Juniper trees have encroached into the mountain shrub community that provides critical winter range for deer, elk and moose and habitat for sage-grouse. There is a robust mahogany component in the area but they have very little to no recruitment. By removing junipers there will be an increase in grasses and forbs along with water and the space left by the junipers will hopefully promote mahogany recruitment. There are areas where Junipers are very dense in phase III. We plan to do mastication projects in these areas in the future. This year, we will do archaeological surveys for NEPA for the mastication projects. Also, nearly 8.9 miles of unauthorized routes were identified in the project area using aerial imageries. These unauthorized routes include 21 access points. The unauthorized routes increase motorized access, fragment greater sage-grouse habitat, year-long crucial elk and crucial summer mule deer habitat, increase the spread of noxious weeds and invasive plants, reduce vegetation and site productivity, and increase erosion. Telemetry Studies show elk usually stay more than 800 m from roads, therefore unauthorized routes truncate potential elk habitat. Research shows that mule deer also avoid ATV activities by seeking dense cover. This could result in reduced foraging opportunities and a subsequent reduction in opportunities to put on fat reserve during summer that are needed for winter survival. Decommissioning unauthorized routes would further enhance those restored habitats for mule deer, elk and sage-grouse use. Invasive weeds are threatening the Intermountain West with negative impacts on wildlife habitat, native plant communities, soil and watershed resources, recreation, and aesthetic values. A shift from native vegetation to invasive weeds decrease wildlife forage, reduces species diversity, and increases soil erosion. Activities associated with Pinyon and Juniper removal often serve as a source for new noxious weed invasions, and can also spread existing infestations. Recreational activities in this area also spread noxious and invasive weeds, especially with an increase in unauthorized off-road travel. An attempt to control the spread of noxious weeds in this area will preserve the value of previous habitat improvements associated with vegetation removal, and prevent spread to other areas. The Blacksmith Fork River is an important fishery in Northern Utah and is currently considered a Utah Blue Ribbon Fishery. Left Hand Fork of Blacksmith Fork is a major tributary to Blacksmith Fork and supports the largest remaining population of Bonneville cutthroat trout remaining in this drainage. In addition, this stream provides habitat for both brown trout and brook trout.

To remove junipers thus providing increased forage for deer, elk, moose and cattle. An increase in the above ground water flow in the area and new habitat for sage grouse. Decommissioning unauthorized routes would further enhance those restored habitats for mule deer, elk and sage-grouse use. Controlling the spread of noxious weed infestations within the project area will further enhance habitat improvements. * Improve habitat conditions for the Bonneville Cutthroat trout, (a forest service and state sensitive species) and for other sport fish species. * Improve riparian habitat conditions for a variety of bird species which utilize riparian habitats (e.g. hummingbirds, wild turkey, warblers, sparrows, and various other neotropical migrants) (see Logan Survey site from Utah Riparian Monitoring project for a list of species). * Reduce watershed degradation and sedimentation within streams, riparian areas, and other wetlands (Closure of dispersed campsites that are impacting riparian and fisheries habitat and reduction in size of others along stream). *Repair and replace existing buck and pole fence to continue providing riparian protection for approximately 10 acres. * Improve mule deer and moose habitat (spring, summer, fall, and winter). * Build and maintain partnerships through involvement and assistance in the management of fish and wildlife and their habitat. * Promote National Program Initiatives (e.g. Bring Back the Natives, Million Bucks, Making Tracks, Taking Wing, and Every Species Counts). * Obtain assistance of volunteer groups to involve the public in management and education about fish and wildlife species. * Concentrate dispersed recreational activities in favorable locations where resource effects are reduced. *Enact and enforce rules to reduce campsite impacts to the riparian vegetation and water quality by requiring motor vehicles to park within 25 feet of the site marker and requiring that within 300 feet of the stream campers must have self containment and remove human waste from the site.

Not doing the project will result in continued expansion of the junipers resulting in a loss of more under story, water resources and an overall increase in the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Unauthorized routes increase road density through time. They usually start out small and with repeated use can grow for miles. If these routes are not closed, the outcome will be additional road mileage and increased road density further reducing sage-grouse, mule deer and elk use in these important habitats. The unauthorized routes increase motorized access to and fragment important sage-grouse, year long elk habitat and crucial mule deer summer habitats, increase the spread of noxious weeds and invasive plants, reduce vegetation and site productivity, and increase erosion. Burdock, spotted knapweed, Canada thistle, bull thistle, field bindweed, houndstongue, and dyer's woad have all been documented within the project area. Adverse impacts as a result of noxious weed invasion include a change in the composition of native plant communities, a decrease in biological diversity, undesired shifts in wildlife populations, increased soil disturbance and surface water runoff, decreased water quality, decreased recreational opportunities, and increased economic costs. Many wildlife species are linked to specific native plant communities that are degraded by invasive species. Loss of these communities can lead to higher mortality due to lack of cover and forage. Additionally, the conversion of native perennials to an annual plant mono-culture creates a landscape inhospitable to many pollinator species. Reduction or loss of key pollinators can reduce wildlife forage, and indirectly lead to lower wildlife populations.

Utah's Sage-grouse strategic Management plan: Goal: Protect, maintain, enhance, and restore greater sage-grouse populations, habitats, and the ecosystems that sustain them. Reestablish, augment, and facilitate sustainable populations of greater sage-grouse in suitable habitats to improve statewide population continuity and distribution. Objective B-2: Enhance and restore current and potential sage-grouse habitats and the ecosystems that sustain them. Objective C-2: Identify and secure funding for habitat enhancement, research, monitoring, and maintenance. A. Vegetation management. 1. Manage seasonal sage-grouse habitats in a manner appropriate to the site conditions, and based on habitat assessment or local expert knowledge and observed ecological condition. and 4. Manage for late summer brood-rearing habitat that includes a variety of succulent vegetation adjacent to sagebrush escape and loafing cover. Create or enhance riparian/wet meadow habitat in areas where late brood-rearing habitat is lacking. Strive to manage sagebrush habitats with 10-25% canopy cover. Forest Plan of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Forest wide Goals: 3-Biodiversity & Viability, Goal 3d, Goal 3f., Goal 3g. Goal 3o., The project is consistent with the following Forest Plan Ojective: 3.d. Increase grass and forb production and plant species and age class diversity in sagebrush and pinyon/juniper by treating approximately 2,000 acres average annually1 for a 10-year total of 20,000 acres. Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan: Statewide goal A, Strategy r.Properly manage elk populations to minimize competition with mule deer on crucial mule deer range. Habitat Management Goal B: 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. Strategies A. and B. 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. Strategies c, d e, h. and j. Habitat Objective 2: Reduce adverse impacts to elk herds and elk habitat. Strategies: A. Road Management a) Seek to maintain less than 2 miles of roads per square mile within crucial elk habitat. b) Work cooperatively with UDOT, county, state, and federal agencies to limit the impacts of roads on elk. Recreation Objective 1: Maintain a diversity of elk hunting opportunities. Strategies d) Assist state and federal agencies with the development of travel management plans. Statewide Management Plan for Mule Deer: Habitat Goal and Habitat Objective 1, Strategies a, and b. Habitat Objective 2 and strategies, B, C, D, E, F and H. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts. d. Minimize impacts and recommend mitigation for losses of crucial habitat due to human impacts. j. Support the establishment of multi-agency OHV travel plans developed on a county or federal land management plan level and ongoing efforts to reduce illegal OHV use to prevent resource damage and protect crucial mule deer habitat. k. Where appropriate, work with county, federal and state land management agencies to adopt seasonal motorized route closures to minimize human disturbance in existing crucial mule deer habitats. l. Work with county, state, and federal agencies to limit the negative effects of roads by reclaiming unused roads, properly planning new roads, and installing fencing and highway passage structures where roads disrupt normal mule deer migration patterns. 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. e. Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah. f. Seek opportunities through the Watershed Restoration Initiative to improve aspen communities that provide crucial summer habitat for mule deer. DEER HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN, Deer Herd Unit # 2 (Cache) Meets habitat goals and objecitives for this plan. * Logan, Green, Providence and Blacksmith Fork Canyons. Projects should be focused on removal of encroaching juniper, and reestablishing understory with winter browse species as well as species of plants that can be used in the spring by wintering deer. ELK HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN Elk Herd Unit # 2 Cache: Habitat objective: Maintain and/or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit on winter range to achieve population management objectives. Pay special attention to WMA's and areas were holding elk could alleviate pressure on private landowners experiencing damage by wintering elk.Work with private and federal agencies to maintain and protect critical and existing winter range from future losses. UTAH MOOSE STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN C. Habitat - The primary limiting factor for moose in Utah and across their range is the availability of suitable habitat. - Moose have done well in drier habitats in northern Utah which are dominated by mountain mahogany, Gambel oak, serviceberry, quaking aspen, and burned over coniferous forests A. Habitat Degradation or Loss. - The single biggest influence on moose populations in Utah is the quantity and quality of available habitat. Habitat can be degraded, fragmented, or lost to a variety of causes including human development and plant succession B. Habitat Management Goal: Assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive moose populations. Strategies -- A,D,E Logan Ranger District Travel Management Plan implementation; Wasatch-Cache Forest Plan; Forestwide Goal 3-Biodiversity & Viability Provide for sustained diversity of species at the genetic, populations, community and ecosystem levels. Maintain communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species. Restore or maintain hydrologic functions. Reduce potential for uncharacteristic high-intensity wildfires, and insect epidemics. 3m. Provide for connectivity of continuous large patches of forested habitat for interior forest-dependent and wide-ranging species (such as lynx, wolverine and migratory birds). 3o. Provide adequate habitat components for sustainable big game populations coordinated with State wildlife management agencies, private lands and other resource needs and priorities. 3s. Greatly reduce known infestations of noxious weeds and rigorously prevent their introduction and/or spread. Forestwide Goal 5-Road/Trail and Access Management Provide a road and trail system that is safe, responsive to public and agency needs and desires, affordable and efficiently managed. Provide an access system that minimizes negative ecological effects and is in balance with available funding. Focus on achieving an integrated transportation system that serves multiple functions and is consistent with desired future conditions for a given area. 5d. Manage trails to provide desired recreation opportunities for recreation users and to meet Forest Service standards. Guidelines for Biodiversity and Viability: (G26) Protect key big game calving, fawning and lambing habitat and provide security in summer concentration areas. Greater Sage-grouse ROD, Greater sage-grouse Utah Plan Amendment (FS 2015). GRSG-GRSGH-GL-032-(UT) In priority and general habitat management areas, sagebrush focal areas, and Anthro Mountain, native plant species should be used when possible to maintain, restore, or enhance desired conditions (Table GRSG-GEN-DC3) in Utah. (Amendment #13, September 2015) GRSG-RT-GL-071-Guideline (UT);GRSG-RT-GL-076-Guideline (WY) In priority and general GRSG habitat management areas, sagebrush focal areas, and Anthro Mountain, when decommissioning roads and unauthorized routes, restoration activity should be designed to move habitat towards desired conditions. (Amendment #13 September 16, 2015). State of Utah's new Greater Sage-Grouse Management Plan (2009) --M2 Maintain/protect large contiguous intact sagebrush communities that contain seasonal habitat needs of sage-grouse populations within the state. Logan Ranger District Travel Management Plan implementation; Wasatch-Cache Forest Plan; Forestwide Goal 3-Biodiversity & Viability Provide for sustained diversity of species at the genetic, populations, community and ecosystem levels. Maintain communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species. Restore or maintain hydrologic functions. Reduce potential for uncharacteristic high-intensity wildfires, and insect epidemics. 2a. Identify areas not in properly functioning condition. Improve plant species composition, ground cover and age class diversity in these areas. 2j. Maintain and/or restore habitat to sustain populations of well distributed native and desired non-native plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate populations that contribute to viability of riparian dependent communities. 3m. Provide for connectivity of continuous large patches of forested habitat for interior forest-dependent and wide-ranging species (such as lynx, wolverine and migratory birds). 3o. Provide adequate habitat components for sustainable big game populations coordinated with State wildlife management agencies, private lands and other resource needs and priorities. 3s. Greatly reduce known infestations of noxious weeds and rigorously prevent their introduction and/or spread. Forestwide Goal 5-Road/Trail and Access Management Provide a road and trail system that is safe, responsive to public and agency needs and desires, affordable and efficiently managed. Provide an access system that minimizes negative ecological effects and is in balance with available funding. Focus on achieving an integrated transportation system that serves multiple functions and is consistent with desired future conditions for a given area. 5d. Manage trails to provide desired recreation opportunities for recreation users and to meet Forest Service standards. Guidelines for Biodiversity and Viability: (G25) Integrated weed management should be used to maintain or restore habitats for threatened, endangered, proposed and sensitive plants and other native species of concern where they are threatened by noxious weeds or nonnative plants. When treating noxious weeds comply with policy in Intermountain Region's Forest Service Manual 2080, Supplement #R4 2000-2001-1 (Appendix III). (G26) Protect key big game calving, fawning and lambing habitat and provide security in summer concentration areas. Greater Sage-grouse ROD, Greater sage-grouse Utah Plan Amendment (FS 2015). GRSG-GRSGH-GL-032-(UT) In priority and general habitat management areas, sagebrush focal areas, and Anthro Mountain, native plant species should be used when possible to maintain, restore, or enhance desired conditions (Table GRSG-GEN-DC3) in Utah. (Amendment #13, September 2015) GRSG-RT-GL-071-Guideline (UT);GRSG-RT-GL-076-Guideline (WY) In priority and general GRSG habitat management areas, sagebrush focal areas, and Anthro Mountain, when decommissioning roads and unauthorized routes, restoration activity should be designed to move habitat towards desired conditions. (Amendment #13 September 16, 2015). State of Utah's new Greater Sage-Grouse Management Plan (2009) --M2 Maintain/protect large contiguous intact sagebrush communities that contain seasonal habitat needs of sage-grouse populations within the state. BRFAC Handbook. BRFAC Mission statement: To identify, enhance, and protect those Utah waters and their watersheds that provide, or have the potential to provide, Blue Ribbon quality public angling experiences for the purpose of preserving and enhancing these economically valuable natural resources. 5. Utah Moose Statewide Management Plan: -Initiate prescribed burns and other vegetative treatment projects to improve moose habitat lost to ecological succession or human impacts.

This will reduce the fuel load as the scattered juniper trees break down and decrease the risk of a crown fire. But the area has low fire risk. Unauthorized route can increase the risk of human caused fire due to driving on unmaintained roads. Noxious weeds alter fire regimes, producing a landscape more vulnerable to wildfire. Control of noxious weeds will help decrease the threat of wildfire, and in turn protect the wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities in this area.

By removing junipers there will be an increase in available water. A small one acre area surrounding a pond on the nearby Curtis Creek area was cleared of junipers and the pond has refilled after being dry for years. Noxious and invasive weeds can damage watersheds and increase soil erosion, reducing water quality. To remove junipers thus providing increased forage for deer, elk, moose and cattle. An increase in the above ground water flow in the area and new habitat for sage grouse. Decommissioning unauthorized routes would further enhance those restored habitats for mule deer, elk and sage-grouse use. Controlling the spread of noxious weed infestations within the project area will further enhance habitat improvements. * Improve habitat conditions for the Bonneville Cutthroat trout, (a forest service and state sensitive species) and for other sport fish species. * Improve riparian habitat conditions for a variety of bird species which utilize riparian habitats (e.g. hummingbirds, wild turkey, warblers, sparrows, and various other neotropical migrants) (see Logan Survey site from Utah Riparian Monitoring project for a list of species). * Reduce watershed degradation and sedimentation within streams, riparian areas, and other wetlands (Closure of dispersed campsites that are impacting riparian and fisheries habitat and reduction in size of others along stream). *Repair and replace existing buck and pole fence to continue providing riparian protection for approximately 10 acres. * Improve mule deer and moose habitat (spring, summer, fall, and winter). * Build and maintain partnerships through involvement and assistance in the management of fish and wildlife and their habitat. * Promote National Program Initiatives (e.g. Bring Back the Natives, Million Bucks, Making Tracks, Taking Wing, and Every Species Counts). * Obtain assistance of volunteer groups to involve the public in management and education about fish and wildlife species. * Concentrate dispersed recreational activities in favorable locations where resource effects are reduced. * Enact and enforce rules to reduce campsite impacts to the riparian vegetation and water quality by requiring motor vehicles to park within 25 feet of the site marker and requiring that within 300 feet of the stream campers must have self containment and remove human waste from the site.

NEPA has been completed for lop and scatter project. Asking funding for archaeological clearances to complete NEPA for the future mastication projects. NEPA will be completed by FS for mastication projects. Logan Ranger District Travel Management Plan implementation Ogden Ranger District Travel Management Plan implementation Archeology clearances have already been completed in Left Hand Fork for a previous phase. All work will be coordinated with the Forest Archeologist and the State Historic Preservation Office. NEPA was completed for the earlier phase of the project and the Forest Plan allows for the establishment of Concentrated Use Areas to manage dispersed camping impacts.

Hire contractor to conduct archaeological clearances. Hire a contractor to lop and scatter juniper trees. Crews will be instructed not to cut mahogany. Heavy equipment will be used to close current access points to routes through installing barrier rocks and buck-and-rail fencing where appropriate. A minimum of the first 100 feet of illegal routes will also be ripped and rehabilitated with a Sweco Mini Dozer and/or a Mini Excavator. Areas ripped will then be reseeded using a native grass and forb seed mix approved by the North Zone botanist. In areas with steep grades, erosion cloth will be used to stabilize soils. Noxious Weed Control; A contractor will be used to survey and treat noxious weeds within the project area. Previously mapped noxious weed populations will be verified, and new populations will be recorded as treatment occurs. Accurate identification, mapping, and data entry is essential to ensuring previously known infestations are treated annually, and in determining efficacy of treatments. Chemical control will be the primary treatment method, but manual control may be utilized as appropriate. Herbicides will be applied by qualified applicators. Treatment will begin summer of 2020, with a follow up application planned for the following summer. The contractor will use their own equipment, personal protection equipment, and herbicide to treat weeds. The FS will perform quality control to ensure the objectives are met. Rehabilitate and protect riparian and stream habitat damaged by excessive recreational use along Left Hand Fork Blacksmiths Fork River. Using heavy equipment operated by Forest Service Employees three campsites will be closed and others will be reduced in size and moved away from the stream. Illegal ATV trails will be closed. This will be accomplished by placing barrier rock and buck and pole fence to delineate open and closed areas. Barrier rocks placed in the first phase that have been moved or are no longer effective will be placed so as to better delineate the campsites. Compacted areas will be ripped and seeded. Thirteen hundred feet of buck and pole fence will be repaired. Numbered site post and fire rings will be installed at each dispersed site. Designating dispersed sites, and closing unauthorized routes will increase vegetation production and will provide additional grazing resources.

The project will be monitored and approved by FS fuel specialist and FS biologist. Noxious Weed Control: Locations of new infestations and periodic re-measurements of existing infestations will be recorded in FS NRIS (Natural Resource Information System). NRIS includes a Geographic Information System (GIS) that shows infestation locations, acres infested, and the type of weed infestation. This information will be made available upon request at the end of each calendar year. Actions taken to control noxious weeds and the efficacy of treatments are reported in FACTS (FS Activity Tracking System). Reports generated by FACTS including acres accomplished will be made available upon request at the end of each calendar year. At least 60% of the total acres treated will be reviewed to determine the efficacy of the treatment that occurred by the FS. Personnel from the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache will monitor compliance and encourage visitors to abide by the new rules for dispersed camping and self containment. A program of education and outreach will be enacted with enforcement as needed to protect riparian resources. Areas closed with barrier rock or buck and pole fencing will be evaluated for effectiveness and will be maintained to prevent or reduce access. No new sites will be allowed within 300 feet of the river. All areas seeded as part of this project will be monitored for effectiveness (successful establishment of ground cover) and will be maintained/reseeded if necessary. DWR Biologist will monitor treatments from big game utilization through surveys and collared animals.

This is the fifth phase of combined DWR and FS project in the area. The Forest will work with Hyrum City to better manage recreation on their property and mitigate the impacts to Hyrum City and the surrounding National Forest.

Will do more lop and scatter and bullhog treatments. To be effective, weed treatments will need to continue for at least three consecutive years. The FS will continue to monitor and treat this area utilizing agreements with partners, volunteers, or future WRI maintenance requests. Costs associated with this project are expected to decrease as weed infestations in the area are controlled and eradicated. Areas closed to motor vehicles with barrier rock or buck and pole fencing will be evaluated for effectiveness annually and maintained. No new sites will be allowed within 300 feet of the river. All areas seeded as part of this project will be monitored for effectiveness (successful establishment of ground cover) and will be maintained/reseeded if necessary. Personnel from the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache will monitor compliance and encourage visitors to abide by the new rules for dispersed camping and self containment. A program of education and outreach will be enacted with enforcement as needed to protect riparian resources.

Will increase production and water availability in the areas of treatment. Cattle are run through the South Cache Grazing Association. Controlling noxious and invasive weeds leads to a more resilient landscape, which benefits multiple natural resource components to include: grazing, wildlife and pollinator habitat, and recreation. The establishment of designated sites will sustain the recreational camping within the watershed while reducing riparian impacts. Motor vehicles will be limited to hardened surfaces and will provide for dispersed camping into the future.

07/01/2020

04/30/2022

2022

Additional1,686 acres were treated by lop and scatter. A total of 3515 acres was treated. Treated 200 acres for non-native invasive weeds in 2020 and 2021. Conduct archaeological surveys for 5,451 acres for future mastication projects. Used heavy equipment operated by Forest Service Employees three campsites were closed and others were reduced in size and moved away from the stream. Illegal ATV trails were closed. This was accomplished by placing barrier rock and buck and pole fence to delineate open and closed areas. Barrier rocks placed in the first phase that have been moved or are no longer effective were placed so as to better delineate the campsites. Compacted areas were be ripped and seeded. Thirteen hundred feet of buck and pole fence were repaired. Numbered site post and fire rings were installed at each dispersed site.

The first lop and scatter contract bid came in low, and we had enough funding left to do additional 1,686 acres of lop and scatter treatment. All on the ground work was completed before June 30, 2021 however payments to the USFS for weed treatments were not completed until FY2022.

Juniper mastication projects are planned. The lop and scatter project areas will be monitored and maintained.