Historically there was more water on the Manti Meadows WMA property that filled several ponds for the benefit of wildlife. From drought, irrigation, and domestic water use the water table has dropped and previosuly filled ponds have gone dry. In previous phases of this project we have successfully increased some of the water by digging wells and springs. But two of the springs that we piped do not have enough pressure to have the water reach surface level. So in this phase we will continue to work on that effort of restoring the water to the ponds by purchasing a solar pump to pump water from the wells into ponds. This water is essential to provide the value for waterfowl and other wildlife on this property. Despite our first efforts to spray plateau to kill cheatgrass it has come back with a vengeance. This cheatgrass poses a fire hazard and threatens the ecosystem. We will use granular plateau this time in hopes of having better success in killing the cheatgrass. This is needed to help provide more food and cover for upland game birds and other wildlife. Lastly, we will plant more shrubs and grass plugs to improve the habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

1. Restore water to property that has been lost. 2. Increase ability to water livestock on property by having water and distributing it across the property. 3. Increase available habitat for upland game birds. 4. Increase available habitat for waterfowl. 5. Improve habitat for WAP and other high interest game species.

Currently there is little water reaching the property that historically occurred. This loss of water has made the property lose its value for wildlife. If we do not do this project we will continue to lose the value of this property for wildlife. Undesired weeds such as cheatgrass will continue to spread and require greater costs of treatments in the future and cross ecological thresholds that area difficult to return from. Negative impacts can occur to wildlife that are unable to use this property now that needed habitat has been lost.

The Wildlife Action Plan One of the main key habitats that we would be increasing would be open water. Our plan is to improve ponds where many species of wildlife can benefit. The water at this property has been impacted by usage and drought which is one of the very high threats identified in the Wildlife Action Plan. By improving wells we will be addressing this issue by bring water back to this area that has been lost likely from usage up stream. 2. The WAP identifies several species that will be benefited by this project. -Northern Leopard Frogs, addressing threat of habitat loss from piped irrigation. -Columbia Spotted Frog, addressing threat from habitat loss from water usage - Little Brown Myotis, addressing threat from water loss to livestock watering. We will have open water ponds and troughs that are open and allow drinking and feeding for bats. Mule Deer Management Plan- The spatial distribution of mule deer populations is often positively associated with availability of water in arid regions of western North America (Hervert and Krausman 1986, Boroski and Mossman 1996). This project will help to increase the availability of water and help to distribute mule deer across the landscape. Among the UDWR's directors office priorities are to increase waterfowl and pheasant hunting opportunity in the state. This project will increase the available habitat for waterfowl and pheasants and help to reach these priorities. North American Waterfowl Management Plan Habitat Objectives- 1. Acquired areas should be managed to improve habitat Quality, minimize risk of disease and increase carrying capacity of overwintering sites. 2. Agricultural and industrial practices that impact migration and wintering areas should be examined and alternative practices developed that benefit waterfowl and complement other land uses.

Increasing the water on this property will allow us to create fire breaks with water and wetland vegetation that is less likely to burn. By spraying Plateau herbicide to kill the cheatgrass we will be reducing that fire threat. We will plant perrennial grasses and shrubs that will fill that niche and prevent cheatgrass from coming back.The spread of cheatgrass drastically increase the fire risk to the property and neighboring property owners. There are several buildings within in close proximity to the property that could be lost from fire. By planting perennial grasses that stay greener into the summer to replace cheatgrass we will help reduce the fire risk as well.

This project will help bring more water to the surface and allow it to be utilized by vegetation, wildlife , and livestock. One of the main objectives of this project is to increase the water quantity and should be considered when comparing it to other projects where increasing water quantity and quality is a secondary objective. The salinity in the remaining water on the property is likely higher due to the reduction in water that we have seen over the years. There are only a couple of seeps and springs that are very low that remain. Improving wells and springs will increase the amount of water available for use as well as help dilute the mineral content in the little water that exists, thus improving the quality as well.

All necessary cultural clearances have been conducted in previous phases of the project. All water rights and other permits required have been taken care of. We have inspected the property with Eric Andersen, UDWR water rights specialist, and he has said that we will be able to work under existing water rights that we own for the property.

We have dug out two existing spring heads that have dried up to try and get water flowing again into ponds and to flood fields to grow more wetland and upland vegetation. We placed 4" pipe and gravel around the pipes about 20' down. We can see the water only about 4' from the ground surface in the pipe. We plan to purchase a solar pump to pump the water the remainder of the way and get water flowing in the ponds. We will apply granular plateau in the late summer of 2020. This will prevent germination of cheatgrass that fall. Then we will seed the following year. This year we can plant the shrub and grass plugs into areas we spray since the herbicide only stops germination and will not impact the already growing plants.

The UDWR has full time employees who manage the Manti meadows property and will ensure that water systems are working properly and continue to maximize benefit for wildlfie and livestock. Photo points have been taken before implementation of the project and will continue to be taken as project progresses to document success.

The UDWR has partnered with multiple sportsman groups to help fund previous phases of this project. The UDWR has worked with local Scout Troops for Eagle Scout projects to plant vegetation and build kiosks. The UDWR has also partnered with Snow College in Ephraim to have students come out and help plant. We will continue to partner with volunteer groups and sportsman to continue work on the property. We have not extended the project beyond the WMA because adjacent land is agricultural and cannot be worked on.

The property will continue to be managed to maximize the benefit for wildlife and livestock. These water and vegetation improvements will be maintained with wildlife management area maintenance budgets and personnel as needed.

Domestic livestock will have water available for their use. Water will be more distributed across the property and allow for more effective grazing. Water will also be used to irrigate field which will increase the available forage for livestock. By removing cheatgrass and replacing it with perennial grasses it will increase the amount of available forage. This will increase recreational opportunities on the property by improving waterfowl and upland game hunting.