The current vegetation communities are in a condition that a natural fire start would be uncharacteristically hot, difficult to control, and would be a major threat to private land and other developments in Ephraim Canyon. Based on recent experiences (e.g., Seeley, Trail Mountain, Pole Creek and Coal Hollow wildfires), the results of such a fire would likely lead to overland flow, erosion, and debris flows from storm events that would have negative impacts far downstream from the National Forest System lands. The New Canyon Phase 2 project will begin to address the potential damage to the New Canyon Watershed from catastrophic fire by removing conifer and transitioning fuels back to an early seral aspen stand.

Mechanically remove encroaching conifer from aspen stands on approximately 162.8 acres surrounding New Canyon reservoir. Additionally, thin and pile approximately 27 acres in the New Canyon River Bottoms. This is designed to be phase 2 of a multi-year project in New Canyon. Additional actions on Federal property within the 5,700 acres include commercial harvest of beetle kill spruce, potential commercial harvest of live trees, hand-thin & pile, mastication, mechanical thin & firewood removal, and prescribed burning. Overall objectives for the 5,700 acre project include: * Reduce fine fuel loading (< 3 inches diameter) to less than 5 tons per acre. * Reduce the overall size of a probable stand replacing fire. * Increase the probability that fire suppression forces would control a wildfire before it reached private property. * Increase the amount of aspen in the watershed as a means of lowering fuel loading. Project Specific objectives include: * Reduce under-story fuels beneath 90 year old Ponderosa Pine. * Introduce first-entry prescribed burning in fire adapted Ponderosa Pine stands after mitigating potential for crown fire. * Maintain 5-10 year fire return interval within these stands. * Protect critical infrastructure within and adjacent to New Canyon.

Public Health and Safety: There are several private in-holdings cabins, summer homes (Skyline Villas), and camps south of the project and immediately adjacent to the Forest Boundary. New Canyon reservoir is a municipal and agricultural water source for the community of Ephraim with a water facility and pipelines in the canyon bottom. New Canyon is also a high use recreational site for hiking, fishing, OHV use, and hunting accessed by Forest Road 39. Ingress and egress is limited to one lane traffic. Vehicles are unable to pass by each other on the road when traveling in opposite directions due to a lack of turnouts and passing lanes. Electrical power-lines bisect the project area supplying electricity to Horseshoe Flat Communication towers. Vegetation & Fuels: In the Ponderosa Pine, brush, oak and juniper are increasing creating a dense continuous under-story ladder fuels. This situation is conducive to large, intense fires meaning less opportunity for control. Fires in this vegetation type will likely lead to fire in the other upland vegetation types including aspen and mixed conifer and spruce/fir uphill from this stand. This will impact watershed values, vegetative conditions, wildlife habitat, and other resource values if large stand replacing fire events occur. Within the Ponderosa Pine there have been no fire history disturbances since the trees were planted in the 1930s. Historical fire in Ponderosa Pine typically burns on the surface cleaning up forest litter and dense saplings. Existing vegetation conditions such as species composition, canopy closure and pattern, and structure underneath the Ponderosa are components of concern for this project. The concern comes from potential stand replacement, in-holdings adjacent to the project area, developments within the project area, and municipal water developments and the probability that wildfire occurring would result in large scale high intensity wildfire similar to the wildfires seen in recent years (2012 Seeley, 2018 Coal Hollow, 2018 Bald Mountain, and 2018 Trail Mountain wildfires). Watershed: New Canyon reservoir is a municipal and agricultural water source for the community of Ephraim with a water diversion facility and pipelines in the canyon bottom. The project area encompasses 303 acres within Middle Sanpitch River 12th order Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 15,281 acres. Based on recent experiences (e.g., Seeley Wildfire), the results of such a fire would likely lead to overland flow, erosion, and debris flows from storm events that would have negative impacts far downstream from the National Forest System lands and municipal watersheds. Wildlife Habitat: Habitat for sensitive species such as the Northern goshawk and Three toed-woodpecker are currently at risk from catastrophic high severity wildfire. Mule Deer and Elk use this area throughout the year for habitat and feed. Implementation of this project reduces the risk of wildfires impacting these sensitive species. Design criteria are also included to help minimize short-term impacts to these species.

This document tiers to the Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement. The proposal has been reviewed to identify conformance with Forest Plan management direction. It complies with the Forest Plan and meets specific direction to: 1. Minimize hazards from wildfire (LRMP III-5). Human life (firefighter and public safety) is the highest priority during a fire. Once firefighters have been assigned to a fire, their safety becomes the highest value to be protected. Property and natural and cultural resources are lower priorities (Utah Fire Amendment). 2. Maintain a healthy forest by applying appropriate silvicultural treatments (LRMP III-3). The desired condition for this landscape and its component stands provides for healthy stands with varied successional stages of trees and stands (LRMP III-2). 3. Reduce hazardous fuels. The full range of fuel reduction methods is authorized, consistent with forest and management area emphasis and direction (III-43). 4. Ecosystems are restored and maintained, consistent with land uses and historic fire regimes, through wildland fire use and prescribed fire (LRMP III-5). 5. Manage stands in a manner that promotes properly functioning conditions and habitat conditions suitable for the northern goshawk (LRMP III-3). 6. Use timber management to meet other management or resource needs (LRMP III-4). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Elk Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Sanpete Face area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (elk). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit elk. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Mule Deer Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Sanpete Face area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (deer). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit mule deer. The Northern goshawk in Utah: habitat assessment and management recommendations: In Forest Plan direction for the Northern goshawk, forest vegetation structural stage classes are discussed and how they relate to preference by goshawk for nesting, post fledgling family areas, or rearing and teaching of young and foraging. Careful consideration has been given to Northern goshawk territories found within the project boundaries. Territories will be part of the mosaic pattern designed as "leave" areas for prescribed burn and mechanical treatments. Creating age class diversity through the implementation of this project will ensure future habitat as well as habitat for prey used by goshawk is maintained. National Cohesive Strategy: By means of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning at a landscape scale, the resulting mosaic of early and late successional forests will work toward the goal of restoring and maintaining resilient landscapes, one of the three goals described in the National Cohesive Strategy. State of Utah Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy: The Willow Fuels Project aligns with the mission of the State of Utah's Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy. The project has developed a comprehensive and systematic approach toward reducing the size, intensity and frequency of catastrophic wildland fires on the Sanpete Face through a collaborative process. The project reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire occurrence negatively affecting property, air quality and water systems. State of Utah Forest Action Plan: The Willow Fuels Project addresses all three of the key goals laid out in the Forest Action Plan: conserve and manage working forest landscapes for multiple values and uses, protect forests from threats and enhance public benefits from trees and forests. Wood products will be available through firewood permits, timber sales and stewardship contracts in accordance with the Willow Fuels Project NEPA documentation and the Manti-La Sal National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. All actions called for in the Willow Fuels Project work together to reduce wildfire and forest health threats to the surrounding forests and reduce the potential for long-term degradation of forested watersheds on the Sanpete Face. Sanpete County Resource Management Plan: Objective A. Healthy forests are managed for multiple uses, most importantly water quality and watershed protection. Additional support and direction listed throughout this document defining county objectives, policies and desired management practices. Ephraim and Willow Creek Community Fire Plan: Goal B: Community will work with county, state and federal fire officials to decrease fuels on adjacent public lands to reduce wildfire intensity and impact in and around the community. This project works to achieve Goal B of the Ephraim and Willow Creek CWPP by reducing fuel loading and lowering the potential of wildland fire spread across the Sanpete Face.

The Willow-New Canyon fuels project treatments would be implemented to effectively restore resilient, fire-adapted aspen ecosystems on a landscape-scale and across boundary by moving the stands toward properly functioning condition in terms of composition (species diversity) and density (crown spacing and fuel loading). In addition the treatments would improve structural diversity, promote browse species and recruitment, reduce the hazardous fuel loading, and reduce the continuity of fuels across the Sanpete Face landscape; thus mitigating the risks and damage associated with a high intensity, high severity, uncharacteristic/catastrophic wildfire and where appropriate, expand opportunities to manage fire for resource benefits and meet Manti-La Sal Land and Resource Management Plan objectives. The stands associated with this project are in a Fire Regime I Condition Class 3 (High Departure). A Fire Regime I is a 0- 35 year fire frequency and low (surface fires most common) to mixed severity (less than 75% of the dominant overstory vegetation replaced). Condition Class 3 is high departure from this regime and is considered outside the natural (historic) range of variability. Consequently, fire suppression actions necessary to protect private lands associated structures would be difficult given the nature of the fuels in the area. Within the New Canyon Project Area a lack of disturbance including wildfire suppression have changed stands from fire adapted aspen to dense conifer with under-story ladder fuels increasing the potential for unwanted stand replacement fire. Because of prolonged drought, dense canopy, and increase of ladder fuels it is highly probable the project area will undergo a uncharacteristic high intensity stand replacing fire. Additionally, in the vicinity of the Willow Project are several private in-holdings (cabins, recreational developments), power lines, municipal water developments, which would be a great risk in the event of such a fire.

Project treatments will result in short to moderate term impacts to water quality, but project design features will prevent long-term degradation. Project treatments will considerably lessen the risk of uncharacteristic large scale high severity fires that could result in long-term watershed degradation. By maintaining watershed function, long-term water quality will be maintained or enhanced. By removing pinyon/juniper, oak, and decadent brush it is anticipated that water quantity will be enhanced (seeps, springs, bogs--improved). As documented in the Final Record of Decision, this project is compliant with the Clean Water Act. Fire behavior over the last 2 decades have illustrated the potential for large uncontrollable fires across the Manti-La Sal with current fuel loading and conifer stand densities. A large wildlife would likely lead to large flood events. Water quantity could increase but most increase would be associated with storm events or early snow melt. This would likely lead to channel instability and down-cutting. Ash, erosion from the fire, and erosion from channel adjustments would decrease water quality by increasing water turbidity and sediment loads. These effects could lead to extirpation of fish populations if the area burned was large enough. Water quantity (and quality) would return to near baseline levels as vegetation recovered over time, but channel adjustments such as down-cutting post-fire would likely have long-term consequences such as reduced areas of riparian habitat and wet meadows.

The Willow-New Canyon Fuels Project was analyzed under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA) authority. This project was subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218. Subsequently, the final EA and draft DNFONSI made available on June 20, 2017 were subject to review and objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218 regulations. A biological assessment was completed and determined there would be no effect to any federally listed species, proposed species, or critical habitat. The project complies with the Endangered Species Act consultation requirements using Counterpart Consultation Regulations and the Endangered Species Act (USDA Forest Service 2015a). A biological evaluation was completed for sensitive species. This project may impact individuals or habitat of the northern goshawk and three-toed woodpecker, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or loss of viability to the populations or species of these Forest Service sensitive species. There was a no impact determination on other Forest Service sensitive species (USDA Forest Service 2015b). Although there are wetlands and floodplains or flood prone areas in the project area, no adverse effects are anticipated. Design features have been included in the proposed action that minimize disturbance in these areas and provide for protection. The practices controlling operations are effective in minimizing disturbance when fully and properly implemented. Implementation is typically good for timber sale operations and road construction. No adverse effects are expected to the municipal supply watershed or drinking water source area (USDA Forest Service 2017a). The action meets the intent of the Clean Water Act and Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. The project area is not within or adjacent to any congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. The project area is not within a research natural area. The project contains Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Mastication and burning would occur within the Big Horseshoe Roadless Area. Regional staff reviewed the project for consistency with the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR) and concur the project is compliant with the 2001 RACR (USDA Forest Service 2015c). Cultural resource surveys have been completed for the proposed project. Consultation has been conducted with appropriate tribes. Design features for the management and protection of cultural resources have been included (USDA Forest Service 2016b). The State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) was consulted and has concurred with the determination of No Historic Properties Affected. This proposal is consistent with to assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and implement a resource management plan for each unit of the National Forest System. The EA and supporting documents, including specialist's reports in the Project Record, document interdisciplinary review as required by NEPA. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act implements various bilateral treaties and conventions between the United States and four other counties for the protection of migratory birds. Under the act, taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds is unlawful. No adverse impacts would occur to any of the potentially occurring migratory bird species as a result of the Proposed Action. A wildlife specialist's report is included in the project record (USDA Forest Service 2015b). There are no designated wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or National Recreation Areas within or nearby the proposed Potters Canyon project area. This Executive Order requires consideration of whether projects would disproportionately impact minority or low-income populations. This decision complies with the executive order. Public involvement was conducted for this project, the results of which I have considered in this decision-making. Public involvement did not identify any adversely impacted local minority or low-income populations. Therefore, this decision is not expected to adversely impact minority or low-income populations.

Mechanically cut and pile all conifer from approximately 88.2 acres surrounding the New Canyon reservoir. Hand cut and pile small diameter and dead/down fuels directly next to New Canyon reservoir to remove fire danger and still protect view-shed for recreation. Hand thin and pile 27 acres in the New Canyon River Bottoms. Piles will later be burned to reduce hazardous fuel loading. Once treatments have been completed around the reservoir future prescribed fire will be utilized to remove conifer from aspen on steeper slopes above the reservoir.

The prescription is reviewed and adhered to by the implementation crew. The Fuels Specialist, Fire Management Officer, and Siliviculturist periodically assess the treated areas for compliance with management objectives, and are consulted on a case by case basis by the implementation crew when special situations arise. Migratory bird, Northern Goshawk, and Golden Eagle surveys to be conducted prior to implementation and breeding areas buffered in order to minimize disturbance. Post-treatment photopoints, video documentation, migratory bird surveys. Approximately 5 years after completion of a cutting unit, the treatment sites are reviewed for maintenance treatment needs by the Silviculturist, Fuels Specialist, FMO, or wildlife biologist. No re-entry of equipment has been deemed necessary within 5 years of initial treatment on previously completed units.

US Forest Service - Manti-La Sal National Forest. Utah Department of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.

Future years include treating all 5,700 acres through mechanical treatments, commercial harvesting, and prescribe burning. Monitoring and treatment of noxious weed/invasive species will be implemented by USFS personnel and funds on federal property throughout the project.

The project area is designated as important big game habitat for mule deer and elk. Recreationalists use the area for hiking, big game hunting, and antler collection. Two Federal Range management Units (RMU) will be directly affected by Phase 1: Maple Canyon (subunit of Willow Creek S&G) and North Pasture (subunit of South Ephraim C&H). The amount of forage available to livestock is expected to increase significantly as a result of this project. With the removal of conifers and oak the amount of usable grasses and forbs in the aspen understory is also expected to increase significantly. With increased forage livestock distribution and management is expected to improve. Many areas that are currently unproductive due to overgrowth will soon become desirable for future uses by livestock. All areas within the Willow EA will be evaluated post treatment by District Range Specialist and will be rested from grazing for the appropriate amount of time to allow for the growth of aspen and forbs.

10/15/2020

09/30/2021

2022

The New Canyon Phase 2 project was a combined USFS, FFSL, UDWR looking to treat approximately 189 acres on USFS and private lands in the New Canyon watershed. Final methods included: state contract to hand thin 96 acres of conifer from aspen around New Canyon Reservoir and approximately 18 acres of PJ thinning in the Ephraim River bottom area utilizing FFSL fuels crew.

Project was partially funded $62K in 2020. Contract was awarded to Ecolife in October 2020 to hand thin and pile 88 acres around New Canyon reservoir. Due to snow Ecolife was only able to complete approximately 26 acres and defaulted on remaining acres. Remaining Acres were completed by 3B'S Forestry in conjunction with next phase and were completed in September 2021. FFSL was able to complete approximately 17 acres of hand thinning and chipping in the Ephraim River Bottoms area using DNR fuels crew. BDAs were NOT completed due to lack of funding and difficulty obtaining required water rights and permits. New Canyon phase 2 map was updated to show acres completed with funds awarded in 2020. Remaining acres will be completed in Ephraim Canyon Phase 3 project.

Additional work will be completed in Ephraim Canyon Watershed Restoration Phase 3. Approximately 450 acres of piles will be burned in the New Canyon drainage in the next several years. Additionally, 1000 acres of mixed conifer will be burned In New Canyon to reduce conifer dominance and promote aspen regeneration in the watershed. PALs will be installed instead of BDAs to meet water rights concerns, but still allow for streambed aggradation and wetting of riparian areas.