The establishment of tamarisk, Russian olive, and other non-native invasive plants along the Dolores River during the 20th century negatively impacted riparian and aquatic habitats. Dense stands of tamarisk displaced native plants, degraded fish and wildlife habitat, reduced livestock forage, limited human access to the river, interfered with the natural fluvial processes of the river, and increased the risk of severe wildfires. The impacts of tamarisk on aquatic habitats are sometimes not fully recognized, but tamarisk tends to eliminate side channel and backwater habitats that provide critical spawning and nursery habitat for native fish by trapping sediments, reduce in-stream habitat complexity in a manner that negatively impacts rare native fishes, and reduce the input of key nutrients that support aquatic food webs (Graf 1978, Geological Society of American Bulletin 89:1149-1501; Bailey et al. 2001, Wetlands 21:442-447; Keller et al. 2014, Environmental Management 54:465-478). Inventory and monitoring of riparian habitats by Tamarisk Coalition and the University of Denver revealed a pattern of establishment and spread of very dense stands of tamarisk accompanied by the displacement of diverse native plant communities along major stretches of the Dolores River. Beginning in 2009, the Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP), which includes participants from a variety of public and private organizations (including four BLM field offices in Utah and Colorado), identified and began treating over 1,900 acres of impacted riparian habitat dominated by tamarisk and other invasive plants in an effort to restore native vegetation and improve the quality of riparian and riverine habitats. The proposed project builds upon previous efforts and is needed to complete the initial removal of tamarisk underneath mature cottonwood galleries that occur within larger cottonwood gallery complexes. This project will also provide for follow up maintenance of woody invasive re-sprouts at other sites including the recently inundated side-channel portion of the berm removal site that provides important habitat for juvenile native fish. Finally, this project seeks to enhance understory conditions at several previously treated areas by treating secondary weeds using a combination of prescribed grazing and herbicide, and, revegetate ideal sites with native trees, shrubs, and seeds. One area where maintenance and enhancement activities will occur is at the berm site at Stateline between mile 150-151. The flowpath of the newly reconnected side channel is now evident and previous work to clear the flowpath of non-natives was successful. Very little follow-up maintenance is required at this time except for isolated individual Russian olives near the inlet. Minimal maintenance efforts at this site will prevent re-infestation and proliferation of Russian olive and will continue to allow the side channel to flow freely. Initial removal focusing on removing ladder fuels and competition underneath and adjacent to the native cottonwood stand across from the berm site (river right) was completed in 2019 under the Dolores 3.0 project. Native shrubs are also prolific at this site mixed in with the tamarisk. Additional work is necessary to complete the removal of both tamarisk and Russian olive at this location. In the Beaver Creek to Rio Mesa reach (river mile 155-160), 2 sites have been prioritized for initial removal efforts and 4 sites from 2018/2019 will be evaluated and treated for resprouts. Establishment of tamarisk in this area has altered fluvial processes and increased rates of sedimentation, leading to the loss of the side channel, which historically served as important spawning and juvenile habitats for sensitive and endangered fishes. Impacts to native riparian vegetation and wildlife have been equally significant. Many of these areas have adequate cover of native species and are expected to recover through passive regeneration. These sites can only be accessed by raft during high water which coincides with the presence of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Similar to our 2017 (Dolores 1.0) and 2019 (Dolores 3.0) campaign, a bird biologist will need to assess bird occupancy ahead of the raft crews. Three "contingency" units have been identified in the Rio Mesa to the Colorado River Confluence reach between river mile 163-165. If the upstream raft units can't be treated because of the presence of SWFL then work will be initiated on these sites. Initial removal of non-native tamarisk will continue upstream of Robert's Bottom on river left clearing out ladder fuels and competition from underneath a large cottonwood gallery and around the diverse native shrub understory. These treatments are important management tools to help restore native riparian vegetation as a means of improving fluvial processes, increasing the quality of riparian vegetation for wildlife and livestock, and reducing fire danger. At Robert's Bottom, seed from naturally occurring grasses and forbs, not available commercially, will be collected and grown out for future planting in WRI fiscal year 2021. Although plants are still present, previous attempts to collect seed have been thwarted by the lack of seed production due to lack of summer and monsoonal precipitation. In an effort integrate more tools into the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolbox for addressing herbaceous weeds, this proposal intends to utilize prescribed grazing with goats to address kochia and knapweed infestations at Robert's Bottom and at the cottonwood gallery just upstream.

The overall objective of this project is to restore riparian and aquatic habitats along the Dolores River to a more diverse, functional, self-sustaining, and resilient condition. Progress will be assessed based on DRRP's long-term ecological objectives: reducing live tamarisk to less than 5 percent of the vegetation cover; reducing other invasive, non-native plants to less than 15 percent of the vegetation cover; maintaining total vegetation cover equal to or greater than 30 percent; and documenting passive recruitment of native plants towards species-specific thresholds in the riparian corridor. Social and economic objectives also play a role in this project. Hiring local contractors and youth conservation crews are central to on-the-ground work, in order to put money in small rural economies and provide training and skills to youth interested in environmental stewardship.

A variety of threats that have degraded riparian habitat along the Dolores River in Utah will be addressed with this proposed work. Motorized forms of recreation have damaged native plant communities and spread noxious weeds at the Stateline and Roberts Bottom sites. Dense stands of tamarisk have increased fuel loads and, with their deep root systems, altered the sediment transport balance and simplified riverine habitat along vast stretches of the twenty-two miles of the Dolores River's course in eastern Utah. Many of these stretches are also dominated by a suite of invasive, non-native plants that accompany tamarisk, such as Russian knapweed and kochia. By improving the diversity and health of the plant community in the historic floodplain, habitat improvements supporting aquatic species (e.g. better nutrient inputs and increased habitat diversity for desert fish), riparian species (e.g. enhanced cover and food for migrating southwestern willow flycatchers), and upland species (e.g. forbs in the upper river terraces for big-horn sheep). Currently, the biggest risk is not building on past investments effectively to restore native plant communities to a healthier, increasingly self-sustaining level. In some of the areas proposed within this project, invasive plant densities are yet reduced to a level of low-intensity maintenance; failure to build on past work in these areas in a timely manner will detract from previous restoration efforts and increase costs down the road for improving habitat and reducing fuel loads. Increased intensity and frequency of wildfires is a large risk, in particular, the potential to burn cottonwood galleries, which are critical to riparian health and provide habitat. Based on reduced spring peak flows from upstream diversions and drought, cottonwoods are less-likely to naturally propagate as abundantly as in the past (Coble and Kolb, 2012.) As such, it is critical this project protects naturally occurring cottonwoods from fire potential.

(1) The Moab Field Office's Programmatic Invasive Species Management Plan (PISMP) uses an integrated pest management approach to eradicate, contain, control, and prevent targeted weeds within the MFO. The desired goal is to contain or control the spread of invasive species, and eradicate species that pose the greatest threat to the biological diversity within the MFO, and prevent any new weeds from becoming established by utilizing a wide range of treatment options (i.e. mechanical, manual, herbicide, etc.). The resulting pro-active management of these plants would promote the areas ecosystem health and promote diverse native communities by maintaining and improving native forbs and grass species, increasing the regeneration of native cottonwoods and willows in riparian corridors, and ultimately preventing the loss of wildlife habitat, species diversity, and wildfire risk. (2) Moab BLM Resource Management Plan (RMP) prioritizes management of riparian vegetation and emphasizes the control of noxious weeds, prevention of the spread of invasive species, and restoration of vegetated areas. Reduction of tamarisk and restoration of native riparian vegetation addresses management objectives for improving the quality and health of riparian habitats while improving the quality of resources used in recreation and reducing fuels in a manner that decreases the likelihood and severity of wildfires. Specific management decisions in the RMP that are directly related to the primary objectives of the proposed project include RIP-9, which calls for restoring riparian vegetation "through biological, chemical, mechanical, and manual methods (e.g., tamarisk control, willow plantings)," and RIP-16, which calls for implementation of strategies to "restore degraded riparian communities" and "protect natural flow regimes." (3) The project addresses goals and objectives of the BLM Utah Riparian Policy, which states that "riparian areas are to be improved at every opportunity." (4) The Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) for the State of Utah identifies lowland riparian habitat as being highest priority for conservation and restoration. UDWR has designated segments of the Dolores River corridor as "essential habitat" due to its cottonwood gallery, high avian biodiversity, importance as turkey habitat and deer winter range, importance to breeding and overwintering waterfowl, and use by bald eagles and peregrine falcons. (5) The Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub Gila robusta, Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus, and Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnes (UDWR Publication 06-18) includes an objective of enhancing and maintaining habitat for each of the three species. Tamarisk removal and side channel restoration has been an important component of this effort in other parts of Utah. All three of the "three species" are present in the Dolores River. (6) The proposed project supports the goals of DRRP's 2010 Dolores River Riparian Action Plan and 2015 DRRP Transition Plan for Monitoring and Maintenance, which outline restoration goals, objectives, and methods for restoring and managing 175 miles of the Dolores River from McPhee Reservoir in Colorado to the confluence with the Colorado River in Utah. (7) The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan calls for an emphasis on improving riparian habitat and use of seed mixes that include sufficient forbs and browse species (Habitat Objective 2). (8) Pursuant to the Utah Noxious Weed Act, Section 7, to every person who owns or controls lands in Grand County, Utah, that noxious weeds standing, being, or growing on such land shall be controlled and the spread of same prevented by effective cutting, tillage, cropping, pasturing, or treating with chemicals or other methods, or combination methods, or combination thereof, approved by the County Weed Supervisor, as often as may be required to prevent the weed from blooming and maturing seeds, or spreading by root, root stalks or other means. Listed species that DRRP will manage include hoary cress, tamarisk, Russian knapweed, and Russian olive. (9) Middle Colorado River Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area Cooperative Agreement - partnering organizations working along the Dolores River work towards the CWMA's goal "to promote an integrated weed management program throughout the MCRW-CWMA that includes public relations, education and training in the non-native invasive weed arena as well as inventory, monitoring, controlling and preventing the spread of non-native invasive weeds, sharing of resources, and designing other desirable resource protection measures relative to weed management." (10) BLM Healthy Lands Initiative: The DRRP project area has been identified as a focal area of this vegetation-resources enhancement initiative to restore and improve the health and productivity of western public lands. The Healthy Lands strategy increases the effectiveness and efficiency of vegetation enhancement treatments by focusing on treatments on a significant percentage of lands -- both Federal and non-Federal -- within six geographic locations, rather than focusing on the local project level. The strategy increases opportunities to leverage cooperative solutions across ownership's and jurisdictions. (11) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Utah Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Strategic Plan: This project falls within a priority area, priority habitat (riparian), and addresses threats to priority species (SWFL and YBCU).

Establishment of dense stands of dead/dying tamarisk greatly increases the likelihood of destructive wildfires, especially in the vicinity of campsites and other locations of concentrated human activity. A major benefit from this project will be the reduction of unnaturally high fire risk by clearing tamarisk away from cottonwood galleries and campsites and from thinning tamarisk in a manner that creates fire breaks and allows native vegetation to recolonize. Russian knapweed can increase in biomass and ground cover after a fire because of it's adaptations to disturbance and knapweed growing points are below ground. A wildfire in this area without treatment would further spread noxious knapweed.

Municipalities downstream of the Dolores River, namely Moab, Utah, may benefit from decreased salinity inputs and increased filtration via a healthier riparian habitat. Large-scale tamarisk removal has the potential to improve water quality by reducing the salinity-concentrating effects of tamarisk infestations on Dolores River riparian habitats. Tamarisk removal techniques have been adapted, over several years of experience, to minimize soil disturbance and protect water quality. Further, improving floodplain connectivity helps remove sediment and pathogens, increases allochthonous nutrients that stimulate natural nitrogen and phosphorus cycling (Wolf et al. 2012), Installation and fostering of native-species container plants and pole cuttings will further stabilize river banks and riparian soils. And, since tamarisk and Russian knapweed have high rates of evapotranspiration, the long-term conversion to (mesic) native vegetation on Dolores River floodplains will yield water quantity savings in the river. Removal of tamarisk and Russian olive has been linked to saving water and over time water quality increases (Shafroth et al. 2009).

NEPA and archaeological clearances are completed on all activities with the exception of prescribed grazing. A Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) is completed and is tiered to the BLM Moab Field Office Programmatic Invasive Species Management Plan (2016) and will conform to its stipulations and restrictions. Consultation with BLM archaeologists has already occurred. The BLM Moab Pesticide Use Plan has also been approved for the Dolores. 107 Consultation occurred with the USFWS and wildlife surveys will be conducted prior to any spring work or work will commence after nesting season. An EA will be prepared for the prescribed grazing component but NEPA has been completed for all other actions associated with this proposal.

Sites have been selected based on DRRP's prioritization criteria that consider ecological, social, and feasibility factors. The methods outlined below are organized from upstream to downstream. STATELINE (Vehicle Accessible): Cottonwood Gallery Across from the Berm Site (River Right): 1.2 acres of initial tamarisk removal from underneath and adjacent to a large cottonwood gallery was completed in the fall of 2019 under the Dolores 3.0 project. Additional work is required to finish removing 2.9 acres of tamarisk and Russian olive in order to reduce competition and eliminate ladder fuels. Removal is conducted by Conservation Corps crews using a cut-stump method. After cutting tamarisk trees with chainsaws, crews apply herbicide (Triclopyr) to the freshly cut tamarisk stumps during the fall (September - early November) of 2020. Areas underneath cottonwood galleries are treated with 100% removal. To protect previous investments, any resprouts from previous work will be treated with a basal bark/foliar treatment. For more detailed information please reference the statement of work and map associated with this site in the Documents/Images tab. BERM SITE (River Left): The upstream end of the gravel berm was removed in February of 2019 and water flowed through the historic channel. The flowpath was cleared of tamarisk and Russian olive in previous project phases to allow for improved hydrological function when reconnected. This site now has a functioning side channel with cottonwood regeneration, sedges and rush colonization, and utilization by red-spotted and woodhouse toads, fish, beaver, bear, and mountain lion. Work at this site consists of the removal of 10-12 Russian olive trees using a cut-stump/lop and scatter method. Removal of these few trees is important to eliminate Russian olive at this site and protect the previous investments from future invasion. For more detailed information please reference the statement of work and map associated with this site in the Documents/Images tab. BEAVER CREEK to RIO MESA REACH & CONTINGENCY UNITS (Raft-Accessible): In the Beaver Creek to Rio Mesa reach (river mile 155-160), 2 sites have been prioritized for initial removal efforts (8.4 acres) and four sites from 2018/2019 will be evaluated and treated for resprouts (9.3 acres). Removal is conducted by Conservation Corps crews using a cut-stump method. After cutting tamarisk trees with chainsaws, crews apply herbicide (Triclopyr) to the freshly cut tamarisk stumps during the fall (September - early November) of 2020. To protect previous investments, any resprouts from previous work will be treated with a basal bark/foliar treatment. These sites can only be accessed by raft during high water which coincides with the presence of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Similar to our 2017 (Dolores 1.0) and 2019 (Dolores 3.0) campaign, a bird biologist will need to assess bird occupancy ahead of the raft crews. Three "contingency" units have been identified in the Rio Mesa to the Colorado River Confluence reach between river mile 163-165. If the upstream raft units can't be treated because of the presence of SWFL then work will be initiated on these sites. In monotypic tamarisk stands, mosaic treatment approach consisting of the removal of 30-50% of the tamarisk biomass is applied in monotypic tamarisk stands. The mosaic treatment of tamarisk will be implemented as a way of reducing tamarisk density while maintaining the degree of soil stability and partially shaded micro-climates necessary to provide conditions beneficial to riparian wildlife and native plants. This strategy, which incorporates the presence of the tamarisk-leaf beetle (a biological control agent), is expected to reduce tamarisk densities in a manner that allows native trees, shrubs, perennial grasses, and herbaceous vegetation to become reestablished. Results from a 2010-2014 DRRP pilot study conducted upriver in the Uncompahgre BLM Field office support using this site-specific integrated-pest management strategy. ROBERT'S BOTTOM & UPSTREAM COTTONWOOD GALLERY (River Right): In an effort to integrate more tools into the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolbox for addressing herbaceous weeds, this proposal intends to utilize prescribed grazing with goats to address Kochia and knapweed infestations at Robert's Bottom and at the cottonwood gallery just upstream (100 acres). Using goats as a biological control for weed infestations has many potential environmental and economic benefits including being safer than herbicide, benefitting local goat farmers, and cutting-back native shrubs. Goats are also much easier to control than other biological agents. Goats will be applied when knapweed infestations are "in bloom" to ensure to reduce seedhead production. The seed will be applied prior to the treatment to allow hoof activity to work the seeds into the soil. 2.2 acres of woody invasive removal was completed at the cottonwood gallery upstream of Robert's Bottom. Additional work is required to finish removing the 11.4 acres of tamarisk and Russian olive in order to reduce competition and eliminate ladder fuels. Removal is conducted by Conservation Corps crews using a cut-stump method. After cutting tamarisk trees with chainsaws, crews apply herbicide (Triclopyr) to the freshly cut tamarisk stumps during the fall (September - early November) of 2020. Areas underneath cottonwood galleries are treated with 100% removal. To protect previous investments, any resprouts from previous work will be treated with a basal bark/foliar treatment. For more detailed information please reference the statement of work and map associated with this site in the Documents/Images tab. LAKE BOTTOM (River Right) Across from Robert's Bottom, Lake Bottom is 9.9 acres of private land. Secondary weeds have been treated in 2018, and in 2019 by the landowner. The main project goal is to remove any initial stands of tamarisk and re-treat re-growth areas that have been previously treated as well as continue to treat secondary weeds. If any Russian olive is present that will also be eradicated. Prioritization is given to areas underneath and surrounding native vegetation, specifically Freemont cottonwood. When cleaning beetle-infested tamarisk, a mosaic method is used in order to leave shade to assist passive recruitment of native species. Primarily, treatments will be a mixture of basal bark for small tamarisk-re-growth, and cut-sump or frill cut method for larger tamarisk or Russian olive trees. These treatments will protect native plant restoration through decreased competition, protect native plants from fire risk, promote passive restoration through decreased competition, and slow the growth of tamarisk and Russian olive. OTHER INFORMATION: Seeding will be conducted in targeted sites (e.g., where there is bare soil, in tamarisk slash piles, and in kochia infestations) to impede re-encroachment of invasive plants as well as to improve forage for livestock and habitat for wildlife. Species have been selected based on successes of previous re-vegetation efforts along the Dolores River and on recommendations from UT-DWR during last year's WRI comment period. Active re-vegetation (e.g., species, micro-site selection, & planting methods) will be conducted at certain sites to address specific restoration objectives and based on lessons learned and shared during past DRRP Implementation Committee meetings.

Coordinated by the DRRP Science & Monitoring Subcommittee, long-term monitoring of vegetation/riparian condition (rapid monitoring protocol), and breeding birds will be conducted at treatment sites to assess the effectiveness of the treatments and to guide future management efforts. BLM staff will be onsite at the beginning, during critical stages of the project, and near completion to ensure desirable results. Partners will be invited to do onsite visits as well to ensure increased input and share concerns. Data gathered will be available to upload into the WRI database for future analysis and review. Rapid Monitoring was developed specifically for the needs of the DRRP and includes the collection of non-native/native cover-class data, tamarisk cover, noxious weed invasions, presence of the tamarisk leaf beetle, wildlife presence, passive recruitment of native vegetation, and photos to document progress. Annually, this data is used to inform future management actions, track effectiveness of various treatment methods, and engage various partners. Rapid monitoring of treatment sites accessible by vehicle will be conducted in the Summer of 2020 and the Summer of 2021. The Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) recruits and selects two-person roving teams to conduct vegetation and weed monitoring utilizing Collector for ArcGIS on tablets. This team also compiles monitoring and photo-point reports at the end of the monitoring season for BLM land managers. Training and oversight are co-managed between SCC and RiversEdge West. Rapid monitoring will also be conducted from a raft in Spring 2021 by the SCC strike team, RiversEdge West, and the BLM using the DRRP rapid monitoring protocol. Sites that were treated in 2019 and 2020 will be prioritized to monitor their progress. From the river, additional sites that need treatment will be recorded, as the raft will provide a unique vantage point. Both rapid monitoring efforts, vehicle and raft, will be collected using the same methodology and with crews trained in the same manner by Conservation Legacy's Southwest Conservation Corps. Certain treatment sites are only accessible via raft, so it is necessary to organize two separate monitoring activities. Partners from UT Division of Wildlife Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will monitor the use of side-channel habitat by native fish species to evaluate success towards creating backwater habitat for juvenile fish, while partners from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will continue long-term monitoring of how restoration work impacts avian communities via the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions program. Partners from the Grand County Weed Department will implement the phenological monitoring in the spring of 2020 (in-kind funds) at Robert's Bottom to determine the best window to implement the prescribed grazing in 2021. GCWD will also monitor pre- and post-treatment conditions following the prescribed grazing treatment.

In 2015, thirty local, state, federal, and private organizations signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to protecting and building on shared investments in the collaborative restoration of the Dolores River through 2020. The Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP) promotes riparian restoration along almost 200 miles of the river corridor, monitors progress, and coordinates with numerous other conservation activities in the watershed. Nine of these partners play active roles in the project: RiversEdge West (formerly Tamarisk Coalition): as chair of the DRRP Implementation Subcommittee and DRRP Science and Monitoring Subcommittee, this non-profit organization works with partners to plan, execute, and monitor restoration work across public and private boundaries throughout the partnership's project area. Grand County Weed Department: this local agency conducts re-treatments of tamarisk and herbaceous weeds, as well as provides technical assistance (e.g., sharing findings from biological control monitoring) to inform restoration work. University of Utah Rio Mesa Center: the University works with student groups to foster education, research, stewardship, and restoration along the Center's portion of the Dolores River in the Utah Bottoms. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: this state agency provides technical assistance to DRRP (e.g., surveying for side-channel revitalization project) and monitors the avian community along the Utah-portion of the Dolores River to increase understanding of how restoration affects bird species. US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: this federal program coordinates with a significant private landowner at Lake Bottom, supports the Rio Mesa Center, and provides technical support that informs DRRP restoration strategies. Canyon Country Youth Corps: a program of the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, CCYC hires and trains young adults to implement restoration work, including installation and repair of fencing, tamarisk control, and active revegetation of native plant species along the Dolores River in Utah. Conservation Legacy's Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC): working with CCYC and Western Colorado Conservation Corps, SCC hires and trains young adults to implement restoration work, including tamarisk control, active revegetation of native plant species, and monitoring of restoration projects. SCC's Watershed Programs Coordinator also helps with planning and field support for crews. Western Colorado Conservation Corps: working with the other two Corps programs, this non-profit organization hires and trains young adults to implement restoration work, including tamarisk control and treatment of Russian knapweed and hoary cress. National Wild Turkey Federation: has provided funding and in-kind support to foster stewardship and active re-vegetation along the Dolores River. While the Moab BLM is submitting this WRI proposal, it is worth noting that three other BLM field offices (Tres Rios, Uncompahgre, and Grand Junction in CO), two-state BLM offices (UT & CO), two district BLM offices (UT-Canyon Country & CO-Northwest), and the national office are all engaged partners, providing in-kind and/or financial support towards achieving the DRRP's shared ecological, social, economic, and management goals.

The project is part of a multi-year effort that will involve follow-up monitoring, active re-vegetation, and treatments to control remaining infestations of priority non-native, invasive plant species such as tamarisk, Russian olive, Russian knapweed, and hoary cress. Some temporary fence has already been constructed along the Dolores River where knapweed is common to assist with the treatment areas to lessen livestock presence while native plants establish. The long-term goal is to restore riparian and floodplain habitats along the lower Dolores River in a manner that creates diverse riparian communities comprised primarily of native plant species as a means of improving the condition and resiliency of riparian and aquatic habitats. This will require an adaptive management approach. Long-term, adaptive management strategies have been outlined in the DRRP Transition Plan for Long-Term Monitoring & Maintenance. A 2015, MOU signed by thirty partners affirms their commitment towards implementing the Transition Plan to build on seven years of restoration work to achieve a shared set of ecological, social, economic, and management goals through 2020. The DRRP has continuously served as a nucleus for information, on-the-ground work, and by garnering additional funding. The private landowner in Lake Bottom has been working with the USFWS Partners Program for the last few years and currently has an agreement to manage and maintain the project area in a manner that benefits wildlife habitats. This agreement is for 10 years and under that agreement, USFWS will monitor the project annually and work with the landowner to ensure project success. Currently, the Lake Bottom property is not used for livestock grazing. Under the USFWS agreement, the landowner has agreed that if in the future livestock will be used on the property that they will work with USFWS and other partners on a grazing plan.

The removal of tamarisk, Russian knapweed, and other invasive vegetation species will allow multiple uses of the Dolores River and the surrounding landscape to be more sustainable for generations to come. This project will greatly benefit the riparian ecosystem, desert fish, birds, improve recreation, water quality, agriculture, and many other uses. The removal of tamarisk and Russian knapweed is expected to greatly benefit domestic livestock in three ways: First, it will facilitate the re-establishment of perennial grasses, native forbs, and shrubs that have much higher forage value than tamarisk. Past knapweed treatments upstream from the project area have led to the rapid re-establishment of perennial grasses, even in the absence of seeding. However, targeted broadcast seeding will be used to accelerate the recolonization of native grasses in selected areas where native grasses are sparse in habitat adjacent to the treatment site. Second, control of tamarisk can make managing livestock easier. Previously dense stands of tamarisk that have either been removed or thinned (depending on site-conditions) increases access for ranchers to monitor and manage cattle on public allotments. Therefore, grazing and animal distribution will increase since more riverbank is accessible for watering livestock and wildlife. Finally, since greater access to the river is available following tamarisk removal, it leads to less stress on previous riparian areas hammered with livestock watering. Third, Russian knapweed is known to be toxic to horses, potentially causing facial paralysis, malnutrition, dehydration, and necrosis (USDA Agr Info Bulletin Number 415). Controlling this noxious weed will reduce the potential for these and other livestock health issues. The private landowner in Lake Bottom has been resting the property but has had discussions with partners that if goals are met they would potentially like to discuss a holistic grazing strategy.

08/01/2020

06/28/2021

2021

This project utilized a broad toolkit of methods to restore riparian areas along the Dolores River in Utah. Typical methods include the cut-stump method for initial tamarisk removal, a basal bark and/or foliar spray for tamarisk re-sprout work to maintain legacy treatments, spot spraying for knapweed, and vegetation monitoring. Restoration is rarely immediately recognized, and therefore the ability to implement monitoring and maintenance is a critical component to the success of this project. Site-specific treatment methods are as follows: ROBERT'S BOTTOM AREA "Above Robert's Bottom" (River Left): Canyon County Youth Corps (CCYC) spent three weeks, conducting primary tamarisk treatments totaling 3.9 acres and resprout treatments on 2.3 acres within the 18-acre site just upstream of Robert's Bottom on river left. Crews used chainsaws and loppers to cut tamarisk and immediately applied Tahoe 3A (Triclopyr) diluted with water to the stump. Beetle-kill tamarisk was hand removed and slash was piled away from cottonwood driplines. Native grass seed was also broadcast at these sites where tamarisk removal has occurred by a contractor in March 2021 in order to help suppress weeds, increase the seed bank of native grasses, and improve the overall area. "Lake Bottom BLM Lentic Site": CCYC spent two weeks treating initial tamarisk and tamarisk re-sprouts on BLM lands at Lake Bottom in the fall of 2020. 1.5 acres were treated during this time. Crews used chainsaws and loppers to cut tamarisk and immediately applied Tahoe 3A (Triclopyr) diluted with water to the stump. The same mixture was also applied to the stems of young tamarisk re-growth using the basal bark method. "Robert's Bottom and Above Robert's Bottom Prescribed Grazing": The Grand County Weed Department treated 0.1 acre of emerging Russian knapweed within Robert's Bottom using Milestone. Prescribed grazing was not implemented nor was the funding utilized for the grazing or seed. Line-Point Intercept (LPI) and cottonwood density data were collected during the previous iteration of this project, Dolores 3.0. These data, in conjunction with a literature review and conversations with experts, were used to assess the current vegetative conditions and the potential to utilize prescribed grazing to shift the riparian understory community to a site dominated by native vegetation. A grazing solution in this location needs to be able to address the kochia infestation within the more xeric river terrace composed of native upland shrubs and lacking cottonwood overstory, and within the more riparian cottonwood gallery characterized by a facultative-wet and obligate native shrubs and a cheatgrass understory, and finally, the knapweed infestation occurring under the cottonwood gallery upstream of Robert's bottom. Goat grazing was not a feasible option because the target species (i.e. kochia, cheatgrass, and knapweed) are herbaceous and goats prefer woody species. Native woody species (i.e. cottonwood, willow, sumac, privet, greasewood, rabbitbrush, rose, etc) are prevalent on the site and it would be challenging to target herbaceous weeds and avoid the risk to priority native species. Goats would have to be contained and would require extensive effort to move containment infrastructure around the project site. Sheep were not a great option due to proximity to native big-horn sheep populations and their potential as a disease vector. Grazing would have to occur 2+ times a year increasing the logistical challenges. STATELINE AREA "Across from Berm": CCYC spent three weeks conducting 2.0 acres of primary tamarisk treatments on river-right across from the berm site in dense stands in the fall of 2020. Crews used chainsaws to cut tamarisk and immediately applied Tahoe 3A (Triclopyr) diluted with water to the stump. Slash was piled outside of the cottonwood dripline. An additional, 0.6 acres of resprouts were treated with a mixture of Garlon 4 ultra and oil using a basal and/or foliar spray technique. When the raft trip was cancelled in the spring of 2021 due to low water conditions, the funds were carried over, and after avian clearance survyes, were ultimately directed towards another two weeks of corps work and another 1.1 acres was completed. "Berm Site": The DRRP Strike Team conducted isolated mature Russian olive removal on 1.3 acres and 4.6 acres of Russian knapweed treatment at the berm site on river left in the spring of 2021. An additional 16 acres of resprout treatments from spring of 2019, not previously reported, are being reported here. Resprouts were treated with a mixture of Garlon 4 ultra and oil using a basal and/or foliar spray technique. "Colorado State-Line to Berm Site" The DRRP Strike Team conducted isolated 23.4 acres of woody invasive resprout work, 6 acres of tamarisk removal on a mid-channel island, and 27 acres of Russian knapweed treatment with aminopyralid in areas between the Colorado stateline and the berm site in the spring of 2021. Crews used chainsaws to cut tamarisk and immediately applied Tahoe 3A (Triclopyr) diluted with water to the stump. Slash was piled outside of the cottonwood dripline. An additional, 0.6 acres of resprouts were treated with a mixture of Garlon 4 ultra and oil using a basal and/or foliar spray technique. Knapweed was treated with Transline. "Beaver Creek Area" The DRRP Strike Team conducted isolated 55.3 acres of woody invasive resprout work in the Beaver Creek area in the spring of 2021. Resprouts were treated with a mixture of Garlon 4 ultra and oil using a basal and/or foliar spray technique. MONITORING: "DRRP Rapid Monitoring - Vehicle-based" (see attached report): Rapid vegetation monitoring conducted by the SCC Strike Team occurred in Summer of 2020 and 2021 in the Moab Field Office on over 20 sites where restoration activities have occurred. Some sites that have not been treated were also monitored to assess future needs. This team uses tablets enabled with Collector for ArcGIS to collect spatial data. Moab sites will be monitored by the DRRP Rapid Monitoring team again in 2024. The new rapid monitoring report is forthcoming (matching funding from the DRRP and Walton Family Foundation) and will be posted to the WRI website when available. Rapid monitoring is made up of four components: monitoring, passive recruitment, invasive species survey, and photo points. The monitoring protocol is where cover classes for different vegetation types (% tamarisk, % native cover, % total vegetation cover) are collected. Cover classes are generally in increments of 10% (i.e. 11-20%, 51-60%, etc.) and determined through ocular estimate by the strike team. "DRRP Rapid Monitoring -- Raft-based": The raft monitoring that occurred in June 2020 (under Dolores 3.0) using the DRRP rapid monitoring protocol on 2 sites that had initial tamarisk removal occur in the spring of 2019 between Fisher Creek and Granite Creek was used in planning the raft-based restoration trip that was ultimately cancelled due to low flows. See the attached report. "Robert's Bottom Line-Point Intercept Data Collection (see attached report)": These data were used to assess the use of prescribed grazing for restoration in the Robert's Bottom area. See grazing section above.

This project aims to increase the riparian and aquatic habitat value along the Dolores River in Utah. As part of a broad multi-state effort to reduce the amount of tamarisk and increase the overall resilience of the riparian area. Work occurred on prioritized sites along the Dolores River, between the State-line site (river-mile 149) and Robert's Bottom (river-mile 170), in Grand County, Utah. Sites have been prioritized based on Dolores River Restoration Partnerships' ecological, social, feasibility criteria, and locations of side-channel/confluence habitat. Sites in the project area vary between levels of restoration, from fully restored and naturally recruiting. For more specifics on locations of specific restoration treatments, please refer to the accompanying map and/or the project details page. The project was completed through collaboration between the BLM Canyon Country District Aquatic Habitats program, the Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP), RiversEdgeWest (REW), the BLM Canyon Country Fuels program, the Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC), Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), the Grand County Weed Department, Rio Mesa Center, Western Biology LLC, Terra Sophia, LLC and UDWR/WRI. The project focused on treating Russian olive, tamarisk, Russian knapweed, and Kochia and completed 68.3 acres accessed by vehicle. The BLM Canyon Country District Aquatic Ecologist and DRRP coordinators from SCC and REW provided project planning and field support for all project areas. The collaboration made significant progress towards causing mortality of woody and herbaceous weedy species and increased resilience of native species within important side channels, confluence, and riparian habitat. ROBERT'S BOTTOM AREA "Above Robert's Bottom": Conservation Corps crews and the BLM have been treating woody invasive removal underneath a large cottonwood gallery on river left just upstream of from Robert's Bottom. This cottonwood gallery, in combination with Robert's and Lake Bottom, create a cottonwood gallery complex, which is considered critical habitat for Yellow-Billed Cuckoo and may be important for SWFL. This is a large polygon and there is a lot of work left to do to remove ladder fuels and mitigate the risk of stand replacement fire here. Native shrubs persist in the understory and are expected to improve in vigor and distribution following the removal of tamarisk. Thus, work will continue to focus on removing tamarisk from underneath the cottonwood dripline and around native understory shrubs, while creating a safe fuel buffer around the stand. Native grass seed was also broadcast by, Terra Sophia, at these sites where tamarisk removal has occurred. "Lake Bottom": CCYC also completed more removal near the lentic marsh/pond at Lake Bottom building off previous years' work. CCYC crews used a cut-stump-herbicide method (Tahoe 3a) to treat mature tamarisk and a foliar/basal bark application (Garlon 4 Ultra/Oil) to treat woody resprouts. This lentic site is dry in drought years but provides important lentic habitat for birds and amphibians during normal/wet years. By removing invasive species, we hope to reduce encroachment and maintain the site in perpetuity. "Robert's Bottom and Above Robert's Bottom Prescribed Grazing": The use of prescribed grazing as a tool to manage weedy herbaceous species was evaluated. Vegetation cover and composition data collected by the GCWD under Dolores 3.0 and summarized by the BLM Aquatic Habitats Intern was used in discussions with grazing specialists and colleagues. A literature review was also conducted. While prescribed grazing is a useful and successful tool it proved to be to challenging given the complexity and ecological goals at this site. The ability to employ prescribed grazing with goats or sheep, outside of a few small areas, is not feasible due to presence of natural big-horn sheep populations and management plan policy. The use of mowers or string-trimmers is being evaluated as an alternative to prescribed grazing. These techniques may provide the more targeted approach necessary. STATELINE AREA "Across from Berm": CCYC Crews continued working on the initial removal of tamarisk and Russian olive and treating resprouts from previous work, on river-right across from the historic berm site. A large mature cottonwood gallery dominates the overstory of this site. This cottonwood gallery, in combination with the cottonwoods at the berm site, create a cottonwood gallery complex, which is considered critical habitat for Yellow-Billed Cuckoo and may be important for SWFL. The understory is dominated by beetle-impacted tamarisk with a moderate number of native shrubs intermixed. The majority of the initial removal of woody invasives is complete with the final removal efforts likely wrapping up under Dolores 5.0 (funding permitting). Much of this area is part of a historical grazing allotment and has large infestations of knapweed. Once the initial removal is complete future work will address resprouts (as needed) and focus on knapweed abatement and herbaceous restoration. "Berm Site": As mentioned in previous reports, in February of 2019, the Moab BLM removed a portion of the historic berm, which opened up the historical flow path allowing the river to flow into the floodplain for the first time in decades. In 2019 with sustained high flows, the site was inundated for several months. In order to maintain an unimpeded flow path in the reconnected side channel, a DRRP strike team treated isolated mature Russian olive and woody invasive resprouts within the berm site in the spring of 2021. The side channel did not inundate during this phase of the project. MONITORING DRRP Rapid Monitoring - Vehicle-based (see attached report): The rapid monitoring report that includes the 20 sites visited under this project will be available in the fall of 2021 and will be uploaded to the WRI website at that time. Avian Surveys Avian surveys were conducted by a contractor so that restoration work could be completed at the Across from Berm site during the summer of 2021 using the funds from the cancelled raft trips. CHALLENGES Raft-based restoration trip - Low late-season snowpack and warm temperatures again resulted in drought conditions and low river flows from the Dolores River and San Miguel River. Therefore, not enough water was flowing to get rafts to carry crews and their equipment down for treatments for the second consecutive year. These raft funds were re-prioritized to achieving more land-based initial tamarisk removal at the "Across from Berm" site. If 2022 conditions are better, project managers would like to conduct treatments in the remote raft-accessible section between Fisher Creek and Rio Mesa based off information for the raft monitoring trip. Grow-out of native species naturally occurring at Robert's Bottom -- This project occurred again during a severe drought. The target native forb and grass species for collection did not produce enough seed for collection. I decided it was better to leave what little seed there was on site.

Many sites along the Dolores River will continue to require maintenance of past work, specifically, the re-treatments of tamarisk and Russian knapweed. Furthermore, monitoring and maintenance is critical to ensure Russian olive or Siberian elm does not begin to overwhelm the river system. Additional restoration work at sites that have had initial tamarisk removal and secondary weed treatments also include broadcasting native seed and planting container plants where additional canopy structure is needed. Dolores 5.0 will build off past efforts and work largely within the same areas. ROBERT'S BOTTOM AREA "Robert's Bottom" The initial removal of tamarisk was completed many years ago. However, full understory restoration of the site has not been achieved. To integrate more tools into the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolbox for addressing herbaceous weeds, the 4.0 proposal intended to utilize prescribed grazing with goats to address Kochia and knapweed infestations at Robert's Bottom and at the cottonwood gallery just upstream (100 acres). As mentioned above, prescribed grazing was analyzed and ultimately not employed. The use of mowers and/or string trimmers to remove flowers before the plants go to seed may be utilized in combination with seeding and herbicide in Dolores 5.0. "Above Robert's Bottom": Youth corps saw crews will continue to be needed to remove the initial tamarisk underneath the cottonwood gallery upstream Robert's Bottom in subsequent years. Work will continue to move upstream and cut tamarisk around native trees and shrubs using a cut-stump approach while also treating resprouts from legacy treatments. There is a lot of initial removal that needs to take place here. The use of mowers and/or string trimmers to remove flowers before the plants go to seed may be utilized in combination with seeding and herbicide in Dolores 5.0. STATELINE AREA "Across from Berm": This site was treated in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. This site is close to having initial TRO removal complete. Project managers hope to complete work in 2022, with necessary follow-up (re-sprout and secondary weed treatments) for at least three years. Work will treat resprouts from legacy treatments and continue to employ a cut-stump approach to remove tamarisk from underneath the cottonwood gallery and from around native shrubs. The side channel, perennial pool, and mid channel island will be assessed for resprouts. Monitoring vegetation composition changes, treating secondary weeds, particularly Russian knapweed will be the focus as we finish up initial removal. Working with the grazing permittee to implement prescribed grazing of knapweed should be explored. These cows were seen eating knapweed within the permitted pasture. Particularly summer grazing followed by late fall herbicide application targeting knapweed. Seeding prior to grazing may also be beneficial. "Berm Site": The berm site is a priority area within this project given the connectivity to a side channel and shallow groundwater. Russian olive have began to grow here, a rare occurrence on the Dolores River. It is a priority of the DRRP to eliminate seedlings as soon as resources allow. The site was treated by the DRRP strike team in March 2020 and 2021, and monitored by the DRRP Monitoring Team in June 2021. RAFT ACCESSIBLE AREA More initial removal and resprout work needs to be completed in this reach. A raft-based restoration trip is planned for each phase if flows are sufficient. DRRP Monitoring: Monitoring will continue on every site once every three years using the DRRP Rapid Monitoring protocol. See the 2019 monitoring report in the images/documents section. A report for the 20 sites monitored under Dolores 4.0 will be uploaded this fall (2021) when complete. The next year will be 2024. Raft sites will be monitored when there is enough water to access the sites. This project will require additional years of follow-up treatments and initial treatments on tamarisk and Russian olive (TRO.) Most sites will just require re-treatments as needed (Granite Creek, Lake Bottom, and Stateline,) and some sites will require 1-3 years of initial removal (Upstream Robert's Bottom, Berm Site., and Raft Sites.) The raft-based sites in particular will require additional work, which has been challenging because of low flows the past two years. Continued monitoring will also help inform the status of re-treatment needs, which may include TRO resprouts, secondary weeds, or active revegetation.