Spruce beetle outbreaks from the early 2000s to present have killed nearly all of the mature overstory spruce in forested areas of the basin. Additionally, the invasive insect, balsam wooly Adelgid (BWA) has been conclusively identified in the basin as of 2019. BWA attacks and kills all age classes of subalpine fir and white fir. The combined effect in conifer stands from the insect activity has and will continue to produce stands full of standing dead trees. There is an approximate window of 10-30 years where the large dead trees will stay standing. However, once they fall to the forest floor, the addition of large, 1,000 hour fuels greatly increases the risk of high severity fire. It is expected that BWA will infest and kill much of the subapline fir in the coming years, further adding to the fuel loading. On the other hand, in seral aspen stands, the conifer component (spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine) has been slowly increasing, reducing aspen health and cover. This conifer encroachment into seral aspen stands has been offset by some logging since European settlement. However, fire constitutes the main check on conifer in aspen, and has been mostly suppressed in the last 150 years. The current conditions outlined above are occurring at the watershed scale. If left unchecked, the potential for high severity fire and pervasive poor forest health conditions will be the most common condition in these watersheds. High severity fire, if it occurs at a large enough scale, would be very detrimental to the Strawberry Basin water supply, fisheries, and local recreation economy. Furthermore, in 2018, the Dollar Ridge, which was on the far east side of Strawberry Reservoir affected the water quality and fisheries where the Strawberry River exits Strawberry Reservoir to the south. This water supplies many communities in the Uinta Basin and Wasatch Front. Future treatments to improve stand health condition and the fire and fuels outlook will consist of hand, mechanical, and prescribed fire methods. The right tool for the job would be used, consistent with the forest plans, law, and regulations.

1 - Improve wildlife habitat Improve habitat and watershed health by enhancing, improving, or restoring conditions that allow for natural process (fire, insect, and disease) to occur in the future. Improve stand structure, species composition and age class diversity in conifer, conifer/aspen, and aspen stands. This would be accomplished by enhancing conditions that enable aspen to thrive, diversify, and persist. Conifer removal from seral aspen stands would occur in the mid to northern half of the Strawberry Ridge project area. In other areas, thinning to improve stand vigor in aspen and conifer stands would occur. Other potential treatments would be opening up aspen stands by group selection treatments to diversify forest structure and age-class. Monoculture aspen and conifer encroachment of aspen are decreasing habitats' benefit to big game, small game and woodland bird species and livestock. There are 3 typical treatments used to encourage aspen regeneration, with the goal being a multi-aged aspen stand, diverse structure, and removal of encroaching conifer and a variety of understory species. These treatments are typically: RxB, cut-pile-burn, and mechanical (mastication, cut-masticate, and other variations). 2 - Reduce potential for large-scale high severity fire Address future concerns in the downed woody component across the landscape in stands not generally associated with higher frequency or intensity stand replacing fires. Reduce the potential for large-scale high severity fire in the Engelman spruce/fir vegetation type. Nearly all Engelmann spruce in this area have died due spruce beetle activity beginning in the early 2000s. These large dead trees are approaching the point where they will fall to the forest floor and contribute to very high fuel loads in the 100 to 1,000-hour fuel category. Once this occurs, the potential for high severity fire increases significantly. Commercial logging and service contracts would be used to remove standing dead trees and thin overly dense green stands in the northern part of the project area to reduce fuel loading and increase stand vigor. 3 - Obtain baseline dataset for current conditions This proposed action will provide us with the stand exam plots and data needed to identify specifies composition, stand structure, shrub, grass, and potential habitat type. The data collected can then be leveraged via Forest Service developed FSVeg Spatial and Data Analyzer software to model all other areas without stand exam data stand to create a 'wall-to-wall' dataset of the entire project area. This Baseline data is needed to identify treatment locations and priorities. We then can move forward in an informed manner at the landscape scale for the various habitat improvements for fish and wildlife species in the area.

As standing, dead conifer and aspen habitats continue to age, two risks are approaching: larger fires and decreased wildlife/livestock carrying capacity within aspen ecotypes. Strawberry Ridge is an ecotone change from the brushy mixed oak/aspen/conifer stringer of Diamond Fork and Hobble Creek to the aspen/aspen-conifer/conifer stands on Strawberry Ridge. Increased fuel loading has lead to increased probability of catastrophic wildfire, as demonstrated by recent larger and more frequent small wildfires in these areas. With changing conditions there is an increased likelihood that a large fire, which runs into the aspen stands of Strawberry Ridge would now push through, where in the past it would have likely stopped. This risk is a concern for all species that use this area throughout the year. Ungulates use the area in the spring to give birth to fawns/calves, and spend the summer/fall raising their young, building up their fat reserves to prepare for the coming winter, and breeding. Many sensitive and migratory birds, such as the Northern Goshawk, return every year to this area to nest and raise their young. Numerous birds need specific habitat requirements to successfully fledge their young. A catastrophic fire would wipe out the forage and cover (for security, movement and thermoregulation) that species need to complete their lifecycles. By increasing the health of these stands, it should push the balance back to where this area would act as a fire break or defensible line to fire coming from the south and west. Further, if aspen stands continue to age, stems will start dying and add to fuel loading. Total canopy/late seral aspen clones reduce the understory veg community to few, often unpalatable, lower light plant species, reducing the available forage for wildlife and livestock. Further aspen replacement growth often occurs only on the fringes of a stand. Reductions in interior forage and regrowth reduces forage. By opening up stands, more area is realized for grass, forb, palatable brush and aspen shoots. Increasing carrying capacity for ungulates and other aspen wildlife species, esp. various birds. Current demand by deer, elk, sheep and cattle may be approaching a threshold and additional loss of forage could cause a conflict. Additionally, opening up dense stands in a thin from below method in both aspen and conifer would improve nesting habitat for the flammulated owl, a migratory bird that may be in slight decline.

Uinta Forest Plan - 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan, Uinta National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/uwcnf/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprdb5076960&width=full - Plan sites management of wildlife (pg 2.5), fuels/fire (pgs3-14), Timber and Livestock (pg 2-16) and vegetation (pg 2.5). Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan 2014 The project is designated crucial summer range for Mule Deer. Section IV Statewide management goals and objectives. This project will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2013 (p11-12). Strategy F. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages. https://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/mule_deer_plan.pdf Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan (2010) The project is designated crucial summer range / calving habitat for Elk. It will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of forage and cover on 250,000 acres of elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and upper elevation elk winter range by the end of this plan. Under this objective, strategies D and F apply. Strategy D. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and winter ranges. Strategy F. Encourage land managers to manage portions of forests in early succession stages through the use of controlled burning and logging. Controlled burning should only be used in areas where there are minimal invasive weed and/or safety concerns. This project area is of minimal weed concern. https://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/elk_plan.pdf Wasatch County Resource Management Plan: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Cn80Wzst8eoa0o_BqoTBHOPfPm8M6MIe Pgs: 300, 314, 315, 320 address the County's desire for road access, wildlife, fisheries, Timber and fire prevention. Utah County RMP: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Cn80Wzst8eoa0o_BqoTBHOPfPm8M6MIe Document cites need and County support for: Fire Management (p31) Recreation and Tourism (p72) Threatened, Endangered, & Sensitive Species (p78) https://deq.utah.gov/legacy/programs/water-quality/watersheds/docs/2015/08Aug/StrawberryRiver.pdf Document cites that protection of the headwater areas for the Strawberry watershed is a priority for US Forest Service, Utah Division of Water Quality, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the Friends of Strawberry Valley and their partners. (p44)

See Ecological Threshold - Threats and Risks pt1 In addition - Road improvements will allow fuels (RxB) and wildland firefighter crews better access and increased safety to this area when needed. Reducing the risk of catastrophic fire will help protect communities (Bryant's Fork Summer Homes), campgrounds (Lodgepole C.G.) and businesses (Daniel's Summit Lodge, Strawberry Bay Marina) in and near the project area.

Water Quantity: Mosaic aspen stands gather more snow in openings and that snow melts more slowly than in full canopy stands. Compared to conifer forests, more snow reaches the ground in aspen stands. Leading to increased snowpack that last longer, providing greater water quantity. "Small openings within these stands were effective snow traps and accumulating one-third more snow than elsewhere in the stand. They found that snow ablated 30% more slowly in these openings, extending the snowmelt runoff or groundwater recharge later into the spring." "Aspen forests (canopy) intercept only minimal amounts of snow, especially compared to coniferous forests, where much of the snow may never reach the ground. In central Utah, Harper found 5% to 70% less water in the snowpack under mixed aspen-conifer stands than under pure aspen. Dunford and Niederhof (1944) found 12% more snow under aspen than in the open. Nearby lodgepole pine contained 12% less snow than the open area, which was approximately 75% of the amount found under aspen. Intercepted snow may evaporate more readily than snow on the ground because of greater surface area exposure to radiation and wind." Additionally, due to warming climatic conditions, increased stress to forests has the potential to cause large-scale die-offs from insect, disease, and fire interactions. Locally we have seen massive forest die-offs due to mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine and spruce beetle in Engelmann spruce in the last 20 years. Large-scale die-offs have potential to negatively effect water quality (Mikkelson et al. 2012). Treatments would help to reduce likelihood of such large scale loss of forest cover and habitat. Treatment types planned are thinning, conifer encroachment removal in aspen, stand structure and age-class treatments, and dry/wet meadow restoration. Excerpts from: https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_rm/rm_gtr119/rm_gtr119_153_160.pdf https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7753&context=aspen_bib https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1724 Example of potential contracts specs: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3848918.pdf Water Quality will not decrease as BMP's will be utilized to remove potential impacts during treatment. Wetland Encroachment- Removal of conifers may increase water quantity. Water Quality will not change as BMP's will be utilized to remove potential impacts.

NEPA will be an Environmental Assessment that will cover all desired treatment types and locations with an anticipated completion date of 2022-2023. Archaeological clearance will likely happen FY 23.

Pre-treatment, USFS biologists and timber personnel will lay-out areas for treatment with a landscape scale mindset. Areas of treatment will be selected to ensure maximum wildlife benefit without hindering extraction efforts. Contracts for commercial logging near Daniels Summit, Murdock Hollow and Strawberry Peak will improve roads to allow for access to stands by timber harvest equipment and log trucks. Other contracts could include use of feller buncher and hand crews to thin stands. Skidders would gather and deck the cut material.

USFS stand exams will provide quantifiable pre implementation forest structure and composition data. Immediately post and then 3-5 years following treatment, stand stocking and composition would be measured. Wildlife and range will also monitor post implementation for weeds and habitat conditions.

USFS UDWR - Contracting, monitoring, technical input Grazing association - pasture usage adjustments, future mgmt inputs Conservation org's - Possible stewardships will be explored as project details become clear and concise, MDF and SFW may be interested in this project Private Lawnmowers - USFS intends to coordinate future treatments whit private landowners if needed and owner(s) are willing.

1. Stand Exams 2022 2. Survey work/unit designations and modeling/planning 2023 3. NEPA signed 2023/2024 4. Vegetation Projects (commercial harvest, thinning, habitat improvements, road work) 2023-2030

Conifer encroachment removal and aspen forest improvements will increase stock forage by opening the understory and promoting forage growth. All of this project area is within active allotments. Livestock and wildlife conflicts should be reduced with the completion of this project. Road improvements will improve dispersed recreation such as: camping atv'ing, hiking, etc. Long term benefits will be realized by hunters as big and small game numbers and utilization increases.

09/06/2022

03/14/2023

2023

The stand exams consisted of 750 plots of forest floor to canopy surveys. Vegetation was examined and recorded. Data collected included species composition, stand structure, shrub, grass, and habitat types. The data collected has been delivered and is currently being leveraged via Forest Service developed FSVeg Spatial and Data Analyzer software to model all other areas without stand exam data stand to create a 'wall-to-wall' dataset of the entire 92,000-acre project area. This Baseline data is needed to identify treatment locations and priorities. A contract was awarded in the summer of 2021 for these stand exams. It was determined that contract administration was more feasible option due to staff limitations and the number of plots needed. The contract was completed in October 2022. The project's goal was to determine vegetation types and densities in the project area to provide data on areas that would best be suited for treatments. Once this data is analyzed we then can move forward in an informed manner at the landscape scale for the various habitat improvements for fish and wildlife species in the area. For pretreatment, USFS biologist and timber personnel laid out areas for treatment with a landscape scale mindset. Areas of treatment were selected to ensure maximum wildlife benefit without hindering extraction efforts. Contracts for commercial logging near Daniels Summit, Murdock Hollow and Strawberry Peak improves roads to allow for access to stands by timber harvest equipment and log trucks. Use of a feller buncher, masticator, prescribed fire and hand crews will be used to thin stands. Skidders would be used to gather and deck the cut material.

Spruce beetle outbreaks from the early 2000s to present have killed nearly all of the mature overstory spruce in forested areas of the basin. Additionally, the invasive insect, balsam wooly Adelgid (BWA), has been conclusively identified in the basin as of 2019. BWA attacks and kills all age classes of subalpine fir and white fir. The combined effect in conifer stands from the insect activity has and will continue to produce stands full of standing dead trees. There is an approximate window of 10-30 years where the large dead trees will stay standing. However, once they fall to the forest floor, the addition of large, 1,000 hour fuels greatly increases the risk of high severity fire. It is expected that BWA will infest and kill much of the subalpine fir in the coming years, further adding to the fuel loading. On the other hand, in seral aspen stands, the conifer component (spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine) has been slowly increasing, reducing aspen health and cover. This conifer encroachment into seral aspen stands has been offset by some logging since European settlement. However, fire constitutes the main check on conifer in aspen, and has been mostly suppressed in the last 150 years. The current conditions outlined above are occurring at the watershed scale. If left unchecked, the potential for high severity fire and pervasive poor forest health conditions will be the most common condition in these watersheds. High severity fire, if it occurs at a large enough scale, would be very detrimental to the Strawberry Basin water supply, fisheries, and local recreation economy. Furthermore, in 2018, the Dollar Ridge Fire, which was on the far east side of Strawberry Reservoir affected the water quality and fisheries where the Strawberry River exits Strawberry Reservoir to the south. This water supplies many communities in the Uinta Basin and Wasatch Front. This project improves the stand health condition and the fire and fuels outlook through hand, mechanical, and prescribed fire methods.

1. Stand Exams 2022 2. Survey work/unit designations and modeling/planning 2023 3. NEPA signed 2023/2024 4. Vegetation Projects (commercial harvest, thinning, habitat improvements, road work) 2024-2030