Pinyon and Juniper trees are encroaching into sagebrush dominated areas on the Rabbit Gulch WMA. Many of these areas were previously chained to improve habitat values for big game. Removal of these trees is needed to maintain these sagebrush areas and to preserve their value as winter range for mule deer and elk. In addition, GPS collar data indicate that Greater Sage-grouse may occasionally winter on the Rabbit Gulch WMA. Removal of encroaching conifers will also benefit wintering Sage-grouse. Landfire data classifies this area as either Intermountain Basins Big Sagebrush Shrubland, or Colorado Plateau Mixed Low Sagebrush shrubland. The USDA soil survey and associated ecological site descriptions describe the project area as Semi-desert Sandy Loam (fourwing saltbush or black sagebrush). As conifer cover increases, the cover of sagebrush and other shrubs decreases, making the area less suitable for species that rely on sagebrush habitats. Conifers compete with grasses, forbs, and shrubs for resources, leading to a loss of these species and a decrease in habitat value for mule deer and elk. Removal of these encroaching conifers is necessary to protect habitat values for wintering elk and mule deer. During severe winters, the Rabbit Gulch WMA is extremely important for wintering elk. This project is part of the UDWR's efforts to provide adequate resources to hold elk off agricultural areas and minimize depredation issues. Removal of pinyon and juniper trees in these areas will mimic natural disturbance events and move the area to an earlier successional stage without the risk of a large-scale catastrophic fire event. In addition, the soils in this area are highly erosive and there are many gullies and dry washes which have experienced downcutting over the years. Placing cut tree material into rills and gullies will help catch sediment, slow run-off and help prevent further erosion.

Reduce pinyon and juniper cover within the project area through lop and scatter treatment to benefit wintering mule deer and elk.

Threats to this project area are centered on pinyon and juniper trees expanding into sagebrush habitats. This project addresses threats that are outlined in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan as follows: - Problematic Plant Species-Native Upland - This threat has been identified for the Lowland Sagebrush habitat type, and for Greater Sage-grouse and mule deer. The problematic plant species in question are conifers encroaching into sagebrush habitats. This project directly addresses this threat by removing conifers from the project area. Waiting to treat this area will result in larger trees and higher densities, which will lead to a loss of sagebrush and other understory plants. A treatment while the trees are small will be relatively cheap and easy to implement. Delaying treatment until trees are larger and understory is beginning to be lost will be much more costly due to the need of larger equipment and seed. This would also require increased disturbance, which would further allow for the spread of cheatgrass and noxious weeds. Because of these considerations, treatment at an early stage is critical. - Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity - This threat has been identified for the Lowland Sagebrush habitat types, and for Greater Sage-grouse and mule deer. As conifer cover increases, the likelihood of a large-scale catastrophic fire also increases. This project will address this threat by reducing the amount of hazardous fuels in the project area and by creating fire-breaks that could slow or stop a wildfire. - Habitat Shifting and Alteration - Conifer encroachment into sagebrush habitat signals an alteration of the habitat, possibly due to a variety of factors, including an altered fire regime, grazing impacts, and climate change. By removing the conifers from this area, this project will counter the shifting/alteration of the sagebrush habitat to conifer dominance. Additional considerations: Landowners nearby face a yearly threat of elk moving onto their property and destroying hay stacks and crops as elk move off the WMA into agricultural areas in search of food during severe winters. This project is part of the UDWR's efforts to provide adequate resources to hold elk off agricultural areas and minimize depredation issues.

The Utah Wildlife action plan identifies Lowland sagebrush as a key habitat. The WAP identifies conifer encroachment as a threat to this habitat type. The Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan has an objective to improve the quality and quantity of forage on elk habitat by initiating broad scale vegetative treatment projects. The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan has an objective to improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on crucial ranges by initiating broad-scale vegetative treatment projects. Ranges being diminished by conifer encroachment are specifically listed as important. The Rabbit Gulch WMA Habitat Management Plan includes an objective to enhance and improve existing habitat through vegetative manipulation projects. The Duchesne County Resource Management plan contains several relevant policies: "It is the policy of Duchesne County to encourage active vegetation management on public lands, by the use of mechanized vegetation treatments, grazing, prescribed fire and other treatments that will result in resilient landscapes." "Manage the spread of invasive species and the encroachment of native species like sagebrush and juniper, to benefit wildlife, recreation, grazing, and water quality." The State of Utah Resource Management plan contains several relevant objectives and policies: "The state supports the active removal of pinyon-juniper encroachment on other ecosystem, such as sagebrush, due to its consumption of water, detrimental effects on vegetation and available forage, and its negative effects on wildlife habitat." "Expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat." "Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025." "Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands."

By removing pinyon and juniper trees, this project will decrease the amount of hazardous fuels in the project area. This project could help reduce the likelihood of a large-scale fire event and could act as a fire-break should a wildfire start in the area. A large-scale fire in this area would result in major impacts to nearby Starvation Reservoir, which was recently impacted following the Dollar Ridge fire. In addition, numerous oil/gas wells and related infrastructure, as well as cabins and homes, are in the vicinity of the project. Providing fuel breaks by removing trees will help protect these interests, as well.

As conifers are removed, competition for water is reduced, freeing up resources for the remaining shrubs and forbs. A report by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative indicates that removing conifer stands from sagebrush ecosystems can increase late season water retention by holding snow longer in the spring. An increase in soil moisture is also possible. Placing woody debris from cut trees into rills and gullies throughout the project area could help slow run-off and decrease erosion in the project area. This area drains into Starvation Reservoir, which provides culinary water for the city of Duchesne, and which has been impacted recently with debris flows from the Dollar Ridge fire area. By reducing fire risk and enhancing fire breaks this project could help protect water quality by preventing large-scale fires and the negative effects associated with them.

Since no ground disturbance is planned, archaeological clearances are not required. Since the entire project is on state land, NEPA will not be required.

Trees will be removed using contracted hand crews with chain saws. All slash will be left on-site. Some of the cut material will be placed into rill sand gullies to help retain water and reduce erosion.

Photo points will be established to document changes in vegetation. Photos will be taken prior to treatment, and three years post treatment. A brief report will be produced and loaded to the WRI database. Mule deer and elk in the area are fitted with GPS transmitters. Data from this monitoring will show how wildlife are using the area and will help determine what additional areas are in need of treatment.

This project occurs primarily on the Rabbit Gulch WMA, administered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Most of the surrounding private lands are characterized by higher tree density, where lop and scatter treatment is not appropriate. As such, there is little opportunity to expand the project to lands of different ownership. The Rabbit Gulch WMA does receive some cattle grazing. However, this project will not affect that permittee in any way so coordination with them is unnecessary.

The Rabbit Gulch WMA is managed for the benefit of wildlife, specifically wintering elk, and mule deer. No changes to current management are necessary to ensure this project is successful. The grazing management plan on the WMA utilizes spring grazing only (May 20 to June 20) to promote shrub growth. As there is no seeding planned as part of this project, grazing will continue as before. Changes to grazing management are not required to ensure the success of this project. DWR personnel monitor the WMA closely for livestock trespass outside of the approved grazing window. Monitoring cattle grazing, as well as the vegetative response will help to determine if other changes in grazing management are necessary. DWR biologists will continue to work closely with the permittee to assure that cattle grazing is occurring in the appropriate area for the desired result. An additional 1500 acres of lop and scatter on other areas of the WMA are likely needed. These areas will be evaluated and, if appropriate, another proposal will be developed for next year.

This project is located on the Rabbit Gulch WMA, which is managed for the benefit of wildlife. Cattle grazing does occur on the WMA to promote sagebrush growth. This project will protect and enhance forage that may be used by cattle as well as wildlife. By providing safe winter refuge for elk and deer, this project will help maintain healthy populations of animals for hunting, wildlife viewing, and shed antler gathering.

06/15/2021

06/24/2021

2021

Pinyon and Juniper trees were cut by hand crews using chainsaws. The lop and scatter contract was awarded to GE Forestry, Inc. The project came in under budget at $21.95/acre, for a total price of $32,859.15. Crews arrived on-site and began work on June 15, 2021 and finished by June 24, 2021. Cut material was left in-place or, in some locations, was dragged into dry washes/gullies to help control erosion.

The Rabbit Gulch WMA is important winter range for mule deer and elk. In the past, many areas of the WMA were chained to reduce the cover of pinyon and juniper trees and to preserve and enhance forage for wintering deer and elk. Over the years, pinyon and juniper trees have crept back into these chained areas, as well as naturally occurring sagebrush dominated areas. This project is aimed at removing pinyon and juniper trees to protect the sagebrush dominated winter range and preserve the forage and wintering values of the WMA for deer and elk.

No management changes will be implemented with this project. Monitoring will determine what management actions may need to be taken in the future.