Over the past fifty years, the east slope of the Pahvant Mountains has seen a gradual shift from sagebrush/bunchgrass communities to thick stands of Utah juniper and two-needle pinyon pine. In the current state, much of the foothill area from roughly Cutler Canyon in the north and extending south to Willow Creek Canyon is not effective in providing habitat for many of the wildlife species found there. The dense pinyon-juniper over-story also increases the risk of wildland fire, alters snow accumulation patterns, and increases overland flow and erosion during high runoff events. While much of this area has progressed into the Phase 3 stage of encroachment, there still exists a sufficient under-story of sagebrush and native grasses in many areas to respond to removing the pinyon/juniper overstory. The project area is classified by UDWR as Crucial winter range for deer and high value winter range for elk. Populations for both species have been consistently below UDWR objectives for the Pahvant Herd Unit (21b) and poor winter range conditions resulting from expansion of pinyon/juniper into sagebrush ecosystems is a key factor. This project will create and improve foraging habitat and directly benefit big game and livestock. By increasing overall site productivity, this treatment will also increase populations of small mammals and insects, which are important prey species for reptiles such as the Utah Milksnake and Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake, as well as wild turkey and the multiple species of migratory birds that nest in the area. Current conditions are also impacting livestock grazing and dense stands of p/j has reduced and in a few areas all but eliminated native grasses and forbs. The nearby Ezra Flat range trend study data shows that perennial grasses and forbs are lacking in similar habitat and may require reseeding to recover in the near future. Addressing the winter range issues and providing additional forage will also benefit local agriculture by providing deer and elk an alternative to cultivated crops in the flats. The project area drains into Ivie Creek, which is an important source of water locally and in the current condition sediment loading can be an issue. The lack of an understory and relatively high percentage of bare ground make the area proposed for treatment more prone to erosion and loss of topsoil. Re-establishing a resilient community that includes deep rooted perennial grasses will conserve topsoil and improve watershed functioning. The creation of a riparian exclosure on a roughly 0.5 mile stretch of Ivie Creek will further improve water quality while protecting critical fish habitat. The source-spring for Ivie Creek is also one of five springs that provide habitat for an endemic spring-snail, the Bifid-Duct pyrg, and protecting the habitat for this species is a high district priority. Given the high social and economic importance of hunting, fishing and livestock production in the local area the Fillmore Ranger District and the State of Utah have combined to focus on improving and restoring winter range on the east slope of the Pahvant Mountains. This project is part of that effort and is designed to improve habitat and range conditions on one of the most productive sites by removing encroaching phase II and phase III pinyon-juniper using mastication and hand-thinning combined with re-seeding. The proposed treatment will remove >80% of the p/j over-story within the treatment polygons, releasing the existing under-story from competition while the reseeding will re-establish important herbaceous species in areas where these plants have been reduced or eliminated by competing trees. This project is a great cooperation between State and Federal Agencies working together to meet a common goal of developing additional habitat for Wildlife and Livestock within Central Utah.

The general objectives are to increase habitat quality and quantity for wintering big game and sagebrush oriented wildlife, to reduce fuel loads and minimize the frequency and intensity of future wildfires, to provide increased livestock forage by reducing pinyon-juniper dominance and to develop a healthy, resilient rangeland community with diverse age classes and species composition and improved watershed functioning. Specific objectives include reducing pinyon-juniper cover to <20% within treatment polygons and five-year post treatment cover values for perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs within 60% of NRCS Ecological Site Description for Upland Shallow Loam (Black Sagebrush) sites. In certain locations pinyon-juniper removal will be balanced with Fishlake National Forest Plan guidelines for maintaining sufficient thermal and hiding cover for big game habitat quality as well as nesting habitat for pinyon jay. As a result, treatment may include strategically located "leave islands" and connective corridors of pinyon-juniper that may result in slightly higher post-treatment PJ density on localized areas.

This site faces a host of threats associated with increasing pinyon-juniper cover, including loss of grasses and forbs important to wildlife and cattle, increased risk of wildland fire frequency and severity, risk of invasive plant species such as cheatgrass replacing native and desirable introduced plants, increased risk of soil erosion, and lower quality and quantity of water due to continued decreases in watershed functioning. Nearly all of these are present to some extent and some and in much of the project area have combined to greatly limit many of the uses and benefits this section of land historically provided. All of these threats resulted from pinyon-juniper expansion altering the native sagebrush/bunchgrass community, and this project will address these risks by either restoring the site or at least improving it to a functional state close to the native sagebrush type. Removal of the smaller PJ trees in the lop and scatter area is a cost-effective and low-impact method of removing early and mid-Phase 2 encroachment. Delaying treatment until trees are larger and more difficult to handle would greatly increase the expense of treatment and accomplish far less. No action on this project will allow for increased invasive grass species, pinyon-juniper encroachment and increased soil erosion with no productive rangeland conditions. Late Phase II to early Phase III Pinyon-Juniper reduces the native understory of browse, shrubs and herbaceous plants species, reducing PJ will allow for shrub, forbs and grasses species to respond within the treatment site.

The pinyon-juniper and big sagebrush areas lie within the Lowland Sagebrush Steppe Habitat type which is one of the key habitats identified in the Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21B (Fillmore Pahvant Unit ) including: *Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. *Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. *Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and range resources in general. *The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: *Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. *Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. *Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. *Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah. *Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs. *UDWR SR critical big game winter range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved. The Division will employ a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments. Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk. *This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire. *Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and BLM in past years within the Willow Creek Canyon HUC 12 area. *Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities. *Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment *FFSL CWPP Process is a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan created by the fire department, state and local forestry, land managers, community leaders, and the public.The planning process maps values at risk, and requires actions to reduce risk, such as prescribed burning, fuel reduction, or other measures that adapt a community to better confront their wildfire threat. Area is also part of the Millard RWPP FFSL Plan which was implemented in 2014, there are Wildfire Codes and Ordinances associated with this plan. Project would also be relevant to NCS Goals and supported through the FS National Cohesive Strategies. CAT FIRE Objectives and Strategies: In 2013, the State of Utah developed the Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy (CAT FIRE) in response to the severe 2012 fire season. Reducing the catastrophic wildfire requires attention to three interdependent goals identified in the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy -- Restore and Maintain Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities, and Wildfire Response. These goals have been embraced throughout the development of the state's CAT FIRE strategy. Mitigation of hazardous fuels can change fire behavior making it easier to suppress. The effects of the mitigation, however, are not limited to life and property safety but will also affect forest health, water quality, vegetative species abundance, etc. As we continue to implement projects across the landscapes in Utah, the only way to truly be successful is to integrate existing programs, utilize local and federal partners and continue to educate the general public to create the desired shift towards more resilient communities and ecosystems. *Richfield Field Office RMP (2008) pg 76 - Manage for a mix of vegetative types, structural stages, and provide for native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats. -Sustain or reestablish the integrity of the sagebrush biome to provide the amount, continuity, and quality of habitat that is necessary to maintain sustainable populations of Greater sage-grouse and other sagebrush-dependent wildlife species. MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: a. Treat areas determined to need reseeding with a variety of plant species that are desirable for wildlife habitat, livestock, watershed management, and other resource values while maintaining vegetation species diversity. b. implement additional treatments to achieve Standards for Rangeland Health and desired vegetation condition. Vegetation treatments conducted up to 1,472,000 acres over the life of the plan. These acreage figures include all vegetation and fire fuels treatments. Central Utah FMP: - greater use of vegetation management to meet resource management objectives - hazardous fuels treatments will be used to restore ecosystems; protect human, natural and cultural resources; and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities - sagebrush steppe communities will be a high priority for ESR and fuel reduction to avoid catastrophic fires in these areas **I have also included information pertaining to the State of Utah Resource Management Plan, Mule Deer Management Plan for the Fillmore Pahvant, Utah Statewide Turkey Plan and the Sevier County Resource Management Plan located in the Documents Tab of this project.

This project will reduce fuel loading by removing the pinyon-junpier trees with a mastication treatment, as well as with a lop and scatter treatment. Reseeding the site and establishing a resilient and competitive community of perennial grasses and forbs will help prevent the site from being dominated by invasive annuals such as cheatgrass that perpetuate a rapid fire cycle. Treatments like this have been proven to prevent wildfire from spreading following an ignition event, and this particular treatment will create several barriers or buffers between treated and non treated areas that will be critical for controlling or containing wildfires. The FFO Forest Service and the Richfield BLM Fuels have implemented several prior projects that reduced the likelihood of wildfire in the area and adjacent to this project, these projects consisted of clear cutting, burning and reseeding along with cut and pile projects. This project will help protect valuable infrastructures, from Catastrophic Wildfires, such as homes, summer cabins, outbuildings, hay sheds, livestock corrals and mostly the community of Aurora, Utah which has over 500 residents. This project will also have an effect on the Hwy 50 that is a critical travel corridor, and has been shut down in the past due to the Sawmill Fire, and Gap Fire. The size of the treatment is around 1,800 acres and is within 4-6 miles of several structures including homes, and out buildings, and within 15 miles of Aurora, UT. This treatment will reduce fuel loads and improve critical habitat for mule deer, elk and turkeys in the future, along with providing additional forage for livestock. We are looking as the project stands today at a Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) Condition Class III with the implementation of this treatment we would expect to drop to a FRCC Class I giving us some good ecological integrity in the treatment with improved understory and shrub components. This would reduce the flame height and fuel loading in the areas and look to prevent Catastrophic Wildfires in the area.

The current condition of much of the project area is Phase II and Phase III pinyon-juniper stands, with the Phase III having little to no understory of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Prior to treatment, the estimated bare ground cover on the nearby Ezra Flat study site average almost 30%, well above the desired condition and increasing the risk of soil erosion. Meeting the project objectives would reduce bare ground (reduced to 5% of Ezra Flat), increase vegetative cover, increase infiltration, reduce overland flow, and ultimately could increase stream flow and reduce sedimentation and phosphorous loading into Ivie Creek and water supplies of the nearby towns of Scipio and Aurora. These benefits have been documented by research done in similar ecosystems (Deboolt et al, 2008). In a webinar presented by the NRCS, research showed that 130 pinyon and juniper trees sampled within an acre (33% pinyon, 9% juniper and 58% inter-space) over a twelve month period would utilize and estimated 280,000 liters of water per acre per year or approximately 23% of an acre foot. And while the Quality of water will not be overwhelming the first year after treatment it becomes significant over time. This type of treatment will benefit the soil over the long term, due to increasing plants that will utilize the excess water, overland flows of rills will be filled in, chance for overland flooding will be minimized allowing for springs and seep to start appearing and improved rangeland conditions will benefit all Forest users. Information from the Sevier County Resources Plan addressing water Quality and Quantity: DESIRED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1. Access for municipal water and secondary water development, quality management, or infrastructure construction or maintenance on federal public lands must be granted as soon as possible in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of citizens. 2. Develop improved methods to reduce and remove sediment in storage reservoirs and continue stream bank stabilization efforts. 3. Where water resources on public lands have diminished because grasses have succeeded to pinyon-juniper and other woody vegetation, a vigorous program of mechanical treatments should be applied to promptly remove this woody vegetation and biomass, stimulate the return of the grasses to historic levels, and thereby provide a watershed that maximizes water yield and water quality for livestock, wildlife, and human uses. 4. Sevier County will participate in watershed management on public and private lands to optimize quality and quantity of water. 6. Support projects to increase water quality and quantity in the county. 7. Maintain and improve our fresh water supplies and watersheds, and increase our watershed production capabilities. 8. Conserve and preserve water for agricultural uses in the county. 9. Sevier County shall protect ground, spring, and surface water quality. 19. The county encourages actions by individuals, groups, and local governments that are aimed at improving water quality and supporting the hydrology of the county. Deboodt, T.L., et al., 2008, Monitoring hydrological changes related to western juniper removal: A paired watershed approach: Third Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds, p. 227-232. Also the addressing of the TMDL from the Lower Sevier River Watershed Plan states that through water and overland flows we can have high amounts of phosphors in the system that can drain into the Sevier River watershed. The implementation of this project would seem to help control it as we will be reseeding grasses, forbs and shrubs that would help control the overland flow slow down the sediment discharge in to the Lower Sevier River and reduce sediment, phosphors and other nutrient load by reducing the pinyon-juniper trees and improving the uplands.

All NEPA (Fishlake National Foreast Pinyon-Juniper-EA) has been completed. We are requesting funding for Archaeological clearance that will be coordinated by our Forest Archaeologist (Chuck Hutchinson) prior to implmentation. Project Manager will consult with Arie Leeflang prior to implementation to make sure all information is correct. Additional information maybe requested from the Federal Agencies.

We propose reducing juniper density on roughly 1,700 acres using a combination of mastication with bobcat mounted bull-hogs (950 acres), and lop and scatter (up to 750 acres). Pinyon pine will be retained as pinyon jay habitat and cover for other wildlife species. Treatment would occur during fall and winter. All treated area would be reseeded with a mix of grass, shrubs and forbs using aircraft prior to treatment. Scatter may later be burned by the Fillmore Ranger District to reduce fuel load. Travel corridors will be kept intact allowing for thermal and escape cover for wildlife in the area. Cultural Resource issues have been addressed on this project under the Pinyon-Juniper Environmental Assessment that was signed December 5, 2019, and additional survey will be completed prior to implementation. The mastication, aerial seeding, and lop and pile portions of the project will be contracted out through state purchasing. These contracts will be awarded based on price per acre and the experience the contractor may have to complete the project in a efficient and professional manner.

Monitoring plans will include UDWR and USFS bi-annual big game classifications used to monitor production and subsequent survival of area deer and elk herds. Also, the Project Manager will establish a set of vegetation and photo points within a transect to collect pre and post treatment data. UDWR may ask for the GBRC Range Trend Crew to set a permanent vegetation transect for future monitoring of this project that are generally ead every five years, workload permitting. Monitoring for fish will be conducted by the Fishlake National forest fisheries crew. Ivie Creek is currently on a 3 to 5 year rotation for electroshocking. Monitoring of springsnails is done by both the fisheries shop and the District and is generally done each year.

This project will augment previous work done on adjacent private land coordinated by Kendall Bagley, UDWR habitat biologist, and both private partners and the UDWR were heavily involved in its design. Partners for this project consist of the Fillmore Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest, Utah State Forestry and Fire, Gurney Cattle Company, and the UDWR Southern Region. All partners are supportive of this project and are willing to commit a lot of time and effort towards making this project a success. This includes resting the treatment from grazing for two growing seasons if necessary. In addition, many members of the general public and sportsman enjoy hunting and recreating in this area that benefit from the Habitat Restoration Work will have the opportunity to participate in future maintenance of this project as volunteers.

The USFS will work with Gurney Cattle Company to implement a deferred rotational grazing system on the bullhog mastication treatment consistent with the Fishlake National Forest management plan. This will be written into the Annual Operating Instructions signed by the permitees each spring prior to grazing on the Forest. The Forest Service is strongly committed to improving habitat through restoration efforts to meet overall regional goals and objectives for wildlife and livestock grazing in this area. Success will be determined by the Management Plans of the Forest Service and UDWR along with the grazing permittees through proper grazing systems that allow for healthy rangeland communities. Much of this particular Forest Allotment has seen minimal grazing for at least the last 10 years, because it simply doesn't produce enough grass to make grazing feasible. The permitees are very motivated and committed to management that will insure productivity and maximize the useful life of this project. Additional phases of this project are in the works as similar conditions exist to the south.

Both the hand thinning and mastication treatments will open up areas to sunlight, reducing overall pinyon-juniper stands and facilitating the establishment of seeded species.This will dramatically increase desirable plants such as perennial grasses and forbs, protecting the soil, improving watershed function, and increasing the forage available for livestock grazing on the Forest. The mix of wooded and open areas and diverse plant community that will result from treatment will provide superior habitat for many species of birds, reptiles and small mammals as well as improved habitat for game species such as mule deer, elk, turkey and upland game. The additional hunting opportunities for these species will benefit the local communities and other Forest visitors and should last for decades. The mastication aspect in particular can enhance the visual appeal of the area, providing a better experience to many forest users, including people who come from across the country to attend the annual Millard and Sevier County ATV Jamboree and enjoy riding trails, camping and recreating in this area.

03/05/2023

01/01/2024

2024

Nearly 900 acres of juniper was removed using tracked (units 3a, 5a) and a combination of tired and tracked (Units 1a, 2a) masticators. Units 3a and 5a were also seeded prior to treatment.

Hans Pumpernickle is a landscape scale project located on the Fillmore Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest south of the town of Scipio. The project is funded under Shared Stewardship, and is designed to provide multiple benefits to the ecosystem and local communities. The upland part of the first phase of this project, the mechanical treatment of roughly 900 acres of juniper and mixed oak and juniper, was completed in spring of 2023. The aquatics fencing part of the project that was initially included in phase one was moved into phase 2 and was included in that completion report. However it should be noted that a portion of the fencing materials were purchased with funds from this phase. Similarly, the lop-and-pile treatment was completed in 2024 under Phase 2 and will also be included in that completion report.

The USFS will work with Gurney Cattle Company to implement a deferred rotational grazing system in order to rest the units that were seeded. This will be written into the Annual Operating Instructions signed by the permitees in spring of 2024 prior to grazing on the Forest.