Cottonwood Ridge has a high density of large fuels after a lop and scatter project. The current array of fuels on the ground contribute to difficult fire suppression actions when a fire occurs. By piling the biomass in long piles laying perpendicular to the slope it will allow for easy burning, minimize erosion, and consolidate the scorched areas to a few dozen strips which will be easier to seed and control weeds if they appear post treatment. Vegetation: Sagebrush habitats throughout the west have declined drastically and continue to decline under many threats that are impacting this habitat type (Bradley 2010, Miller and Eddleman 2000). The greater sage-grouse is one of several species that has been impacted by the loss of sagebrush habitat (Miller and Eddleman 2000). The Tavaputs project will target restoring and protecting sage habitat and is one of the BLM's priorities. One of the greatest threats to sage habitat is encroachment of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) (Bunting et al.1999). Through fire suppression, historic livestock over-grazing, and changes in climatic conditions, PJ have expanded and encroached into areas once dominated by sagebrush (Tausch 1999). When PJ canopy cover and tree density reaches certain levels, the diversity and density of under-story vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and forbs) decline. This removes an important component of food and shelter for elk, mule deer, sage-grouse, sage sparrows, brewer's sparrow, and small mammals, such as jackrabbits, which are a large component of Golden Eagle diets (Bates and Moretti 1994, Naillon et al. 1999, Vaitkus and Eddleman 1991). In addition to out-competing under-story vegetation, increased PJ tree densities within sage-brush parks have been proven to reduce the use of these habitats by sage-grouse. Sage-grouse avoid these areas because of the increased risk of predation by aerial predators (i.e. raptors) that can use these trees as perches (Commons et al. 1999). Thus, potential habitat for this imperiled bird is lost. This project will help to remove the threat PJ is causing on crucial sagebrush habitat and benefit the species that rely on it for survival. Additionally, Fires on the Tavaputs plateau are some of the most difficult to support logistically in the region. Lack of roads that can support large vehicle and high vehicle numbers is very limiting to managers and suppression crews. This project will help future suppression in the area by reducing areas previously treated with high density of large fuels comprised of PJ. This project will also provide areas near some of the better maintained roads to potentially "catch" some of these larger fires like the ones seen surrounding the area in 2018 (Bear Trap, Trail Mountain, Dollar Ridge, and Pole Creek). Water Quality: Another negative impact on the watershed from PJ encroachment is soil erosion (Farmer 1995). Removing PJ, will allow grasses and forbs to expand and decrease the speed of water-flow and the size of soil particles that can be transported. Also, PJ have been shown to intercept about 10-20 percent of precipitation and have greater precipitation runoff (Farmer 1995, Skau 1964). By removing PJ and establishing grasses and forbs water will more readily infiltrate the soil and remain in the system. Dense tracts of PJ are a big concern for stand replacing wildfire which tends to sterilize and cause hydrophobic soil. Removing sections of trees will help to slow down fire spread and intensity, and help to prevent invasive species like cheatgrass from establishing post-fire. It has been observed that by cutting PJ, the under-story vegetation will grow back in greater amounts than in those areas that are not cut (Bates et al. 2000). Mechanical PJ removal (e.g. Bull hog or chainsaw crew) projects like this project have proven to be a successful method for replacing the function of fire in the ecosystem and help to maintain watershed health. Wildlife: The Tavaputs Plateau project area has an expansive PJ ecosystem which is encroaching into the domain of sage brush habitats. This plateau system is crucial mule deer and elk winter and summer range and primary sagegrouse habitat. This project will provide several hundred more acres of usable habitat for sage-grouse and ungulates. Removal of perching substrate by raptors will lessen the predation pressure on sagegrouse. It is essential that we implement this project as soon as possible to help mitigate the numerous impacts affecting sage habitat.

In order to address the current threat that PJ encroachment poses to the critical sagebrush habitats within our designated project area, and within the WRI rangeland focus area, we are proposing this project with the following objectives; Project Goals and Objectives; Objective 1- piling of dense PJ material within sagebrush stands to ease with biomass removal in winter (prescribed fire). Objective 2- Increase available habitat for sage-grouse by removing trees within sagebrush stands and removing raptor perch substrates. Objective 3- Increase available forage and habitat utilization for mule deer and elk by seeding native grasses and forbs Objective 4- Increase under-story plant diversity and cover (e.g. Forbs, grasses, and shrubs). Objective 5- Increase numbers of small prey for raptor species by increasing forage and seed sources by leaving the smallest branches and the larger boles. Objective 6- Decrease potential soil loss and erosion by increasing under-story vegetation. Objective 7-Objectives will be quantified by qualitative monitoring utilizing before and after high resolution imagery and repeat photography.

The Tavaputs project is focused on eliminating pinyon pine and juniper from sagebrush meadows on the Tavaputs Plateau. Improving this sage community and removing dense PJ fuels to minimize the potential for stand replacing fire is a high priority. Historically it is probable that sage grouse in the area had greater distribution and population. Research by Mordo et. al. (2013) and others have documented that sage grouse stop utilizing a lek with as little as 4% tree canopy cover. Lack of natural disturbances such as wildfire have favored PJ expansion and a subsequent decline in sage grouse populations and sage grouse habitat. It is expected if the project does not occur that PJ pine expansion will continue to occur in the project area further limiting sage grouse habitat. Fire severity and fire probability are high throughout most of the phase and are among the highest the BLM manages in the castle valley region. The Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) outlines three specific threats related to this project; 1) 8.1.2 Invasive Plant Species- PJ encroachment and expansion pose a very high threat impact to mountain sagebrush (Artemisia vaseyana) and black sagebrush (Artemisia nova) species. Every year that goes without treating this area allows for greater PJ expansion with loss of under-story plant diversity and reduction of sage habitat. The continued loss of habitat also increases the pressure on remaining plants by herbivores (e.g. deer and elk) thus decreasing the health of remaining plants. The risk of not treating this area can ultimately result in lower quality browse for ungulates like mule deer and elk. This can lead to death during severe winters. Sage grouse who could potentially inhabit this area but who avoid it because of the existing tree density are at greater threats because of habitat loss and other pressures on their populations. This project will help to open up potential habitat that could be crucial in augmenting their populations and distribution. Also, we currently have greater funding sources this year to treat areas that may benefit wildlife. Conducting this project will help show the USFWS that we are doing all we can to help protect sage grouse and other wildlife. 2.3.1 Improper Grazing (current): refers to grazing systems currently in practice and subject to improvement. The timing, duration and intensity of livestock grazing are able to alter plant structure and composition, water quantity and quality, and soil structure and stability. Improper grazing may thereby reduce habitat suitability in numerous and diverse ways. Over the longer term, improper grazing accelerates desertification by reducing litter, increasing soil bulk density and bare ground, reducing water infiltration, and increasing water runoff and soil erosion. 8.2.7 Natural Rarity: refers to larger or higher-trophic or solitary wide-ranging species that are naturally thinly distributed on a landscape or waterscape (e.g., wolverine, condor). Not to be confused with species with a small number of occurrences or a small natural distribution (Small Isolated Populations) The threats to the habitat and wildlife are much greater if no action is taken to remove the biomass. If we do not implement this project, we will continue place our sagebrush habitats at risk of fire damage and potentially lose all ecological function of these habitats. This will result in a major loss of food for deer and elk and will likely have a greater negative impact than the potential for losing some temporary cover. This will also result in a further loss of potential sage-grouse, pollinator, and insect habitat.

Rangeland Health in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. The focus for management within this area is to improve greater sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat while maintaining the dominant aspects of the sagebrush community to ensure adequate cover is available. High quality brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for sage grouse in the Carbon County population area. DOI Secretarial Order 3336 sets forth enhanced policies and strategies for preventing and suppressing rangeland fire and for restoring sagebrush landscapes impacted by fire across the West. These actions are essential for conserving habitat for the greater sage-grouse as well as other wildlife species and economic activity, such as ranching and recreation, associated with the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem in the Great Basin region. This effort will build upon the experience and success of addressing rangeland fire, and broader wildland fire prevention, suppression and restoration efforts to date, including the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, and ensure improved coordination with local, state, tribal, and regional efforts to address the threat of rangeland fire at a landscape-level. Sec. 4 Policy. Protecting, conserving, and restoring the health of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem and, in particular, greater sage-grouse habitat, while maintaining safe and efficient operations, is a critical fire management priority for the Department. Allocation of fire management resources and assets before, during, and after wildland fire incidents will reflect this priority, as will investments related to restoration activities. We are meeting the objectives set for in Sec. 5 Developing an Enhanced Fire Prevention, Suppression, and Restoration Strategy of Secretarial Order 3336 by: a.) Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Federal agencies, states, tribes, local stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations on fire management and habitat restoration activities, including: (i) Enhancing the capability and capacity of state, tribal, and local government, as well as non-governmental, fire management organizations, including rangeland fire protection associations and volunteer fire departments, through improved and expanded education and training; and (ii) Improving coordination among all partners involved in rangeland fire management to further improve safety and effectiveness. b.) Utilize risk-based, landscape-scale approaches to identify and facilitate investments in fuels treatments, fire suppression capabilities, and post-fire stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration in the Great Basin. c.) Seek to reduce the likelihood, size, and severity of rangeland fires by addressing the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive, non-native species. d.) Advance the development and utilization of technologies for identifying areas of high ecological and habitat value in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems to enhance fire prevention and sage-grouse habitat protection efforts. e.) Apply science and research to improve the identification and protection of resistant and resilient sagebrush-steppe landscapes and the development of biocontrols and other tools for cheatgrass control to improve capability for long-term restoration of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems. f.) To the extent practicable, utilize locally-adapted seeds and native plant materials appropriate to the location, conditions, and management objectives for vegetation management and restoration activities, including strategic sourcing for acquiring, storing, and utilizing genetically appropriate seeds and other plant materials native to the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. g.) Encourage efforts to expedite processes, streamline procedures, and promote innovations that can improve overall rangeland fire prevention, suppression and restoration efficiency and effectiveness. h.) Explore opportunities to pilot new strategies to reduce the threat of invasive, nonnative plant species and rangeland fire to sagebrush-steppe ecosystems and greater sage-grouse conservation, including enhanced use of veteran fire crews and youth conservation teams, and efforts to further public-private partnerships to expand capacity for improved fire management. i.) Establish protocols for monitoring the effectiveness of fuels management, post-fire, and long-term restoration treatments and a strategy for adaptive management to modify management practices or improve land treatments when necessary. BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners. Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7). B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows: Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14). C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3) D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MALG13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17). 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. Price Field Office RMP: (VEG-1) -- Allow vegetation manipulation with restrictions to achieve the desired vegetation condition. Etc. (pg. 69) (VEG-2) -- Design sagebrush treatment projects (including fire and fuels vegetation projects) conducted in greater sage-grouse occupied or historic habitat. (pg.70) This project will meet the goal of protecting the sagebrush community by removing Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). (VEG-3) -- (2) enlarge the size of sage brush patches with emphasis on areas occupied by greater sage-grouse and/or other sage dependent This project will meet the goal of protecting the sagebrush community by removing PJ that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). Utah Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy: Shrub steppe habitats ranked out as the 4th highest habitat priority for the state of Utah. This places the shrub steppe into a "key" habitat type. (Pg.7-7 & 7-8) This project will meet the goal of protecting the shrub steppe habitat by removing PJ that is encroaching into the shrub steppe. Shrub steppe habitat should be a target for restoration and conservation (pg. 8-1) Recommends in areas where decadent pinyon juniper has increased into shrub steppe due to lack of disturbance to disturb the decadent vegetation. This is listed as a high priority. (Pg.8-8) This project will meet the goal of protecting the shrub steppe habitat by removing Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into the shrub steppe and re-seeding with a species composition that will restore and conserve the habitat. This will result in a major loss of food for deer and elk and will likely have a greater negative impact than the potential for losing some temporary cover. This will also result in a further loss of potential sage-grouse habitat. Carbon County Plan (1997, amended 2010) - 1.1 Objective: The removal of pinion and juniper woodlands on lower elevation ranges by the use of prescribed fire or mechanical railing, biomass shredding or other means. 1.1.2 Strategy: Plan projects to remove pinion and juniper overgrowth to allow grass, forbs and other desirable vegetation to be established for livestock and wildlife. Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018, specifically: Section 1. Policy, (b) Coordinating Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Assets. Wildfire prevention and suppression and post-wildfire restoration require a variety of assets and skills across landscapes. Federal, State, tribal, and local governments should coordinate the deployment of appropriate assets and skills to restore our landscapes and communities after damage caused by fires and to help reduce hazardous fuels through active forest management in order to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. (c) Removing Hazardous Fuels, Increasing Active Management, and Supporting Rural Economies. Post-fire assessments show that reducing vegetation through hazardous fuel management and strategic forest health treatments is effective in reducing wildfire severity and loss. Actions must be taken across landscapes to prioritize treatments in order to enhance fuel reduction and forest-restoration projects that protect life and property, and to benefit rural economies through encouraging utilization of the by-products of forest restoration. Sec. 6. Collaborative Partnerships. To reduce fuel loads, restore watersheds, and improve forest, rangeland, and other Federal land conditions, and to utilize available expertise and efficiently deploy resources, the Secretaries shall expand collaboration with States, tribes, communities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Secretarial Order 3372: (2)(b) Coordinate and Collaborate with Land-Managing Partners and Stakeholders. Managing wildfire is not unique to the Department. The Department shares this responsibility with other Federal land-managing Agencies, States, Territories, Tribes, localities and stakeholder groups. (c) Utilize active Land, Vegetation, and Wildfire Management Techniques that are supported by Best Practices and Best Available Science.

Wildfire is one of the greatest threats to sage grouse habitat. This project will help protect and preserve sagebrush habitat by decreasing both fuel loading and fire potential. The project area according the the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal is located in an area with moderate to high threat and high to extreme for fire intensity (report attached). There have been several very large fires in the Tavaputs area since the year 2000. The Rattle Fire which occurred in the year 2000, burned for three months and was over 100,000 acres. Pinyon and juniper trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Dense PJ fuel conditions are to the point that if a wildfire occurred it would be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) within the project area is predominately FRCC 3 which is where fire regimes have been extensively altered and risk of losing key ecosystem components from wildfire is high. Treatments identified within this proposal, will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a destructive wildfire which could impact outlying properties and oil & gas infrastructure. While the trees are not in their natural state the current arrangement still contributes to extreme fire growth during normal fire weather.

Water Quality/Quantity: The Tavaputs project area elevation is over 7,000 feet above sea level; therefore, it is expected that the opportunity to restore native species to the composition and frequency appropriate to the area is high. The area is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper (Phase 2 and Phase 3). There is noticeable soil erosion throughout the area due to the absence of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. The project is expected to improve herbaceous understory, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration. A recent publication by Roundy et al. 2014 (Pinyonjuniper Reduction Increases Soil Water Availability of the Resource Growth Pool. Range Ecology and Management 67:495505) showed that phase 3 juniper removal can increase available moisture for more than 3 weeks in the spring. And removing juniper from phase 1 and 2 stands can increase water from 6-20 days respectively. Because juniper are prolific water users they readily out compete understory species which eventually die off. Results of the Great Basin Landscape Conservation Cooperative study in Nevada (Desatoya Mt.) found that by removing (lop and scatter) P/J (130 trees/acre) there is the potential to increase water recharge yields 4% on wet years. On wet years this will increase recharge, but does not increase stream flow. Wet meadows and upland plants benefit by utilizing the increase soil moisture, providing for better resiliency during drought years. This provides for an increase in water quantity for herbaceous plants on sites where PJ is removed. Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by PJ to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration

Compliance: The NEPA document (DOI-BLM-UT-G020-2017-0018-EA) was signed in September 2018. A Class III, 4000 acre archaeology survey was completed for this project in fall of 2016. This project falls within the exiting scope of the BLM Price Field Office RMP and DOI Secretarial Order 3336. The treatment area will be rested from normal livestock grazing for one year following project implementation to ensure adequate rejuvenation and seedling establishment. Permittee will still be allowed to move livestock thru the area when transitioning between pastures. DNA DOI-BLM-UT-G020-2020-0021-DNA was signed April 6, 2020.

The BLM has identified an ID Team and invited cooperating agencies to assess the current condition and formulate a vegetation management prescription that achieves the Desired Future Conditions, management intent, and management goals and objectives within the project area. BLM will provide overall project oversight. BLM will also refine the boundary of the treatment area (i.e. leave islands (cultural and wildlife). Hand piling of current slashed material is preferred. Piled Material will be less than eight inches in diameter. Piles will be six to eight feet high, six to ten feet wide, and as long as needed with the limiting factor the amount of biomass to maintain the pile or "windrow". Windrows will be covered with plastic to help keep fuels dry for burning which in turn decreases smoke particulate matter. Windrows will lay perpendicular to the slope to allow for easy burning, minimize erosion, and consolidate the scorched areas to a few dozen strips to ease with seed placement and control weeds if they appear post treatment. By leaving the largest fuels out of the burning piles burn temperatures will be lower and have less heat duration. All units will be aerially seeded to meet wildlife habitat objectives in accordance with the Ecological Site Description. Additionally, a high-diversity native forb mix will be seeded into a smaller subset of the masticated area in order to create fertile forb islands. Accurate mapping of the forb island seeding is difficult prior to treatment. However, 2 acres of this project will be seeded with forbs. The cost of a high diversity forb mix is typically cost-prohibitive to apply to an entire project area. However, targeting forb seeding on specific soils and micro-climatic locations with a high probability of success can create a fertile island and seed source for expansion. Seed mixes are generated by referencing NRCS soil surveys, the Dumroese et. al. (2015) paper, and Utah State University Bee Lab information (document attached). The seed treatments are designed to benefit sage grouse, pollinators and other wildlife (elk, deer). Juniper and Pinyon Pine Encroachment Objective is present in the Treatment Area: 1. Bull Hog Treatment Method -236 acres 2. Lop and Scatter treatment method --822 acres Although sagebrush and perennial grasses are present in portions of the Project Area the species vigor, composition and production are well below what should be expected for the site as revealed by the Ecological Site Description. The both Treatment Methods would be utilized to eliminate juniper and pinyon pine from the existing sagebrush and perennial grass community. Application of a diverse seed mix including perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs would be required throughout the project area. The project area is dominated by Juniper and Pinyon Pine; however, this is not consistent with what should be expected according to the ESD, which states that the site should be dominated by black sagebrush and a diverse composition of perennial grasses and forbs. The project area boundaries will be provided as a KML or shape file and BLM will provide overall project oversight in coordination with cooperators. In addition, archaeology clearances have been completed. Herbicide treatments will be spot treatment to eradicate musk thistle, Dalmatian toadflax, and other invasive weeds. Hand forb plantings polygons have not been identified yet. Project contributors are waiting to determine the success of phase I germination with the various factors of soil type, aspect, soil depth, elevation, raking depth, and proximity to roads.

Monitoring: Monitoring will consist of randomly located vegetation transects with the purpose of measuring both overstory and understory vegetation change. Measurements will include line-point intercept cover, tree density, species richness, and seeded species frequency using BLM's Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocols minus the soil pit. Repeat photographs will also be taken. These plots are already set up and will continued to be used.

Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative; will help with funding and contracting. Fish and Wildlife Service; consultation for wildlife restrictions and appropriate seasons for initiating vegetation treatments. Preston Nutter ranch (Hunt oil): Local knowledge of roads, gates, access, real time weather, and logistical information will be critical due to some of the remoteness and difficulty with communications on site. Also, possible over the shoulder mechanical assistance with equipment and staging of resources. Carbon County; Coordination with county road crew to ensure access issues are addressed and acreage treated data will be passed along to county weed office.

: The site will be rested from grazing for one year post project implementation to allow for re-growth of vegetation. The site will be monitored and if maintenance needs to be done in the future we will do what is necessary to maintain the health of the range. Adjacent treatments have occurred on the Tavaputs Plateau which includes summer range habitat for sage grouse, mule deer, and elk, with benefits to grass sage, aspen, and forb rejuvenation. This project will help further enhance connectivity between other Tavaputs Plateau projects for seasonal transitional wildlife range. The Mule deer herd management objective is 8,500 and two years ago was at 5,400, so it is below objective and has room to grow. The elk objective is 1,600 and two years ago was at 1,550 and will be closely monitored moving forward to maintain within objective. This area is also protected for future management through the BLM's West Tavaputs EIS. It gives guidelines to ensure that energy development that occurs in this area will be done in a responsible way. Future projects will include maintenance of the treatment area to ensure sustained results. Domestic Livestock Benefit: Where pinyon and juniper dominate they outcompete understory vegetation for water and nutrients. Over time, these understory species become less productive and vigorous and eventually die out. Removing pinion and juniper releases understory grasses and forbs from competition which increases plant vigor and rangeland productivity. Pinion and juniper removal treatments alone help increase forage quantity and quality for livestock but are especially effective when combined with seeding native perennial grasses and forbs where depleted.

Wild horse numbers have been reduced which should help the success of both aerial and hand planted seedings. Additional wild horses are scheduled to be removed in the future. While it is impossible to state that zero grazing will occur due to the constant struggle to maintain fences with the wild horse herd present, The number of cattle will be less than 60 at any given time compared to the 2,000 AUM's that are authorized for the permittee. A good majority of this phase is within a Wilderness Study Area and direction has been given by the BLM manager to decrease impacts when possible to keep the wilderness characteristics intact while still obtaining a successful treatment. Green River District Forester has been on site to advise and assist with scientific oversight to help balance the goal of decreasing fire concerns along with sage grouse habitat success and yet still contribute to a suitable habitat for the pinyon jay and other beneficiary species. Commercial wood collection is open in the area and allows for a high percentage of the biomass to be removed more economically if pursued by interested parties.

05/19/2020

02/18/2021

2021

Cut and Pile Contract; Piles were made eight feet tall and wide and were built to be as long as possible. The Crew started near the middle of the contract and worked along the north edge to the east and continued in a clockwise direction. Plastic sheeting was used to keep snow out of the piles. Herbicide Contract; PMG vegetation has the ability to gps every time the operator squeezes the handle and applies herbicide. The apparatus also has the ability to specify which species is being treated. Vendor will supply data at a later date and it will be added to the file. Seeding Seeding was changed to aerial delivery. Contract was awarded to Hammond Helicopters out of Redmond Utah. Seed was applied on January 11, 2021 with all 859 acres being covered. Crew and pilot did an excellent job with the application. 4.0 pounds per acre were applied with excellent spread and coverage. Temp was in the high teens. Less than four inches of snow was present and winds were zero or very light. Pile burns were completed with hand ignition drip torch devices with excellent ignition conditions. crews lined out in rows and lit piles as they walked into the wind. Hand seeding was not completed in the spring due to the drought. Hand seeding will commence around October 1, 2021

Cut and pile contract began on May 22, 2020. 3B's Forestry was awarded the contract. Work was completed June 13, 2020. This project was a re-treatment of a lop & scatter from 2015. Grass, forbs and brush had established well after being sheltered and protected by scattered limbs. For this new treatment a crew was hired to pile the limbs for future burning and low stump. This retreatment will help protect the area from high severity fire and will be more accessible to wildlife. The area was scheduled for seeding but with this years dryness seed will need to be postponed until fall. The BLM has also opened this treatment up for firewood gathering to help further reduce wildfire potential and offer the biomass as a benefit to the public. Herbicide Contract; PMG vegetation was awarded the contract. Work began June 1, 2020 and continued until June 5th. Rain and snow prevented the crew from working until the morning of June 9th. Work progressed well and was completed on June 13, 2020 Piles were burned on February 16-17 completing the pile burn phase. All piles consumed well within prescription.

Piles will be checked in the spring for weeds. Seeding of the pile burn scars will begin in October of 2021. Monitoring of treatment will be checked this fall to determine effectiveness.