Currently water distribution across the Carmel Jct. and Barracks Point allotments is lacking. On the Carmel Jct. allotment there one spring that provides water to wildlife and cattle that sometimes go dry depending on the year. On the Barracks Point allotment there is no live water and the permittees haul water to two different water haul locations while their cattle are in the allotment. The rest of the year there is no water on the allotment other than what they leave in the haul tanks.

1. Provide reliable water to mule deer in crucial migration range (especially during the months of October- December when water is typically short in this area). 2. Provide reliable water to cattle during the summer, fall, and winter. 3. Provide reliable water for sage brush obligates such as sage thrashers, bewicks wrens, etc.. and other wildlife species year round.

WRI has completed approximately 1,000 acres of treatment just north of the area over the past 10 years. Currently water is not distributed evenly across the project area and grazing pressure is not distributed as evenly as it could be. By not doing a water system we continue to graze in an uneven pattern. This will also allow year around water for wildlife and allow them to spread out and use the entire range. But especially during the fall migration.

This project is in conformance with the Kanab Field Office Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed October 31, 2008. Numerous other management plans have identified the need for these projects, including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer (2008). Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005). Of particular concern within this area are: Mule deer, and shrub steppe (key habitat). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Mangement Plan for Mule Deer (2008). Other plans that relate to the proposed project are: Utah Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005), and Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005), Zion deer herd managment plan.

The project would provide for proper distribution throughout the project area, which would reduce fuel loads throughout the affected allotments.

Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by ensuring proper distribution of livestock throughout the affected allotments. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration.

Most of the affected are has been surveyed for Archeolgy as a part of the WRI vegetation work that has taken place. BLM will complete the survey on the remaining portions and complete SHPO consultation before implementation of the project. NEPA for this project was started on April 1, 2019 and should be complete in the summer/early fall.

Pipe would be ripped into the ground using a dozer and a ripper. Troughs and tanks would be installed with covers or escape ramps to facilitate the use and protection of wildlife species.

Availability of water for use by wintering mule deer will be monitored BLM personnel during critical months of October through March. Vegetative monitoring will be conducted by BLM on BLM lands as it relates to prescribed grazing program.

BLM is partnering on this project with the UDWR, and Esplin Livestock the permittee that grazes cattle on these allotments.

After the installation of the pipe and troughs BLM will assign the maintenance to the Permittee through a Cooperative Range improvement agreement. The Permittee on these allotments will then be responsible for maintenance on the system.

Domestic Livestock will see a large benefit from this project as it will serve the Carmel Jct. and Barracks Point allotments with reliable water. Migrating mule will be greatly benefited as they have an adequate and reliable source of water throughout the year. Currently the permittee has to haul large amounts of water in the fall/winter months to supplement the spring that dry's up or produces limited water in the late summer and fall.