The Dollar Ridge Fire was a 70,000 acre stand replacing fire. Nearly 45% the of acres burned were on private and State ownership. The high intensity and severity of the fire left little to no vegetative component on much of the fire scar. During a post fire interagency meeting, reforestation efforts were one of the top five priorities for rehabilitation efforts. WRI had agreed to secure up to $200,000 dollars covering a three year phase for reforestation starting in State fiscal year 2020. Tree seedlings will be planted for private property owners who sign up for the program. Seedlings on State lands will be planted in identified priority areas.

The goal is to promote increased forest health and vigor which will benefit wildlife, wildlife habitat, water quality/quantity, and recreation. - Reforestation of around 100,000 seedlings over a three year period within both private and State owned land on the Dollar Ridge fire scar. - Create species diversity by planting conifer species like ponderosa pine, limber pine and Douglas-fir which did not for the most part live here naturally pre-fire but are well suited for this type of environment. Pinyon pine will also be planted if a local seed source can be obtained. - Other species that may be planted are serviceberry, chokecherry, mountain big sagebrush, bur oak, blue spruce, lodgepole pine and aspen.

Planting seedlings will help speed up the process to a healthier forest. If no planting were implemented it would take decades for conifer trees to come back naturally.

Utah Forest Action Plan 2015 - Use all available management tools, including forest industry, to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems. - Utah's forested resources are used to meet public needs while being appropriately managed to provide sustainability for future generations. Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 - Increasing regeneration success. The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan has an objective to improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on crucial ranges by initiating broad-scale vegetative treatment projects. The Strawberry River WMA Habitat Management Plan's goals are to protect, improve, and restore watershed, soil, and vegetative resources for the benefit of fish and wildlife.

Since there is currently little to no fuel loading. This project will create reforestation within the burn to help promote healthier habitat for wildlife and increased aesthetics. Species of trees planted will help create diversity and resilience throughout the landscape.

Water quality will be increased as tree roots will provide soil stabilization and decreases over time of sediment downstream. Shade created by the trees will increase soil moisture and cooler micro-climate temperatures which will be favorable for grasses/forbs establishment and cover for wildlife. Water quantity will be increased as shade will help support longer snow pack into the spring season. Major debris flows have already occurred. WRI has begun efforts of vegetation re-establishment (WRI 4752). Reforestation efforts will aid in long term benefits.

NEPA will not be required. Archaeological clearance has been waved. See attached document.

FFSL will coordinate with DWR to determine priority areas to plant seedlings on State owned land. FFSL will coordinate with surrounding private landowners (approximately 75 homeowners have signed up as interested in planting trees on their property) to set up a time for tree delivery. Home owners are encouraged to plant and care for the seedlings themselves and direction will be given by FFSL on proper tree planting procedure and care. For property owners who are interested but unable to plant seedlings Utah Conservation Core Crews will be available to help plant seedlings. Conservation core crews or other tree contracted crews will plant seedlings on State owned land overseen by FFSL and/or DWR.

Observational random monitoring will take place to determine the survival rate of the seedlings annually over the next 3-5 years. A monitor form survey will be mailed out to property owners asking them specific questions about survival rates.

Private landowners DWR, FFSL, Duchesne County, USFS - supports project and currently does not have intentions to plant seedlings on public land.

Establishing trees now will provide a healthier forest sooner as well as benefit wildlife, soils, water quality/quantity, future grazing and recreation activities for future generations to enjoy.

The seedlings will be vulnerable to ungulate pressure. If cattle had been used for grazing in the past it will be recommended to rest the landscape for the next 3-5 years or until the landscape can recover enough to support ungulate pressure. Aesthetic and recreation uses will be increased for future generations. Wildlife populations and habitat will also see an increase over the years.

07/01/2020

06/30/2021

2021

FFSL provided a sign up sheet during the Dollar Ridge Fire as well as outreach on social media, for landowners who were interested in reforestation efforts post fire. Approximately 51 landowners within the burn scar signed up for the program in 2019, and 63 landowners in 2020. A weekend in October was set aside where FFSL was set up at the Fruitland fire station and landowners could come pick up their seedlings. Seedlings were planted utilizing family and friends. 14,955 seedlings were distributed in 2019. In 2020, 18,998 seedlings were distributed to private landowners and 10,237 were planted on Utah Mitigation Commission ownership by a contracting planting crew for a total of 29,235 seedlings. During pickup, FFSL provided proper handling and planting guidelines handouts, tree protectors (2,500 in 2019 & 6,500 in 2020) and soil moist (helps retain soil moisture) were provided. Landowners at this time could also ask any questions related to tree planting, placement, process, etc.... before they headed up the mountain to plant. Landowners could also fill their empty water tanks off a water hydrant to water the seedlings after planting. Several landowners took extra steps to promote increased survival rates by mulching around seedlings as well as setting up a drip irrigation system. These landowners were noted and will be given priority status for the fall 2021 planting.

The Dollar Ridge Fire was a 70,000 acre stand replacing fire. Nearly 45% the of acres burned were on private and State ownership. The high intensity and severity of the fire left little to no vegetative component on much of the fire scar. During a post fire inter-agency meeting, reforestation efforts were one of the top five priorities for rehabilitation efforts. The goal is to promote increased forest health and vigor which will benefit wildlife, wildlife habitat, water quality/quantity, and recreation. - Reforestation of around 85,000 seedlings will be planted over a three year period within both private and State owned land within the Dollar Ridge fire scar. - Creating species diversity by planting conifer species like ponderosa pine, limber pine, pinyon pine, bur oak, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir. Pinyon pine seed source was collect locally on Tabby Mountain WMA. Also Ponderosa pine was collect with a special use permit on Forest Systems Lands along the Mirror Lake highway.

During a spring monitoring effort in 2021, and according to a survey sent to participating landowners, it was estimated a survival rate of around 50% from the previous two years plantings, which is higher than expected give the current soil moisture conditions. Due to extreme record breaking drought conditions watering the seedlings is crucial to survival. 79% of the landowners said they watered seedlings with at least 1 gallon of water per month during the summer months. Thanks to the dedication of the landowners for watering, otherwise the survival rate would have been even lower. 2021 will be the final year for plantings. It is anticipated FFSL will receive approximately 40,000 seedlings from Montana State Conservation Seedling Nursery under State Contract. Monitoring will continue spring 2022, and subsequent years.