Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon lack adequate woody riparian vegetation and the stream channels consist primarily of a narrow ditch-like system that lacks complex habitat including riffles, pools and backwaters. The lack of sufficient riparian habitat threatens the persistence of fish and sage grouse (Bear Creek) and overall riparian vegetation (Ranch Canyon). Vertical channel incision has lowered the water table and floodplain connectivity, which has further adversely affected the condition of the riparian areas which is critical habitat for a variety of aquatic and riparian obligate species, (Donnely et al., 2015) particularly sage grouse. Sage grouse rely on the mesic areas directly adjacent to the riparian zone for brood survival. Incision has also likely caused a reduction in physical habitat diversity and reductions in late season base flows resulting in warmer stream temperatures causing declines in populations of fish and other aquatic organisms (Pollock et al., 2007). The focus of the project (relevant to this proposal) will be to improve the riparian vegetation (Ranch Canyon) and in-stream habitat for fish and riparian vegetation sage grouse (Bear Creek). Restoring riparian condition also benefits the longer-term project goal of providing sufficient riparian resources to expand riparian habitat within the areas. As such, the project will consist of targeted native riparian vegetation plantings (Bear Creek/Ranch Canyon) in conjunction with installation of in-stream structures (Ranch Canyon) to immediately increase the complexity of in-stream habitat, gain access to the floodplain in the long term, allowing for riparian vegetation expansion laterally. Livestock grazing management systems have been identified for the Bear Creek Allotment (Bear Creek) and Mineral Range Allotment (Ranch Canyon). However, it may be necessary to install riparian exclosures within the Ranch Canyon area to further minimize impacts to the riparian system by livestock in the future.

Desired Future Condition: Willows, river birch, dogwood, etc... will be present in stream riparian zone within the treatment area. Properly functioning riparian areas will also provide valuable habitat for a high diversity of wildlife species (i.e. in-stream cover and riparian expansion). Riparian areas should be composed of abundant vegetation with multiple age classes present. Grasses, sedges, and forbs should be abundant. Fire-tolerant vegetation will act as a fuel break to protect sensitive riparian areas during fire events.

The project is focused on improving the condition of both in-stream fish habitat (Bear Creek) by concentrating on native plantings to improve composition and vigor of woody riparian species and expansion of the riparian zone (Ranch Canyon) by concentrating on native plantings and in-stream structures. Without the project it is unlikely that degradation to Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon will be reversed. Therefore, actions aimed to improve habitat conditions are needed to ensure the persistence of existing fish populations (Bear Creek), sage grouse (Bear Creek) and native riparian vegetation (Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon). In-stream structures would be focused in Ranch Canyon and may be applied to Bear Creek in the long-term following adequate woody species establishment. There are minimal, risks to water quality during the construction phase of in-stream structures through a slight temporary increase in suspended sediment during construction. Suspended sediment will be minimized by only using heavy machinery within the riparian and in-stream areas where deemed necessary. The vast majority of the work will be done with hydraulic hand-held post pounders; therefore it is anticipated that only small amounts of dirt moved during construction (i.e., typically < 0.25 yards/structure). Finally, this project will be carried out using an adaptive management framework which explicitly mandates regular project evaluation to minimize risk at each stage of the project. At this point ecological thresholds have not been achieved in either stream system. The riparian areas have a diverse riparian component. Changes to livestock grazing management (elimination of continuous hot season livestock grazing) that have occurred have improved the functioning condition of the streams.

Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Resource Management Plan (1986) The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Cedar City Field Office, including Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon. Although these areas are not specifically addressed in the RMP, the proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan including objectives to restore riparian functioning and provide quality habitat to support native fish and wildlife.

Mitigation for wildfire would be accomplished by removing pinyon pine and juniper from the streams as determined necessary.

1. Ranch Canyon In-stream 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 in-stream structures are expected to simulate beaver dams, which provide the following benefits to streams: 1. Ponding upstream of beaver dams slows 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. Beaver ponds and dams can act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009). 3. An increase in overbank flooding due to beaver dams also typically leads to an increase in the diversity of riparian vegetation (Wright et al., 2002) and an expansion of the riparian corridor (Westbrook et al., 2006; Westbrook et al., 2011). The project will use in-stream structures to essentially provide the same function as beaver dams; in that the 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 prior to project implementation. NEPA was completed and authorized the project under the Riparian Restoration and Wetland Enhancement EA/DR October 2018.

The scope of the project includes: 1. Strategic planting of native riparian vegetation (Bear Creek/Ranch Canyon) 2. Installation of in-stream structures (Ranch Canyon) Structure types (Ranch Canyon) will help to expand the riparian corridor. A healthy riparian corridor will increase the surface roughness of the floodplain which will increase the magnitude of overbank deposition during high-flows providing an increase in sediment storage on the floodplain and benefits to downstream water quality. Ponding and increased floodplain connectivity due to in-stream structures will cause an elevation in the water table and groundwater levels (Woo and Waddington, 1990) which will also aid in riparian recovery and expansion. If there is a high enough density of in-stream can minimize water table decline during the dry season elevating base flow (Westbrook et al., 2006; Burchsted et al., 2010) and improving water quality. In addition, it is expected that the structures will 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. The design and installation of in-stream structures is a relatively simple, cost effective, and non-destructive restoration approach. Structures are constructed of untreated, sharpened lodgepole fence posts, approximately 3-4" diameter, driven into the active channel and inset floodplain using a hydraulic post pounder. Posts extend no more than 1 m above the active channel bed. For a single structure, posts will be spaced approximately 0.5 - 0.8 m apart, and driven to a depth of approximately 1 m into the streambed (Refer to Figure 1 and 2 in Images/Documents Section). Following installation of the post line, juniper branches or willow stems will be woven in between the posts to create a semi-permeable structure. The juniper branches and willow weaving acts as a dam, but is also designed to be passable to fish, and is consistent with adult and juvenile fish passage criteria. In addition to weaving juniper and willow among the post line the structures will be reinforced by placing cobble, gravel, and fine sediment at the base of the structure. Structures should last until the pool behind the dam fills with sediment and is colonized by woody riparian vegetation (typically < 5 yr. depending on sediment sources and the flow regime). In addition, willow, Pinyon pine or juniper logs will be used as fill material in the in-stream structures. Each structure will be designed with defined objectives for triggering and/or maintaining geomorphic and hydraulic processes leading to river rehabilitation. In addition, a strategic planting of native riparian vegetation to improve composition and vigor of woody riparian species. To the greatest extent possible, native trees and shrubs which are currently growing on site, such as Water Birch, Coyote Willow and Yellow Willow will be used in plantings. In addition, river birch, dogwood, etc... will be used in specific areas.

BLM will complete Proper Functioning Condition Assessments, and Multiple Indicator Monitoring as determined necessary. Multiple Indicator Monitoring sites have been established and will be conducted two years post treatment to determine a measurable response in woody riparian vegetation. Ocular observations including photo points will occur pre-treatment and on an annual basis post treatment to document changes in woody species abundance and regeneration. Proper Functioning Condition assessments will not be conducted unless major events occur which could significantly alter the streams condition (i.e. major flood event, wildfire, etc.). Fish population sampling (Bear Creek) will occur as needed in conjunction with UDWR.

Partners to support the project will include the BLM, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Utah State University and Anabranch Solutions. The project will be developed with full participation of these groups. Substantial coordination between the partners has occurred on a similar project (Birch Creek - Stream Restoration). It is expected that this coordination will continue to occur to ensure that project objectives are accomplished.

The project is expected to expand riparian habitat within the two riparian systems. Livestock grazing occurs within Bear Creek between May 15th and June 30th. Improvements to the stream have occurred since grazing during the hot season was eliminated. Livestock grazing can occur within Ranch Canyon between May 1st and October 15th; however, a multi-pasture grazing management system minimizes livestock grazing in this area to shorter seasons on an annual basis to limit hot season grazing in the riparian area.

The project is expected to improve and expand riparian habitat within the project area in accordance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, which will be beneficial to fish within the streams. Furthermore, the project will be proactive in improving vegetative communities and removing ladder fuels within creeks where there is pinyon and juniper, which will minimize the potential for wildfire within these sensitive areas. Bear Creek is being considered by the UDWR as a native cutthroat trout restoration area. The long-term goal of the project within Bear Creek would be to improve native vegetation (i.e. willows, river birch, dogwood, etc...) that would allow for the reintroduction in the future. There are recreational opportunities that may occur as a result of project implementation. These opportunities would primarily be focused in the Ranch Canyon project area. The project area is in close vicinity to the Rock Corral recreation site and other primitive camping areas. The project is expected to improve fishing opportunities in the long-term.

10/05/2020

11/24/2023

2024

Ranch Canyon: A joint permit application stream alteration permit was obtained in July 2020. The project within the Ranch Canyon area was initiated in October 2020 and approximately 15 Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) and 63 speedbumps were constructed. Structures were constructed using local BLM personnel and youth crews over a week long period. These structures were maintained in 2021 - 2023 utilizing youth crews and local BLM personnel. (Refer to attached documents for further information. Bear Creek: This project has not been initiated. There have been issues with obtaining a temporary water right that is being required for work in this area by the Regional Water Rights Engineer. Funding has been requested to be available in the new WRI agreement to allow for a temporary water right to be obtained from a livestock permittee so that this work can be completed.

Bear Creek and Ranch Canyon lack adequate woody riparian vegetation and the stream channels consist primarily of a narrow ditch-like system that lacks complex habitat including riffles, pools and backwaters. The lack of sufficient riparian habitat threatens the persistence of fish and sage grouse (Bear Creek) and overall riparian vegetation (Ranch Canyon). Vertical channel incision has lowered the water table and floodplain connectivity, which has further adversely affected the condition of the riparian areas which is critical habitat for a variety of aquatic and riparian obligate species, (Donnely et al., 2015) particularly sage grouse. Sage grouse rely on the mesic areas directly adjacent to the riparian zone for brood survival. Incision has also likely caused a reduction in physical habitat diversity and reductions in late season base flows resulting in warmer stream temperatures causing declines in populations of fish and other aquatic organisms (Pollock et al., 2007). In Ranch Canyon the focus of the project was to improve the riparian vegetation extent improve existing headcuts and channel incision. If funding is available in the future WRI agreement the goal within Bear Creek is to improve in-stream habitat for fish and riparian vegetation sage grouse. Restoring riparian condition also benefits the longer-term project goal of providing sufficient riparian resources to expand riparian habitat within the areas. As such, the project will consist of targeted native riparian vegetation plantings (Bear Creek/Ranch Canyon) in conjunction with installation of in-stream structures (Ranch Canyon) to immediately increase the complexity of in-stream habitat, gain access to the floodplain in the long term, allowing for riparian vegetation expansion laterally. Livestock grazing management systems have been identified for the Bear Creek Allotment (Bear Creek) and Mineral Range Allotment (Ranch Canyon). However, it may be necessary to install riparian exclosures within the Ranch Canyon area to further minimize impacts to the riparian system by livestock in the future.

The structures will be maintained on an occasional basis to ensure that project goals and objectives are being met. Monitoring data including Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (lotic), Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) and Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) will continue to be collected to determine the success of the project.. A stream alteration permit will continue to be pursued within the Bear Creek area. Once the permit is received the BLM will implement stream structure work within the area.