Hamlin Valley Wash Sage Steppe Habitat Improvement project serves as nesting/brood rearing, summer, winter and a lek site for greater sage grouse habitat, winter and spring habitat for the prized Southwest Desert Elk management unit, crucial habitat for sensitive mule deer population of the Southwest Desert. The Southwest Desert pronghorn use this area year-round. These sections include privative property and SITLA ground that is part of one of the oldest working cattle ranches in Iron and Beaver County. Pinyon and juniper have begun to encroach section 2 of this lowland sagebrush habitat. While the understory is intact and still relatively healthy, a threshold is nearing that may result in the loss of browse species and result in watershed impacts to southwestern Utah. In Section 36 a late phase II to early phase III PJ forest is established. All the tell-tell indicators or unhealthy PJ forest are showing from rill and sheet soil erosion, lack of understory, and stressed and stunted PJ trees are prevalent. Wildlife in this area has a high value to the state of Utah and local economies. The Southwest Elk management unit has long been a "household" name when it comes to trophy quality and hunter satisfaction. Enhancing elk habitat is crucial for the future of this unit. Other highly prized game species includes mule deer, and pronghorn herd. Elk depend on this area as transition range and for some early winter range. Increasing the available forage will increase body condition and survival for elk. Increased forage and plant diversity will also benefit other mule deer in this area. Mule deer populations have struggle in the Southwest Desert for years and lack of quality habitat is a major contributor to their decline. The Southwest Desert Pronghorn herd is another prized big game species that has thrived in Hamblin Valley. Some of Utah's largest trophy pronghorn have come from this unit, but trophy aside the resilient of this population has allow managers to offer generous amounts of tags. Non-game species have thrived in this valley. Greater sage grouse populations have been in peril for years and petitioned for listing as an endanger species. As mentioned above the treatment area is crucial to every part of the greater sage grouse lifecycle. Breeding, nesting, raising their young, to surviving the harsh winter that can linger on in this high valley, it all has and should be taking place here. Due to the lack of fire on the landscape PJ has and is encroaching on sagebrush ecological sites, incasing the treat of wildfire, and catastrophic loss of wildlife habitat, and even worst the potential loss of human life and personal property. Pinyon jays are an avian species that is of concern because the decline of their populations. Pinyon jays need health pinyon-juniper forest. As per the sage steppe guidelines PJ density is noted in "Phases I-III" Phase one being the most sparse, young trees, and Phase three being the most dense, old trees. Research has shown large landscapes of Phase II and Phase III trees are vulnerable to parasites, disease and large-scale die offs from drought (see Greenwood et al.). Pinyon Jays rely on pinyon and juniper forest for food, cover, and nesting. Large scale die offs of Pinyon would and do have effects on pinyon jay populations. Creating health mosaics increase the diversity across the landscape. According the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources pinyon jays "nests are located in trees, usually conifers, five to thirty feet off the ground" and Cornell University states that "nest in areas that had a good crop of seeds in the previous fall." Currently the state that this PJ is in being threaten by drought, stunted, unhealthy, potential for disease that could cause massive die off PJ in the area. By removing trees in these areas, we are improving the ecological value of the landscape. Hamblin Valley WRI proposals have continue forward evening with litigation on BLM NEPA, in hopes that the dispute will be resolved, and restoration can continue. This project is tied to multiple other Hamblin Valley treatments and will serve as a catalyst for future projects.

1. Increase grass and forbs by 60% in PJ treated areas. 2. Increase grass and forbs by 40% in sagebrush treated sites. 3. Reduce pinyon and juniper by 90% across the treated areas. 4. Diversify the age and cover density of brush to serve wildlife and domestic livestock. 5. Allow livestock manager to be able to control their livestock to prevent over utilization by fencing and water distribution.

Below are some of some thresholds/threats/risks we feel impact this project ecologically. We also listed some social and financial thresholds for consideration associated with the project because they too impact our ability to complete the project for ecological benefits. ECOLOGICAL Sagebrush has reached a climax in section 2 and as a result that is also well documented in the literature the range or habitat becomes less productive and the watershed and ecology is threaten. In this case the sagebrush has reached a state where it is old, decanted and as a result grasses, forbs, and young sagebrush are nearly non-existent. By chaining the brush and seeding we anticipate that grasses, forb, and sagebrush will response well and will create a healthier landscape. Dalhgren documented that doing relative small-scale sagebrush treatments will increase the health of the sagebrush community and provide diversity of sagebrush and age class. Sage grouse brooding rearing habit is limit primarily to the lack of grasses and forbs that attract insects crucial to chick survival. Increases these grass and forbs will increase the insects, mixed with the mosaic of older sagebrush this area should be considered excellent for sage grouse brood rear. Not doing work in these areas of low pinyon/juniper density means the threat of higher costs, inputs, and risk will become greater over time. We will also be doing some pinyon juniper chaining work in sage brush ecological sites that have advanced to Phase II PJ succession and are moving toward Phase III. This work will be done in areas where the trees are large and dense enough that they are impacting the existing understory vegetation and crossing an ecological threshold. With that said, a decent understory of sagebrush, bitterbrush, grasses, and forbs persists in these areas, along with healthy old and young age class ponderosa pine. We also feel doing the mastication now is fiscally responsible because project partners are already spending time and effort to plan and implement other practices in the area. This project will increase and maintain the availability of a diverse suite of vegetational communities. A healthy landscape has a diversity of vegetational states within an ecological site. A diverse landscape benefits a larger community of wildlife species and people. A diverse landscape is also more resistance and resilient to disturbance. By allowing this landscape to continue to move further into a dominant PJ woodland it increases the risk of losing the sites ability for resistance to disturbance and its resilience to bounce back and heal after a disturbance. Due to the number of wild horses and the effects that they have on the range and wildlife habitat, we a planning on fencing these are to prevent horse use. This has proven to work on other areas in the wild horse management area, allowing for treatments to establish and thrive. Fencing also allows for better livestock management and the rancher will pipe water from a well on their private ground to two troughs on the SITLA ground. The fence will be marker with wildlife fence markers that have proven to decrease wildlife and fence collisions. Some livestock ranchers believe that these markers also make their livestock more respectful of the fence. SPECIES Although it was determined by the USFWS that listing under the ESA was not warranted for Greater sage grouse there is an impending review to see if further action or protection is needed. Continuing to do work as identified in the Statewide Sage Grouse Management Plan to conserve sage grouse will support a continued "not warranted" status. Land managers, biologists, and researchers familiar with the project area feel it is very important for sage grouse because available habitat seems to be the limiting factor for population growth here. As habitat is made available VHF and GPS collar data show immediate use. By completing this project, we are addressing an immediate threat to one of the primary limiting factors for this population. As previously mentioned, the area has been identified as priority for restoration of mule deer habitat under the Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan. Allowing the areas of Phase 1 PJ succession to move into phase 2 and 3 will mean less quality habitat to meet mule deer objectives. As described above the area is within a designated Bird Habitat Conservation Area (BHCA) with priority being sagebrush obligate birds like sage grouse, sage thrasher, and Brewer's sparrow. Not doing the project will lead to an increase density of pinyon and juniper that will decrease the amount of available habitat for these sage dependent bird species in an area being designated as important for birds. Global climate change has come to the forefront as a threat to humans and wildlife alike. Although models vary on future impacts of global climate change one thing stands out is that water may become scarcer in the West. Preserving and restoring wet areas like this has been identified as a key strategy to mitigate impacts like drought, increasing temperatures, and other impacts that a changing climate will have on humans and wildlife. FINANCIAL Financial thresholds need consideration when funding habitat conservation. The type of pro-active work we are proposing reduces future cost from becoming prohibitive. The partnership dollars currently available also need to be taken into consideration as an ecological and/or other threat. With multiple partners actively funding, planning, and implementing conservation practices in the area costs are being shared. If not done now, future costs may make implementing conservation practices at this scale prohibitive. SOCIO-POLITICAL There is also a social threshold to consider with the private lands as part of this project. Working with of permittees and privative landowner willing to work with agencies to do these projects. This project, including all potential phases, has momentum with private individuals willing to work with land management agencies. Not taking advantage of this while everyone is willing may mean a lost opportunity in the future.

Pinyon Management Framework Plan (PMFP) (1983) Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office. Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006) National Fire Plan (2000) The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following: 1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process. 2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation. 3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts. 4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome. 5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community. 6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation 7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation. 8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. 9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel. 10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands. . BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners. Refer to the following objectives and management actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7). B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows: Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14). C. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3) D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MALG-13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17). Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Draft) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2015). This plan has a stated habitat goal that calls for the removal of at least 3000 acres of pinyon and juniper per year. This project helps achieve that goal. Following the Southwest Desert Mule Deer Management: "Coordinate with federal and state partners in designing projects that will improve fire resiliency and protect areas of crucial habitat." "Cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvement projects. Protect deer winter ranges from wildfire by reseeding burned areas, creating fuel breaks and reseed areas dominated by cheatgrass with desirable perennial vegetation." "Reduce expansion of Pinion-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinion-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects." Utah Mule Deer Statewide Plan (12/5/2019-12/5/2024) "Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering, and migration areas" "Work with local, state and federal land management agencies and ranchers to properly manage livestock to enhance crucial mule deer ranges." "Minimize impacts and recommend mitigation for losses of crucial habitat due to human impacts." "Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah." "Support existing and explore additional incentive programs for landowners that will increase tolerance, enhance habitat, and promote deer populations on private lands such as the CWMU, landowner permit, Walk-In Access programs, etc." Utah Wildlife Action Plan *Lowland sagebrush is a key habitat identified in the WAP. *Riverine is a key habitat identified in the WAP. *WAP identifies inappropriate fire frequency as a threat to lowland sagebrush. This project will reduce future fire risk and act as a fire buffer to adjacent higher risk areas. Riverine habitat is threaten by Channel Down Cutting that can be related to unhealthy PJ forest and lack of an understory to promote infiltration of moisture into the soil. Beaver County Resource Management Plan "To improve range conditions through vegetation treatments and proper management, allowing for an appropriate increase in livestock grazing." "To maintain the AUM's at current levels and encourage increases as range conditions Provide." "Land management agencies shall take actions to control and eradicate harmful and invasive noxious weeds and aggressively treat pinyon-juniper encroachment on habitats which benefit wildlife." "Wildlife habitat and range reseeding projects must employ a mix of desirable native and non-native seeds that optimize forage requirements, range health and productivity." Iron County Natural Resource Management Plan Goals "Improve elk winter habitat through PJ removal" "Provide for adequate water supplies to elk in Southwest Desert hunting unit." "Improve range conditions, Minimize stress on deer in crucial deer winter habitat, Protect crucial deer winter ranges through conservation programs, and Expand Deer Winter Range."

The potential for more extreme fires will intensify as densities of pinion and juniper increase. By reducing stand densities the possibility for future larger-scale stand replacing fire events will be decreased. An extreme fire event could lead to a loss of crucial habitat/understory vegetation and the potential for a noxious weed infestation. Current FRCC is FR I, CC 2, with moderate departure from the historic range of variability. Fire regimes have been moderately and extensively altered and the risk of losing key ecosystem components from fire is high. This is mainly due to the expansion of pinyon and juniper. Without this project, fuel conditions are such that an unexpected wildfire may become increasingly difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation such as loss of important sage grouse and mule deer habitat.

Reducing the amount of pinyon/juniper will increase and prolong stream flows, while reducing erosion caused by bare soil. The species planted will help stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. Kormas et al. found that drainage's dominated with juniper experience "snow water equivalent peaks higher, snow melts out earlier, and more water is lost to evapotranspiration in catchments when compared to sagebrush steppe vegetation". In part of this project PJ is in phase 3 state and the lack of understory, the rill and sheet erosion is seen across the landscape. All the washes and drainages in and adjacent to the treatment are seasonal, including the Hamlin Valley Wash. The lack of natural water increases the need for the treatment as the follow research demonstrates. If surface water was available longer and over a greater area, riparian areas that are crucial for wildlife would benefit to point of possibly flourishing. Wet meadows are oases that many wildlife including sage brush obligate songbirds depend on during all parts of their life cycle. Wet areas are more productive vegetatively and generally have greater amounts of flowering plant species that crucial for pollinators including monarch butterflies. In a study from 2008, Deboodt, et. al (2008) mentions that juniper trees can use up to 30 gallons of water a day, when adequate moisture is present. It also states that vegetative modeling has shown that 9 to 35 trees per acre are enough to utilize all the precipitation delivered to as site in a 13-in annual precipitation zone. In their study researchers monitored two watersheds 12 years prior to treatment (cutting). After the treatment analysis indicated that juniper reduction significantly increased late season spring flow by 225%, increased days of recorded groundwater by an average of 41 days and increased the relative availability of late season soil moisture to soil depths of .76 meters. It was also noted that managing vegetation for water yield may be obtainable at a much lower precipitation threshold than what was previously understood. Baker, et. al (1984) found a 157% increase in stream flows over a 147-ha pinyon and juniper treatment. Recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to-18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Assuming that these results would be replicated on our project site we would anticipate that increases in spring flow and seasonal runoff (amount and length of time), increases volume in perennial stream flows, and overall improvement of riparian area health. Future treatments could be targeted at low cost rock structures and other water and sediment holding structures. Roth, et. All (2017) stated snowpack is deeper and last longer in the open site at the low and mid sites (4-26 and 11-33 days, respectively). Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity. In the proposed treatment we will be increase the amount of area with health sage brush community. Increasing a healthy brush community should, according to Roth, increase the snowpack amount and the length of time of melting. Increasing moisture infiltration into the soil, thus increasing soil moisture and benefiting the rangelands. Completion of this project would reduce flooding and runoff from heavy rainstorms by depositing woody debris in the gullies to slow and hold back the water. Currently with the pinyon and Juniper on site there is a lot of bare ground available for erosion. By planting this treatment with a variety of grasses, forbs and shrubs the ground cover will be greatly increased, which will decrease the potential for erosion. Areas that become dominated by pinyon and juniper out compete understory herbaceous species and leave bare soil prone to erosion. This herbaceous vegetation is important to reducing overland flow and reducing soil loss. Increased runoff and sediment load decreases water yield and water quality within the watershed. Studies have shown that an evaluation of alternatives using conversion treatments to enhance streamflow in the pinyon and juniper should be made (Barr 1956). It could be thus assumed that by completing the pinyon and juniper removal project that more water will enter the soil profile and streams, wet meadows, and springs will continue to flow and have the potential to increase flow. Concentrated grazing, especially in riparian zones, may reduce vegetative cover and stream bank stability as well as increasing soil erosion (Kauffman et al., 1983). Increasing water across the landscape for livestock not only has benefits for vegetation and the distribution of use, but as a study from Oregon conducted in the fall, Miner et al. (1992) observed that cows spent an average of 25.6 min/d in the stream when it was the only source of water. However, if an off-stream tank was available, cows spent only 1.6 min/d in the stream. Though this treatment site does not have perennial surface water, increasing the amount of available water to livestock and wildlife should decrease the amount of use in areas where seasonal and potentially perennial water may be found.

All practices will be installed according the state and federal requires. Cultural clearances will be done to satisfy appropriate agencies. Treatment will be implemented between August 15 to April 15 to ensure that nesting and brood rearing of sage grouse and other birds are not disturbed.

As ensure that this project is successful we will be using the state of Utah purchasing to contract the work to take place: Cultural Clearance will be contract though the UDWR Archeologist in coordination with SITLA and NRCS Archeologist for clearance. Seeding will take place in areas that are to be harrowed and implemented according to the following specifications: Seeding contractor is required to furnish all labor, equipment, supplies, and materials needed to aerial seed. Contractor will need to provide enough labor and equipment to complete the work in the specified performance window. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure that the proper seed mix and application rate is following as described in this contract. All seed will be bagged in 1250 lb tote. Seed will be delivered by UDWR to predetermined location. Contractor will be solely responsible for loading all seed into broadcaster. The aircraft must be equipped with a global positioning system that is used to establish flight lines for 100% coverage. DWR will provide to the Contractor an electronic file containing coordinate positions of treatment areas in an ARC/INFO GIS format. Contractor shall provide a Trimble, ARC/INFO or ARCVIEW electronic file in UTM projection North America Datum 1983 of treatment coverage upon completion of each treated area or as required by the Contracting Officer. A government representative shall monitor the Contractors GPS to assure Contractors compliance with contract specifications. Chaining This project includes the removal of pinyon pine and juniper within the project area as follows: 1. Chaining shall be performed in an organized systematic manner as determined in the pre-work conference. 2. The contractor shall provide skilled operators. 3. Contractor will need to provide enough equipment to complete the work in the specified performance window. 4. The Contractor shall furnish a connection device to attach the chain to each individual crawler tractor. 5. Each site will be chained in two directions (i.e. 2nd pass opposite direction or 180 degrees.) and each pass will cover half of the previous pass. 6. If large piles of slash (i.e. pinyon pine and juniper) accumulate in the chain, the contractor will be required to spread out the big piles or deposit the slash in gullies. 7. Chain shall not be pulled at a speed in excess of 4 mph. 8. The tractors will be operated with a maximum lateral spacing of 100 feet. 9. Chaining passes must be completed swivel to swivel, not track to track. 10. The Government representative has the option of reducing tractor spacing below the minimum specified to accommodate specific terrain or conditions. 11. Pinyon and juniper trees will be left as they lie following the two chaining passes, no piling or windrowing will be required. 12. Any internal roads through the project site must be cleared of all debris left by the chaining operation. 13. The chaining will be done on the contour as much as possible. This is very important for the improvement of the watershed, because chaining on the contour reduces the amount of overland flow during runoff periods (spring melt, summer thunderstorms, etc.). 14. Transport of the chain to the first project site will be the responsibility of the government. Following the completion of the project, the chain may be left on site near any designated road and coordinated with the project manager. In addition the Contractor will be responsible to return all extra chain parts (i.e. connectors, swivels, clevises, pins, etc....) to the designated road and coordinated with the project manager. 15. Public or private access roads damaged by the Contractor shall be restored at the Contractors expense to the same condition they were in at the commencement of work. 16. Equipment and vehicles must not be operated or driven outside of the determined project boundaries except on identified roads or trails. 17. All terrain vehicles may be used within project areas as long as vehicle use does not create a visible trail. All created visible trails and/or ruts will be reclaimed at the expense of the contractor. 18. Chaining shall not occur under conditions that prevent the proper operation of equipment. Conditions include snow, frozen ground or when the soil exceeds 15% moisture content. When such conditions are encountered, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Government. 19. Chaining use will be prohibited when soils are wet and rutting (in excess of 10" within sensitive areas) might occur. 20. The Contractor shall periodically lubricate and service the Ely chain swivels (minimum of two times per day). The Contractor shall furnish necessary lubricating equipment and proper lubricants. The Contractor shall check bolts, nuts, etc. on the Ely chain periodically to insure tightness and shall tighten them as necessary for proper maintenance. 21. The Contractor shall be equipped to make necessary field repairs to the Ely chain. An arc-acetylene welder shall be included in the Contractor's repair equipment. The welder shall be at the work site at all times. The Contractor shall maintain and repair the Ely chain at the worksite. The Government will provide all necessary replacement parts in a timely manner. 22. The Project Inspector will make tests to determine the uniformity of the Chaining operation. 23. Contractor will be required to move chain to an area to be determined by the Project Inspector to provide for efficient pickup of the chain once contract is completed. Fence * New Wood posts, Steel posts, etc. shall be set plumb (vertical), in complete alignment, dirt packed solid and to be sturdy. * All wood posts and wood braces will be Juniper wood (Cedar Posts), unless specified otherwise. * Completed fences shall be in alignment, taut, and solid at all points. * Wire spacing will be measured perpendicular to the ground. * All four strands of barbed wire to be 12 ½ gauge, 2 pt. * Tie wire for braces to be 9-gauge steel. * Steel panel gates will be provided and installed by contract. * Steel panel gates must be a minimum of 6-bar, painted, or powder coated, or galvanized, and approved by project manager. * Wood post braces will be used to support steel panel gates. * All metal gates must be hung with a minimum of 8 inches of clearance. * All barbed wire spacing will be 16 inches, 8 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches, measuring from the ground up. * Height of top strand from ground shall be 42 inches. * Minimum length of 6-foot, quality steel t-posts to be used. * Steel t-posts shall be pounded into the ground such that the spade is completely buried. * Minimum length of 8 ft. Cedar Posts to be used. * Cedar posts shall be buried 3 ft. * Metal: Wood Post Ratio will be 5:1 * Maximum spacing between each post shall be 16½ feet (one rod). * Two (2) 32 inches stays placed between each fence post. * Line Braces every ¼ mile with additional braces where additional stability is required, including tops and bottom of slopes. * All braces will be Juniper (Cedar) Wood. * All corner braces will be constructed from wood "H" style braces. Water system Following NRCS engineer design a contractor will install 2 11' tire troughs, and pipeline to the troughs for the current pumping plant.

UDWR/NRCS: Pre and post photo point monitoring in treatment areas. Sage grouse Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide to be done pre-treatment to assess habitat conditions. UT-2 Range assessment done pre-treatment and post treatment. NRCS Pinyon and juniper woodland survey The UDWR through the collar data we will be able to will provide data to show mule deer, elk use with the collared wildlife in the area.

The livestock permitee is committing all of his NRCS 2018 Farm bill dollars to this project. This means that they may not be able to obtain funding from the NRCS till the next Farm Bill which is anticipated in 2022. Through the permittee, the NRCS will be providing over half the funding for the project on public land. It is important to note that these permitees also spent all of their 2014 Farm Bill funds on a public lands project just south of this project. SITLA has agreeded to partner with us on this project to increase the value of the range and increase the health of their land. The UDWR supports this treatment for the benefit of all wildlife (game and non-game species) that benefit from healthy PJ forest and sagebrush ecosystems. Treatments like these reduce all wildlife utilize more habitat, and allow wildlife managers to better manage populations through hunting and hunter dispersal.

Any seeded areas will require a MINIMUM 2 year rest to establish seeded species. Landowner has committed to keep livestock off the seeding while it establishes. This project will also help the landowner better distribute and graze not only his private property but also his adjacent public allotments. This means the potential for improved range management and range conditions moving forward. The private landowners will enter into a contract with NRCS. NRCS will monitor the treatment for the first 2 years as part of the permittee contract. UDWR Farm Bill Biologist will establish photo points to a 5 year post treatment reading.

The forage quality and availability would greatly increase in the area after implementation of the project. Completion of this project would help distribute animal use over the area, which would reduce concentrated use in certain areas. This area is popular for hunting elk and deer to the public. Improving the habitat for hunting and wildlife viewing is important for the local community, and Iron and Beaver County. The chaining will provide opportunities for fire wood collection that is a population past time with local families and the communities. ATV and OHV frequent the areas often to view and enjoy the wildlife and wild places. This treatment will enhance the beauty and the opportunity to view and enjoy Utah's wildlife and wild places. Improving landscapes has the potential and has been proven to have positive economical impacts on the surrounding communities and the business in the area. We anticipate that Beaver County and their residents will be see positive economic impacts that will continue to help draw people to enjoy their county.

12/21/2021

07/07/2023

2024

The purpose for this project was increase wildlife habit primarily for greater sage grouse, but other wildlife including mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. This project will also reduce erosion, slow runoff, increase pollinator habitat, reduce the risk of large-scale wildfire and provide quality range land for local livestock producers. Seed was applied by Hammond Helicopter using both fixed winged and helicopter in December 2021. Chaining started February 21, 2022 by Mike Kesler Enterprises using a set of John Deere 1050K bulldozers. As planned this was a two-way chaining across all treatment areas. A 240-foot Ely Chain was use. Chain was provided by Great Basin Research Center. Chaining was completed 4 strand barbed wire fence with wildlife markers was constructed around the private land and SITLA sections to protect it from wild horse overuse and to provide better management of livestock grazing. In addition to the fencing four 1,750-gallon water troughs have been place in the sections. Water is supplied by a well on the private property. The landowner/permittee installed the water system with assistance of BLM who installed the pipe and the permittee installed the water troughs, larger pump and addition solar panels to pump the water to the troughs. The planned herbicide application was not completed due to budget constrains in this project. The forced decrease of the estimated cost during ranking and funding required over $80,000 additional dollars to be secured to complete the fencing. WRI leadership recommended that the herbicide treatment be but in a separate proposal in FY25. Funding is to be determined. The NRCS funding is still contracted through the permittee for the herbicide.

Seed was delivered and aerial seeding started December 14, 2021. Seeding was completed on December 21, 2021. Seed mix was provided by the GBRC and meet the specifications of the all parties. The Chaining began with one set of John Deere 1050K bulldozers on February 21, 2022. The Chaining was completed March 14, 2022. A 4-strand barbed wire fence with wildlife markers was constructed around the private land and SITLA sections to protect it from wild horse overuse and to provide better management of livestock grazing. Due to budget issues, the project managers estimates were decreased. Additional funds were secured through SITLA and the Grazing Improvement Program. Fencing was delay into the summer of 2022. Taylor Made Fencing was the successful contractor and started the fencing on June 23, 2022. Fence was completed 8/23/2022. Water system was installed by landowner/permittee in 2023. The pipeline was ripped in by the Bureau of Land Management Cedar City Field Office in the spring of 2023 and the troughs were installed by the permittee in the summer of 2023. The large pump and solar panels were installed by a local well servicing company through an agreement with the landowner.

This treatment has been rested for two growing seasons, making it eligible for grazing in the summer 2024. SITLA will manage grazing on the two sections of their land. NRCS will continue to provide technical assistance and work with the landowner/permittee to ensure best practices are used. Farm Bill Biologist have established two photo points (see pictures) and will continue to monitor them annually for another 3 years and bi-annually for 10 years. Pictures will be loaded into the pictures and document section. The annual grass treatment is planned to take place this fall assuming the WRI funding of 6975. If this funding does not come through, NRCS and SITLA will have to decide how to go forward with the treatment.