Big Brush Creek crosses Highway US-191 about 10 miles north of Vernal Utah and then runs down a dramatic sandstone canyon for about 1 mile before it flows into Red Fleet Reservoir. Currently an access road leaves Highway 191 and travels into the canyon just below the highway to a flat area adjacent to Brush Creek. Several two track travel ways have been used in the canyon near the flat area and this area has seen use that degrades from the character of the surroundings. Brush Creek in this area is prime fishing habitat and is considered a high use area, mostly for day use. Fishermen are currently accessing brush creek on user created trails that cross through dense brush in some areas, direct access to the stream is hard in some places. This area is BLM lands and adjacent to Red Fleet State Park. The State Park Campground is 1.25 miles east from this location on the South side of Red Fleet Reservoir. On the North side of Red Fleet Reservoir on State Park lands and adjacent BLM lands is a complex of hiking and mountain biking trails. There is currently no trail connection from the campground around the reservoir to the trails complex. This project centers around a trailhead to be constructed in brush creek in an area that is currently used as parking and access for the area. The trailhead would include 15-20 parking spaces. Leaving south from the trailhead, the ages trail is an existing unmarked unimproved trail that leaves brush creek and allows hikers to connect to the Red Fleet State Park access road and then beyond towards Steinaker State Park. The Ages trail travels parallel to US191 through a portion of the "Drive through the Ages" portion of the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway highlighting the unique geology of the area. Leaving east from the trailhead and down Brush Creek, a formal trail utilizing exiting routes and possibly new trail sections to improve fishermen access/fish habitat and this same trail will be the beginning of the connection to the existing Red Fleet Trails complex. The second phase of this project will assist final NEPA clearances and the 404 permit in conjunction with the BLM. Trail work will be conducted by BLM. Rosgen style structures will be designed and constructed on at least five bends to improve fish habitat, reduce erosion, improve sediment transport and reconnect the floodplain to the stream channel. Construction in this phase will include minor improvements to the Ages Trail (it is the existing trail), signage for both trails and the fish habitat improvements. This application will outline the proposed improvements for the entire project, but this funding request for 2018 only includes the NEPA and 404 permitting.

1. Complete NEPA for the construction of trails, trailhead, and streambed improvements on BLM managed property on Big Brush Creek above Red Fleet Reservoir. 2. Complete 404 permitting for the stream segment passing through the above-named property. 3. Install at least five Rosgen style engineered structures to promote fish habitat, reconnect the floodplain, and reduce potential erosion. 4. Plant native vegetation around all construction areas. 5. Complete the reconstruction and enhancement of the Ages Trail and Trailhead.

Currently an access road leaves Highway 191 and travels into the canyon just below the highway to a flat area adjacent to Brush Creek. Several two track travel ways have been used in the canyon near the flat area and this area has seen use that degrades from the character of the surroundings. Brush Creek in this area is prime fishing habitat and is considered a high use area, mostly for day use. Continued use the current pattern will continue to contribute to degradation of the Brush Creek and its surrounding habitat

Uintah County The Uintah County Trails Master Plan was completed in August 2018 and includes this project as a top priority project for Uintah County based upon connectivity with existing and proposed trails, public support and project feasibility. As mentioned in the project description, this project is a missing link to connect the Red Fleet State Park Campground with the existing trails complex on the north side of the reservoir. The ages trail also extends towards Steinaker State Park, and future projects will make the rest of that connection. State of Utah State of Utah Resource Management Plan Wildlife *Conserve, improve, and restore 500,000 acres of mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025. *Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands. Livestock and Grazing *Improve vegetative health on public and private lands through range improvements, prescribed fire, vegetation treatments, and active management of invasive plants and noxious weeds. *Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation, and wildlife *The state supports the active removal of pinyon juniper encroachment on other ecosystem, such as sagebrush, due to its consumption of water, detrimental effects on vegetation and available forage, and its negative effects on wildlife habitat. Noxious Weeds *Establish immediate revegetation or rehabilitation after treatment. The state of Utah supports prevention as one of the best methods of managing noxious weeds. T&E Species *Work with stakeholders and partners to continue to implement recommendations from the Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015--2025 to conserve sensitive species and their habitat. *Restore 75,000 acres of critical habitat for sensitive species each year through the Watershed Restoration Initiative and by partnering with other government and nongovernmental entities. Water Quality and Hydrology *Cooperate in the protection, restoration, enhancement and management of water resources in the State of Utah to the extent of each agency's authority, expertise, and resources. We are meeting the objectives set for in Sec. 5 Developing an Enhanced Fire Prevention, Suppression, and Restoration Strategy of Secretarial Order 3336 by: c.) Seek to reduce the likelihood, size, and severity of rangeland fires by addressing the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive, non-native species. f.) To the extent practicable, utilize locally-adapted seeds and native plant materials appropriate to the location, conditions, and management objectives for vegetation management and restoration activities, including strategic sourcing for acquiring, storing, and utilizing genetically appropriate seeds and other plant materials native to the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025: This project proposes to increase the amount and/or improve the condition of two of the thirteen key habitat types in the state: aquatic scrub/shrub ("riparian") and riverine ("lotic" or flowing water). Principal WAP-listed threats to these habitats, which this project has direct and immediate relevance for, include (and are followed by their relevant WAP objectives in quotation marks): Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity - "1) Fire is excluded from habitats in which potential burns now would be frequent, large, and destructive to soils and native vegetation; the habitats are being actively managed (treated) to reduce components or factors that promote risk of catastrophic fire, such as cheatgrass, excessive conifer encroachment, or unnaturally large stands of mature Gambel oak. 2) Fire is returned to habitats from which it had been unnaturally excluded; the fire regime (frequency and intensity) in these habitats generally approximates a natural, pre-settlement regime." Invasive Plant Species - Non-native - "1) Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. 2) Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic (ecologically and economically)." Problematic Plant Species - Native Upland - (due to the statewide, all-habitats-and-species way in which priority threats were identified and then chosen for detailed write-ups, this threat was not considered a statewide, plan-wide priority. However, for certain specific species and habitats, it is a priority threat. This is the case for lowland sagebrush.) Droughts - "1) Terrestrial SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions. 2) Aquatic SGCNs and key habitats persist on the landscape, despite increasing drought conditions." Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) - "Scope and severity of channel downcutting are declining for impacted species and habitats." Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2019. Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain elk habitat throughout the state by identifying and protecting existing crucial elk habitat and mitigating for losses due to human impacts. Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of forage and cover on 250,000 acres of elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and upper elevation elk winter range by the end of this plan. Recreation Management Goal: Provide a diversity of elk hunting and viewing opportunities throughout the state. Recreation Objective 2: Increase opportunities for viewing of elk while educating the public concerning the needs of elk and the importance of habitat. Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan Goal A. Maintain and Improve Wild Turkey Populations to Habitat or Social Carrying Capacity Objective1.Stabilize populations that are declining outside of natural population fluctuations; especially through catastrophic events (i.e. following fires, severe winters, etc.). Strategy c: Conduct habitat projects to address limiting factors. Objective 2.Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide by 2020. Strategy d: Conduct habitat improvement projects in limiting habitat(s). Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018, specifically: Sec. 6. Collaborative Partnerships. To reduce fuel loads, restore watersheds, and improve forest, rangeland, and other Federal land conditions, and to utilize available expertise and efficiently deploy resources, the Secretaries shall expand collaboration with States, tribes, communities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Secretarial Order 3372: (2)(b) Coordinate and Collaborate with Land-Managing Partners and Stakeholders. Managing wildfire is not unique to the Department. The Department shares this responsibility with other Federal land-managing Agencies, States, Territories, Tribes, localities and stakeholder groups. (c) Utilize active Land, Vegetation, and Wildfire Management Techniques that are supported by Best Practices and Best Available Science.

Although this project does not directly address fire and fuels, it improves the connectivity of mainstem river habitats and ensures that important fish populations have access to a broader array of habitats ensuring population resiliency if a fire or catastrophic flood occurs higher in the watershed. Furthermore, improving connection of the stream to the floodplain creates an effective riparian buffer and fuel break for fire

Improvement of access trail and the limiting of motorized vehicle access in conjunction with streambed rehabilitation will reduce erosive potential of the stream and improve water quality. Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended solids, effective sediment transport, increased dissolved oxygen, decreased overall water temperatures and potentially increased base flows. Furthermore, with the reduction in sediment being contributd to Red Fleet Reservoir through erosion, there is the potential to save significant storage caacity in the reservoir.

BLM will complete the final phases of NEPA before the project is implemented. Trout Unlimited will obtain a stream alteration permit prior to construction.

Ages Trail and Trailhead BLM will be using standard methods to complete all trail work on BLM managed property. Instream structures in Big Brush Creek. 1. Rosgen methodology will be employed to design of structures on bends previously identified as highly erodible and devoid of pool habitat for fishes. 2. A heavy equipment operator will be contracted to put rock and wood material in place for the five structures. 3. Willow poles and waddles will be placed in and around the as they are being built or shortly after (within 6 months) to establish a riparian plant buffer resistant to erosion. 4. Container stock and seed will be planted to rehabilitate areas disturbed during the construction process. A planting plan will be presented to the county prior to purchasing plants and/or seed.

Fisheries monitoring will follow the standard sampling cycle established by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Furthermore, the High Desert Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited will "hook-and-line" monitor the stream reach regularly and report on conditions of the instream structures and request maintenance as needed. The chapter will also seek for stream water quality monitoring equipment through Trout Unlimited's Science Team and contribute data to the large-scale Population Viability Analysis being undertaken by Trout Unlimited. Standardized photo points will be established for chapter members to use to report conditions of habitat work.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has supported this project through written letters to the BLM. The BLM has contributed to this point with review of plans and will review the NEPA documents once completed. The Dino Trail Committee has submitted letters of support to the BLM. Trout Unlimited will contribute financially to the project and act as project manager. High Desert Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited will contribute volunteer hours for planting and monitoring the project. We will work to bring Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of REclamationon board with the project before design is complete and construction has started.

Trailhead maintenance will be done by BLM in the future. The High Desert Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited will report on maintenance needs of habitat structures. The fishery will be monitored and maintained by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

This section of stream is being constructed to promote multiple use recreation. The Ages Trail will be an important part of recreation access to Red Fleet Reservoir and Steinaker Reservoir and will promote angler access along Big Brush Creek and in both reservoirs. Additionally, the stream will hold or grow more quality fish (which for the most part it currently lacks) that will come with adding quality fish habitat. Deep cover with complex habitat has consistently been a problem for this reach, otherwise this stream has a long fish growing season and abundant forage opportunity. The instream structures will prevent any further excessive erosion on Big Brush Creek below the highway. BLM, as the primary land manager, will create and manage plans for grazing. Reconnection of the flood plain to the stream will promote growth of grasses and forbs promoting use as a wildlife corridor, mostly or big game.

09/01/2019

06/30/2021

2021

We contracted with Sunrise engineering to design three in-stream structures to improve habitat in Brush Creek. The final design of these structures was completed in June 2020.

This project was meant to improve in stream habitat in Brush Creek in an area that was slated to be turned into a nature trail near Vernal Utah. The engineering of the structures was completed but there was multiple road blocks in getting the permitting to complete the project. More specifically we needed to get NEPA completed which was to be done by the BLM. Unfortunately the permitting was not completed as we ran up against private landowner easement issues. The private landowner agreed to the easement as long as the county would make the road a class d road. We are still awaiting word from the county on the road and thus have decided to stop working on this project and return the unspent funds to WRI.

We will resubmit this project in the future once the NEPA is completed and we can move forward with construction.