Wildland fire, once a natural tool in maintaining ecosystem health, has been excluded from the project area for the last 80-100 years. The exclusion of fire has led to a departure from historic stand densities, resulting in increased fuel loads (live and dead fuels), decreased vegetative diversity, and compromised ecosystem health. In the event of a wildland fire, the flammability of the dense vegetation would create a safety hazard, posing a threat to private property and infrastructure within the project boundary and the residents who use them, as well as to firefighters attempting to control a fire. In addition, the Range Creek area is widely recognized as one of the archaeological gems of Utah. It contains a rich and extensive history of Native American use and hosts a vast history of archaeological resources which are currently being investigated and recorded by the University of Utah through a partnership with multiple state and federal agencies. In recent years, numerous wildfires have started within and adjacent to the Range Creek area presenting great risk to human life, property and archaeological resources. Due to the remote nature of Range Creek, proactive action to mitigate the risk of wildfire through fuel reduction and vegetative restoration is critical. This project falls entirely within a WRI focus area. While not specifically delineated in the database, this project will implement treatments and have a beneficial impact on P/J woodlands, riparian habitat (including rivers, creeks, springs and water development sites), shrublands and timber stands. Treatments identified in this proposal will specifically include 150 acres of shrubland, woodland, riparian, timber type habitats. Range Creek itself is a perennial stream in the middle of a vast dry desert, and its riparian areas provide essential forage and cover for a variety of bird species, deer, elk, beavers, and moose. In 2011, a riparian study report was completed which determined that most stretches of Lower Range Creek were in Properly Functioning Condition (PFC). And, this creek is largely void of tamarisk, except for it's at lowest reaches, approximately 8 miles downstream from historic Wilcox Ranch at the creek's outlet into the Green River. Removal of existing tamarisk and Russian olive will prevent the continued upstream movement of this seed source. Continuing the removal of dense woody biomass in this area will complement the past and ongoing WRI funded BLM and FFSL fuels reduction projects in the canyon. This phase will target primarily Musk thistle (Carduus nutans), black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), hounds tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), and toadflax (Linaria vulgaris/Linaria dalmatica). Any other noxious weeds on the Utah list will also be considered.

Treatment objectives include: *Reducing fine fuel loading, especially invasive species, that pose an immediate threat of wildfire to life/property and resources *Reducing noxious weeds *Establish a resilient and diverse ecosystem *prevent surface disturbance by employing spot treatments applied by manual means. *Enhance wildlife habitat by passive restoration of native vegetation, enhancing riparian health, and reducing hazardous fuel loading by removing noxious species within the stream corridor. *Maintain diversity of native vegetation in the riparian zone including willows and cottonwoods.

In recent years, numerous wildfires have started within and adjacent to the Range Creek area presenting great risk to human life, property and archaeological resources. Due to the remote nature of Range Creek Canyon and the delayed response times of firefighting resources, proactive action to mitigate the risk of wildfire through fuel reduction and vegetative restoration is critical. Increased fuel loading also increases the risk of stand replacing and high intensity fire events which would negatively impact wildlife habitat and cause serious damage to the riparian areas and archaeological resources within the Range Creek drainage. The BLM has completed a fire probability risk rating for all lands in southeast Utah. The analysis utilized advanced modeling techniques and incorporates data such as vegetation, slope, elevation 90th percent weather, past fire history, etc. The Range Creek project area contains numerous areas that fall into the moderate and high categories of fire risk. The first phase of treatments in this proposals will concentrate on those areas of higher risk that are located in the canyon bottom where the greatest risk to human life, property and resources are located. Future phases will include treatments in the moderate to high risk areas that pose a threat to other critical habitats and ridgelines to mitigate wildfires from moving into Range Creek. In addition, this project will have a beneficial effect on hydrologic and watershed conditions by removing the threat of noxious plants and negative impacts associated with it (soil erosion, impacts to water quality, etc) and water quantity by thinning overstocked woodlands and promoting a diverse and healthy understory. Any further delay in completing this project along the creek would have negative effects on the neighboring, previously treated areas/ healthy riparian areas by providing noxious seed source. Eliminating this relatively small population of noxious weeds now is a much more cost effective method than waiting for the future, where the noxious weeds will likely continue moving upstream and potentially dominate the riparian and upland areas of the entire canyon (as we have seen occur is so many of Utah's canyons).

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA): Sec. 102. [43 U.S.C. 1701] (a) The Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States that -- * (8) the public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals; and that will pro-vide for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use; This project meets FLPMA Goal (8) by utilizing the removal of encroaching, invasive or non-native species that have a probability of high fire intensity and ecosystem/watershed degradation. Re-seeding with desired grasses, shrubs and forbs increases ecosystem diversity and provides food for wildlife/domestic animals. * Sec. 103 (c); The BLM is directed to manage public lands in a manner that will best meet present and future needs of the nation. Public Rangelands Improvement Act 1978, Title II (43 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), as amended. Among other management objectives, this act provides for temporary discontinuance of grazing uses for the specific purpose of improving public rangeland conditions and production. This fuels project will meet FLPMA Sec. 103 objectives by taking a proactive approach to protecting the project area from high intensity wildfires. High intensity wildfires in this area pose a threat to human life and infrastructure and could cause irreparable harm to archeological resources, riparian and wildlife habitat and degrade watershed health. Public Rangelands Improvement Act 1978, Title II (43 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), as amended. Among other management objectives, this act provides for temporary discontinuance of grazing uses for the specific purpose of improving public rangeland conditions and production. 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 Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into the shrub steppe. * Shrub steppe habitat should be a target for restoration and conservation (pg. 8-1) 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. * 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. BLM Grazing Management Regulations: * 43 CFR Subpart 4120.2, objectives are to promote healthy sustainable rangeland ecosystems; to accelerate restoration and improvement of public lands to properly functioning condition...requires development of guidelines to address the restoration, Maintenance and enhancement of habitats to promote the conservation of Federal proposed, Federal candidate, and other special status species. The Project will meet BLM Grazing Management Regulations 43 CFR Subpart 4120.2 objectives by improving rangelands through fencing projects, utilizing targeted grazing to lower fine fuel loading, opening rangelands that have Pinyon-Juniper encroachment and seeding with species that are desirable for wildlife and domestic animals. The National Fire Plan (NFP) : * Designed to manage the potential impacts of wildland fire to communities and ecosystems and to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildland fire. Implemented in 2001 and encompassing agencies of the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) and Department of Interior (National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM), * The NFP focuses on strategies for improving fire preparedness, restoring and rehabilitating burned areas, reducing hazardous fuels, assisting communities, and identifying research needs. * The National Fire Plan stresses accountability and collaboration at the local level (state, county and local communities). The Project will meet the objectives found in the NFP by utilizing fuels treatment techniques that will potentially lower the impacts of wildland fire to the infrastructure within the project area and decrease the probability of high fire intensity within the watershed. The project has been designed using a collaborative approach with many different agencies/groups providing input into the final scope, design and implementation of the project. BLM National Policy Guidance on Wildlife and Fisheries Management (Manual 6500): This manual provides direction 'to restore, maintain and improve wildlife habitat conditions on public lands through the implementation of activity plans. This project will meet the goal of restoring, maintaining and improving wildlife habitat by protecting the sagebrush communities, removing Pinyon-Juniper, and re-seeding with favorable seed species (native/non-native). IM 2011-138 June 13th, 2011 * Fuels programs will utilize BMP's to identify, enhance and conserve Sage-Grouse habitat. Fuels management objectives may include protecting existing patches, modifying fire behavior, restoring native plants, or otherwise creating landscape patterns which most benefit Sage-Grouse. IM 2012-043 December 22nd, 2011 * Plan, design, and implement vegetation treatments to: 1.) Promote the maintenance of large intact sagebrush communities; 2.) Limit the expansion of dominant species (i.e. PJ). This project will meet the goal of protecting the sagebrush community by removing Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). 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 Pinyon-Juniper that is encroaching into sagebrush habitat (current/historical). CARBON COUNTY MASTER PLAN (October 1 1997): 10. Goal: To maintain a continuous supply of timber and to protect water sheds and water quality through minimization of soil erosion and. other deleterious effects from insect damage and catastrophic fires. This project conforms with the goals found in the Carbon County Master Plan, Goal (10) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods (mechanical, prescribed fire, hand, chemical and biological) to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem. 10.2 Objective: Manage forests and woodlands for commercial production and Noncommercial harvesting of resources. 32.1.1 Strategy: Prevent forest fires in watersheds by the use of proper logging and thinning. This project conforms with the goals found in the Carbon County Master Plan, Strategy (32.1.1) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem. Emery County General Plan: Adopted autumn 1996 Revised October 1999 Page 73 of 193 The County supports land use practices which promote proper ground cover to prevent erosion. The County will promote practices which will decrease the growth of noxious weeds, phreatophytes, and high consumptive vegetation, and will favor practices which increase erosion preventing ground cover. This project is consistent with goals found in the Emery County General Plan found on page 73 by using a combination of tools to help prevent erosion. Mechanical shredding of fuels leaves debris on site to help hold soils in place. In addition, projects are seeded with desirable species to provide adequate ground cover and help to prevent accelerated erosion. Page 26 of 193 To ensure greater County involvement in public land management, the County will: actively participate in all relevant public land management decisions; show continued support for multiple-use management of BLM, USFS, and State lands; support responsible use and protection of public land resources; and work to preserve and maintain public land access routes, such as those recorded on the County's RS2477 filings. To accomplish these objectives, the County established the Emery County Public Lands Council. Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan The elk plan was approved by the Wildlife Board on March 31, 2010 and will be in effect for a period of five years from that date. Habitat Objective 2: c. Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize elk habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration. This project conforms with the Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan Objective (2.c) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods (mechanical, prescribed fire, hand, chemical and biological) to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem. d. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and winter ranges e. Seek opportunities to improve aspen communities on summer ranges which provides crucial calving habitat. f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of forests in early succession stages through the use controlled burning and logging. Controlled burning should only be used in areas where there are minimal invasive weed and/or safety concerns. j. Support land management agencies in the proper management of crucial elk habitats. UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MULE DEER Habitat Objective 2: b. Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize mule deer habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration This project conforms with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan For Mule Deer (2.b) by looking at our fuels treatments on a watershed scale. One goal of this fuels project is to enhance or restore the watershed by utilizing treatment methods (mechanical, prescribed fire, hand, chemical and biological) to lessen the chance of high fire intensity in the area and utilizing seeding to create a diverse ecosystem. c. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. d. Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats across all landownerships. f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages. Comprehensive Management Plan for Lower Range Creek Canyon and the Range Creek Field Station, by (1) Enhancing riparian health through aquatic system improvements in the floodplain of Range Creek and limiting tamarisk encroachment; and by (2) Enhancing upland habitat by removal/treatment of invasive species such as tamarisk, and by (3) Completing fuel reduction projects that may involve chemical or physical labor treatments. Lower Range Creek 2011 Riparian Study Report, by working towards returning at-risk sections of Range Creek to a Properly Functioning Condition (PFC) through increasing diversity of native riparian vegetation. Utah Partners in Flight (UPIF) Bird Conservation Plan, by supporting activities that prevent invasions of exotic species and restore priority habitat. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Strategic Plan, by addressing specific habitat concerns (invasive species) in a priority habitat type (riparian). Under the Strategic Goals and Objectives of the Utah Strategic Tamarisk Management Plan, by meeting goal 1, which states, "Protect the State's natural, agricultural, and ranching resources including water quality and quantity, native plant communities, and wildlife habitat from the impacts of tamarisk through early detection, control, and restoration efforts. Tavaputs Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which includes Lower Range Creek and Wilcox Ranch, by meeting goals including reducing hazardous fuels, especially woody materials, on State owned properties and private lands within the CWPP area. Utah's Noxious Weed Act (R68-9), by removing/ containing a new or expanding population of tamarisk, which is a Class 3 noxious weed. DWR's Wildlife Action Plan, by (1) meeting the objective to reduce invasive plant species through conservation actions 2.2.2, 2.2.3, and 2.2.4 (survey, eradicate, and contain established populations of invasive plant species); and (2) conservation actions 2.2.5 and 2.2.7 by cutting and chemically treating the tamarisk; and, (3) conservation action 2.3.15, by conducting riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loading. Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah, by actions that protect existing lowland riparian corridors, and prevent additional losses; lowland riparian areas are identified as the most imperiled in the Intermountain West. USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program Mountain-Prairie Region Strategic Plan, by supporting the Plan by restoring priority habitats for trust species and strengthening voluntary partnerships; project falls within the Plateau Focus Area identified in the Plan.

Lightning caused wildfires in the bottom of Lower Range Creek Canyon occur on an almost annual basis, with several of these fires being in close proximity to the Field Station headquarters and this project site. Also, a portion of this project area is located right next to the main road, which provides a potential for human or vehicle caused fires in in this dense sagebrush, tamarisk, and pinyon-juniper. Noxious weeds will also contribute to unnatural fire growth. These pockets of hazardous fuels are located within close proximity to the Field Station, which is the only developed area of Lower Range Creek Canyon (an approximately 20 mile long stretch). The Field Station is composed of several historic structures and utilities, and serves as a residence for up to 40 people at times during the summer season. Removing these noxious weeds will remove a source of continuous fuel loading along the canyon bottom, and reduce the intensity and behavior of potential wildfire. Range Creek drains into the Green River, which supports the City of Green River and many ranchers several miles downstream. Overgrown and/or invasive woody vegetation in a watershed can lead to catastrophic fires, devastating entire watersheds and causing mass soil erosion. A wildfire event in Range Creek canyon could negatively impact water quality in the Green River for fisheries and municipalities who rely on this water. The State property managers have worked closely with FFSL's National Fire Plan Coordinator over the past few years by reducing tamarisk, Russian olive, and other weeds around the structures at the Field Station. The property falls within the Tavaputs Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and is identified as a Community at Risk. Due to its remoteness, evacuation strategies have been identified. Any actions to mitigate hazardous fuels in this area of the canyon will benefit the Field Station's seasonal residents and contribute to increased safety for fire fighters in the event of a wildfire. The Comprehensive Management Plan for Lower Range Creek specifically addresses the need to keep vegetation and shrubbery cleared through fuel reduction projects. Phase I of this project has created fuel breaks throughout the canyon in upland habitat, including decadent sagebrush and pinyon-juniper. By also eliminating pockets of thick, dense, tamarisk downstream, we will be assisting with reducing additional sources of hazardous fuels in the event of a wildfire.

Lack of natural disturbance along with prolong periods of drought have led to the expansion of noxious weeds into areas that were typically shrubland dominant. Soils under tree canopies are less moist due to interception (Breshears 1992). Manipulating vegetation that is deep rooted and uses more water (leafy spurge) prevents water from percolating through the soil and entering ground water and streams (Hibbert 1983). Additionally, removing the noxious weeds opens interspaces and allows for more water availability to other native vegetative species that would typically dominate the site. As a result, we expect noxious weed spread will decrease, riverbanks will be restored, and more water will be available to the entire system. A healthier riparian area will be able to better absorb and slowly release water in the event of a flood. Soil salinity will decrease and sedimentation rates will be reduced, improving water quality.

Archaeology, 62% of Phase I has been arch surveyed by partners, Dec 19 2013. NEPA for this project was completed Dec 10, 2014. A DNA has been proposed to the Price Field Office ID Team and is expected to be signed on May 8, 2020. For activity on the private & State owned land, archeological clearance will be completed by the Range Creek Field Station Manager/Resident Acheologist before any on-the-ground work begins. NEPA is not required on private/State lands.

The proposed Range Creek Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Vegetation Restoration Project would reduce or remove noxious weeds utilizing the following methods: *hand cutting, bagging, and removing noxious weeds within the riparian zone to avoid herbicide over-spray into aquatic communities. *herbicide used as a spot treatment manually deployed to reduce surface disturbance and to reduce disturbance to wildlife and native plants.

Monitoring will be completed utilizing existing efforts performed by GIS to look at vegetative conditions and also be combined with some wildlife monitoring, specifically conducting pellets counts. Water quality monitoring and fish count monitoring has also been conducted in the Range Creek Canyon by DWR in the past, and we will work with DWR to try and continue these activities as each phase of the project is implemented. The on-site Range Creek Field Station Manager will be able to closely monitor this project site on a regular basis due to its close proximity to the Field Station headquarters. BLM personnel will visit the site at least once a year to visit repeat photo points. Before and after photo points will be set up throughout this project site to monitor the progress of native vegetation re-establishing into the newly cleared areas. Native vegetation will be identified and recorded. This ongoing monitoring will ensure early detection and eradication of any noxious weed resprouts.

*Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands: The Southeast Area Forester will be coordinating project work on the private and State owned lands. The Division's Forest Legacy program monitors activities on land with FFSL managed conservation easements, and so must approve all planned activities to ensure they benefit and agree with the conservation easement. The Fire program will coordinate the chipping/burning activities once the material has been removed. *University of Utah: The landowner is committed to this project. *SITLA: Supports this project. *Natural History Museum of Utah: The Field Station Manager will play an integral role in this project by supervising the contractors on the State owned land, participating in the on-the-ground work, and completing the follow-up spraying of resprouts for the subsequent years. *Department of Agriculture & Food: The Department holds the conservation easement in partner with FFSL, and monitors activities on the Lower Range Creek property.

This is the first herbicide treatment of a multiple phase, multiple objective project. Project planning will take place with an interagency group, involving all interested parties. The Comprehensive Management Plan for Lower Range Creek area has already been prepared by the University of Utah and includes coordination with multiple federal, State and private landowners. This plan is being augmented, but in support of, by the EA being prepared by the BLM. Combined, these plans will outline a protection and restoration plan for the Range Creek area and will guide future management actions for multiple years. FFSL and Utah Department of Agriculture and Food hold a conservation easement on the State owned land in Range Creek Canyon, which encourages the landowners to maintain a healthy riparian ecosystem and decrease the potential for wildfire through fuel mitigation activities. The conservation easement ensures that the project area is protected from any future development. The land manager has already demonstrated successful follow-up of previously State and federally funded activities, and is an active participant in the control of invasives in the canyon. The Range Creek Field Station Manager lives on site at Wilcox Ranch spring through fall, so has easy access to this project site for follow up treatments of resprouts. FFSL has trained the landowner on tamarisk and olive resprout management. Resprouts will be treated with herbicide on a biannual basis, likely using the foliar and/or basal bark application method. Emery County already does an annual spray within Range Creek. This project will further aid in Noxious weed control.

Livestock would benefit from this project by the increase in desirable forage and easier access to water sources. Horses owned by the Field Station Manager are present on the property, and visitors to Range Creek are permitted to travel by horse. Cattle grazing was an important historic activity in the canyon, and is not currently occurring. Grazing is recognized by the landowners as a potential tool for reducing hazardous fuel loading in the canyon.

06/01/2020

06/11/2020

2020

Most of the project area was covered on foot with back pack sprayers. Area's near the riparian zone were found to have the most weeds. In these area's a combination of backpack sprayers and a long hose from the vehicle on the road were utilized. Area's with multiple plants were GPS'ed and recorded.

Intermountain weeds was awarded the contract and began work June 1, 2020. Work progressed well until June 6th. 1.28" of rain was recorded at the north end of the project area from the evening of June 5th into June 8th. Work was completed by the evening of June 11, 2020. This phase targeted primarily Musk thistle (Carduus nutans), black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), hounds tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), and toadflax (Linaria vulgaris/Linaria dalmatica). Active ingredient was 24-d for the herbicide utilized.

Cooperators from USFS, Emery County, local land owners and the BLM will continue to spray the treated areas annually with BLM approved chemicals.