This proposed project is working with UDAF (GIP) and Robins Livestock which is located in Millard County east of Scipio, Utah. This Pipeline project will help distribute water through a pipeline to watering facilities within the Robins Livestock and the Snags BLM Grazing Allotment, the need for this project is to increase livestock distribution among the allotment, improve watering source for livestock and wildlife in the area. The existing pipeline is in need of repair, and upgrade to a newer system that is better served within the allotment. This project will consist of a new solar pump with panels and installing 1,510 feet of 2" HDPE Pipe within this project, along with two (2) water troughs for storage to distribute enough suitable water to the allotment that will benefit both wildlife and domestic cattle. This pipeline will begin at the storage tank and solar pump site, water will then be pumped to fill the storage tank and gravity fed from the storage tank to new water troughs within the two allotments. This new line will improve water capacity for the grazing permittee's and allow additional storage for wildlife such as mule deer, elk and turkeys along with providing additional water sources for livestock.

This project will provide additional water to the BLM Snags Allotment as well as providing additional water to the private property of Robins Livestock. Implementing this project will secure the need for year round water in this area which is a critical source within the Wildlife Management Unit. This project will partner with the UDWR, UDAF (GIP) and Robins Livestock (Grazing Permittee) to accomplish this task. Objective's are to distribute additional water sources within the allotment allowing cattle to utilize the allotment more efficient. This will also allow additional water for wildlife to utilize during the year. 2 watering troughs to be installed. In addition a new 2" HDPE pipeline will be installed to service the water to the troughs, this pipeline will be installed below ground. We will also provide a new solar pump for the project as this will provide the needed water to the troughs and allow for water to be stored during the grazing season. Increase water storage and distribution will allow for additional grazing utilization of the livestock as well as providing much needed water for wildlife within the XXXX Unit.

Threats to this project will consist of additional loss of water that can be utilized in this area, allowing for no water to be stored for wildlife species and livestock grazing within the allotment. Increased maintenance on the watering facilities and pipelines by the livestock grazing association, allowing for additional time and effort, loss of forage value in specific areas of the allotment due to overgrazing, not distributing the cattle effectively enough can increase noxious weed species. By implementing and installing this pipeline, we can reduce the risk of overgrazing this allotment, improve water quality and quantity for wildlife and livestock will enhance better rangeland health and overall management. If we can implement this project it will serve as a improvement for range conditions, and reduce the loss of water due to older pipelines, smaller diameter pipe and maintenance issues that persist with outdated material such as pumps and water troughs. Grazing permittee would install these improvements through in kind services and continue to oversee the main function of the pipeline moving forward. With the use of new technology we can improve and update to a solar pump allowing less water loss and better efficiency moving forward.

The project falls within the Central Mountains, Nebo unit management plan. Current winter range surveys show that mule deer winter range in this area is poor. This unit identifies habitat as a limiting factor and states that "P/J encroachment on traditional winter rangelands is decreasing diversity and vigor of browse plants." and then identifies as a habitat management objectives: *Winter range restoration efforts must be completed for this deer herd to reach its population objectives. Pinyon and juniper reduction treatments and sagebrush restoration are necessary to stabilize winter range conditions and allow this herd to withstand heavy winters. *Continue to be committed to the statewide goal of supporting habitat projects that increase forage for both big game and livestock. Discourage the encroachment of Pinyon and Juniper (PJ) trees into sagebrush and other habitats. Seek opportunities to improve habitat through grazing practices and mechanical treatments to improve habitat where PJ encroachment is occurring. The plan also identifies barriers to acheiving unit management objectives: *Degradation of rangelands by woody vegetation. The proposed treatments will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit by removing PJ and improving habitat for deer and elk. The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: * Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: *Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. *Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. *Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. CENTRAL UTAH FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP): *Greater use of vegetation management to meet resource management objectives *Hazardous fuels treatments will be used to restore ecosystems; protect human, natural and cultural resources; and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities *Sagebrush steppe communities will be a high priority for ESR and fuel reduction to avoid catastrophic fires in these areas Federal Land Policy and Management Act *Sec. 102 (a); the public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals *Sec. 103 (c); The BLM is directed to manage public lands in a manner that will best meet present and future needs of the nation. Richfield Field Office RMP *Manage for a mix of vegetative types, structural stages, and provide for native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats. * Sustain or reestablish the integrity of the sagebrush continuity, and quality of habitat that is necessary to maintain sustainable populations of sagebrush-dependent wildlife species. BLM Grazing Management Regulations: *Objectives are to promote healthy sustainable rangeland ecosystems; to accelerate restoration and improvement of public lands to properly functioning condition *Maintenance and enhancement of habitats to promote the conservation of Federal proposed, Federal candidate, and other special status spec. Wildlife Action Plan Improving Conditions Lowland Sagebrush: *Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the Uncharacteristic class, including cutting/mulching/chaining of invading pinyon and juniper trees, herbicide or mechanical treatment of non-native invasive species such as cheatgrass and secondary perennial weed species, and rehabilitation of burned areas following wildfire. *Continuing the development of new plant materials and restoration techniques suited to this habitat. *Developing and deploying techniques to diversify the understory species composition and age classes of decadent even-aged sagebrush stands. *Developing and deploying techniques to diversify species composition in monoculture or near monoculture stands of seeded non-native plants (e.g. crested wheatgrass). *Promoting management that includes seeding a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs that will lead to increased resiliency and resistance in the plant community. Mountain Sagebrush: Improving Condition *Promoting policies and management that allow fire to return to a more natural regime. *Promoting policies that reduce inappropriate grazing by domestic livestock and wildlife. *Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the Uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class, including: Dixie/chain harrow, brush mowing or other treatments that reduce the older age class and stimulate the younger/mid age classes; herbicide or mechanical treatment of non-native invasive species such smooth brome; single tree mulching/cutting of invading conifer. *Continuing the development of new plant materials, especially native forbs. *Promoting zoning/policies/laws that lead to responsible human/energy intrusion and development. *Promoting management that includes seeding a diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs that will lead to increased resiliency and resistance in the plant community. Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan *Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species. *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. *SITLA Management Plans: Correspond with the Utah Code Title 53C Chapter Five Section 101, 102 and 103 in accordance with Management of Rangeland Resources Utah Administrative Code R850-50-1100 Range Improvement Projects within the SITLA Property. Sanpete County RMP *Support the removal of conifers and manage land to promote the establishment of attendant grass, brush, and forbs. *Sanpete county encourages federal and state agencies to adopt and maintain scientifically sound forest management policies based on high quality, recently acquired data, and to pursue multiple use of public forest resources to provide sustainable and continuous yield of timber, forage, firewood,wildlife, fisheries, recreation, and water. *Support managing forest cover types to perpetuate tree cover and provide healthy stands, high water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat. *Support agencies in providing for harvest of forest products when the activity would improve water production and does not adversely affect water quality. *Support the management of forests and woodlands for healthy conditions that contribute to healthy habitat for animal and plant species, proper watershed functioning conditions, and riparian restoration and enhancement. *Support agencies in prioritizing fuel reduction treatment in high-value/high-risk areas. Implementation of fuels management actions should be prioritized using the following criteria: *Wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. *Areas with fuel loading that could potentially result in the loss of ecosystem components following wildland fire. *Support the prioritization of using native seeds for fuels management treatment based on availability, adaptation (site potential), and probability of success. Where probability of success for native seed is low, desirable non-native seeds may be used to trend toward restoring the fire regime. When reseeding, use fire-resistant native and desirable non-native species, as appropriate, to provide for fire breaks. *Hazardous fuels reduction treatments should be used to restore ecosystems, protect human, natural, and cultural resources, and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities. *Support the reduction of fuel loading conditions in forests and woodlands.

Fire or fuels loading may not play a factor in this project due to the fact that the pipeline will be installed below ground. If by chance a fire does go through this area it may may cause damage to the troughs, solar pump and storage tank depending on the severity of the burn and the time of year the burn occurs. It would also damage or burn the structure that are holding the troughs in place such as wooded lodge pole rails and cedar posts. If this does occur the grazing permittee will work on replacing the pipeline, wooden rails and troughs depending on the damage that may of occurred. Watering troughs maybe will be made of galvanized metal and that may with stand the intense heat of a wild land fire in this area. The reduction of forage due to grazing efforts from Livestock will also reduce cheatgrass, and perennial grass species in the allotment that may carry a fire during certain times of year. By implementing this project this will allow cattle to disperse through the grazing allotments, overall grazing will be better managed throughout the season. Installing the additional water troughs will spread out the cattle grazing and reduce congregation at the one water source that is present today. I have uploaded CATFIRE Report for this area, 5-10 nearby structure would be in jeopardy of being burned in a wildfire, nearest structure would be 2-3 miles to the west of the project. This area is critical to wildlife as it is fawning and calving summer range for mule deer and elk, if a fire did happen to burn through this area we would definitely feel the impact and see the impact due to loss of summer habitat.

This project will improve water quality and quantity due to the fact that we will be collecting water through a well site development that is already existing and delivering it overland through a pipeline that will prove to be more efficient than allowing the water to not be captured and disbursed on site, collecting sediment, debris and lose water due to evaporation. The quality of the water will be improved as it will be held in water troughs that will allow cattle and wildlife to drink clean clear water verse allowing water to be lost or made unavailable in a damaged seep. Water Right is held by Ivan Robins or Robins Livestock and was a diligent right. Water Right #XXXXX. With water being in short demand wildlife such as deer, elk, turkeys and small mammals would funnel to these areas using the water that the permittee had pumped for his livestock. With the development of this water system that will include solar pump, HDPE pipelines, and the installation of watering troughs we are positive that this will help improve this aspect of the allotments, reduce time and energy from the livestock grazer, save in fuel, and labor cost. Implementation of this project will benefit XXXXX acres within Snags BLM Grazing Allotment within the Central Mountain Nebo Wildlife Management Unit. This project will allow for distribution of water within the grazing season as cattle move from different pastures as will be available from start to finish. In the past water was critical and moving from pasture to pasture became harder as water was in short supply. Areas of the allotments where not grazed due to cattle congregating around sole sources of water in the fall of the year, as other sources have been over utilized.

Water pipeline will be installed below ground, all water troughs are existing in the same locations. No clearances are needed, due to working on private property and heavy equipment will be used to install the new pipeline, but this would be done under maintenance. Project Manager will also consult with Arie Leaflang with UDWR if recommended.

This project will be implemented with the help of the private landowner, BLM, UDAF (GIP) and UDWR to re-place a pipeline to deliver water to the Snags BLM Allotment. This pipeline will deliver water to 2 new troughs within private and BLM Properties. This will be done by the use of a D-8 Cat, which is set up to install and carry the spools of pipe, the pipe will be installed below the surface and ripped in with the dozer. This project will be installed within the Snags BLM Allotment, private landowner will contract with a company that has experience working with this type of pipe and is set up with the proper equipment to have it installed. Permittee will help the contractor install the pipeline and watering troughs along with working along side the contractor to make sure the project runs smoothly. Fillmore BLM has looked at this project and is in favor of helping out the permittee to address the need of distributing water within the allotment. UDWR is also in favor as additional watering locations that will benefit wildlife populations of mule deer, elk, and wild turkeys within the Central Mountain Nebo WMU.

Monitoring of this project will be done by the livestock grazing permittee, UDWR and UDAF will be able to inspect the pipeline, and the watering troughs to make sure all connections are tight and working properly. Also the permittees will be assigned to monitor the storage tank and remove any sediment that may effect the pipeline, water will be monitored in the fall watching the tanks and troughs so they drain and not freeze. Grazing Permittee, will also monitor the livestock distribution as it pertains to the grazing allotment moving cattle when needed to allow for grass, forbs and shrubs to not be over utilized. UDWR will also monitor the need to keep the troughs clean and free from debris and small mammals along with allowing access for wildlife and cattle to the watering locations. Monitoring would also be done by the use of vegetation basket studies or forage measurements that would be useful to see if overgrazing is occurring. UDWR Biologist may also conduct wildlife surveys within the Valley Mtn, Central Mtn Nebo Units, increased water sources my help to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions as available water would reduce the need to travel for a drink.

Partners for this project will consist of UDWR, Habitat Council, UDAF (GIP), Fillmore BLM Sportsman Organizations along with Robins Livestock (Livestock Permittee). Projects like this have been successful in working with them in the past on habitat related projects such as chaining, and fire rehab projects that reduce pinyon and juniper encroachment on winter range to benefit mule deer, elk and wild turkey. Additional support has been leveraged through great partnerships looking for projects that will provide benefits to the local community, that protect the livestock grazing and wildlife within Millard County. Great efforts and strides have been made by Sportsman Organizations to improve the overall goals and objectives to increase and sustain wildlife through these types of projects. In working with the Grazing Permittee we are able to leverage funds for water troughs, solar pumps and pipelines as well as some in-kind services. We will be working with them to help installing water troughs within this project outline.

Management of this project will be to ensure that the project is installed correctly, pipeline and watering troughs are set correct and all fittings are secure. The need to fix or repair items associated with this project will be left up to the grazing permittee in the future, and allow for the distribution of cattle during the grazing period. Additional phases of this pipeline project may be needed in the future as water is limited in this area and the need for additional watering sites is critical to the distribution of livestock as well as wildlife in this area. Grazing Permittee will need to work with the BLM, UDWR, GIP, or NRCS to continue projects like this within the Snags BLM Allotment, water is critical and will always be valuable to livestock and wildlife populations in the future. Grazing Management will be key, as water becomes limited projects like this one allow for cattle movement, grazing practices and timing to be adjusted in drought type years. With this project installed over 800 acres of Private property will benefit along with several thousand acres of BLM from the improvement and additional grazing acres will be utilized due to water improvements and the reduction of livestock congregation. Livestock utilization of cattle in the past have had to travel long distances to get to water each day. With this project we will be better to utilize forage on a more manageable level, keep cattle from trailing, provide water for wildlife and improve grazing practices within the private and BLM Allotments. Other grazing improvements will be seen in the riparian areas of the allotments as cattle will not be congregated around them, destroying vegetation and over utilizing these wet areas. In turn we should be able to pull livestock away from these areas with better water distribution and improve management practices.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the Snags BLM Allotments as well as the private portion reducing impacts of grazing on other critical areas. This project will sustain 100 AUM's on the BLM Snags Allotment. Water is critical within the allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water trough will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weighing weights for the producer due to reduction of traveling to different areas to water. Expansion and implementation of the water troughs will increase water capacity and allow for additional storage, and easy to water larger groups of cattle at once. The pipeline portion just allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of the possibilities of hauling water by truck to different locations, during critical times of the summer. This project will provide the only source of water for two miles to the southeast of Scipio, as well as the only water source to the north until you hit Yuba Lake.

05/26/2022

10/25/2022

2023

The final methods for the Devils Canyon Pipeline Project will consisted of installing two Backwoods Water Troughs and installing 3,032.1134 feet of 2" HDPE pipe. The pipeline will be fed from a water supply from an existing diesel fueled pump and a 10,000 gallon water storage tank. The two water troughs will supply much needed water for wildlife and livestock in the Valley Mountains of the Central Mountains WMU.

This project is an example of another great partnership and collaboration between a Private Landowner the BLM and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This project will provide a valuable water source for wildlife and livestock. This project was funded by the Habitat Council, funding towards this project will provide two 600 gallon Backwoods Water Troughs, 3,032.1134 feet of HDPE 2" fusible pipe. Installation of the pipe was contracted by Thirstycows.com/Rangeland Solutions (Jed Heaton) who installed it with a D8 dozer and a vibratory pipe ripper. The BLM provided an additional water trough towards the project that will allow for the Private Landowner to utilize both the private property and the BLM allotment from the same shared water trough. All the available water will be pumped from an existing water pump owned by the Landowner. In addition to the water pump the private landowner had supplied a 10,000 gallon water tank for additional storage. This water will be available year round to wildlife such as mule deer, elk, and chucker's as well as raptors and other small mammals within the Valley Mountains area.

Future Management of this project will be provided by the Private Landowner, he will over see the maintenance of the water troughs and the pipeline as well as the keeping the pump and storage tank in working condition. The cooperation between the private landowner the UDWR and BLM worked really smooth. All parties are excited about this project and the possibilities it provides for increased water for wildlife and grazing in the area. We appreciated the Habitat Council funding project like this and look forward to having more "Water for Wildlife" projects in the future.