passageways." III. Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP): The WAP list channel downcutting as a high level threat to CRCT and riverine habitat with the following as potential conservation actions. 1. 2.3.6 Restore aquatic habitat complexity 2. Restore floodplain connectivity IV. State of Utah Resource Management Plan Fisheries - Policies and guidelines: - The State will seek to protect, conserve, and improve Utah's fish and aquatic wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. - The State supports ensuring the persistence of the diversity of native fish and aquatic wildlife in Utah while at the same time providing excellent opportunities for anglers and other recreationists. Riparian Areas - Objectives: - Prioritize and manage riparian areas to attain desired future conditions for riparian-related resources (e.g. fishery habitat, water quality, wildlife and livestock forage, and soil stability). - Riparian areas and wetlands should be managed for the mutual and maximum benefit of wildlife, livestock and special status species. Riparian Areas - Policies and guidelines: - The State supports the use of structural and non-structural improvements in unstable water courses to restore riparian areas properly functioning/desired future conditions. - The State will engage with federal land manage agencies to support active management of healthy riparian areas on federal land. V. Fremont River Watershed Water Quality Management Plan: Includes the TMDL (total maximum daily load) for UM Creek. This plan was written due to concerns (or impairment) of water sources in the upper Fremont River basin, in part due to phosphorus loading which is increased by sediment that enters the water. Implementation strategies in the plan included improving riparian area function and reducing nonpoint pollution from roads (FRWWQMP pp 89-90). VI. Sevier County Resource Management Plan Fisheries - Policies The County supports efforts to maintain healthy fisheries within the county for biological diversity as well as recreation and tourism. Water Quality + Hydrology - Desired Management Practices Develop improved methods to reduce and remove sediment in storage reservoirs and continue stream bank stabilization efforts. Riparian Areas - Policies The county values healthy, functional riparian areas. The county values riparian areas for their bank stabilization functions. VII. 1986 Fishlake National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) as amended 1. Provide motorized recreation opportunities (Forest Plan IV-3). 2. Bring off-road vehicle (ORV) use into harmony with land capabilities (Forest Plan IV-3). 3. Provide a trail system for public and resource needs (Forest Plan IV-3). 4. Protect aquatic habitats which are in good or excellent condition and improve habitats where ecological conditions are below biological potential (Forest Plan IV-3). 5. Identify and improve habitat for sensitive, threatened and endangered species including participation in recovery efforts for both plant and animals (Forest Plan IV-4). 6. Maintain or improve current soil productivity and restore areas with watershed problems (Forest Plan IV-5). 7. Maintain 40% or more overhanging grasses, forbs, sedges, and shrubs along banks of streams 8. Maintain 50% or more of total streambank length in stable condition where natural conditions allow 9. No more than 25% of stream substrate should be covered by inorganic sediment less than 3.2mm in size where natural conditions allow 10. "Special protection and management will be given to floodplains, wetlands, and all land and vegetation for a minimum of 100 feet from the edges of all perennial streams, lakes, and other bodies of water or to the outer margin of the riparian ecosystem if wider than 100 feet" (IV-33). 11. "Maintain riparian dependent resource values including wildlife, fish... ...in a stable or upward trend" (IV-33 to 34).

The restoration of this section of stream will result in higher soil moistures, cooler temperatures and greater productivity. Under wetter conditions, fire intensities should drop in the restored riparian area and result in patchy, mosaic type burns. Poor, or drier riparian areas with high amounts of fuels tend to generate higher fire intensities and allow the fire to spread up and down drainages. This often results in undesired fire effects. The project also improves access for firefighting equipment and resources. This will result in a more timely response allowing resources to contain a wildfire preventing damage to the riparian area.

Water Quality: Rehabilitation of Black Flat vehicle crossing will reduce sediment inputs to UM Creek and improve water quality. UM Creek flows into Forsyth Reservoir which has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. UM Creek below Forsyth Reservoir also has a TMDL for dissolved oxygen. the Fremont River Watershed Water Quality Management Plan was written due to concerns (or impairment) of water sources in the upper Fremont River basin, in part due to phosphorus loading which is increased by sediment that enters the water. UM Creek flows into the Fremont River which is listed as a 303d impaired waterbody. Impacts from sedimentation to fish and fish habitat will be reduced with the restoration of the vehicle crossing. Fines from sedimentation can negatively affect egg viability of Colorado River cutthroat trout and can also exacerbate effects of whirling disease. Water Quantity: Restoration of the vehicle crossing will include reestablishment of riparian vegetation. Willows cuttings will be planted following stream contouring, allowing riparian vegetation to reestablish, and providing improved riparian conditions. Theses efforts will aid in maintaining the water table and floodplain connectivity. Additionally, flow from Right Fork UM Creek is partially diverted from the west side of the vehicle crossing into a meadow near the stream. Restoration of the vehicle crossing will eliminate flow from escaping Right Fork UM Creek, decreasing potential water loss in the meadow and increasing water quantity in the stream.

Fishlake National Forest has completed NEPA for Black Flat rehab work under the UM Creek Access Management Plan Final Decision Notice (attached). Barrier maintenance/removal has been discussed with the District Ranger and other appropriate Forest staff. All project work will be in the existing footprint from the original construction. The project was determined to be maintenance of an existing structure, and no additional NEPA analysis and/or other clearances would be required.

The DWR Heavy Equipment crew would be used for the project. 1. Nearby local dirt and rock fill material would be excavated near the Black Flat vehicle crossing and used to rebuild stream banks, channel width and sinuosity. A stock pile of trees left over from road construction is on site and would be incorporated as large woody debris into the new stream banks, creating grade control to raise the water table, for erosion protection, in-stream structure and cover. There are willows above and below the crossing and they would be used to transplant willow clumps and for willow stake cuttings to be planted. The area would be smoothed out and contoured. #2. The DWR crew would haul 2 loads of rock and dump it close to the barrier removal site. The DWR regional Bobcat loader would be used to move rock to the old barrier. This old barrier would be removed and two or three new rock cross vanes constructed above the barrier. This will step the stream down gradually and allow fish passage. #3. The excavator will have to be walked into the main UM Creek barrier site about 1 mile. Sediment in front of the rock gabion structure will be removed, a rubber pond liner installed above the barrier and the excavated material placed back above the barrier on top of the pond liner. A dirt berm will be constructed on the east side of the stream above the barrier to prevent high flows from flowing through a rock slide and the gabion structure.

The Black Flat rehabilitation site will be visually monitored several times a year to be sure riparian vegetation is establishing, stream is functioning well, and vehicles are not using the crossing. Repeat photography will be used to determine riparian response to restoration efforts. Willow planting success will be monitored as well. UM Creek has several long-term established fish population monitoring stations. Trout population densities and condition factors will be obtained during monitoring. Macroinvertebrate sampling and habitat monitoring will also take place. The UM Creek barrier is inspected annually to be sure it is functioning properly and will continue to be inspected. Occasionally fish shocking will be conducted above the barrier to be sure there are no non-native fishes present.

This project takes place on Forest land on Fremont River Ranger District and is a cooperatively planned effort between Fishlake National Forest, UDWR, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Trout Unlimited. Needs for repairing the lower UM Creek barrier, replacing the Right Fork UM Creek Barrier, and restoring the vehicle crossing at Black Flat have led to a cooperative effort by UDWR and Forest personnel make a plan, pursue funding, and accomplish project objectives. The UDWR Heavy Equipment crew and machinery will be used and are assisting in the planning process. Data collection by UDWR fisheries personnel has revealed the need to repair the lower UM Creek fish barrier to prevent non-native fish passage. Fishlake fisheries personnel have communicated with Trout Unlimited's Color Country Anglers Chapter and Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the project and the potential for additional funding. Additionally, the public, including partners, were contacted during the scoping for the UM Creek Access Management Plan EA and notified of project plans to reroute travel to a bridge upstream of the vehicle crossing to be restored.

Since the late 90s, FNF has invested a considerable amount of time, money and commitment to CRCT habitat improvement along UM Creek. In collaboration with UDWR, FNF has utilized several habitat improvement methods including: non-native fish removal, barrier construction, grazing management revisions, temperature monitoring, fence installation, CRCT stocking and monitoring, habitat and riparian surveys, whirling disease study (Hepworth et al. 2010) and testing, and habitat enhancement projects. In 2003 FNF introduced a multi-year project focusing on habitat improvement in UM Creek. This project fenced select riparian habitat, created off-stream livestock watering sites, and focused herding livestock to upland habitats. By fall 2006, five miles of stream were protected by nearly 10 miles of fence. Grazing management included more closely monitoring livestock herds and active rotation within pastures (Hepworth et al. 2010) This project aligns with the objectives and requirements within the Forest Plan and the CRCT Conservation Agreement and Strategy to improve CRCT habitat in UM Creek. To protect the investments to watershed improvements in the Black Flat/Potholes area that support the objectives in these plans and as outlined in the Relation to Management Plan Section of this proposal, stream habitat restoration and CRCT will continue to be monitored and managed toward an upward trend. UM Creek will continue to be managed for Colorado River cutthroat trout according to the guidance of Conservation Agreements and Strategies, both for the State of Utah and Rangewide. As per the guidance in the Utah Conservation Agreement and Strategy, the lower barrier will be inspected annually and fisheries personnel from UDWR and the Forest will monitor fish directly above the barrier to ensure that no fish can circumvent the barrier. These annual inspections will be used to determine maintenance needs of the barrier. Maintenance will be performed as needed to ensure functionality. Vehicles in traveling in the Black Flat area can continue to access all allowable areas because of the new bridge put in upstream. Additionally, in accordance with the goals and objectives outlined in the 1986 Fishlake National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, bridge maintenance and enforcement/maintenance of route closures and trail/road designations will be conducted and enforced regularly.

The area is grazed by livestock during the summer and no changes to grazing would occur. Livestock would have a small amount of additional grass and sedges to utilize once the riparian vegetation regrows. The installation of the bridge and decommissioning of the crossing at Black Flat allows for better access for permittees. Additionally, improved access is available for other sustainable uses such as hunting, angling, timber harvest and other types of recreation including camping and off-highway vehicle use.

09/16/2019

10/31/2019

2020

In late September 2019, work was initiated and completed in October 2019 on UM Creek to improve stream conditions for CRCT. The following was accomplished. 1) An excavator was walked in to the UM Creek lower barrier site. Sections of an old road had to be widened and cleared to get the excavator in. Using local material, a dirt berm (2.5' high X 5' wide X 60' length) was constructed along the east side of the stream, with erosion control fabric placed inside the berm and sod grass/sedge material laid on top. The berm prevents the stream from running around the side of the rock fish barrier, through large rocks and under the barrier. Fish can no longer get around the rock barrier, including rainbow trout. 2) The excavator was used to remove a rock fish barrier on the Right Fork of UM Creek. Rock was removed so only about a 1' drop remained. The removed rock was used to build three rock cross vanes above the barrier to step the stream down about 1' at a time over about 40' of stream. CRCT trout can now move up stream past the barrier. This re-establishes stream connectivity for CRCT and fish can now move from the main fork of UM Creek up the Right Fork of UM Creek. 3) Approximately 30 dump truck loads of dirt material was hauled in to the Black Flat vehicle crossing site. This site is approximately 1/4 mile above the removed fish barrier on the Right Fork UM Creek. The dirt material, local large rock and down trees with root wads was used to rebuild stream banks, fill in the eroded road crossing to create floodplains and create natural low flow and high flow stream channels. Willow clumps and willow stakes were planted and disturbed areas reseeded. This work restores natural stream function and floodplains, reduces erosion and sediment inputs, restores riparian vegetation and creates aquatic habitat for CRCT. Road barriers were placed and the road crossing is now closed to vehicles.

This project has secured a conservation population of Colorado River cutthroat trout from non-native species invasion through the improvement of the lower UM Creek passage barrier. It has improved trout habitat by reducing sediment input from the vehicle crossing at Black Flat on Right Fork UM Creek by closing the route to vehicles and restoring the stream channel. Additionally, it has opened up movement for CRCT between mainstem UM Creek and Left Fork UM Creek with Right Fork UM Creek. Monitoring of project activities in 2020 has revealed that many of the willows have rooted and are sending up new shoots in the Black Flat stream restoration area. Additionally, seeding has taken and grasses and forbs are growing in the area.

CRCT will be monitored next in 2027 in UM Creek drainage. 2020 monitoring results are ongoing at the time of this completion report and results will be published in a UDWR report in the spring of 2021. Survey results from 2020 will be used to support management actions to continue to conserve CRCT in UM Creek. Seeding and willow planting at Black Flat will continue to be monitored. UM Creek barrier will be monitored and the cross vanes at the Right Fork UM Barrier site will be monitored to ensure fish passage is achievable.