The need of the project is to prevent new weed establishment and mitigate the reestablishment of existing weeds in burned areas that were seeded. The native vegetation that did burn consisted of the sage-steppe habitat type. Certain noxious weeds have a deep root system and have the ability to survive fires. Weed infestations can invade native plant communities and reduce the available forage/habitat to big game, livestock, and sage-grouse. The inventory will identify the noxious/invasive weed locations. A herbicide treatment will follow the inventory. After the fire occurred this area was identified as a high use area for pronghorn. The Utah Migration data was used to locate areas within the burn and adjacent to the burn that has been utilized by pronghorn. The data points received from the collared animals have shown year around use in the burn area. In order for the habitat to recover, noxious and invasive weed species must be controlled.

Inventory/Map infestations within the Richard Mountain Fire Burn areas that were seeded. Treat Infestations. Reduce Invasive/noxious weeds within the burn areas.

Invasive Plants - If the areas are not treated, noxious/invasive weeds may continue to spread. Noxious weeds are defined as any plant that has been determined to be injurious to public health, crops, livestock, land, or other property. Noxious weeds reduce wildlife habitat and alter natural food sources. In the fall of 2020 a herbicide treatment of plateau was applied to the burn areas to help combat cheatgrass. Common noxious weeds, as well as threats and risks, that may be present within the project area include; Canada Thistle, Hoary Cress, Black Henbane, Musk Thistle, and Bull Thistle. Habitat Shifting - If left untreated these infestations can dominate native communities. The removal of the infestation will enable communities to recover. The area is also adjacent to an underground natural gas storage facility as well as the Clay Basin Camp. Inappropriate Fire Frequency - Area burns more often and if fires continue to burn in the area these values would be at risk. Soil erosion - without soil stabilization erosion will be more prominent in the burn scar. The adjacent Red Creek already has issues with erosion and sediment.

Dagget County Weed Program - treat weeds. BLM Weed Management EA - treat weeds. The Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan has the following applicable objectives and strategies: Habitat Objective 2, strategy d -- Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and winter ranges. The Vernal RMP ROD directs that vegetation should be managed to attain an ecological stage that will benefit wildlife, livestock grazing, livestock use, and ensure high species diversity. ARMPA; In PHMA, integrated Vegetation Management will be used to control, suppress, and eradicate noxious and invasive species; Treat areas that contain cheatgrass and other invasive or noxious species to minimize competition and favor establishment of desired species. Utah Greater Sage-grouse Plan and UWCA-identifies Utah's noxious weeds and has a strategy to cooperatively implementing the strategies outlined in the Utah Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious and Invasive Weeds (2004) including the on-the-ground projects that address the threat of invasive weeds on sagebrush ecosystems. Utah Mule Deer Plan lists cheatgrass (annual grass) as a threat to mule deer habitat. Utah Statewide Pronghorn Plan identifies a lack of succulent forbs on spring/summer ranges as a limiting factor in habitat, as well as degradation of habitat due to wildfire. Identify crucial pronghorn habitats and work with public land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance those areas. Wildlife Action Plan - continue to use appropriate methods for reducing the spread and dominance of invasive weeds and annual grasses. Utah Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plan - the fire is adjacent to a Big Horn Sheep area, the plan identifies the need to protect and enhance habitat for Big Horn Sheep.

The project is targeted to inventory and treat noxious and invasive species within the Richard Mountain burn area. Invasive annual grasses can alter natural fire cycles by increasing the fire frequencies, often resulting in shrublands being converted to annual grasslands. Noxious weeds may continue to spread with increased fire frequency. Over time native plant communities can be replaced by noxious and invasive weeds. In the fall of 2020 a plateau herbicide treatment was completed in the burn areas. The inventory and spot treatment of noxious weeds will further reduce the threat of weed spread throughout the burn area.

Invasive and noxious species lead to more frequent fires which result in more soil erosion. Many noxious weeds utilize a large amount of water. They also release toxins into the soil that inhibit growth of other plants, which can also reduce the water quality. The inventory/treatment should reduce the spread of weeds and decrease the fire frequency which will improve soil stability while increasing the water quality and quantity at a local scale.

PUPS would be completed before any herbicide treatments occur. Nepa is completed and the herbicide treatments are covered under the Vernal Weed Management Ea. If infestations are documented on the DNR lands, coordination for the herbicide treatment would occur before it's implemented.

The weed inventory would be completed by foot crews with a GPS unit. Each plant would be mapped and identified. The weed inventory would take place before any herbicide treatment. Different methods may be utilized for the herbicide treatments, depending on the data collected during the inventory - Aerial, truck mounted boom spray, utv mounted sprayers, or back pack sprayers.

A weed inventory, including GPS points, will be recorded prior to treatment. After the weeds are mapped, spot spraying will occur. The treatment areas will be monitored and retreated if necessary. The inventory data will be uploaded into WRI.

Partner's would include UDWR and BLM for contracting and funding. SITLA, UDWR, and BLM lands were burned when the wildfire occurred. If infestations are found on SITLA or UDWR coordination will take place before the areas are treated with herbicide.

The area will continue to be monitored for future treatments. The area is currently being rested from livestock use. In the fall of 2020 a plateau treatment was completed for cheatgrass. In November of 2021 a drill seeding took place in burned areas. Follow up treatments which include cheatgrass treatments, continued spot treatment of noxious weeds and seeding may be needed if monitoring determines it's necessary.

Treatments of Noxious and Invasive weeds will improve the over all health of the ecosystem; improving habitat conditions and increasing forage for livestock and wildlife. Overall, the forage for livestock and wildlife will be improved if weeds are treated and the seeding is successful. Currently the burn area has been rested since 2021 and will be rested in 2022. The area is also used for recreational uses such as wildlife viewing and hunting.