This upland mountain does not have water on it and therefore it is not utilized efficiently by the cattle.The other pastures do not have water year round and rely on intermittent stream water and ponds. This situation creates greater pressure on the riparian areas, and areas where troughs do exist. This project is needed to get cattle distributed across the landscape relieving pressure from the riparian areas and more evenly utilizing the range resources. This will improve range land health and sage grouse habitat. This will also allow for increased grazing management and a more efficient rotational grazing system.

Gravity flow water from the existing livestock watering systems to the uplands and under watered pastures to facilitate a rotational grazing system. This will also distribute water across the landscape to improve grazing distribution, wildlife habitat and watershed health. The Grazing improvement Program (GIP) has committed to complete the contracting and CRI for this project and will be an active partner.

Without this project the watershed, upland and riparian health will remain at status quo. This ground will continue to sit idle, except when climatic conditions allow for grazing. Proper grazing distribution would help to improve the riparian, Sage Grouse habitat and overall watershed health.

West Box Elder CRMP Objectives/Strategies (2 objectives): a) Implement improvements to improve forage and grazing opportunities. b) Grazing invasive plants- initiate early season grazing of cheatgrass or other annual non-native invasive plants. This project addresses improving grazing management and controlling cheatgrass and other invasive species. Improving diversity of understory species and browsing species in sage-steppe. This project is found within important sagebrush habitat and supported by the WBCRP and WBCD supervisors. http://www.utahcbcp.org/htm/groups/boxelder Utah Greater Sage grouse Mgt. Plan 2013 Objectives/Strategies (11 objectives): a) Enhance an average of 25,000 acres of sage-grouse habitat in Sage-grouse Management Areas annually. b) Increase the total amount of sage-grouse habitat acreage within Sage-grouse Management Areas by an average of 50,000 acres per year, through management actions targeting Opportunity Areas. c) 5.2 Invasive Species- Habitat loss due to invasive species, such as... cheatgrass and others are a serious threat to greater sage-grouse habitat. These species displace native communities, and alter the soil and environment in a way that makes reestablishment of native ecosystems very difficult. An aggressive response to new infestations is key to keeping invasive species from spreading. Every effort should be made to identify and treat new infestations before they become larger problems. Additionally containment of known infestations in or near sagebrush habitats should be a high priority for all land management agencies. d) Livestock grazing is a major resource use in most SGMAs, and can be an effective tool to improve habitat quality and seasonal nutrition, and thereby enhance local populations. e) 5.1.5 Consider the use of prescriptive grazing to specifically reduce fire size and intensity. This could be particularly effective in areas where cheatgrass is encroaching on sagebrush habitat. This will require cooperation and coordination among different land managers and owners and livestock owners. f) .9 Improper Livestock Grazing- Livestock grazing is a major resource use in most SGMAs, and can be an effective tool to improve habitat quality and seasonal nutrition, and thereby enhance local populations. Existing grazing operations which utilize recognized rangeland best management practices increase the necessary vegetation, and thereby increase the potential for nesting success and population recruitment. Should concerns be raised about the effect of grazing on sage-grouse, and such effects are documented over a sufficiently long time-frame, corrective management actions should be addressed through the best management practices identified by the Department of Agriculture and Food's Grazing Improvement Program. (UDAF GIP). g) .9.1 Rangeland habitat treatments to improve grazing should fully consider the impact on sage grouse seasonal habitat during planning and implementation. h) 9.2 Address incompatible grazing strategies through established rangeland management practices consistent with the maintenance or enhancement of habitat. i) .9.3 Allocate funds and effort to the development of grazing strategies that will enhance or improve habitat for the preservation of greater sage-grouse. j) Maintain forb cover greater than 10% and grass cover greater than 10% during nesting/brood-rearing season; k) Maintain or improve wet meadows, when present; and This plan will help toward the acreage goals for enhancement and increased Sage grouse habitat by improving rangeland health and diversity with improved grazing management. Part of the plan is to enhance wet meadows by relieving grazing pressure from the riparian corridor. The fire risk and invasive species invasion will also benefit from this project. https://wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/sage-grouse/pdf/greater_sage_grouse_plan.pdf Utah's Comprehensive Wildlife Management Strategy or Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) Objectives/Strategies (4 objectives): Mountain Sagebrush and Lowland Shrub a) Funding restoration that reduces older age classes and stimulate younger age classes...treat non-native invasive species... b) Continue the development of new restoration techniques suited to this habitat. c) Deploying techniques to diversify the understory species composition and age classes of decadent even-aged sagebrush stands. d) Promoting management that includes ... that will lead to increased resiliency and resistance in the plant community. This plan addresses invading cheatgrass, mitigation of non-native invasive species, new restoration techniques (grazing management with this project), and diversification through grazing of understory species composition in mountain and lowland sagebrush steppe. http://wildlife.utah.gov/cwcs/ Governor's Executive Order EO/2015/001 Objectives/Strategies (1 objective): The Order ensures state agencies will conform to the Conservation Plan and make management and policy decisions that (1) "maintain, improve and enhance Greater Sage-Grouse habitat." State agencies will continue to work with federal agencies to assure the conservation needs of the bird. The purpose of this plan is to improve and enhance Sage grouse habitat through improved grazing management. http://www.rules.utah.gov/execdocs/2015/ExecDoc156045.htm NRCS SGI 2.0 Objectives/Strategies (2 objectives): a) Reduce threats...by grazing sustainably ...re-vegetating disturbed areas and combatting noxious weeds. Avoid further loss of sagebrush grazing lands to wildfire by reducing annual grass threat. c) Avoid further loss of riparian edges, wet meadows, restore and enhance degraded mesic areas to help increase (Sage grouse) populations." This plan will support this initiative by improving grazing distribution, management, sustainability and enhancing degraded wet meadows. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjcn47rzK_KAhWLaz4KHVyACisQFggiMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcs.usda.gov%2Fwps%2FPA_NRCSConsumption%2Fdownload%3Fcid%3Dnrcseprd391816%26ext%3Dpdf&usg=AFQjCNHWGtF7AMa-Zb9dz3eZ82IG9FdBbQ State of Utah Hazard Mitigation Plan (March 2011) Objectives/Strategies (1 objective): a) The proposed action accomplishes statewide goals including 1) Protection of natural resources and the environment, when considering mitigation measures and 2) Minimize the risk of wildfire (p12). http://publicsafety.utah.gov/emergencymanagement/documents/IntroductionMarch2011.pdf Box Elder County Resource Management Plan (14 objectives listed) 7.3.3 Management Objective--- Support vegetation management activities to reduce risk of property damage and uncharacteristic fires and to maintain vegetation habitats within historic range of variation. Policies and Guidelines * Conduct vegetation management to maintain or return vegetation communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species. * Focus on approximating natural disturbances and processes by restoring composition, age class diversity, patch sizes, and patterns for all vegetation types. * Fuel load reduction projects through thinning, harvesting, and other mechanical means. 15.2 Desired Future State- Box Elder County desires that public lands continue to provide livestock grazing. The county desires grazing to be used as a tool to improve resource and watershed health, forage productivity, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities while reducing invasive weed species and the risk of wildfire. 15.3.2 Management Objective- Encourage range vegetation management to support maximum sustainable forage growth. 18.3.1 Management Objective- Control, prevent, and reduce noxious weed infestations throughout the County. * Encourage the use of grazing as a weed management tool through proper timing, intensity and duration to control weed infestations. 21.2 Desired Future State Box Elder County desires to protect and restore functioning and connected riparian areas while increasing resiliency and adaptation to change. 21.3.1 Management Objective- Maintain and restore riparian areas. * Support projects and management efforts that protect or restore riparian ecosystems, increasing the riparian area's resiliency and ability to be used for multiple purposes. * Support education efforts about best management practices in riparian areas including managed grazing and weed control in riparian areas. 21.3.2 Management Objective- Increase riparian resilience by managing riparian areas for multiple uses that don't degrade the resource. 22.3.2 Management Objective- Provide connectivity between fragmented habitats that support at-risk wildlife and plant species. 22.3.3 Management Objective- Encourage the protection of open lands that support at-risk wildlife and plant species. 22.3.4 Management Objective- Restore degraded habitats where at-risk wildlife and plant species are found. * Limit grazing in sensitive areas, including riparian areas and aquatic habitats. * Restore or maintain hydrologic functions of water bodies and waterways. * Promote aquatic habitat protection. 25.3.1 Management Objective- Protect, maintain, and/or improve water quality and watersheds. *Identify watershed areas not in properly functioning condition. Improve plant species composition, ground cover and age class diversity in these areas. * Maintain and/or restore stream channel integrity, channel processes, and sediment regimes (timing, volume, character of sediment input/transport) under which riparian & aquatic ecosystems developed. * Discourage unauthorized cross-country Off Highway Vehicle use in the county to reduce impacts to streams and riparian areas. * Designated watershed protection areas should not be developed in order to preserve the hydrologic activity important for conserving the county's valuable water resources. 25.3.2 Management Objective Review, study, and develop a water storage project in the western portion of the county 26.3.2 Management Objective-Support a watershed that maximizes water yield and water quality to meet present and future needs including water for livestock, wildlife, and human uses. 27.3.1 Management Objective- Conserve and enhance wetland and riparian area functions and values.[2] ...soliciting Utah Department of Wildlife Resources assistance in wetland/riparian habitat enhancement efforts.[3] This project supports all these count resource management goals and objectives. This project will be completed an the same ground NRCS has already cost shared with to remove encroaching junipers.

NRCS has cost shared with Jed to remove the junipers on this upland mountain project site. Therefore the Juniper have been removed and the whips are in the process of being controlled. The area has been seeded with an approved SGI seed mix, but cheat grass remains in the project area and threatens expansion. This water project will allow for increased grazing and its appropriate management of timing and intensity. Proper grazing would reduce fine fuels like cheat grass and other annual weeds and improve the perennial vegetation, therefore increasing the resistance and resilience of fire on the land. This project will compliment the SGI work NRCS has completed, and further reduce fire risk.

The overall water quantity accessible year round across the landscape will increase, allowing more sites where both livestock and wildlife can access water. The water quality would not be negatively affected.

This project has all water rights secured (WR# 11-845 & 11-849). A portion of this project will take place on private land that has previously been disturbed by NRCS SGI practices (Juniper chaining and seeding). The project areas will have a CRI completed before implementation. This project will take place on private land where NEPA is not applicable.

After the cultural clearance process is completed the land owners and GIP will make arrangements to install the needed practices to complete the livestock watering systems. HDPE pipe will be ripped in using a D9 dozer running from the existing line and troughs to the new tire trough sites. These systems will be gravity fed and free flowing the overflow water will return to the original channels, creating a wet mesic area for wildlife.

The GIP coordinator will manage this contract, monitor its progress and make sure it is completed according to GIP's standards and specifications. Landowner will monitor its day to day use and provide the needed maintenance of the systems.

The Grazing Improvement Program will provide the CRI, contracting and technical assistance for this project. The Landowner will contribute at least 25% of this project cost in labor and funding. The West Box CRMP and local Conservation District support and encourage these projects.

Jed has installed several hundreds of systems across the states of Utah, Idaho and Nevada. Many of his own existing systems on his ranch have been in place for 10-20 years, he knows the importance of these projects and how to maintain these systems. The landowner will provide maintenance as needed to the systems. GIP will work with him where needed to improve his greazing systems and practices to improve rangeland health and productivity.

Currently 1640 AUMs will be positively effected by this project with a potential increase of usable AUMs in the upland site. Cattle health and productivity will increase. Watershed health and economic sustainability will also improve.This project will provide for the sustainable use of range resources into the future, and help insure the economic viability of ranching, thus leaving open spaces for wildlife and recreational uses in Utah for generations to come.

07/01/2019

06/30/2020

2020

After the cultural clearance process was completed the land owner installed the planned practices to complete the livestock watering systems. just under 2 miles of HDPE pipe was ripped in using a D9 dozer running from the existing lines and troughs to the 6 new 12 ft. tire troughs. These systems are gravity fed and free flowing the overflow water will return to the original channels, creating a wet mesic area for wildlife.

Water from the existing livestock watering systems was piped to the uplands and under watered pastures to facilitate a rotational grazing system. This distributed water across the landscape to improve grazing distribution, wildlife habitat and watershed health.

The landowner has installed several hundreds of systems across the states of Utah, Idaho and Nevada. Many of his own existing systems on his ranch have been in place for 10-20 years, he knows the importance of these projects and how to maintain these systems. The landowner will provide maintenance as needed to the systems and ensure that they stay functioning.