The area has been severely degraded with cheatgrass being the dominant plant on the landscape. The area has burned repeatedly over the last 30+ years due to poor management of testing and training exercises and not realizing what impact it could potentially have on the landscape (Natural Resource Management is fairly new to DoD) The project area was sprayed in October 2017 and again in 2020 with Plateau Herbicide(Imazapic) from C-130 Aircraft and mitigation for wildland fire have now been implemented to the point that we feel that the risk is such that doing a large-scale multi-year project is worthwhile and necessary for range sustainability. Areas where the fires originate have been addressed with additional mechanical scrapes, green strips, and spraying. The need is to restore this area and areas adjacent to it for wildlife habitat as all shrubs have been lost.

*Restore ecological function back to this area with emphasis to establish a diverse mix of plants included woody shrubs. *Provide habitat for shrub dependent species (neotropical birds, rabbits) as well as species like Golden Eagle (foraging areas), and fawning cover for Pronghorn and mule deer. *Eliminate wildfire events in the project area by using competitive species in seed mixes and reducing fuel loads.

The threshold has been met, but we believe based on past projects that we can make an impact. While the area has been significantly dominated by cheatgrass and other invasive annual weeds like Russian thistle and annual Kochia, we have seen great improvement in areas that we have already worked over the last 13 years. There is still a threat from wildfire, but with management changes and reduced fuel loads, we feel that the risk has been greatly reduced. The area could still be re-invaded by cheatgrass, but we can continue to spray if needed.

Hill Air Force Base Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) Project 8.3.1.1.1: Develop a 10 year restoration plan for the UTTR utilizing the knowledge and experience from the past 12 years of projects to assure success and good use of resources. Project 8.3.1.1.2: Continue utilizing the ANG 910th Aerial Spray Group for fall aerial spraying of pre-emergent herbicide for cheatgrass and other annual weedy species at the UTTR. Spray a minimum of 1,500 acres annually (weather permitting). Project 8.3.1.1.3: Ground spray pre-emergent herbicide for cheatgrass and other annual weedy species at the UTTR. Spray a minimum of 200 acres annually specific to rangeland restoration goals. Project 8.3.1.1.4: Utilize the Wildland Fire Center to conduct controlled burns for preparation of aerial and ground spraying operations as well as preparation for rangeland restoration seeding. Project 8.3.1.1.5: Using the best technology and knowledge available, rehabilitate and restore 500-800 acres annually. Acquire seed through the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative Project 8.3.1.1.6: Add all rangeland restoration projects into the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative database and present projects at annual project proposal meetings. Add past project results as they become available. Project 8.3.1.1.7: Assure all AF 813 or NEPA documents and associated contracts for work that disturb the ground are sufficiently mitigating the spread of noxious and invasive weedy species. Project 8.3.1.1.8: seed 2,000 + shrub seedlings in seedling tubes in the Hill NR Program Greenhouse for planting at the UTTR. Utilize Eagle Scout and other volunteers to assist in this effort Project 8.3.1.1.9: Plant 2,000 + shrub seedlings at the UTTR annually for restoration of important wildlife habitats focusing on State-listed Sensitive Species in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan. Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2.1.8 Address fire ignition points to minimize the risk of unintended fire starts. 2.1.9 Establish or enhance fuel breaks in locations that are susceptible to large or intense fires. 2.2.5 Conduct mechanical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.7 Conduct chemical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 2.3.18 Conduct better fire suppression in habitats/locations that are susceptible to damage from fire that now would be too frequent or intense. 2.3.20 Conduct post-fire rehabilitation.

Fine flammable fuels have been greatly reduced from aerial spraying in both 2017 and 2020. In addition, seed prep via spike harrow and disk disturbance with the seed drills open up heavy cheatgrass areas for many years. We use species that are competitive with cheatgrass and provide function for wildlife and the ecosystem. Also, as already mentioned, mitigation measures have also been put in place that have curtailed large fire events that have affected this area that include mechanical fire breaks, greenstrips, and spraying of imazipic in strategic areas where fire could escape.

The UTTR is not a wet location but projects do help capture water (soil infiltration) as well as help with soil erosion, especially of fine soils.

NEPA, 2016 EA, Vegetation Management on the Utah Test and Training Range Cultural/Archeological Clearance, Originally completed in the 90's and was reviewed and resurveyed in 2018 by Air Force Archeologists. Projects in this area has received SHPO and Tribes concurrence.

-Aerial Spray with Imazapic - Completed -Spike tooth harrow the entire project area. -Broadcast (Broadcast mix) seed and roll with compactor a portion of the area. -Drill with P&F and Truax drill in the broadcasted/compacted portion of the area. -Drill with Truax OTG and Basin drill in the portions that have not been broadcasted/compacted and add drill seed mix in cold season boxes and broadcast mix in fluffy boxes. Alternate hoses from boxes to put each seed mix in different furrows. -In areas where the primary goal is to create firebreaks to slow the spread of wildfire, we will prepare the soil by disturbing with a spike tooth harrow, then broadcasting a greenstrip mix while pressing with a roller/compactor.

We conduct vegetation surveys annually. Both pre and post treatment surveys are conducted. We also have established photo points in this project area. Additionally, the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem and Science Center came out in 2020 and conducted transects as well as part of regional spray and restoration studies.

Both the USFWS and BYU provide personnel for driving tractors and project implementation. We especially consider UWRI as a partner for both seed acquisition and for consultation on methods, equipment, and success. The USGS is also a partner for monitoring. The 910th Aerial Spray Unit is also a partner every fall.

The management of the area will remain the same. Since it is on the Utah Test and Training Range as an active bombing range, the area will remain untouched. the project are is far from the targets but is closed to other activities for a safety buffer. the project also is close to a public County Road and is another reason military testing and training will not be done in such close proximity to the road.

Grazing of the area would be too cost prohibitive due to the miles of fencing that would be needed to keep livestock from entering the actual target complexes. Hence, the area will only be utilized by wildlife.

10/01/2022

12/16/2022

2023

At the Pad 2 location, we first used a spike-tooth harrow to prepare the soil. The soil was mostly bare as a result of having burned in June of 2021 and being sprayed with Imazapic in Oct 2021. We then drilled this site using the Truax OTG with our "Pad 2" mix. We drilled perpendicular to the slope. The soil was a bit wetter and sometimes harder (frozen) than ideal, but we postponed when necessary to get favorable seeding conditions. At the HAG Site, we prepared the soil with a spike-toothed harrow. The soil had small cheatgrass and Russian thistle plants present as a result of having burned in Oct 2020. We then seeded with a P&F drill and a Truax Basin drill using our "HAG Drill Mix." The soil seemed firm enough while drilling. We then broadcast seeded our "HAG Broadcast Mix" using a UTV broadcaster. The soil was moist while broadcasting, with rain/snow occurring during or shortly after broadcasting. For our Greenstrip sites, we prepared the soil with a spike-toothed harrow. We then broadcasted our "Greenstrip Mix" using a UTV broadcaster.

We felt good about the execution of the project. The soil conditions seemed mostly favorable. The soil was firm and moisture came to the sites shortly after seeding. Hopefully this results in good soil contact and a lack of wind loss. There is a degree of concern that the HAG Site did not have sufficient soil prep to give the cultivated species enough of a competitive advantage over cheatgrass and Russian thistle. The harrowing made the soil surface look good, but did not reduce the seed source.

We'll perform some vegetation monitoring surveys in these locations in the future to monitor the successfulness of the seeding efforts. If successful, we hope that no more management will be needed. If unsuccessful, or if fire occurs in the future, we will likely perform a similar seeding effort in these locations.