The Bench Fire burned a phase one pinyon, juniper and sagebrush canopy and understory vegetation within critical mule deer habitat in 2020. Soils within the burn were left exposed and vulnerable to wind and water erosion and are increasingly susceptible to invasion by noxious weeds. With the impressive monsoon moisture that the area has receive in the summer 2021 the native warm season grasses have reestablished with some cheatgrass and annual weeds. Cool season grasses, desired forbs, and browse are absent for the burned area. The lack of cool season plants limits the use of the ground and the increase the threat of invasive weeds. We propose to treat the weeds and cheatgrass, and drill cool season grasses, forbs, and browse plant species.

Reduce cheatgrass by 85% Reduce invasive weeds by 90% Increase cool season grasses, forbs, and browse by 40%

Cheatgrass has high probability of returning and re-establishing before other plant species due to the nature of this annual grass. As this happens, other plant species struggle to re-establish, which results in the landscape being dominated by cheatgrass. If the area is not rehabilitated it is expected that a pattern of more fires similar to the Bench Fire will continue to occur within the area. The lack of browse will decrease the value of this winter range future fires would force deer to residential and agricultural areas. The Panguitch Lake Unit is under objective on deer and winter range is major concern this the populations ability to increase the management objective.

Utah State Wildlife Action Plan (2015) State of Utah Resource Management Plan (2018) National Fire Plan (2000) Panguitch Lake Herd Unit Management Plan (2015) Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005)

Without treatment it is expected that cheatgrass will invade and dominate these areas. Future fires will continue to be more difficult to control and have devastating effects by burning at a higher intensity, which could lead to fires getting larger and burning unburned habitat. Treatments identified within this proposal, includes seeding with more fire resistant vegetation are expected to reduce the overall threat of future wildfires, which could impact unburned areas in the watersheds.

The small footprints of these fires would have very little direct impact to water quality and quantity, but larger future fires could prove catastrophic to the watersheds these fires occurred in. This was evident 2021 during flooding that took place in Enoch. Major flows came through the burn scare and large amounts erosion took place. The establishment of vegetation is key to reducing the amount of energy this events have.

Any of the areas that ultimately received any soil disturbing activities would need prior archeological clearances which would likely be handled in house due to the small footprint of each fire.

Herbicide will be applied by aircraft in an effort to get the best coverage. This will be contracted through the state of Utah. Seeding will take place in a partnership effort with the permittee who will drill the seed from a GBRC rangeland drill. Roundup will be applied in the areas with invasive weeds (1.6 acres) using atv or truck spray rig). UDWR will work with Iron Co. to arrange for the treatment.

Photopoints could be taken at each location and revisited at intervals not to exceed 3 years to check for establishment of the seedings.

SITLA, Livestock Permitee

Area will be rested for two growing season or till seeding is established. Then SITLA grazing management plan will be followed by the permitee, under management of SITLA staff.

Biggest goal here is protection of important wildlife habitat from future fires. Parowan front sees significant hunting and wildlife viewing pressure.

12/03/2021

04/06/2022

2022

After cultural resource clearance was completed, seed was drilled on 12/3/2021 by the permittee using the GBRC's "Baby Rangeland Drill" at the approximate rate of 17lbs acre. Drill was pulled by the premittee's personal tractor with ease. On 4/4/2022 the Iron County Weed Supervisor applied roundup on 2.7 acres that has an infestation of cheat grass. Seed was hand broadcasted on this site after 48 hours of herbicide application. The Plateau application we decided not to apply because the lack of cheat grass and the establishment of warm season grasses.

After cultural resources were completed by UDWR and SITLA Archeologist the DWR Farm Bill Biologist working with the permittee used the "baby rangeland drill" to seed the planned area. Seeding took place on 12/3/2021 and seed bed conditions were ideal for planting and with moisture forecasted in the coming weeks. The decision was made to apply roundup in the spring to combat cheatgrass and other invasive plants. Herbicide applications was complete early in the day on 4/4/2022 by Iron County Weed Supervisor. Seed was broadcasted on the small area that herbicide was applied on 4/6/2022.

Grazing will continued to be managed by SITLA. The permittee has agreed to defer livestock grazing for 2 growing seasons. Iron County will continue to monitor for weeds along right away and permittee will work with SITLA, NRCS, USU Extension to monitor the success of this project.