Disturbance, whether from fire or mechanical methods, often promotes cheatgrass expansion and dominance. Mastication has been used extensively throughout the West Desert to expand, improve, and protect sagebrush habitat by removing juniper. This disturbance has lead to increased cheatgrass in some areas. The purpose of this project is to control cheatgrass in previously treated areas by using impazapic, a pre-emergent herbicide, which is effective at preventing cheatgrass seed germination and growth. Areas where perennial vegetation is lacking will be seeded.

1. Reduce cheatgrass cover to less than 5% in previously treatment areas. 2. Seed perennial grasses and forbs where lacking; increase perennial grass and forb cover to >10% cover by three years post-seeding.

Removal of cheatgrass will help promote perennial grasses and forbs which in turn helps promote ecological resiliency.

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Reducing cheatgrass and promoting the growth of perennial grasses and forbs will help decrease fire risk.

This project will have little to no impact on water quantity or quality.

The Greater Sheeprocks Sage-grouse Habitat Restoration and Hazardous Fuels Treatment EA completed in August 2017 authorizes the use of imazapic for cheatgrass control.

Aerially apply the granular form of imazapic (Open Range G) at a rate of 11-14 pounds per acre (6-8 ounces liquid equivalent) or liquid Plateau at 6-8 ounces per acre. Application will occur prior to fall germination in four treatment areas: Cherry Creek, Eagle Mountain, Furner Valley, and Stockton. The Eagle Mountain portion is a greenstrip and will be aerially seeded following herbicide. Portions of Stockton will be drill-seeded following herbicide application. Seeding my be delayed for one growing season to allow herbicide to break down and minimize potential impacts to seedlings.

Because we will be working in previous treatment areas we will use previously established monitoring plots. Cheatgrass cover and frequency will be recorded 1, 3 and potentially 5 years post-treatment. Photos will also be taken.

UDWR

This area will be maintained as sagebrush habitat. Potential threats include noxious weed invasion, cross country OHV use, and reinvasion of cheatgrass. Periodic visual inspection, photo points, and vegetation monitoring will occur to assess current conditions and track trends over time. The longevity of the treatment will be maintained by retreating with herbicide and seeding if necessary.

These treatments will help decrease fire potential and support recreation and hunting by maintaining healthy sagebrush ecosystems which are critical to wildlife such as mule deer and other sagebrush dependent species.