This proposal is requesting the resources needed to install a ADA fishing pier and perform maintenance on fishing and interpretive trails around Willow Lake, Ferron Reservoir, Petes Hole Reservoir, Benches (Beaver Dam) Reservoir and Yearns Reservoir. This proposal seeks to maintain these trails by performing trail tread repair, building water control structures, rebuilding trail boardwalk/bridges, retaining walls, hardening trail segments as well as building ADA compliant fishing pier at Willow Lake to help make angling inclusive for visitors needing more accessible trails. This work will be accomplished by an 8-person American Conservation Experience(ACE) crew, Youth Conservation Corps, in-house labor, and volunteered time from Elements Traverse, a program for at-risk youth. These routes are used almost exclusively use by hikers and anglers, but may have occasional use by bicycles and equestrians. This project will serve as a pilot to other potential phases. Other phases in the future could include improvements for angler access and to trails around Wrigley Reservoir, Potters Ponds, Emerald Lake, Grassy Lake, and Duck Fork Reservoir. Inspiration for this project was the public reception to trail improvements at Ferron Picnic/Black Dragon Trailhead that improved access to Ferron Creek and to the picnic sites. Since the improvements have been implemented the site has received increased use and praise from the residents of the nearby town of Ferron."

Our goal is to provide visitors with a safe and convenient access while protecting the adjacent resources, all located on the Manti-La Sal National Forest in Sanpete County. Our goal is to provide visitors with safe and convenient access along these shorelines while protecting adjacent resources. Our goal is to provide/improve angling access to the reservoirs, and to construct an ADA accessible fishing pier from the Willow Lake campground. The DWR will be responsible for purchasing and installing an ADA fishing pier at Willow Lake and constructing a walking path from the Willow Lake campground to the fishing pier. The DWR is also responsible for purchasing materials and reconstructing the foundation of the angler walkway at Benches Reservoir. DWR along with dedicated hunters and employess from the Scofield Mine replaced the walkway several years ago. Because of high water the foundation logs and footers could not be replaced at that time. This project will lower water levels to fix the foundation of the walkway. This proposal is requesting funds for the construction and installation of an ADA fishing pier and the reconstruction of the foundation of the Benches Reservoir fishing walkway. The USFS will be responsible for performing maintenance on fishing trails, and installing bridges around the following reservoirs: Willow Lake, Ferron Reservoir, Pete's Hole Reservoir, and Yearns Reservoir. USFS contribution has been funded by RTP and is an in-kind match for this proposal. Features/trail work: Pete's Hole Reservoir -- trail length 3260 feet; 2 bridges, 2 mini bridges, 4 retaining walls. Yearn's Reservoir -- trail length 1874 feet; 1 bridge, 2 mini bridges, 2 stairs, 1 small fence. Ferron Reservoir -- trail length 3525 feet; 5 bridges, 11 interpretive signs. Willow Lake -- trail length 5710 feet; 3 bridges, 3 stairs, 2 retaining walls. DWR is proposing funding for additional work: fishing pier, hardened approach to peir, trail from parking area to pier, additional bridges and boardwalk to finish trail.

The threats this project addresses is the inadequate angling access to these highly utilized fisheries.

The proposed action has been reviewed for compliance with the Forest Plan (Manti-La Sal National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 1986, with amendments)). Proposed activities meet the goals and management direction provided by the Forest Plan. The following management direction, as well as others not listed applies: Under Forest-wide Direction, the proposed action would conform to: *Develop appropriate facilities where the present facilities are not meeting the demand and where it meets the highest net public benefit. *Design facilities and access to provide sites protection, efficient maintenance, and user convenience. Design and develop sites to ensure that developed capacity meets the anticipated demand. *Construct, reconstruct and maintain developed sites in accordance with the established Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classification for the management unit. *Manage recreational activities so they do not conflict with wildlife use of habitat. *Maintain developed sites in accordance with regionally acceptable work standards.

Maintaining the trails around the reservoirs help create a buffer between timber and the waterbody. This buffer will reduce potential impacts to water quality from wildfires.

Part of the design criteria of this project is to install foot bridges/walkways over tributaries and springs along the shoreline of each reservoir. The bridges and walkways will help reduce erosion along the shoreline and sediment entering the reservoir.

The NEPA work for this project has been completed by the Forest Service.

Engineering has been completed or approved by the Forest Service engineers, and the project is ready to go. This proposal seeks to maintain trails by performing trail tread repair, building water control structures, rebuilding trail boardwalk/bridges, retaining walls, and hardening trail segments. This work will be accomplished by an 8-person American Conservation Experience(ACE) crew, Youth Conservation Corps, in-house labor, and volunteered time from Elements Traverse, a program for at-risk youth (Manti LaSal Nation Forest in-kind contribution). Building an ADA compliant fishing pier at Willow Lake and the replacing the boardwalk foundation at Benches Reservoir (Beaver Dam Pond) will be accomplished by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The DWR will accomplish this proposal by: 1) placing project out for bid through DWR requisition process; 2) visit location with potential contractors during bid process; 3) award contract to top contractor; 4) replace boardwalk foundation at Benches in fall 2021 at low water; 5) develop trail from existing trail system to fishing pier; 6) install fishing pier late fall, early winter.

Manti LaSal National Forest and Utah Division of Wildlife will oversee and monitor all phases of the construction to make sure that the end product will be usable and a benefit to the angling and public. USFS will also take lead on daily operations that the newly remodeled site is maintained in good, clean working order.

Partners for this project include the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Manti LaSal Forest Service (USFS). Both parties met regarding the issues of the current sites and the impacts to the resources. The meeting resulted in the discussion of creating a long-term plan to improve angler access across the Manti LaSal National Forest. The DWR and USFS will begin drafting this plan in 2021 and will prioritize projects for the next 5-7 years.

This project will serve as a pilot to other potential phases. Other phases in the future could include improvements for angler access and to trails around Wrigley Reservoir, Potters Ponds, Emerald Lake, Grassy Lake, and Duck Fork Reservoir. Inspiration for this project was the public reception to trail improvements at Ferron Picnic/Black Dragon Trailhead that improved access to Ferron Creek and to the picnic sites. Since the improvements have been implemented the site has received increased use and praise from the residents of the nearby town of Ferron."

This project promotes sustainable use of natural resources and the lands used to access them. By adjusting sites to meet use patterns we curtail the need for visitors to make the facilities meet their needs. Ultimately we will eliminate the need for visitors to create their own trails around the reservoirs.

07/01/2021

06/30/2022

2022

Due to higher than anticipated costs, the region did not order/install a new fishing pier at Willow Lake. I had budgeted approximately $80,000 for the pier, but the lowest bid came back at $137,000. The next bid was $236,000. At these costs it was not feasible to proceed with purchasing a new fishing pier. There were other portions of the proposal that I could fulfill. I returned $86,000 and kept $9,000 to complete the other projects in the proposal. I provided material for the USFS Recreation crew to perform maintenance on fishing and interpretive trails around Willow Lake, Ferron Reservoir, Pete's Hole Reservoir and Yearns Reservoir. New walkways were built over stream and spring crossings. Foundation walls for several stream crossings were constructed also.

DWR and USFS decided to rebuild the old Joe's Valley Reservoir floating boat dock during winter of 2021. The floating boat dock will be will be installed in 2023 at Willow Lake as a floating fishing pier. New floats were ordered for the pier in spring 2022, but the order could not be fulfilled.

This project will serve as a pilot to other potential phases. Other phases in the future could include improvements for angler access and to trails around Wrigley Reservoir, Potters Ponds, Emerald Lake, Grassy Lake and Duck Fork Reservoir. Since the improvements have been implemented the site has received increased use and praise from the residents of the nearby town of Ferron.