The current vegetation communities are in a condition that a fire start, on an average summer day, would be uncharacteristically hot, difficult to control, and would be a major threat to private land and other developments in Ephraim Canyon. Based on recent experiences (e.g., Seeley, Trail Mountain, and Coal Hollow wildfires), the results of such a fire would likely lead to overland flow, erosion, and debris flows from storm events that would have negative impacts far downstream from the National Forest System lands.

Mechanically thin and remove white fire/subalpine fir out of existing aspen clones on approximately 351 acres on Federal property. Mechanically thin approximately 100 acres of mixed conifer, pinyon/juniper, and dead aspen within the 750 acres of adjacent private property. This is designed to be phase 2 for a multi-year project. Additional actions on Federal property within the 5,700 acres include commercial harvest of beetle kill spruce, potential commercial harvest of live trees, hand-thin & pile, mastication, mechanical thin & firewood removal, and prescribed burning. Overall objectives for the 5,700 acre project include: * Reduce fine fuel loading (< 3 inches diameter) to less than 5 tons per acre. * Reduce the overall size of a probable stand replacing fire. * Increase the probability that fire suppression forces would control a wildfire before it reached private property. * Increase the amount of aspen in the watershed as a means of lowering fuel loading.

Public Health and Safety: There are several private in-holdings cabins, summer homes (Skyline Villas), and camps immediately adjacent to the Forest Boundary (UTIBACA, Prechard, Frisschknecht, Stevens property owners). Camp UTIBACA and additional properties are accessed through Forest Road 50051. Ingress and egress is limited to one lane traffic. Vehicles are unable to pass by each other on the road when traveling in opposite directions due to a lack of turnouts and passing lanes. The public and the Forest Service realize that safe ingress and egress could be improved. Vegetation & Fuels: In the pinyon, juniper and conifer type, brush and juniper are increasing creating a dense continuous canopy layer. This situation is conducive to large, intense fires meaning less opportunity for control. Fires in this vegetation type will likely lead to fire in the other upland vegetation types including aspen and mixed conifer and spruce/fir. This can impact watershed values, vegetative conditions, wildlife habitat, and other resource values if large stand replacing fire events occur. Within the aspen mixed conifer type there has been no large scale disturbances for several decades meaning conifers are encroaching aspen. Aspen intermixed with conifer result in a denser canopy than just aspen dominated stands. Fire will typically burn much hotter, from canopy density and larger from the continuity of fuel both vertically and horizontally, with conifers present. Existing vegetation conditions such as species composition, canopy closure and pattern, and structure are components of concern for this project. The concern comes from in-holdings adjacent to the project area, developments within the project area, and municipal water developments and the probability that wildfire occurring would result in large scale high intensity wildfire similar to the wildfire as seen in Huntington Canyon in 2012 (Seeley Wildfire). Watershed: The project area encompasses 16,984 acres within two 6th order Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds Ephraim Creek and Dry Canyon (Middle Sanpitch River). Based on recent experiences (e.g., Seeley Wildfire), the results of such a fire would likely lead to overland flow, erosion, and debris flows from storm events that would have negative impacts far downstream from the National Forest System lands and municipal watersheds. Wildlife Habitat: Habitat for sensitive species such as the Northern goshawk and Three toed-woodpecker are currently at risk from catastrophic high severity wildfire. Implementation of this project reduces the risk of wildfires impacting these sensitive species. Design criteria are also included to help minimize short-term impacts to these species.

This document tiers to the Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement. The proposal has been reviewed to identify conformance with Forest Plan management direction. It complies with the Forest Plan and meets specific direction to: 1. Minimize hazards from wildfire (LRMP III-5). Human life (firefighter and public safety) is the highest priority during a fire. Once firefighters have been assigned to a fire, their safety becomes the highest value to be protected. Property and natural and cultural resources are lower priorities (Utah Fire Amendment). 2. Maintain a healthy forest by applying appropriate silvicultural treatments (LRMP III-3). The desired condition for this landscape and its component stands provides for healthy stands with varied successional stages of trees and stands (LRMP III-2). 3. Reduce hazardous fuels. The full range of fuel reduction methods is authorized, consistent with forest and management area emphasis and direction (III-43). 4. Ecosystems are restored and maintained, consistent with land uses and historic fire regimes, through wildland fire use and prescribed fire (LRMP III-5). 5. Manage stands in a manner that promotes properly functioning conditions and habitat conditions suitable for the northern goshawk (LRMP III-3). 6. Use timber management to meet other management or resource needs (LRMP III-4). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Elk Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Sanpete Face area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (elk). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit elk. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Mule Deer Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Sanpete Face area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (deer). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit mule deer. The Northern goshawk in Utah: habitat assessment and management recommendations: In Forest Plan direction for the Northern goshawk, forest vegetation structural stage classes are discussed and how they relate to preference by goshawk for nesting, post fledgling family areas, or rearing and teaching of young and foraging. Careful consideration has been given to Northern goshawk territories found within the project boundaries. Territories will be part of the mosaic pattern designed as "leave" areas for prescribed burn and mechanical treatments. Creating age class diversity through the implementation of this project will ensure future habitat as well as habitat for prey used by goshawk is maintained. National Cohesive Strategy: By means of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning at a landscape scale, the resulting mosaic of early and late successional forests will work toward the goal of restoring and maintaining resilient landscapes, one of the three goals described in the National Cohesive Strategy. State of Utah Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy: The Willow Fuels Project aligns with the mission of the State of Utah's Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy. The project has developed a comprehensive and systematic approach toward reducing the size, intensity and frequency of catastrophic wildland fires on the Sanpete Face through a collaborative process. The project reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire occurrence negatively affecting property, air quality and water systems. State of Utah Forest Action Plan: The Willow Fuels Project addresses all three of the key goals laid out in the Forest Action Plan: conserve and manage working forest landscapes for multiple values and uses, protect forests from threats and enhance public benefits from trees and forests. Wood products will be available through firewood permits, timber sales and stewardship contracts in accordance with the Willow Fuels Project NEPA documentation and the Manti-La Sal National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. All actions called for in the Willow Fuels Project work together to reduce wildfire and forest health threats to the surrounding forests and reduce the potential for long-term degradation of forested watersheds on the Sanpete Face. Sanpete County Resource Management Plan: Objective A. Healthy forests are managed for multiple uses, most importantly water quality and watershed protection. Additional support and direction listed throughout this document defining county objectives, policies and desired management practices. Ephraim and Willow Creek Community Fire Plan: Goal B: Community will work with county, state and federal fire officials to decrease fuels on adjacent public lands to reduce wildfire intensity and impact in and around the community. This project works to achieve Goal B of the Ephraim and Willow Creek CWPP by reducing fuel loading and lowering the potential of wildland fire spread across the Sanpete Face.

The Willow Fuels Project treatments would be implemented to effectively restore resilient, fire-adapted aspen ecosystems on a landscape-scale and across boundary by moving the stands toward properly functioning condition in terms of composition (species diversity) and density (crown spacing and fuel loading). In addition the treatments would improve structural diversity, promote aspen regeneration and recruitment, reduce the hazardous fuel loading, and reduce the continuity of fuels across the Sanpete Face landscape; thus mitigating the risks and damage associated with a high intensity, high severity, uncharacteristic/catastrophic wildfire and where appropriate, expand opportunities to manage fire for resource benefits and meet Manti-La Sal Land and Resource Management Plan objectives. The stands associated with this project are in a Fire Regime II Condition Class 3 (High). A Fire Regime II is a 0- 35 year or greater fire frequency and high (stand-replacement) severity (greater than 75% of the dominant overstory vegetation replaced). Condition Class 3 is high departure from this regime and is considered outside the natural (historic) range of variability. Consequently, fire suppression actions necessary to protect private lands associated structures would be difficult given the nature of the fuels in the area. Within the Willow Project Area a lack of disturbance including wildfire suppression have changed stands from early seral species (aspen) to late seral climax species (spruce and fir) resulting in dense canopy and continuous vertical crown structure. A Forest wide spruce beetle epidemic has affected a portion of the project resulting in the mortality of more than 90 percent of Engelmann spruce greater than 8 inches diameter. Because of prolonged drought, dense canopy, and the accumulation of the dead spruce it is highly probable the project area will undergo a uncharacteristic high intensity stand replacing fire. Additionally, in the vicinity of the Willow Project are several private inholdings (cabins, recreational developments), power lines, municipal water developments, which would be a great risk in the event of such a fire.

Project treatments will result in short to moderate term impacts to water quality, but project design features will prevent long-term degradation. Project treatments will considerably lessen the risk of uncharacteristic large scale high severity fires that could result in long-term watershed degradation. By maintaining watershed function, long-term water quality will be maintained or enhanced. By removing conifer it is anticipated that water quantity will be enhanced (seeps, springs, bogs--improved). As documented in the Final Record of Decision, this project is compliant with the Clean Water Act. Fire behavior over the last 2 decades have illustrated the potential for large uncontrollable fires across the Manit-La Sal with current fuel loadings and conifer stand densities. A large wildlife would likely lead to large flood events. Water quantity could increase but most increase would be associated with storm events or early snow melt. This would likely lead to channel instability and down-cutting. Ash, erosion from the fire, and erosion from channel adjustments would decrease water quality by increasing water turbidity and sediment loads. These effects could lead to extirpation of fish populations if the area burned was large enough. Water quantity (and quality) would return to near baseline levels as vegetation recovered over time, but channel adjustments such as down-cutting post-fire would likely have long-term consequences such as reduced areas of riparian habitat and wet meadows.

The Willow Fuels Project was analyzed under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA) authority. This project was subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218. Subsequently, the final EA and draft DNFONSI made available on June 20, 2017 were subject to review and objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218 regulations. A biological assessment was completed and determined there would be no effect to any federally listed species, proposed species, or critical habitat. The project complies with the Endangered Species Act consultation requirements using Counterpart Consultation Regulations and the Endangered Species Act (USDA Forest Service 2015a). A biological evaluation was completed for sensitive species. This project may impact individuals or habitat of the northern goshawk and three-toed woodpecker, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or loss of viability to the populations or species of these Forest Service sensitive species. There was a no impact determination on other Forest Service sensitive species (USDA Forest Service 2015b). Although there are wetlands and floodplains or flood prone areas in the project area, no adverse effects are anticipated. Design features have been included in the proposed action that minimize disturbance in these areas and provide for protection. The practices controlling operations are effective in minimizing disturbance when fully and properly implemented. Implementation is typically good for timber sale operations and road construction. No adverse effects are expected to the municipal supply watershed or drinking water source area (USDA Forest Service 2017a). The action meets the intent of the Clean Water Act and Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. The project area is not within or adjacent to any congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. The project area is not within a research natural area. The project contains Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Mastication and burning would occur within the Big Horseshoe Roadless Area. Regional staff reviewed the project for consistency with the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR) and concur the project is compliant with the 2001 RACR (USDA Forest Service 2015c). Cultural resource surveys have been completed for the proposed project. Consultation has been conducted with appropriate tribes. Design features for the management and protection of cultural resources have been included (USDA Forest Service 2016b). The State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) was consulted and has concurred with the determination of No Historic Properties Affected. This proposal is consistent with to assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and implement a resource management plan for each unit of the National Forest System. The EA and supporting documents, including specialist's reports in the Project Record, document interdisciplinary review as required by NEPA. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act implements various bilateral treaties and conventions between the United States and four other counties for the protection of migratory birds. Under the act, taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds is unlawful. No adverse impacts would occur to any of the potentially occurring migratory bird species as a result of the Proposed Action. A wildlife specialist's report is included in the project record (USDA Forest Service 2015b). There are no designated wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or National Recreation Areas within or nearby the proposed Potters Canyon project area. This Executive Order requires consideration of whether projects would disproportionately impact minority or low-income populations. This decision complies with the executive order. Public involvement was conducted for this project, the results of which I have considered in this decision-making. Public involvement did not identify any adversely impacted local minority or low-income populations. Therefore, this decision is not expected to adversely impact minority or low-income populations.

The treatment methods will include aspen clone sterilization (remove existing conifers) and thin mixed conifer stands. Approximately 251 acres of aspen will be sterilized by removing mixed conifer by either hand or mechanical treatment by removing any conifer within 60 ft of aspen clones (Units 2, 5,& 7). Aspen sterilization will be accomplished by either USFS IDIQ contract or Utah State contract through Good Neighbor Authority. Approximately 99 acres of mixed conifer stands will be treated utilizing USFS force account employees and mechanical equipment (Units 1, 3, 4, & 6) . These stands will be thinned to approximate tree spacing of 30 ft or greater. Preference will be given to spruce/douglas fir. Smaller diameter fuels will be masticated. Larger diameter fuels will be mechanically decked for local firewood and/or piled to burn. Approximately 100 acres within the 750 acres of adjacent Fritschnect/Prechard/UTIBACA private property will be treated to thin mixed conifer, dead aspen and pinyon/juniper. The Utah Department of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands will work in conjunction with the private land owners to determine the highest priority areas to be treated. Will accept partial funds and adjust acreage accordingly.

The prescription is reviewed and adhered to by the implementation crew. The Fuels Specialist, Fire Management Officer, and Siliviculturist periodically assess the treated areas for compliance with management objectives, and are consulted on a case by case basis by the implementation crew when special situations arise. Post-treatment photopoints, video documentation, migratory bird surveys. Approximately 5 years after completion of a cutting unit, the treatment sites are reviewed for maintenance treatment needs by the Silviculturist, Fuels Specialist, FMO, or wildlife biologist. No re-entry of equipment has been deemed necessary within 5 years of initial treatment on previously completed units.

US Forest Service - Manti-La Sal National Forest. Utah Department of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.

Current and future treatments include: Proposed 2020 - Phase 3 - Mechanically treat approximately 824 acres east of Phase 1 & 2. Vegetation treatments include thin & remove mixed conifer and 90% removal of pinon/juniper, see attached map. 2019 through 2020 - Willow - New Canyon Phase 1. Thin/Pile/Burn approximately 303 acres Ponderosa Pine under-story at the mouth of New Canyon. WRI Proposal #5009. 2019 through 2020 - Commercially harvest approximately 126 beetle killed engelmann spruce. Commercial bid will be advertised the spring of 2019. Additionally, the USFS is working with local markets to develop a green (live) tree commercial harvest. Currently, the only market available for commercial harvest is dead engelmann spruce. Future years include treating all 5,700 acres through mechanical treatments, commercial harvesting, and prescribe burning. Monitoring and treatment of noxious weed/invasive species will be implemented by USFS personnel and funds on federal property throughout the project.

The project area is designated as important big game habitat for mule deer and elk. Recreationist use the area for hiking, big game hunting, and antler collection. Two Federal Range management Units (RMU) will be directly affected by Phase 1: Maple Canyon (subunit of Willow Creek S&G) and North Pasture (subunit of South Ephraim C&H). The amount of forage available to livestock is expected to increase significantly as a result of this project. With the removal of conifers and oak the amount of usable grasses and forbs in the aspen understory is also expected to increase significantly. With increased forage livestock distribution and management is expected to improve. Many areas that are currently unproductive due to overgrowth will soon become desirable for future uses by livestock.

06/04/2020

10/15/2020

2021

The Willow Phase 2 project utilized both mechanical and hand thinning and piling to remove encroaching conifer from aspen stands on the Manti La Sal National forest and adjacent private lands. Manti La Sal personnel and equipment were utilized to cut and pile 68 acres of dense conifer up to 24" that were encroaching into aspen and adjacent to private property. Equipment utilized included tracked feller-buncher with processing attachment for cutting and piling as well as bobcat skid steer machines to help with grappling, piling, and clean-up mastication of small debris. The USFS contracted approximately 806 acres to be hand thinned and piled. These areas were predominately aspen stands with conifer encroaching. Within these stands hand crews cut all conifer up to 24" and piled all material less than 8" in diameter. The Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State lands completed approximately 18 acres of hand thinning and piling around the Pritchard property in the Willow Drainage.

The Willow Phase 2 Project is located within the Willow drainage on the Manti La Sal National Forest approximately 6 miles east of the community of Ephraim, UT. Areas within this drainage have become dominated by late seral conifer which negatively affects overall watershed health, forage production for wildlife, and increases the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The objective of the Willow Phase 2 project is to maintain and restore healthy aspen communities within the Willow Watershed to restore watershed health, reduce hazardous fuel loading, and prevent future catastrophic wildfires. The project borders both state and private lands and the USFS is working with these partners to both restore ecosystem function as well as reduce fire threats to private properties. Funding for this phase was obtained through WRI, USFS, and Shared Stewardship to meet these objectives. The USFS utilized both contracting and force account to remove conifer encroaching into aspen stands. During the summer of 2019, The USFS utilized Manti La Sal personnel and equipment to complete approximately 68 acres of heavy mechanical conifer thinning and piling from conifer stands adjacent to private lands and property. The USFS contracted hand thinning and piling of conifer from 408.8 acres of aspen with the original funding requested through WRI ($144,110 to NFXNH319 and $11,146 to NFHF1019). Imperial Forestry was awarded the contract through a regional USFS IDIQ contract. Imperial completed these acres in June of 2020. Later, additional funding came available through regional USFS shared stewardship (NFHF1020) and we exercised the additional IDIQ options for another 398 acres that Imperial Forestry completed in September of 2020. Concurrently, the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State lands completed approximately 18 acres of hand thinning and piling around the Pritchard property in the Willow Drainage.

The Willow drainage will see continued efforts to restore healthy aspen and reduce hazardous fuel loading. Pile burning will be completed over the next two seasons to remove the fine fuel loading from Willow Phase 2. Areas will be monitored for noxious weeds and treated as needed. Additional prescribed burning will be implemented in areas targeted for aspen regeneration. Commercial logging is planned for approximately 900 acres in areas where prescribed burning is not possible. Current WRI projects within the New Canyon drainage will tie in with the Willow Project to treat the entire watershed above the community of Ephraim, UT.