The project is to take place on private lands in Rich County working with USFWS and GIP. The improvements to rotational grazing will benefit several species but most notable Bonneville cutthroat trout, sage-grouse, mule deer, and elk. The property is part of the Three Creeks grazing allotement where cutting edge grazing strategies are being implemented to benefit range and riparian health. This landowner also received the Rancher of the Year Award from Utah Society of Range Management for working collaboratively with partners to implement sound range management.

Improve the landowners ability to manage rotational grazing, including resting pastures.

Conserve species of greatest conservation need through sound grazing principles. Keep working lands working for landowners and communities in rural areas.

USFWS. 2017. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan for the Mountain Prairie Region: 2017-2022. Cooperative Agreement F21AC00552 between the Utah Division of Wildlife and USFWS Partners Program

Grazing can be used to reduce fuel loading on rangelands. Healthy riparian areas act as firebreaks.

Implementing sound grazing management will have direct impacts to streams and water quality on the property and downstream.

Compliance complete by USFWS and GIP

Post and wire fence

GIP and USFWS will monitor project

USFWS GIP UDWR

Partners will monitor and follow-up with the landowner per requirements of contracts.

Grazing, fishing, hunting.

06/01/2022

03/27/2023

2023

The final project was completed using methods approved between Destiny Allgood and Clint Wirick and Taylor Payne on behalf of the Rafter J Cattle Ranch LLC. A fence was originally planned but a new land owner bought the property and requested a new fence not be completed across their land for grazing management purposes. Instead, we cleaned out/re-built stock water ponds down a canyon that captures water. USFWS funding was for cleaning of existing ponds. A small dozer was used to clean ponds and line with bentonite. Work was completed by landowner and local contractors, not through state purchasing.

The project is to take place on private lands in Rich County working with USFWS and GIP. The improvements to rotational grazing will benefit several species but most notable Bonneville cutthroat trout, sage-grouse, mule deer, and elk. The property is part of the Three Creeks grazing allotement where cutting edge grazing strategies are being implemented to benefit range and riparian health. Ponds were cleaned and re-constructed after being silted in over a 20+ year time period when they were completed the last time. Wildlife and livestock will greatly benefit from this work. This will also improve range conditions through improved grazing management. This landowner is very land health conscience and has received numerous awards over the years.

The land owners cared for the maintenance of these ponds and they will continue to invest time and money to ensure that they are functional. Additionally, the landowner signed a 10-year landowner agreement with USFWS where USFWS Partners biologist will periodically monitor project and discuss future adaptive management and projects. This landowner has a long history of working with GIP and USFWS and many other partners and will continue to do so.