The removal of Russian olive outlined in this proposal is needed to mitigate the loss of seasonally inundated side channel and floodplain habitats, help restore fluvial processes necessary to maintain these habitats, improve wildlife habitat and native diversity by restoring native riparian plant communities, improving water yield and quality, reduce the risk of wildfire, and improve opportunities for sustainable use by improving recreational access. The introduction of Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) to western North America, combined with altered flow regimes caused by extensive damming and diversion of rivers during the 20th Century, resulted in synergistic interactions that radically altered aquatic and riparian ecosystems on the Colorado Plateau. Dams and diversions have altered flow regimes and reduced or eliminated periods of inundation of floodplain habitats, which favored establishment of Russian olives over native willows and cottonwoods, which thrive in periodically flooded riparian areas. Russian olives then displaced native vegetation and altered ecosystem processes through high levels of nitrogen fixation, high inputs of organic debris (roughly 25 times higher than ecologically similar native vegetation), and input of decay-resistant leaf litter that interferes with aquatic nutrient cycling (Katz and Shafroth 2003. Wetlands 23:763-777; Mineau et al. 2012. Ecology 93:1501-1508). These changes impacted aquatic and riparian ecosystems in ways that favored the establishment and spread of a host of other invasive species, ranging from tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) to common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The cascade of ecosystem changes that establishment of Russian olives sets in motion has been referred to as "invasive species meltdown." The resultant impacts are perhaps most severe in side channel and backwater habitats of rivers, which tend to fill with sediment and organic debris over time when encroached upon by dense stands of invasive vegetation. Russian olives are especially problematic due to their extremely high input of organic debris and their ability to form dense monocultures and closed canopies. Thus, the reduction of Russian olive and subsequent restoration of native riparian vegetation improves watershed health, enhances biological diversity, and increases water yield (i.e. less evapotranspiration) and water quality (i.e. dramatically reduced nitrogen inputs). The portion of the San Juan River that flows through the Four Corners and Lower San Juan subbasins (HUC 14080201 & 14080205, respectively) serves as critical habitat for remnant populations of three endangered species of fish (Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, and razorback sucker) and supports populations of three sensitive species of fish (roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker). Side channel habitat is especially important as spawning and nursery habitat for these fishes. The side channel habitat in the project area is fringed by native willows (Salix spp.) and is inundated during periods of high flow, but is being rapidly encroached upon by Russian olives. Continued encroachment by Russian olives threatens to eliminate this habitat to the detriment of native fishes and amphibians. In addition, eventual replacement of the remaining native willows by Russian olive monocultures threatens to eliminate habitat important to several species of breeding birds, including the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and the threatened western distinct population of yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus). The reduction of Russian olive again improves watershed health, enhances biological diversity, and facilitates the recovery of endangered and sensitive fishes while facilitating fluvial processes to naturally maintain these habitats in the future. Russian olive is a significant barrier to accessing dispersed campsites and its thorns provide significant risk of personal injury and puncturing inflatable watercraft. The removal of invasive species and restoration of native riparian vegetation improves access and the recreational experience of rafters and campers. In addition the new Bluff River Trail will be within the tamarisk and olive treatment polygons on private lands in bluff, increasing access to riparian bottom lands and increasing use. Opportunities for sustainable uses are therefore improved. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canyon Country Fire Zone (CYFZ) conducted an in depth landscape level burn probability analysis based on LandFire data sets and calibrated using a command line version of FlamMap called RANDIG. This fire modeling system was developed by Mark Finney at the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) and Allen Ager with the Western Wildland Threat Assessment Center. The CYFZ burn probability uses higher resolution based on 30 meter pixels and was calibrated at 90th percentile indices set to match conditions of recent large fires in the fire zone. The higher resolution and local calibration of this analysis helps delineate burn probability on long and narrow features, like the San Juan River, by decreasing the number of mixed pixels. The burn probability analysis shows that there is a significant threat of wildfire along the San Juan River corridor in the riparian zone. The wildfire threat has been exacerbated by the tamarisk beetle which has killed large stands of tamarisk during the past ten years. Removal of Russian olive reduces fuel loading and fire severity within a high use recreation corridor. This year for San Juan 4.0 we are adding 176 treatment acres of private land within Bluff, UT. Using the UWRAP tool the treatment area is rated from low to very high wildfire risk depending on proximity to structures within the polygon. Bluff has seen 9 fires within town limits in the last 10 years and the riverside vegetation is by far the largest threat to the town's structures and residents. One of the fires in the last 10 years ignited in the tamarisk and partially burned the kokopelli lodge. Within the private land treatment area there is a historic canal that runs through the center of the unit. This canal was used until approximately 10 years ago and use to unintentionally subirrigate about 200 acres of tamarisk. In addition to the tamarisk beetle this has led to complete mortality of over a 100 acres of tamarisk dramatically increasing wildfire risk to the town of Bluff. This project will also benefit wildlife such as Gambel's quail which have been documented in the area. Bluff has been identified as a translocation site for California quail and efforts have been made to introduce scaled quail. Opening up previously inaccessible tamarisk will increase habitat for these birds as well as other wildlife documented in the area. The tamarisk and secondary invasives need to be managed in order to prevent catastrophic wildfire and return this area to a resilient floodplain area for critical wildlife.

The primary objectives of the proposed project on BLM lands are to kill Russian olive, tamarisk, and herbaceous weeds, up to 100 acres (per NEPA), in order to: Objective 1. Improve habitat for endangered and sensitive fish and native amphibians by restoring and preventing the further loss of seasonally inundated side channel habitats and backwaters at the Gold Mine Site. Objective 2. Restore and preserve fluvial processes that are necessary to maintain and enhance critical side channel/backwater fish habitat at the Gold Mine Site. Reducing invasive species (e.g. Russian olive) that increase roughness and sedimentation will help hydrologic processes under current flow regimes to scour and maintain side channel habitats. Objective 3. Improve water yield and quality by reducing Russian olive evapotranspiration and inputs of high-nitrogen litter into the system at all project sites. Objective 4. Restore native plant communities at all project sites by reducing invasive species cover, improving passive restoration potential, and through active revegetation where necessary. Objective 5. Improve wildlife habitat for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, and wild turkey at all project sites, through the restoration of native riparian plant communities, increasing plant diversity, and restoration of adjacent side channel and backwater habitats. Objective 6. Reduce wildfire probability and increase public safety, at all project sites, by reducing fuel loading in high-use recreation areas. Objective 7. Improve the recreational experience and opportunities for sustainable uses, at all project sites, by improving dispersed camping access and reducing the risk of injury to inflatable watercraft and recreational boaters from overhanging thorny Russian olive. The primary objectives on private land in Bluff: Objective 1. Reduce the fire threat to the town and reduce fire intensity in case of ignition. Improve fire response capabilities by creating access where there is currently inaccessible dead standing tamarisk. Objective 2. Restore native shrubs and forbs to increase forage for native animals. and improve habitat for native birds by reducing exotic invasive cover and actively revegetating. Objective 3. Protect existing Cottonwood galleries by reducing invasive ladder fuels surrounding stands to protect potential Southwestern Willow Fly Catcher habitat. Objective 4. Improve recreation opportunities for residents and tourists by increasing accessible bottom land through tamarisk removal.

Invasive plants are spreading rapidly across North America, including in the Monticello Field Office. These invasive species alter ecological and fluvial processes, negatively influence rangeland and riparian health, threaten critical fish and bird habitat, increase the fuel loading and risk of fire, cause economic losses, and displace native plant communities. Ecological damage from uncontrolled invasive plant infestations can be permanent; thereby leaving public lands unable to return to desired or natural conditions without control efforts. Noxious weeds are currently spreading at a rate of more than 4,600 acres per day on federal lands in the United States (Belliston, et. al., 2010). The greatest impact of invasive plants in the Monticello Field Office (MFO) is typically along the San Juan River corridor. Common invasive plants in riparian areas include Russian olive, tamarisk, a variety of invasive thistles, Russian knapweed, Whitetop, Ravennagrass, and Camelthorn. There are an estimated 35,000 BLM acres infested with invasive plants, with the majority being based on Russian Olive and Tamarisk infestation of riparian areas, adjacent terraces, and non-riparian ephemeral drainages (Final EIS, 2008). Russian Olives and Tamarisks are invasive in wet-saline environments and certain riparian zones, and have the ability to displace native plant species (USDA, 2002). Introduction of Tamarisks in the early to mid 1900's was followed by channel narrowing along many western rivers, such as the San Juan River (Vincent, et. al., 2009). Populations of Camelthorn are found along the San Juan River corridor, and are the only known infestation of this invasive species in Utah. Thus, Camelthorn is prioritized for treatment to prevent further infestations (Final EIS, 2008). The proliferation of woody invasives, if left unchecked, threatens to: 1. Hasten the permanent loss of critical side channel habitats utilized by endangered and sensitive fish. These channels are heavily invaded and historical imagery shows significant narrowing and loss of many of these habitats. Many side channels have crossed, are currently crossing, or will soon cross the threshold. 2. Alter fluvial and nutrient cycling processes in a way that favors non-native species. Many sites have crossed this threshold but areas like the Gold Mine Site are at a critical point and can be restored. 3. Further degrade native vegetation communities. 4. Degrade wildlife habitat. 5. Increase fuel loading and risk of wildfire. 6. Degrade the recreational experience. There are few if any threats associated with implementation of this project. The only conceivable potential impact is loss of winter forage and nesting habitat for birds that may feed on Russian olive fruit or nest within stands of woody invasives, but there will be no shortage of Russian olives or tamarisk in riparian habitats surrounding the project area.

(1) Monticello Resource Management Plan (RMP). The proposed action is in conformance with the MFO Resource Management Plan approved in November, 2008. The RMP responds to issues regarding noxious weeds and invasive species by utilizing BLM's integrated pest management strategies (combined use of mechanical, cultural, chemical, manual, biological, and preventative measures) (Final EIS, 2008). The goals and objectives outlined in the RMP include control of invasive and non-native weed species, and prevent the introduction of new invasive species through the implementation of a comprehensive weed program, including coordination with partners; prevention and early detection; education; inventory and monitoring; and principles of integrated weed management (Final EIS, 2008). (2) BLM National Policy Guidance on Special Status Species Management (Manual 6840). Provides direction for the conservation of special status animal and plant species as well as for their habitats. Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Razorback Sucker, Colorado Pikeminnow, Flannelmouth Sucker, Bluehead Sucker, and Roundtail Chub are special status species that will benefit from this project. (3) The National Fire Plan. Designed to manage the potential impacts of wildland fire to communities and ecosystems and to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildland fire. The NFP focuses on strategies for improving fire preparedness, restoring and rehabilitating burned areas, reducing hazardous fuels, assisting communities, and identifying research needs. (4) BLM National Policy Guidance on Wildlife and Fisheries Management. This manual provides direction to restore, maintain and improve wildlife habitat conditions on public lands through the implementation of activity plans. (5) The US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plans for the Colorado pikeminnow (1990), Humpback chub (1990), and razorback sucker (1998) all emphasize restoration of bottomland, backwater, and floodplain habitats to serve as fish nursery areas as a means of increasing juvenile recruitment in populations of these endangered species. (6) The recovery plain for the southwestern willow flycatcher (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2002) calls for habitat restoration efforts that "protect, reestablish, mimic, and/or mitigate for the loss of natural processes that establish, maintain, and recycle riparian ecosystems relevant to the flycatcher." Russian olives are a significant impediment to these natural processes and tend to displace the dense stands of willows and ecologically similar riparian shrubs that willow flycatchers depend on for breeding purposes. (7) The Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub Gila robusta, Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus, and Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnes (UDWR Publication 06-18) includes an objective of enhancing and maintaining habitat for each of the three species. Restore altered channel and habitat features to conditions suitable for the three species. (8) The project addresses goals and objectives of the BLM Utah Riparian Policy, what states that "riparian areas are to be improved at every opportunity." (9) The Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) for the State of Utah identifies lowland riparian habitat as being highest priority for conservation and restoration. (10) San Juan County Weeds Plan seeks to treat 200 acres along the San Juan River. (11) Wildlife Action Plan 2015 A) Big Free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) - The species often roosts and forms maternity colonies in massive sandstone cliffs near bodies of open water in a variety of habitats. It is presumed that big free-tailed bats migrate out of Utah for the winter. B) Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus) - Managed under a Utah and Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy intended to take voluntary actions to address threats and reduce the need to list the species. C) Colorado Pikeminnow (Ptchochelius lucius) -- Federally listed and managed under the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs. D) Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) - Large, long-lived, migratory fish. * Managed under a Utah153 and Range-wide154 Conservation Agreement and Strategy intended to take voluntary actions to address threats and reduce the need to list the species. E) Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) - Habitat restoration in wetlands and along riparian corridors. F) Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) - Federally listed as endangered in 1991. Managed under the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program. G) Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) - Managed under a Utah and Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy intended to take voluntary actions to address threats and reduce the need to list the species. H) Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus) - Populations declining due to altered water regimes, invasive plants, improper riparian grazing, development and nest parasitism. Manage and restore lowland riparian for suitable habitat. I) Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) -- Prefers thick riparian vegetation communities with dense overstory of mature trees. Distribution and habitat use in the state are poorly understood. Most frequently found along the Green River near Vernal, near the town of Green River, and one portion of the San Juan River.

The town of Bluff is adjacent to the historic floodplain of the San Juan River, a large portion of which is now thick with dead and dying tamarisk. In the floodplain near Bluff, where there are cottonwoods, Russian olive has filled in underneath, acting as potential ladder fuels into the cottonwood canopy often adjacent to homes and businesses. A now defunct canal cuts across part of the floodplain and a portion of it still seasonally fills with water growing thick live Russian olive and tamarisk on the East side. On the West side of the canal, where irrigation waters used to subirrigate a large field of tamarisk, a vast majority of the tamarisk has died creating over a 100 acres of dead standing tamarisk. Under this tamarisk there is almost exclusively a carpet of knapweed. Dead standing tamarisk mixed with the 'fine fuel' of the knapweed could be an excellent vector for a catastrophic wildfire. Anecdotally about 20 years ago a landowner attempted a burn of the live tamarisk in the area and flames reached 100 feet in height. There could be potentially more devastating effects if a fire was accidentally ignited now. With increase in visitation overall in southern Utah combined with the soon to be Bluff River Trail cutting through this area there will be higher potential for unintentional human starts along the river bottom with significant fuel between businesses and houses and potential ignitions. In the last ten years there was a fire that started in the tamarisk and spread to the nearby motel that had tourists staying there but luckily was put out before the damage became too significant. The San Juan Emergency Manager has expressed concern with the tamarisk in Bluff as the Bluff Fire Chief. Plans to continue removal are being written into Bluff's CWPP. As Bluff continues to grow and see higher tourist visitation it will be important that fire prevention and mitigation is constantly being evaluated to protect the resources and people in Bluff. The San Juan River is a popular recreation area. Approximately 12,000 boaters, run, camp, and explore within the corridor each season. The proliferation of non-native above ground biomass and the subsequent accumulation of organic debris that tends to accompany the establishment of tamarisk and Russian olives, increases the likelihood of severe wildfires in floodplains. Litter from Russian olives is unusually resistant to decomposition, leading to accumulation of fuels in areas dominated by Russian olives. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Canyon Country Fire Zone (CYFZ) conducted an in depth landscape level burn probability analysis based on LandFire data sets and calibrated using a command line version of FlamMap called RANDIG. This fire modeling system was developed by Mark Finney at the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) and Allen Ager with the Western Wildland Threat Assessment Center. The CYFZ burn probability uses higher resolution based on 30 meter pixels and was calibrated at 90th percentile indices set to match conditions of recent large fires in the fire zone. The higher resolution and local calibration of this analysis helps delineate burn probability on long and narrow features, like the San Juan River, by decreasing the number of mixed pixels. The burn probability analysis shows that there is a significant threat of wildfire along the San Juan River corridor in the riparian zone. The wildfire threat has been exacerbated by the tamarisk beetle which has killed large stands of tamarisk during the past ten years. Semi-primitive camp sites are dispersed throughout the corridor placing recreationists directly within overgrown, continuous and often dead/dying stands of tamarisk and Russian olive. When these stands burn, fire behavior is of high intensity and is fast moving. Fires of this type have been observed to cross rivers resulting in a fairly large impact area placing the public at considerable risk. Native vegetation intermixed with the invasive species are also consumed during these events. The aggressive nature of the invasive and noxious species residing in the area results in secondary invasion of undesirable plants in the disturbed areas post fire. Native vegetation will be protected and enhanced due to decreased competition, reduced fuel loading, and a diminished chance of destructive fire. The Gold Mine/Tiger Wall Unit builds off of previous fuels work done by the BLM and further protects the highway 191 bridge and the Sand Island campground. This project addresses these threats by eradicating Russian olive and tamarisk in targeted areas and reducing the fuel loading within dispersed campsites or adjacent to them. These treatments will facilitate the spread of native vegetation and help preserve fluvial processes that maintain seasonally inundated areas and higher soil moisture levels.

Russian olives have displaced native vegetation and altered ecosystem processes through high levels of nitrogen fixation, high inputs of organic debris (roughly 25 times higher than ecologically similar native vegetation), and input of decay-resistant leaf litter that interferes with aquatic nutrient cycling (Katz and Shafroth 2003. Wetlands 23:763-777; Mineau et al. 2012. Ecology 93:1501-1508). Russian olives tend to degrade water quality by increasing the input of nitrogen and carbon in aquatic ecosystems. The elevated nitrogen levels favor processes that alter productivity and reduce dissolved oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the high input of decay-resistant litter from Russian olives tends to cause accumulation of organic material and sediment that can restrict the flow of water or divert it to other areas. A major objective of this project is to improve the quantity and quality of water by decreasing evapotranspiration of woody invasive plants, maintaining side channel function, and by reducing inputs of nitrogen laden debris into the system. The San Juan River and adjacent tributaries are 303d listed waters with metal and dissolved oxygen concerns. Reductions in Russian olive and associated litter decomposition will help mitigate dissolved oxygen issues. It is unclear if Russian olive uptakes heavy metals and whether removal will reduce heavy metals in the river.

NEPA, Section 7 Consultation, and Archaeological clearances are completed for the BLM portion of this project including work at the Gold Mine Site (county and youth corps) and the San Juan River Mexican Hat to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (youth corps). A Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) was completed and is tiered to the Programmatic Environmental Assessment Integrated Invasive Plant management Plan for the Monticello Field Office, DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2013-006-EA. Implementation will occur outside of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-Billed cuckoo nesting season (May 1- Aug 31). (1) Programmatic Environmental Assessment Integrated Invasive Plant management Plan for the Monticello Field Office, DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2013-006-EA. This programmatic EA was tiered to Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States -- Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) (USDI, 2007). The EA provided analysis for 100 acres of mechanical treatment and 4000 acres of herbicide treatments within riparian areas located within the MFO. BLM is implementing projects within these restrictions currently. Work will continue on this scale until further NEPA analysis can be completed to expand and enhance project capabilities. (2) Utah Noxious Weed Act, Rule R68-9. April 2012 The Utah Noxious Weed Act, in conjunction with San Juan County ordinances, state that it is the duty of every property owner to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any land in their possession, or under their control, and shall serve as a warning that if they fail to comply with this notice, enforced weed control measures may be imposed at the direction of county authorities (Rule R68-9, 2012). (3) Endangered Species Act (ESA), 1973, as amended. (4) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1927), as amended. Seasonal bird restrictions will be followed. (5) Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 1958 Section 7 consultation was accomplished as part of the required NEPA process. All activities will be conducted outside of nesting and breeding seasons unless site specific surveys determine that work can proceed without impact to protected species. Project implementation will be phased and designed in such a way that critical habitat will not be detrimentally impacted. (6) Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 1966, as amended Site specific cultural inventory will be conducted if deemed necessary by Agency archaeologists. Treatment units will be designed to accommodate these values. Tribal consultation was conducted as part of the NEPA process prior to project implementation. NOTE: Our archaeologist is reviewing the polygons for any potential conflicts but expects little conflict or mitigation. Arch sites have a low probability of occurrence within current or historic floodplains due to the nature of flood scour/deposition. (7) Monticello Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) No. 2013-UTY020-01-P The Monticello PUP provides guidance for herbicide application within the field office. All guidance, restrictions, and best management practices will be followed. (8) The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is the basic authority for BLM activities. FLPMA establishes the principle that public lands be retained in Federal ownership and provides for the management, protection, development, and enhancement of the public lands under the principles of multiple use, sustained development, and sustained yield. For the FFSL/private lands portion of this project Arch clearance will be completed prior to bullhog work. Bullhog work is anticipated to occur over the winter and therefore there should be plenty of time to complete the arch clearance and submit the findings to SHPO before work on the ground. All work will occur outside of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-Billed Cuckoo nesting season (May 1 to August 31).

1) San Juan River Gold Mine Site (46 Acres) - SEE IMAGES/DOCS for more detailed Statement of Work. This project area is divided into six separate units totaling 46 acres and is located approximately 0.5 miles downstream of the San Juan River Highway 191 river bridge east of Bluff and across from the Tiger Wall on river right. The site can be accessed by driving around and past the Bluff airport south of Highway 163. The site contains three seasonally inundated side channel habitats one of which runs approximately 840 meters. The work will be completed in phases. The first phase is to kill Russian olive using a frill cut/herbicide treatment. Once the root systems are dead many of the trees will be removed using a whole-tree extraction method and subsequent burning. However, the whole-tree extraction method cannot be implemented until the root systems are completely dead. Any living roots left within the top three inches of the soil surface will resprout vigorously. Frill cutting was completed by the Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) on 7 acres in the spring of 2018 (see Unit 1 on map). Many trees were killed while some were top-killed but re-sprouted from the root crown. The re-sprouts were retreated in the fall of 2018 using a combination basal bark/foliar spray in order to kill the root systems. In the fall of 2019, the previously treated acreage in Unit 1 was re-assessed and resprouts were addressed through additional frill cutting using a Triclopyr application as necessary to attempt to kill the root systems of these plants. The CCYC and Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) completed another 6 acres of new frill cutting in Unit 2, along and adjacent to the long side channel working towards the upstream end. Work in Unit 3 will be the focus of this proposal (See Map). 2) San Juan River Mexican Hat to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (21 Acres). SEE IMAGES/DOCS for more detailed Statement of Work. This project area is divided into 33 separate non-contiguous units totaling 21 acres and is located on river right approximately 1.4 miles downstream of the Mexican Hat Boat Ramp past the San Juan Inn and river bridge. The site can be accessed by acquiring a lower San Juan River permit and launching rafts at the Mexican Hat Boat Ramp and floating down to the sites. Under San Juan 2.0, a cut-stump and herbicide treatment was completed on Unit 1, 2, and part of 3 in 2018 (see map, 2.1 acres) and treatment of the remaining 19 acres was finished in the Fall of 2019. The primary goal of the previous San Juan 2.0 project was the near complete eradiation of Russian olive on river right in this section by utilizing a cut-stump/lop-scatter (smaller trees) and a frill cut (for larger trees) treatment in order to protect native plant communities, promote native plant restoration, and slow the proliferation of Russian olive. Russian olive is scattered in small and isolated patches as compared to upriver. The focus of San Juan 3.0 will be on removing tamarisk within this reach. Work will begin sequentially by treating any Russian olive resprouts in these units with a basal bark/foliar technique. Once any re-sprouting is addressed, the priority is to implement new cut-stump/frill cutting activities progressing in sequential order downstream until all units have been treated. 3) Bluff Private Lands (176 Acres) Work listed below is intended to be a phase 1 treatment on these private lands. Followup work will be necessary in subsequent years. Tamarisk Mastication (165 Acres) Prior to tamarisk mastication archaeological survey will be completed. Significant alteration of work due to archaeological finds isn't expected due to the project area being within, what was until recently, the active floodplain of the San Juan. Aerial seeding will be conducted prior to mastication. Seed mix consist of native shrubs and forbs with a reduced grass component due to an abundance of native grasses in areas where knapweed control has been successful implying a good native seed bank. In addition studies have shown that in desert riparian areas grass seed is present in good numbers in the seed bank but shrubs are typically lacking (Hosna et al.2020). Mastication in this unit will be confined to tamarisk. There are dead and down cottonwoods scattered through the unit that we will preserve for small animal habitat. There are also some dispersed live standing Russian olive that will not be masticated so that they can be found and treated in subsequent years, currently most of them are inaccessible or unknown. Mastication work and aerial seeding will be completed by contract labor. Russian olive treatment units (14 Acres) Russian olive in these units will be treated with the cut stump method using either Rodeo or Ranger pro depending on specific site conditions. In the northern Russian olive treatment unit near Recapture Lodge all Russian olive will be cut, treated, and piled. In the southern Russian olive treatment unit along the river a minimum of 60% but up to 100% of Russian olive will be cut and treated depending on site density and burn pile placement capabilities. In this unit we will need to use a chipper for a portion of work to make room for piles. All piles created on both sites will be built 6' tall by 8' diameter piles for burning. Piles will be built at least 10' from the dripline of live cottonwoods. Piles will need to be burned during winter of 22/23. Work will be completed with FFSL's fuels crew as well as Conservation Corps crews. Tamarisk Treatment Unit (1.5 Acres) This unit is the nearest to the Kokopelli Lodge and was in the area where a tamarisk fire burned part of the Kokopelli years ago. In this unit tamarisk will be treated using the cut stump method with Garlon 4. 50% of the tamarisk will be removed and either piled for burning or chipped depending on proximity to a roadway within the unit. Burn piles will be 6' tall by 8' diameter and will need to be burned during winter of 22/23. Work will be completed by FFSL's fuels crew.

Monitoring data and reports will be uploaded to the WRI database as completed and/or available through the BLM. 1) Gold Mine Site (46 Acres) Monitoring riparian condition and treatment effectiveness will be completed by using photopoints. his simple but effective strategy will show pre- and post-treatment riparian conditions, easily assess treatment effectiveness, and guide future management. Use of side channel habitat by fish and amphibians (fish/amphibian surveys) will be conducted at the project site to assess the effectiveness of the treatments and to guide future riparian habitat management efforts. To the extent possible, given the inherent challenges of sampling in large Russian olive monocultures, monitoring surveys will be conducted prior to the treatments, shortly after the treatments, and on an annual basis for several years after the treatments. In addition, photo points will be established to document long-term vegetative, side channel development, and floodplain trends. 2) San Juan River Mexican Hat to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (21 Acres) Monitoring riparian condition and treatment effectiveness will be completed by using photopoints. Russian olive in this section occurs in much smaller and isolated patches than upstream. This simple but effective strategy will show pre- and post-treatment riparian conditions, easily assess treatment effectiveness, and guide future management. 3) Bluff Private Lands (176 acres): knapweed, ravenna, and camelthorn will be mapped in the treatment area post mastication to better understand the extent of exotic invasives and to come up with a long term management plan. Photopoints will be established prior to removal efforts and before and after photos will be uploaded to the WRI database.

(1) Bureau of Indian Affairs (Navajo fuels crew) Reserve Treaty Rights Trust Lands (RTRL) In previous iterations of this project, BLM has partnered with BIA to provide funding and project work for seasonal workers. The RTRL project treated units identified along the San Juan River. This work is directly tied in to this project lineage and is one piece of the puzzle to accomplish the goals and objectives of this undertaking. (2) Canyon Country Youth Corps - We have partnered with Canyon Country Youth Corps to implement the work from Mexican Hat to the park boundary and at the Gold Mine site. Work at both locations was completed in 2018. This work was funded through a cooperative agreement with BLM using BLM funds. (3) Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands -- This is the first year of the San Juan River Restoration project that FFSL will be involved, bringing in additional private lands to work on. FFSL will continue to look upstream at more private lands to restore as this project continues. (4) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources -- UDWR has provided BLM with a contract mechanism to achieve work on the ground. This partnership has worked very well in the past and will likely be utilized for some portions of this project. There are also several State of Utah sections that intersect the corridor. These may be considered for treatment as well to enhance overall project success. (5) San Juan River Restoration Partnership There have been initial discussions about setting up a San Juan River Restoration Partnership involving BLM, Youth Corps, Southwest Conservation Corps/Ancestral Lands, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, BIA, Navajo Nation, and others. Mapping the polygons that define the suite of potential treatment units was suggested prior to the formation of the group. BLM has recently accomplished this and plans to host a meeting in the summer of 2019 to discuss ways to collaborate further. (6) San Juan County San Juan County is under a weed spraying agreement to treat approximately 200 acres a year within the river corridor. The BLM has been working with Monte Perkins, San Juan County Weed Supervisor, to develop work at San Juan Hill and Sand Island Ranger Station. (7) Bluff Volunteer Fire Department The Bluff Fire Department has helped to facilitate private landowner contact in order to get permission to do work on private lands. We hope to work with the fire department to use some of their CWS obligations as match for this work. (8) Private Landowners A number of private landowners have been active participants in planning and implementing restoration work along the river corridor. Knapweed spraying occurs multiple times a year along trails and pathways on publicly accessible private land and active reveg of cottonwoods and willows happens annually. In addition, due to a generous donation from a private citizen, private landowners are able to access money to rent equipment to help with Russian olive and tamarisk removal.

1) San Juan Partnership and Collaboration. One future goal central to this project is to continue to work towards building a San Juan partnership. Many potential collaborators have been contacted this season and momentum is building. While not fully realized for this proposal the collaboration is likely to grow during the summer and be incorporated next round of proposals. Completed the action items in this proposal continues to showcase the need for and potential of this work and helps to build momentum. 2) Gold Mine Site (46 Acres) This site requires a multi-phase approach to side channel and riparian restoration. The current phase seeks to kill Russian olive using a frill cut treatment. The goal is to kill both the above ground and below ground (roots) biomass without cutting down the trees. In the future, once these trees are dead, the trees in and adjacent to the side-channels will be removed using whole-tree extraction. Removing the entire tree from crown to root systems, allows high water flows to scour and maintain these side channel habitats effectively restoring the natural hydrologic processes. Active and passive restoration potential will be evaluated once the trees are extracted and the site opened up. 3) San Juan River Mexican Hat to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (21 Acres) Future management will involve continued downstream progression in Russian olive removal. 4) Bluff Private Land (176 Acres) one private landowner that owns most of the riverside private property in Bluff has been incredibly active in the last few decades clearing Russian olive and maintaining/improving native vegetation on his land. We hope to continue future phases of work with this landowner as well as offer guidance and assistance as future phases of work come to a close. Our primary desired outcome is restoring a greater ratio of native vegetation on site. If seeding is not as successful as anticipated in this phase we will focus on containerized stock planting in future phases of this project. In June of 2022 after mastication is complete on site we will map any ravenna, camelthorn, and knapweed on site so that it can inform future work. Due to reduction in fuels on these lands suppression needs and costs will be lessened. We also hope to leverage future Cooperative Wildfire System obligations from the city of Bluff to continue with retreatment work into the future.

1) Grazing Long-term impacts would be beneficial to the grazing permittee with treated areas providing enhanced forage production and improved vegetative diversity post treatment. This would be accomplished by removal of Tamarisk and Russian Olive trees that allows for increased growth of herbaceous plants (i.e. forage), providing a more reliable forage base, and promoting distribution of livestock by increasing access points to water. On private lands in Bluff there are currently no livestock present, but reductions in tamarisk and Russian olive in addition to seeding of native shrubs and forbs will increase available forage to wildlife such as Mule deer, bears and others that are present along the river corridor. Should future landowners decide to have livestock on these lands increased forage distribution would be beneficial. 2) Recreation Russian olive is a significant barrier to accessing dispersed campsites and its thorns provide significant risk of personal injury and puncturing inflatable watercraft. The removal of invasive species and restoration of native riparian vegetation improves access and the recreational experience of rafters and campers. Opportunities for sustainable uses are therefore improved. The future Bluff River Trail will cut through the middle of the tamarisk mastication polygon on the private land in Bluff. Mastication and seeding of this area will increase visibility and access for trail users and residents that already access this land to reach the river. A majority of this area is currently inaccessible due to the tamarisk, by clearing the tamarisk it will increase use and access to areas that haven't been accessible in at least the last 40 years. A portion of the Russian olive treatment area is used for some of Bluff's public events and festivals so increased use will occur with greater access. 3) Fire/Fuels Completion of the proposed treatments would reduce fuel loads, and continuity of heavy fuels would decrease the potential for high-intensity and large-scale wildfire in closed-canopy Tamarisk and Olive stands. A severe wildland fire event could negatively affect livestock grazing throughout the allotments by reducing the amount of forage, and because it may require an emergency closure of the burn area to livestock grazing. Thereby, the project would reduce these risks and effects.

07/01/2021

06/30/2022

2022

FFSL: Only archaeological clearance was funded for the FFSL portion for FY22. Arch clearance was completed in the fall of 2021. This is represented as an affected area on the map page. BLM: Work was focused at the Gold Mine Site across from the Tiger Wall along the San Juan River. YBCU protocol surveys were conducted on June 18, July 2, July 16, and July 30, 2021. Reduced general (i.e. "hotspotting") surveys for southwestern willow flycatchers were performed on June 18, July 2, and July 16, 2021. These surveys were performed to evaluate avian diversity and the presence of special status birds within the project area. Due to the sensitive nature of T&E data, the report has not been uploaded here but is available for internal review upon request. The Canyon Country Youth Corps was contracted to implement a variety of methods at the site. The crew swept through applying frill cut to new areas and also to a small proportion of Russian olive's that re-sprouted from previous treatments or had been missed due to high densities (8.1 acres); preparing it for future seeding and mastication. A cut-stump and hand pile treatment was completed around native cottonwoods, privet, willow, and sumac (0.7 acres). Aquatic approved glyphosate and triclopyr based herbicides were used depending on air temperatures. A native seed mix was applied by hand to portions of these treatment areas (2.7 acres). The goal is to load the seedbank with drought resistant and competitive native plant species in order to promote pollinators and mitigate the knapweed infestation. The Canyon Country Fuels Program was able to masticate 0.85 acres of previously frill cut Russian olive with mini-bullhog in February of 2022.

BLM: BLM focused on work at the Gold Mine Site since it is vehicle accessible. Ongoing low water conditions and the risk associated with transporting equipment through Government Rapid made work on the lower San Juan unsafe. Surveys for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Yellow-billed Cuckoo were completed in the Summer of 2021 and preceded the vegetation work. The report provided data on these two special status birds in addition to the general avian diversity at the site during nesting and brooding season. The report is not included here publicly but may be available upon request. The Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC) completed the vegetation treatments outlined in the Final Methods section above. They also collected repeat observations for they monitoring plots they installed (see CCYC Monitoring Report). Chris Quirin (CCYC) identified the presence of Hopi Tea Greenleaf (see attached photo), a native forb used for ethnobotanical purposes and also by pollinators. CCYC worked with the BLM's Seeds of Success (SOS) program to collect a seed source for propagation and increase. We hope to be able to utilize this species in future seed mixes. Elissa Rothman presented a poster discussing treatment methods at the Gold Mine Site, at the annual River's Edge West Conference (see attached poster). Elissa's poster was included in the National BLM Aquatics Program Annual Highlights Report (see attached report). Some mastication was implemented by the Canyon Country District Fuels Program using their mini-bullhog. Dead Russian olive that were previously frill were chipped dispersing chips broadly over the seeded soil surface. Some dead Russian olives were retained to provide shade for the recovering understory. Three BLM Riparian and Wetland Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) plots were sampled within the Gold Mine Site. These quantitative data capture various site conditions at GMS. These sites will be resampled in 5 years and correlated with changes in avian and plant diversity, composition, and structure. The GMS is responding well to the slower and intentional approach to restoration. The combination of killing Russian olive with frill cutting and seeding prior to mastication has resulted in good recovery and leader growth of native understory shrubs (e.g. privet, coyote willow, sumac). Seeds species have begun to show up within the masticated areas providing additional encouragement.

FFSL: Now that Arch clearance is completed work will actually commence this FY(23) within the area that was surveyed. BLM: The restoration approach appears to be working. Future treatments will include more cut-pile around native cottonwoods and shrubs, additional seeding, and some handpulling of RO seedlings. Selective mastication of previously frilled ROs will continue.