The Indian Peaks WMA was acquired by the UDWR in 1957 and 1958 primarily because of its value for mule deer and elk. In addition to big game, the property also provides habitat and/or potential habitat for other species including sage-grouse, turkeys, burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, high elevation woodpeckers, pygmy rabbits, and various bat species. Over the past 10 years the habitat on the WMA has been improved through removing pinyon and juniper (PJ) trees, but there are still a few thousand acres of phase 1 and phase 2-3 PJ encroachment that will benefit from additional removal efforts. However, the greatest potential to improve the value of this property for wildlife is through releasing remnant aspen and shrub communities on the higher elevations (7,000 - 10,000 ft) of the property. These higher elevation habitats are approaching a climax vegetative community dominated by conifer trees, primarily limber pine, white fir and Engelmann spruce. Using prescribed fire to reduce conifer cover in the higher elevation habitats will improve plant diversity and richness and increase overall productivity and increase the value of the property to mule deer increasing important browse species such as bitter brush and service berry and increase the forbs within the plant community by diversifying species and adding a good variety. Forbs are particularly important to mule deer when nursing fawns, as they are rich in nutritional value and help nursing mothers. In addition to improving the plant community, reducing the conifer cover will increase the amount and duration of water available to wildlife in the 2 small streams that originate on Indian Peak.

The objectives of the Indians Peaks WMA Deer Habitat Improvement Project is to improve the quality and increase the quantity of habitat for mule deer, elk, sage-grouse, turkeys, burrowing owls, ferrugenous hawks and other wildlife species through: 1) Releasing remnant aspen and mountain shrub communities on the higher elevations of the WMA through the use of Rx fire: We are hoping that this burn would cause the aspen to send up succors and that we can get somewhere between 100-500 shoots per acre and re-establish a thriving aspen stand. 2) enhance and increase the % cover of existing sagebrush, bitter-brush and mountain shrub habitats to ~30% cover by reducing the amount of phase 1 and phase 2 PJ encroachment to >2% within our treatment areas, through the use of lop and scatter and bullhog treatments, and seeding into the area some of the more dominant species of brush from the Ecological Site Description (ESD) as well as freeing up resources for the already established shrub and brush communities. 3) expanding the amount of available water by increasing and extending overland flows in the two streams that originate on Indian Peak. Hopefully changing at least one of these streams from the intermittent stream that it has become, back to the annual stream that it historically was. This will help support Objective 5, stocking of rainbow trout into an impoundment on the stream. 4) reinvigorating and expanding existing riparian habitats, by re-establishing overland flow of the streams and maintaining flowing surface water throughout the year. 5) filling the fishing pond on the property with the increased flows so that it can once again be stocked with rainbow trout, restoring what was a popular fishery when the stream filled the pond

If left untreated a continued decline and eventual loss of aspen is expected. With a decline in aspen, deer and elk will continue to be negatively impacted. As conifer continues to increase and aspen decreases, the amount of usable forage for deer and elk will decrease and will be forced to increase their use of surrounding private and BLM lands. Habitat for sensitive species such as Lewis's Woodpecker American three-toed woodpecker will be increased with the creation of snags through burning. Habitat for other lowland species (burrowing owl, short-eared owl, pygmy rabbit) will also be opened up through PJ removal. There is some evidence that excessive PJ removal may be detrimental to Pinon jays, but with the large amount of PJ habitat in the area, effects should be minimal. The greatest threat/risk to the aspen ecosystems post treatment is the browse pressure from elk and wild horses. To aid attainment of at least 1,000 to 2,000 aspen saplings per acre and 400 to 600 aspen recruits per acre in areas where prescribed fire treatments are to occur DWR will continue to work with BLM to remove wild horses from the area (approx. 60 horses where removed in August of 2018). If elk browse begins to threaten the ability of aspen to recover post fire, DWR will authorize targeted hunts to reduce elk use to level that doesn't jeopardize the success of the project Without treatment of encroaching PJ lower elevations of the WMA will continue to be stressed by over-utilization and vegetative competition. Failure to maintain these areas will result in habitat degradation and loss. The risks associated with the lop and scatter portions of this project are very minimal since there is existing under-story and seeding is not necessary. The areas identified for Bullhog treatment will need to be seeded and there is risk associated with this treatment type is invasion from plant species that are not desirable as well as potential loss of seed if there isn't adequate moisture in the years following the treatment. There is a riparian habitat on the WMA that is hanging on by a threat currently. The reduction of Pinyon and Juniper trees as well as an influx in water into the Indian Creek Stream bed will hopefully re-invigorate these plants and habitat. This action should also serve to keep the stream cool as well as to encourage reproduction of some of the tall cottonwood trees along the corridor that wild turkey populations are using as roosting trees. Failure to remove some of the trees that are currently using the water in this area could result in die off and total loss of some of the riparian habitat that has been in this area for a long time.

Indian Peaks WMA management plan calls for a close monitoring on the encroachment of pinyon and juniper trees. When trees get to the point of needing treatments the plan calls for the use of lop and scatter and bullhog treatments as well as prescribed fire to restore the areas to usable space for wildlife specifically mule deer and elk. We feel like the planning of this project is filling the need for these management thresholds and that by doing this project we will be keeping our management objectives for the WMA Management plan that state; Use natural and mechanical forms of treatment on an "as needed" basis to manipulate and improve plant communities for wildlife, and reseed areas after treatment. Plant "green strips" to serve as fire breaks and provide winter forage for big game. Maintain and improve springs and riparian areas. Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (2015) The management goal of the Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit is to increase the unit deer population. Habitat management objectives that are applicable to the Project are (1) Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives. (2) Maintain critical fawning habitat in good condition. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2015). This plan has a stated habitat goal that calls for the removal of at least 3000 acres of pinyon and juniper per year. This project helps achieve that goal. The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan established incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas. The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups, and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses. Southwest Desert Adaptive Resource Management Sage-grouse Plan (2008) The goals and objective of this project are consistent with the following strategies with the this plan: Strategy 1 - Improve age distribution of sagebrush-steppe communities Strategy 2 - Improve water availability in brood-rearing habitat Strategy 7 - Manage unwanted plant species in sage-brush steppe habitat Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (2009) Habitat Management Objective (B.e.), Under the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of habitat improvement projects to benefit pronghorn. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Draft) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Our project if focusing on addressing any and all possible issues present for WAP species and trying to facilitate best management practices for these species. State of Utah Resource Management Plan (2018) The state supports the efforts of the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative and other rehabilitative efforts throughout the state The state supports the Watershed Restoration Initiative to encourage reduced wildfire acreage, reduced soil loss from erosion, reduced sedimentation and storage loss in reservoirs, and improved water quality. The state plan supports active management to improve and enhance riparian resources to provide for appropriate physical, biological and chemical function. engage with federal land management agencies to support active management of healthy riparian areas on federal land. Seeding an optimal mix of native and desirable non-native species to support desired ecologic conditions and create a properly functioning ecosystem. Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation and wildlife. Use of the good neighbor program to partner with Federal Agencies to better manage forage. Beaver County Resource Management Plan (RMP) (2017) The Beaver County RMP supports this project in the following ways; To ensure that federal lands are managed for multiple uses as mandated in the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act and other federal law. This approach places an emphasis on striking a balance in land use planning among the competing values of recreation, grazing, timber, watershed protection, fish and wildlife, mining and energy. Efforts should be made to protect critical wildlife habitat, watersheds, scenery, and important natural resources. To improve range conditions through vegetation treatments and proper management. Land managers shall maintain and enhance desired plant communities that benefit watersheds, water quality, wildlife, livestock, and achieve rangeland health standards. Vegetation treatments shall be applied to encroaching and undesirable species in range projects such as pinyon/juniper, Russian olive, Halogeton and Rabbit Brush. Utilize native and non-native seed mixtures in vegetation treatments that are appropriate to management objectives, are adapted to the site conditions and are highly resistant to and/or competitive with invasive and noxious weeds. Range/Watershed Condition: Upland rangelands shall have vegetation cover and composition which will insure sustained productivity considering site potential and historical impacts; Range and watershed health is determined based on best available science and experience without reference to intended uses; Assessment of range/watershed condition is based on establishing the kind and amount of vegetation that will furnish soil protection and useful vegetation production considering the potential of the site, not necessarily restoring "natural" conditions. Pinyon-Juniper: Pinyon and juniper (PJ) is eliminated or reduced on any site that has the potential to support grassland, sagebrush grassland, or other vegetation types more useful in terms of watershed condition and resource outputs, unless it has been determined, on a site specific basis that PJ does not jeopardize watershed condition and add to the combined resource outputs and values on the site. On sites where PJ occurs that do not have potential for good perennial grass and shrub cover, or where technology is lacking to establish such cover by reasonable efforts, PJ stands are maintained in an open canopy state when possible to prevent catastrophic wildfire and stand replacement with invasive annuals. Mixed Conifer: Mixed conifer stands are prevented from invading other forest types or mountain grasslands. Riparian: Riparian areas are managed to prevent excessive erosion and deposition of sediment and impaired water quality that results, with recognition that these processes may have begun in the past due to natural and/or human caused factors and may continue far into the future regardless of the management applied. The use of tools including, but not limited to, livestock grazing, chemical, and other mechanical control is critical to protecting ecosystem health from invasive species after fire events. Beaver County supports prescribed wildland fire use on rangelands and encourages prescribed burns where appropriate. The removal of pinyon-juniper infestations throughout Beaver County is necessary to decrease wildfire potential and improve upland habitat conditions. Beaver County will encourage federal land management agencies to continue to seek out, identify, map and catalogue known and unknown, or undiscovered cultural resources within Beaver County. Ensure that all state and federal laws are complied with upon the discovery and identification of new cultural resources.

Due to the exclusion of natural fire in the project area the vegetative conditions are near climax in critical areas. The Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) is predominately Class 2 and 3 which is a moderate to high departure from natural historical vegetation conditions. This has caused conditions that could support a total stand replacement event with loss of structure and bio-diversity to the project area. This potential loss of key components to the ecosystem is high. Encroachment of pinyon-juniper is also driving a significant portion of the problem in the lower elevations. While white fir encroachment has significantly suppressed aspen growth and recruitment at higher elevations. Modeling under typical wildfire conditions suggests the project area has a moderate to very high risk of wildfire. With moderate to high rates of spread producing very high to extreme flame lengths and the potential for loss of 80% of the overstory canopy and stand structure. Wildfire suppression would be difficult and pose a high level risk for firefighters and the public. This project conducted under a prescription could allow for fire management personnel to select the proper conditions to conduct this project. Under the proper conditions fire could be used to enhance mule deer and sage grouse habitat while reducing wildfire risk and the potential loss of habitat. This project could also serve as an anchor point for other such projects in the future. By completing this project we feel that we will take the FRCC from a condition class of 2-3 to a condition class of mostly 1 with some 2.

Removal of Phase I and II PJ encroachment and the increase of herbaceous perennial species, water quality and quantity should improve. Studies have shown that an additional 45 day increase of water can occur when pinyon and juniper are removed and a perennial herbaceous under-story is established. Runoff will decrease and less sediment will be moved out of the watershed due to an increase of a herbaceous under-story. It is anticipated that this project will resulted increased water flow and lengthen the amount of time there is water in the steams on the WMA. This increased availability of water should help reinvigorate and expand the patches of riparian habitat that are currently struggling to survive on the WMA benefiting most if not all non-game species.

For this project we plan to complete all necessary Cultural Resource Surveys, and if we are able to complete the RX fire component of the project then we will be following a burn plan that is being put together in cooperation with Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands. These lands do not require any further actions for our proposed project to be in compliance.

An RX fire ignition plan will be implemented on approximately 2,838 acres with implementation of the fire to follow the RX Fire Plan designed by Forestry Fire and State Lands, as well as Cedar City BLM Fuels Shop Staff. In the event that we do not get a window to light the RX Fire We would move to the secondary treatments of pinyon and juniper removal. All Pinyon and Juniper which currently occupy and are encroaching upon the site will be removed through a bullhog treatment on 709 acres. Islands and corridors of pinyon and juniper would remain untreated throughout the WMA, creating a mosaic pattern of treated and untreated vegetation (see Attached Photos). Before mechanical implementation, mulching areas would be broadcast seeded with a mix of native and non-native shrubs, grasses and forbs important for improving mule deer habitat, and stabilization of soils. Pinyon and juniper, which currently occupy the project site in lower densities would be lopped and scattered by contract hand crews with chainsaws and loppers, removing all trees on approximately 440 acres. Stringers of thicker trees in the washes will be left for big game where it is determined beneficial by DWR biologists. We have been working with Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands, and Cedar City BLM on the RX Fire portion of the project . They have developed a plan that is active on the WMA, and are currently developing the RX Fire Plan in conjunction with Cedar City BLM Fuels Shop to develop a multi-agency plan that will allow for the RX fire that will be lit on Indian Peak to burn most effectively and be more controlled. We will lean on them when it comes time to implement the RX fire plan. Noteworthy here is that we have decided that if we don't get a burn window to light the RX Fire by October 10th then we will proceed with our plans for completing the lop and scatter and bullhog projects with the money. We will contract out the work for the lop and scatter portions as well as the bullhog mastication work associated with the project including aerially applying the seed mix in the bullhog area.

There are two range trend study sights on the Indian Peaks WMA that are monitored by the Division of Wildlife Resources Range Crew, as well as a newly added Sage Grouse Mitigation range trend site in last years lop and scatter polygons. There is also a deer classification route that runs through the WMA and would be utilized to decide deer usage and population growth. During drought years Indian creek is one of the water sources UDWR monitors monthly to determine extent and availability of water. Habitat restoration biologists from UDWR would establish a point intercept plot in the bullhog treatment area to determine success of the seeding as well as monitoring stream flows and water levels throughout the year. WRI monitoring site to be requested for Rx fire portion of project.

Partners include: Forestry Fire and State Lands; Helping us put together the RX Fire portion of the project and give input on how to plan for the burn and the feasibility of the RX Fire being successful in the way we were thinking it might be. The Piute Indian Tribe of Utah specifically the Indian Peaks Band of the Piute tribe; We consulted with them during the planning of the project so that we made sure that we weren't negatively impacting areas that were culturally important to them as this property was owned and utilized for generations by their band of the tribe. Cedar City Field Office of BLM; we consulted with BLM on possibly partnering with them in future projects if the RX Fire window is not met in the first 1-2 years. In addition the agencies we have contacted Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (Troy Justensen) and The Mule Deer Foundation (Mike Laughter); We discussed specifically with these organizations that we would be looking for financial assistance to make this project happen, and both organizations are interested in partnering with us to complete this project. This project has also been discussed with several different groups of people who have been hunting and viewing wildlife in the area for generations. We talked with these groups and individuals about what has changed over the years and areas that we can and should be working in with the project so that we can make it the best it can be for mule deer.

As noted above property has a current WMA management plan and that plan directs management decisions. Livestock grazing does not occur on the WMA, except for in cases of extreme drought/wildfire. We have written into our WMA Management Plan that during these times at the discretion of the habitat program manager, we can use the forage on the WMA as a grass bank. In the event that we do use the WMA as a grass bank we will monitor the feed availability, and use proper grazing management tactics to allow for the use of the resource. The impacts of elk and wild horses on treatment areas (particularly regenerating aspen stands) will be monitored by UDWR habitat staff (see monitoring section for details). If the wild horses that are still on the property following the BLM removal that occurred this past summer are negatively impacting projects; DWR will work with the BLM to organize an additional removal effort. If elk are determined to be over utilizing recovering aspen stands, the population will be temporarily reduced through targeted hunts.

By implementing this project we plan to make the Indian Peaks WMA a wildlife attraction taking grazing pressure off of the surrounding areas allowing for these areas to have more feed and forage for the use of livestock. We also plan to have the added benefits to wildlife create an area where people can come and hunt elk and deer and recreate while hunting. The Rx fire portion of this project will help to alleviate the current Aspen decline in the area and place the treated area on a pathway leading to a healthy multi-storied Aspen stand. A commercial Christmas tree permit is issued annually on the Indian Peaks WMA to take 100+ Pinion Pine. The permit payment is covered by additional PJ removal in lieu of cash.

03/25/2021

04/08/2021

2021

This project has been planned as a priority-based project from the start. Our number one goal is to put fire back on the landscape within the WMA and use it to help us restore the upper elevations of the WMA to a more wildlife friendly plant community. We realized early on in the planning that this was going to be a timing thing and that it would be difficult to ask for money to light an RX Fire and then never spend the money and keep asking for the money hoping for a burn window. So instead we planned it to be an RX Fire if possible but if it is not looking likely that we would be able to light the fire and meet out number one priority for the area then we would have backup plans for how to use the money. With this phase of the project the RX fire was number one and then some lop and scatter was number 2 and the bullhog and seeding efforts were the number 3 priority. We thought that we might be able to complete both the 2nd and 3rd priorities with the funding this time if the RX Fire was not able to happen. However when we went to do the contracting for the mastication we realized that a change in the guard at the position of archaeologist had this project not where we thought we would be and the consultation for the archaeology was not completed. This put us back enough that we were only able to implement the lop and scatter that was planned. Not wanting to leave a whole bunch of money sitting idle we discussed some ideas with the district biologist, and ended up scaling up the lop and scatter efforts. By doing this we felt that we would still meet the management goals of the WMA and do good things for wildlife. The lop and scatter efforts, along with some RX Fire prep work on the northwest RX Fire polygon, are the treatments that we were able to get completed this year.

We contracted out the lop and scatter work to 3 B's Forestry Inc. They showed up to the job with a dozen workers and then about a week later added another dozen totaling 24 plus a foreman on the job. With this many people they worked through the units very quickly and were done in what seemed like no time at all. As the project inspector it took a good amount of effort to keep up with the crews on inspections but they were doing a great job and only missing trees that were very difficult to see due to being very small. When they finished the project it looked great and the work they completed was nothing short of fantastic. They were hard working and their foreman was very good to work with and would correct and deficiencies immediately. At the same time as the Lop and Scatter crews were working we had Lone Peak Hotshots come and do some RX Fire Prep work on the unit on the Northwest end of the WMA. They cut and cleared a defensible fire line around the unit in preparation for igniting the RX Fire. If the conditions are good and within the prescription defined in the RX Fire Plan then the fire will be ignited fall of 2021. We are hopeful for this to happen.

In the future we will keep managing this property and these treatment areas for the benefit of wildlife and specifically to benefit mule deer. Regular inspection and if needed maintenance will occur and we will make sure that we protect the investment in this property for long into the future.