Currently, habitat restoration projects designed to remove pinyon-juniper woodlands encroaching into greater sage-grouse and avian species habitats and other habitat projects such as fuel breaks have been a priority through the Utah Watershed Initiative program and encouraged in BLM land management plans to restoring healthy rangelands on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered lands. In an effort to make sound land management decisions based on scientific evidence and provide information about potential impacts on rangeland restoration project designs, the data collected would provide guidance and suggestions in pinyon-juniper woodland habitat restoration project designs and other habitat projects. Information collected would provide managers information when making land management decisions. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act establishes federal responsibility for the protection of migratory bird resources, including providing habitat and minimizing impacts. This project benefits would increase knowledge gaps in species distribution and population monitoring and provide a solid foundation for BLM land management planning for specific avian species (i.e. GRSG, PIJA, YBCU, raptors, etc.). This project will also help us increase knowledge about T &E species such as yellow-billed cuckoo and their relation to their use of riparian habitats and help inform decisions on riparian corridor/woodland treatments such as Russian olive and tamarisk removal. Within the Green River District/Northeastern region agencies are lacking knowledge/information, including seasonal movements and habitat requirements for many avian species. Currently there have been a number of habitat enhancement projects that have been completed in the project area. The habitat within the Northeastern region includes sagebrush and other habitat types (i.e. Pinyon-Juniper) that are in less than desirable conditions because of poor sagebrush structure, monotypic age class, poor understory, and encroachment. Trend data has shown that the habitat projects completed through WRI and other means, have improved the habitat and provide better conditions for greater sage-grouse (GRSG) and other avian species. Monitoring of seasonal use and habitat use will allow the different agencies to identify areas that have been successfully enhanced for GRSG and other avian species and to collect data on areas that may need habitat enhancement or restoration.

The objective of the project are to monitor certain avian species (i.e. GRSG, PIJA, YBCU, Raptors, etc.) is to provide BLM/USFS/UDWR with scientifically based data that will enhance the understanding of habitat requirements and movement patterns, along with helping design future habitat projects to benefit these species (i.e. WRI). The results of the monitoring will also allow biologists and land mangers to make better land management decisions.

The main threat is the continued lack of data and knowledge of avian species of interest (i.e. GRSG, PIJA, etc.) seasonal movements and habitat use and requirements. This lack of data could lead to the mismanagement of their habitats and also lead to inadequate land use policies.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 - The purpose and goal of this plan is "To manage native wildlife species and their habitats, sufficient to prevent the need for additional listings under the Endangered Species Act." Vernal Field Office Resource Management Plan (2008): WL-6, WL-7, Appendix H (Table 33), BLM Executive Oder 13186 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Utah BLM Greater Sage Grouse RMP (2015): Objective SSS-3: In PHMA habitat, where sagebrush is the current or potential dominant vegetation type or is a primary species within the various states of the ecological site description, maintain or restore vegetation to provide habitat for lekking, nesting, brood rearing, and winter habitats. Objective SSS-4: Within PHMA, increase the amount and functionality of seasonal habitats. Objective SSS-5: Participate in local GRSG conservation efforts (e.g., the appropriate State of Utah agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and local working groups) to implement landscape-scale habitat conservation, to implement consistent management to benefit GRSG, and to gather and use local research and monitoring to promote the conservation of GRSG. Utah Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-Grouse (2019): Habitat Objectives : Protect, maintain and increase sage-grouse habitats within SGMAs at or above 2013 baseline disturbance levels. Strategies to Address Pinyon-Juniper (Conifer) Woodland Encroachment 1h. Continue to fund, support and implement critical research that supports the implementation of this Plan and future improvements to this Plan. 4a. Using the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative (WMI), identify the highest-priority sage-grouse habitats and migration corridors within or adjacent to occupied habitats. 4d. Using the WRI, maintain existing sage-grouse habitats by offsetting the impacts identified in 1(f) by creating additional habitat within or adjacent to occupied habitats at an equal rate each year--or 25,000 acres each year--whichever is greater.

The monitoring data will help to better inform the fire/fuels reduction treatments for the benefit of wildlife, especially GRSG, PIJAs and raptors.

Not Applicable.

No NEPA or archaeology clearances would be required.

The project would be carried out by the purchasing of monitoring equipment, hiring technicians and implementation of the project to collect the pertinent data needed to monitor season of use, movements and habitat requirements.

Each GPS transmitter and other equipment that is needed will be used to collect data points and habitat use/suitability and movement information. The data will be downloaded by UDWR and shared with USFS and BLM. The expected life-span of a GPS transmitter is three years.

This project is a collaborative effort between BLM, USFS, and UDWR.

The data will be used to inform future land use and habitat management for the the agencies involved.

razing will not be deferred for the project. Data collected could help direct management of season of use, and pasture rotation schedules and habitat treatment needs.