The proposed project is Phase III of the Government Creek Project on the north slope of the Boulder Mountain. Phase I of this project was funded in FY2020 though WRI, treating roughly 2,700 acres of successional pinyon and juniper. Phase II of this project was funded in FY2021 and is currently being implemented with approximately 2,000 mechanical acres of successional pinyon and juniper removal and 167 acres of riparian improvement surrounding Pine Creek. The project area is located on the North Slope of Boulder Mountain. The project is intended to improve wildlife habitat, in particular crucial winter range for mule deer, and reduce fuel loads that over time are creating potential for large, undesirable wildland fires. The project will remove successional conifer (P/J) by mechanical treatment using heavy equipment with mulching attachments on approximately 1,200 acres. This treatment will help stimulate regeneration of desirable native vegetation, including desirable shrubs, forbs and grasses. This area has historically provided habitat for once-abundant mule deer populations. Mule deer have used the mix of conifer stands, sagebrush/bitterbrush communities, and isolated aspen stands recognized in this area as transitional, summer (including fawning), and high-elevation winter range, depending on weather conditions. Over the last few decades, as a legacy of fire suppression developed, results have included the following: 1) Numerous forest openings featuring bitterbrush shrub communities including desirable native grasses and forbs shifting to encroaching mixed conifer stands 2) Loss of aspen stands with associated understory plant species 3) Increased potential for undesirable large wildfires and its effects on plants, soils, wildlife and water resources 4) Loss of potential stream flow production from increased mixed conifer occupation 5) Loss of habitat that benefit a variety of wildlife species These plant community shifts from open meadows, including Ponderosa pine, aspen and desirable understory plant species, towards stands dominated by Pinyon/Juniper limit the potential for a diversity of habitat types that benefit a wide range of wildlife species. Considering the existing condition and trend of the vegetation type of the project area, this action is intended to help move towards a more desirable mosaic of diversified plant communities. Desired outcomes would include: 1) Promote an abundance of vigorous sagebrush/bitterbrush plants and associated understory of grass and forb species 2) Reduce the potential for undesirable large, stand replacing wildfire 3) Improve existing aspen stands and stimulate aspen regeneration 4) Improve existing Ponderosa pine stands and promote a variety of age classes 5) Enhance the diversity and range of habitat that will benefit a variety of wildlife species including mule deer. 6) Maintain and/or improve riparian habitat and function Fuel conditions within the project area would likely result in uncharacteristically large and severe fires. Within the meadows and open areas, mature sagebrush, patches of mature mountain brush and encroachment of phase one and two P-J create uncharacteristically large areas of continuous fuels that are not limited by species diversity and mixed age classes. Continuous dense vegetation could lead to high intensity large scale fires and increase risk to suppression forces and adjacent private lands near the Bicknell Bottoms and the town of Teasdale. Existing conditions may limit fire management decisions and options related to suppression tactics and initial attack. The majority of big-game habitat within Phase II of the proposed project lies within critical winter range for the North Slope of the Plateau/Boulder mule deer herd (Unit 25C) and substantial winter range for elk. The proposed project area is generally a wintering range as deer and elk migrate to lower elevations from summer ranges along the Boulder top. This project area has potential to hold deer and elk considerably longer if more quality security and foraging habitat was present. This may help alleviate foraging pressure on the surrounding private lands. The Mule Deer Management Unit 25C Plan lists encroachment by pinyon-juniper woodland communities poses a substantial threat to important sagebrush rangelands. Additionally, Pinyon-juniper woodlands dominate the vegetation coverage within the deer winter range (UDWR 2015). Riparian areas are often crucial fawning habitat and Pine Creek offers the most riparian habitat in this area. The western portion of the project area contains suitable habitat for greater sage-grouse and Utah prairie dog. The Mud Lake and Blackburn Reservoir sage-grouse lekking areas are within one mile west of the project boundary. Active Utah prairie dog colonies are found near Sam Legg Hollow near Pine Creek. Implementation of phase II will help reduce the conifer encroachment near these crucial sagebrush habitats. The planned project is within about 30,000 contiguous acres zoned as Habitat Initiative restoration priority lands on the North Slope of Boulder Mountain. It is the third phase of approximately 10,000 acres of similar treatments to be proposed and implemented over the next three-to-five years on the most treatable and crucial acres within this Habitat Initiative priority zone. Phase III Treatment will include removal of conifer using mechanical methods with heavy equipment such as bullhogs (mounted on a skid-steer or loader) These machines will be used to remove conifers in the treatment area. This will open the canopy, releasing bitterbrush and other desirable vegetation from competition with the encroaching conifers.

The overall objectives of the Government Creek Phase III project is to increase the abundance of vigorous sagebrush/bitterbrush plants and associated understory of grass and forb species, reduce the potential for undesirable large stand replacing wildfire, improve existing aspen stands and stimulate aspen regeneration, improve existing Ponderosa pine stands and promote a variety of age classes, and enhance the diversity and range of habitat that will benefit a variety of wildlife species. This phase of implementation will help sustain and improve big-game habitat which supports the WRI goal to enhance Utah's wildlife and biological diversity. Reducing conifer encroachment near crucial water tributaries (section of Pine Creek) may reduce the risk of large high severity wildfires which supports the WRI goal to enhance Utah's Water Quality and Yield for all uses. In addition, protecting private property, agriculture and improving available livestock forage and distribution supports the WRI goal of Opportunities for Sustainable Uses. In addition to the overall objectives mentioned above, the project will meet the following objectives: 1) Mitigate the current and future impacts of conifer expansion into crucial sage-grouse nesting and brooding habitat, crucial mule deer winter habitat and substantial elk habitat. 2) Improve and expand habitat for sensitive, threatened and endangered species including reducing canopy cover of pinyon/juniper to below 4% near Sage-grouse leks. Part of this project phase is within 1.5 miles of an active Sage-grouse lek (Mud Lake). This lek has shown declining counts over the last ten years. These grouse need more usable space nearby the lek. Project will also improve and sustain potential Utah Prairie Dog habitat since project area is adjacent to known colonies in the Sam Leg Hollow area. 4) Manage forest cover types to provide variety in stand sizes shape, crown closure, edge contrast, age structure and interspersion. 5) Increase overall forage production, habitat quality, and species diversity by treating in a mosaic pattern that will create biodiversity across the landscape. 6) Reduce risk of large high severity fire by reducing hazardous fuels (FRCC) while maintaining and improving fire resilient landscapes. Additionally, this project fulfills objectives in the Conservation Strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus) in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming - Objective 2: Secure and enhance conservation populations. Pine Creek contains a conservation population of CRCT. Reducing the risk of uncharacteristically high severity wildfire helps to secure this population. Objective 4: Secure and enhance watershed conditions. Reducing sediment loading by increasing ground cover and reducing the risk of uncharacteristically high severity wildfire helps to enhance watershed conditions. It also fulfills objectives in the Fremont River Watershed Water Quality Management Plan -- Identifies the Upper Fremont River between Bicknell and the USFS boundary as impaired for Total P and Dissolved Oxygen. Goal #3: Improve upland management practices to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to the river and its tributaries. This project should reduce the amount of bare ground and prevent the creation of additional bare ground reducing erosion and sediment/nutrient delivery to Pine Creek, a tributary to the Upper Fremont River. Previous data from Pine Creek shows high levels of fine sediment deposition that is a negative for water quality and for CRCT habitat. This project along with past, current and future phases of this project could contribute to reductions in fine sediment into Pine Creek and Government Creek.

This project is designed to reduce the future impacts of current pinyon-juniper expansion to wildlife habitat, watershed health and wildfire risk. Mule deer on the Boulder Unit have seen a steady decline in population of over 2,073 animals in the last five years. Population estimate models show a decline from 8,373 deer in 2014 to 6,300 deer in 2020. When populations are modeled for the 2021 year the population will likely show another decline. This unit overall is summer range limited by conifer expansion into former aspen stands and winter range limited by encroachment of pinyon and juniper into sage and mountain brush communities. These treatment phases in pinyon and juniper pave the way for treatments with prescribed fire in the encroaching spruce/fir to encourage aspen regeneration. Proposed treatments will increase forested edge habitat, opening for foraging and maintain effective security habitat for mule deer. Radio telemetry collars were deployed on Mule Deer in this area in December of 2019 and 2020. Data from these collars is being used partially to determine if the encroaching conifers in this area also contribute to limiting factors for fawn survival and summering populations of Mule Deer. Please see the Wildlife Tracker map showing wildlife movement in and around the project area in the images section of this proposal. The cost of depredation issues to DWR on this unit are around $150,000 annually. Sage-grouse populations on the Parker have steadily declined in recent years. The sage-grouse hunt in this area was discontinued this year because the population met the criteria for one hard federal adaptive management trigger. This project area is within a mile and a half of the Mud Lake lek. Typically nesting and early brood rearing occurs within roughly 3 miles of leks and pinyon/juniper removal in this area should reduce pinyon/juniper canopy cover to less than 4% canopy cover and increase usable space for Sage-grouse. In general upland birds, including Forest Grouse and Turkeys, require open stands of conifer and aspen with an understory of berry producing shrubs, forbs and grasses. A healthy insect component in this matrix is critical for early brood rearing. Healthy mixed forests, early successional forests, and edges of aspen forests provide these kinds of environments. Our current habitat struggles to provide these requirements. Utah Prairie Dogs have been on the endangered species list for over 40 years. The area this project represents on the western slope of Boulder mountain has typically maintained a significant number of UPDs as part of the Awapa unit. Managing pinyon and juniper encroachment in this area will help maintain the visibility necessary for UPD occupation. This project also addresses inappropriate fire frequency and intensity in relation to the threat of Problematic Native Plant Species in Mountain Sagebrush systems. Within 5-10 years these same areas will increase in cost with mastication work roughly at $375/acre and seeding at $25/acre. Late Phase I expansion areas can currently be treated with bobcats or a full size excavator. Withholding treatment will transition the late phase I areas into needing mastication treatment and re-seeding. Mastication treatment areas proposed for later phases treat early through late phase II. Greater infill into these areas will increase per-acre treatment costs.

1) Fishlake Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) also referred to as the "forest plan" IV-3. Integrate vegetation management with resource management to maintain productivity and provide for diversity of plant and animal communities. LRMP, IV-3. Coordinate wildlife and fish habitat management with State and other Federal and local agencies. LRMP, IV-4. Identify and improve habitat for sensitive, threatened and endangered species including participation in recovery efforts for both plants and animals. This project contributes to the health and the recovery of greater sage-grouse and Utah prairie dog, by sustaining and improving crucial sage brush steppe habitat through reduction of conifer encroachment. 2) Utah Wildlife Action Plan, 2015 Publication Number 15-14, State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, Effective 2015-2025 -- 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 (p.51). This pinyon-juniper removal project also addresses uncharacteristic and surpluses of older age class trees and reduces the threat of Problematic Native Plant Species in Mountain Sagebrush systems. 3) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Statewide Management Plan for Mule deer. Section IV Statewide management goals and objectives. This project will address Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2013 (p11-12). Strategy C. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that are being taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats. Strategy f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages. This project has patches of aspen that will be improved by removal of encroaching conifer and will stimulate aspen regeneration. These treatments will improve age class diversity and help create a healthy mosaic of trees, shrubs and grasses. 4) Plateau Boulder Deer Herd Management Plan Unit #25C (2015) - Habitat Management Objectives -- Encourage vegetation manipulation projects and seeding to increase the availability, abundance, and nutritional content of browse, grass, and forb species. Strategies: Habitat Protection, Improvement and Maintenance - Reduce expansion of Pinyon-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog and chaining projects; maintain summer fawning areas by increasing beneficial habitat work in summer and transitional habitat areas.(p.3-4) This project is expected to benefit mule deer by improving forage resources long term and restoring sagebrush ecosystems which the deer rely on for browse especially during the winter period. Treatments will include a reduction of pinyon-juniper by use mechanical bullhog methods. 5) Wayne County Resource Management Plan 2017. This action is congruent with Pinyon-Juniper page 49. Pinyon-juniper -- Pinyon and juniper is eliminated or reduced on any site that has the potential to support grassland, sagebrush grassland, or other vegetation types more useful in terms of watershed condition and resource outputs, unless it has been determined, on a site specific basis, that PJ does not jeopardize watershed condition and adds to the combined resource outputs and values on the site. On sites where pinyon-juniper occurs that do not have potential for good perennial grass and shrub cover, or where technology is lacking to establish such cover by reasonable efforts, pinyon-juniper stands are maintained in an open canopy state when possible to prevent catastrophic wildfire and stand replacement with invasive annuals. (p.49). This project area has the potential to support grassland, sagebrush grassland, or other vegetation types more useful in terms of watershed condition and resource outputs if treated to remove the pinyon/juniper trees. 6) This treatment is aligned with the State of Utah's Resource Management Plan, objectives for livestock and grazing under page 148. Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation, and wildlife. (p. 148) Water quality, quantity and livestock forage should improve by implementing this project. 7) National Cohesive Strategy. By means of mechanical thinning at a landscape scale, the resulting mosaic of sagebrush and persistent pinyon-juniper forests will work toward the goal of restoring and maintaining resilient landscapes, one of the three goals described in the National Cohesive Strategy. 1. Resilient Landscapes General guidance regarding vegetation and fuels management include; Use and expand fuel treatments involving mechanical, biological, or chemical methods where economically feasible and sustainable, and where they align with landowner objectives. (pg. 58) The planned project is within about 30,000 contiguous acres zoned as Habitat Initiative restoration priority lands on the North Slope of Boulder Mountain, which should contribute to a resilient landscape. 8) State of Utah Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy. The Government Creek Project aligns with the mission of the State of Utah's Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy. The project has developed a comprehensive and systematic approach toward reducing the size, intensity and frequency of catastrophic wildland fires near the existing infrastructure. The project reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire occurrence negatively affecting property, air quality and water systems. The Mission: Develop a collaborative process to protect the health and welfare of Utahns, and our lands by reducing the size and frequency of catastrophic fires (pg. 4). Under number 5. Adopt Key Recommendations from the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (pg. 15); Encourage federal land management agencies to expedite fuels treatments. (pg. 15) Prioritize landscapes for treatment (irrespective of jurisdictional boundaries) (pg. 15). This proposed treatment will bring potential canopy fire to the ground and allow for greater likelihoods of successful fire suppression or wildfire utilization for resource benefits. 9) This project, with its aforementioned benefits and involvement of various participants, meets the following, selected goals of the DWR Strategic Plan: Goal A- Conserve, protect, enhance and manage Utah's wildlife. A-1. Maintain populations of harvestable wildlife species at species or drainage management plan objective levels. A-2. Maintain distribution and abundance of all other naturally occurring wildlife and native plant species. Goal B- Conserve, protect, enhance and manage Utah's ecosystems. B-1. Increase the functioning of impaired ecosystems. B-2. Prevent declining conditions in both impaired and currently functional ecosystems. Goal C- Enhance wildlife recreational experiences consistent with other DWR goals. C-4. Improve or increase public accessibility for wildlife-related recreational opportunities. Goal D- Provide for a broad base of economic benefits from wildlife consistent with other DWR goals. D-3. Decrease economic losses from wildlife to the citizens of Utah, consistent with wildlife management goals and objectives. Goal E- Ensure broad-based public involvement in the management of Utah wildlife and ecosystems. E-1. Increase support for DWR wildlife management programs in Utah by federal, state, local and tribal governments. E-2. Increase support for DWR wildlife management programs in Utah by the private sector and citizens. 10) UTAH ELK STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN This project helps to meet Population Objective 2 - Foster support among stakeholders for Utah's elk management program. Specifically the project helps increase tolerance of public land grazers not enrolled in a CWMU or LOA by conducting habitat projects that will benefit livestock and wildlife. The proposed treatments will also assist with meeting Habitat Objectives 1 - Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. 11) Conservation Strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus) in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming - Objective 2: Secure and enhance conservation populations. Pine Creek contains a conservation population of CRCT. Reducing the risk of uncharacteristically high severity wildfire helps to secure this population. Objective 4: Secure and enhance watershed conditions. Reducing sediment loading by increasing ground cover and reducing the risk of uncharacteristically high severity wildfire helps to enhance watershed conditions. It also fulfills objectives in the Fremont River Watershed Water Quality Management Plan -- Identifies the Upper Fremont River between Bicknell and the USFS boundary as impaired for Total P and Dissolved Oxygen. Goal #3: Improve upland management practices to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to the river and its tributaries. This project should reduce the amount of bare ground and prevent the creation of additional bare ground reducing erosion and sediment/nutrient delivery to Pine Creek, a tributary to the Upper Fremont River. Previous data from Pine Creek shows high levels of fine sediment deposition that is a negative for water quality and for CRCT habitat. This project and future phases of this project could contribute to reductions in fine sediment. 12) Utah Prairie Dog-Final Revised Recovery Plan 2012: Pg. 1.7-20; Some invasive species can alter habitat Structure, making it unsuitable for Utah prairie dog visual surveillance. For example, juniper species have invaded sagebrush habitat beginning with European settlement (Miller and Rose 1999), and may result in decreased Utah prairie dog habitat if forestation progresses. This phase III treatment area is near active prairie dog colonies and suitable habitat in the Sam Leg Hollow area and is potential habitat. Removing juniper trees will help with visual surveillance in prairie dog habitat. 13) Pronghorn Management Plan (UDWR): Pg. 5; III-Issues and Concerns, Habitat Degradation and Loss-In other areas, encroachment of shrublands by pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) or Juniper (Juniperus sp.) have reduced availability of forbs and shrubs. As sagebrush ranges and other desert browse habitats mature and lose forb understory, there is a need for range enhancement to improve or even maintain carrying capacity for pronghorn. The proposed phase III treatment will reduce pinyon and juniper in the lower elevation on the north end of Boulder mountain along Sam Legg Hollow that will help maintain open grass/forb habitat for pronghorn. 14) US Forest Service Greater Sage-grouse Utah Amendment, September 2015. Objective: Every 10 years for the next 50 years, improve greater sage-grouse (GRSG) habitat by removing invading conifers. Desired Conditions: In GRSG seasonal habitat, capable of producing sagebrush, has less than 10% conifer canopy cover. Vegetation treatment projects should be conducted if they maintain, restore or enhance desired conditions for sage-grouse. Parker Mountain Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Local Conservation Plan, October 1, 2006. 2. Strategy: by 2011, make an assessment of non-desirable/invasive vegetation in sage-grouse habitats.2.5. Action: Treat areas where undesirable vegetation has become, or is at risk of becoming a factor in sage-grouse habitat loss or fragmentation. The phase III treatment area has portions of SG brood rearing habitat. The removal of pinyon/juniper will improve suitable sagebrush and grass/forb vegetation types and site visibility for sage grouse. 15) Strategic Management Plan for Wild Tukey-Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR 2014). Grasses provide food for adults and are especially important to poults as an environment where they can effectively forage for insects. Poults need an environment that produces insects and in which they can efficiently forage. Poults need an area that provides enough cover to hide them, but allows the adult hen unobstructed vision for protection from predators. Phase III treatment will help improve the sage brush and grass/forb vegetation types by removing pinyon/juniper. In addition, treatments will help improve the ponderosa pine foraging habitat for wild turkey's. 16) Wayne County Public Lands Resource Management Plan: Chapter 7-Forest and Fire Management pg.126- Wayne County supports proactive management that will create and maintain fire resilient forests. Building and maintaining forests, particularly in the Dry frequent-fire forest type, which are resistant and resilient to both extreme fire and insect outbreaks requires proactive management including combinations of mechanical treatments (e.g., thinning) and prescribed fire. In this type of forest, mechanical treatments followed by prescribed fire or pile burning has been shown to be the most effective treatment for reducing the risk of crown fires (e.g., Stephens et al. 2009). Results of extensive research indicate that "mechanical plus fire, fire-only, and mechanical-only treatments using whole-tree harvest systems were all effective at reducing potential fire severity under severe fire weather conditions" (Stephens at al. 2009). Mechanical reduction of pinyon juniper succession at the base of the north slope of the boulder will help reduce fuel loading in the sagebrush, mountain shrub, ponderosa pine and scattered aspen vegetation types.

The Government Creek project area sits above the town of Teasdale and private inholdings above the Bicknell Bottoms area. There are more than 200 structures within 3 miles of the project area, all of which were put at risk during the Lost Lake fire in 2012. A continuous fuel bed of pinyon and juniper expansion exists across the phase III portion of the project area. The proposed treatment will bring potential canopy fire to the ground and allow for greater likelihoods of successful fire suppression or wildfire utilization for resource benefits. This project also addresses inappropriate fire frequency and intensity in relation to the threat of Problematic Native Plant Species in Mountain Sagebrush systems. A portion of Pine Creek is within the project area and Government Creek runs to the east of the project boundary. Additionally, the head works for the Teasdale culinary Water System is near the project area. This treatment is likely to have a positive effect on the quality and quantity of water available for culinary use and protect this infrastructure from damage due to a large fire. The proposed treatment augments the last two phases of this Government Creek project and existing completed work as part of the Teasdale Front project which created shaded fuelbreaks, safety zones, and expanded potential escape routes in the event of catastrophic wildfire on the north face of Boulder Mountain. Currently the FRCC is 40/40/20 for this area, after treatment we expect those values to move to 30/30/40.

This project, containing approximately 1,200 acres of pinyon and juniper expansion reduction using mechanical treatment, is expected to increase water quantity through reduced conifer presence and improve water quality through decreased erosion from increased ground cover. Reducing the amount of pinyon-juniper will increase and prolong stream flows in two perennial streams, while reducing erosion caused by bare soil. Pine Creek is a perennial stream that flows off the west slope of the Boulder Mountain and contains a conservation population of Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. This stream is also used for irrigation in the valley. Government Creek is a perennial stream that flows off the North Slope of the Boulder Mountain and is also used for irrigation. Government Creek has no population of fish and is often dry in the reaches just south of Bicknell Bottoms due to a lack of flowing water quantity during the irrigation season. Treatments will also help stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. Kormas et al. found that drainage's dominated with juniper experience "snow water equivalent peaks higher, snow melts out earlier, and more water is lost to evapotranspiration in catchments when compared to sagebrush steppe vegetation". In a study from 2008, Deboodt, et. al (2008) mentions that juniper trees can use up to 30 gallons of water a day, when adequate moisture is present. It also states that Vegetative modeling has shown that 9 to 35 trees per acre can utilize all the precipitation delivered to a site in a 13-in annual precipitation zone. In their study researchers monitored two watersheds 12 years prior to treatment (cutting). After the treatment analysis indicated that juniper reduction significantly increased late season spring flow by 225%, increased days of recorded groundwater by an average of 41 days , and increased the relative availability of late season soil moisture to soil depths of .76 meters. It was also noted that managing vegetation for water yield may be obtainable at a much lower precipitation threshold than what was previously understood. Baker, et. al (1984) found a 157% increase in stream flows over a 147 ha pinyon and juniper treatment. Recent research by Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to-18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Roth, et. All (2017) stated snow pack is deeper and lasts longer in the open site at the low and mid sites (4-26 and 11-33 days, respectively). Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity. Reducing pinyon and juniper trees, according the available research should help increase snow pack, and lengthen the time that snow pack is on the ground, increase spring flows, and increase soil moisture. It is expected that similar results will happen in this area after the treatment takes place.

The Fishlake National Forest Pinyon and Juniper Project Decision Notice was signed on December 5th, 2019. The Fishlake National Forest has begun consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office. Archaeological surveys for this Phase III were funded by WRI in FY2021 and will be contracted and completed before implementation. Wildlife and rare plant surveys will occur prior to implementation.

Implementation of this project will be directed by the Fremont River Ranger District administered by the Fishlake National Forest, USDA Forest Service. The project being proposed will be analyzed and comply with the NFMA/NEPA acts. The project is expected to meet the general Forest-wide standards and guidelines presented on pages IV-54 through IV-55 of the Forest Plan. This project will occur within Dixie National Forest Management Prescription Areas 2A, 2B, and 7A. Specific directions and goals for this area can be found on pages IV-68 through IV-72 and pages IV-120 of the Forest Plan. A- Mechanical mastication treatment (State Contracted) (~1,200 acres) -- Contracted personnel will use heavy equipment with grinding head attachments to masticate pinyon and juniper succeeding into areas on slopes less than 30%. Hiding cover for wildlife will be maintained throughout the project area by avoiding pinyon and juniper woodland areas and leaving islands, patches and natural corridors. Areas will be marked prior to implementation.

The Government Creek Phase III project area is within the Station Creek Unit of the Dark Valley Common Use allotment. Within this unit there are a total of 20 vegetation trend sites that are within or adjacent to the project area; There are 6 Riparian III Inventories, 11 Upland Trend Studies, 2 USFS Photo points and 1 UDWR Big Game Range Trend Study site. The Riparian III inventories monitor trend in vegetation composition along the green line throughout the drainage and will help to evaluate changes in riparian vegetation composition along with repeat photography. These inventory locations are along Pine Creek within or near the treatment area. These inventory sites are read on a rotating five-year interval and will continued to be monitored for Forest upland and riparian objectives. Upland vegetation- Similar to the riparian inventories these studies are repeated every 5 years and are detailed in annual monitoring reports by the Dixie National Forest and can be uploaded to the WRI web site. Weed control will occur as determined necessary by the District Range Management Specialist. Wildlife monitoring - The Utah Division of Wildlife (UDWR) regularly conducts mule deer, elk and pronghorn population estimates within the Plateau Boulder Unit 25C area. The UDWR also is conducting long term data on doe and fawn survival rates using GPS collar information along with migration studies using collard mule deer. Wildlife Population surveys for Sage-grouse will be conducted through the local UDWR Area Biologist and the local PARM Working Group annually. Mud Lake is a Sage-grouse lek near the project area and is a part of the Parker Mountain lek complex. Populations of Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (CRCT) in Pine Creek are monitored by DWR and USFS biologists at 5-7 year intervals. The last population monitoring was conducted in 2020. Condition of the trout were good, numbers were down slightly most likely from drought factors. A new survey station was added during monitoring in 2020 due to the population expanding upstream. M. cerebralis was detected in Pine Creek Reservoir CRCT in 2016. Evidence of strong recent recruitment indicates that whirling disease has yet to exert any influence on the Pine Creek CRCT population. Because the effects of whirling disease infection are exacerbated by habitat conditions, conservation efforts in Pine Creek must continue to focus on promoting land management actions that reduce sedimentation, maintain or improve stream bank stability, strengthen riparian integrity, and avoid increases in water temperature. Fish - The Dixie National Forest has a monitoring station along Pine Creek to track the status and trend of native cutthroat trout, which are currently a Regional Sensitive Species for this stream. DNF summarizes results of sampling efforts in reports that can be uploaded to the WRI web site. Repeat photo points and range site survey locations consisting of nested frequency sites recording vegetation and percent cover already exist within the proposed project area. Vegetation surveys will occur following treatment and five years after treatment. These tools for assessing potential for conifer encroachment and invasive plant establishment, as well as a qualitative site condition assessment, will be completed in accordance with existing monitoring protocols. Proposed funding for weed control will go towards monitoring project areas pre-treatment and post-treatment to reduce impacts from noxious weeds.

Project design and location has been coordinated between the USFS and UDWR. Following the Lost Lake fire in 2012 a need was identified to treat pinyon-juniper on the lower reaches of the mountain to create a safer fire zone adjoining private properties including residences. There were discussions with local residents and Wayne County officials to create safer conditions on the Boulder. This proposed treatment will bring potential canopy fire to the ground and allow for greater likelihoods of successful fire suppression or wildfire utilization for resource benefits. Mule Deer populations on the Boulder are in rough shape as listed in ecological risks. DWR will have data through the Migration Initiative that will show radio collared deer movements in and around the project area with pre-treatment and post-treatment indicators. (PARM) Sage-grouse group. Organized in the mid 90's as a local group to address local concerns primarily with sage grouse on the Parker Mountain. shortly after the PARM received the largest WHIP grant awarded to that point for habitat work on the Parker. The group meets several times a year to discuss land use issues and plan vegetative projects to improve habitat in the Parker/Emery SGMA. BLM is currently analyzing the Parker Mountain resource area for future vegetation treatments. The Boulder Mountain range has been a topic of discussion for wildlife improvement projects. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Forest Service have met together multiple times in the last few years to discuss potential landscape projects that would benefit wildlife habitat, fuels reductions and Forest health. The Forest Service is in the process of planning a larger landscape project to address these items. The WRI has provided funding for the Nature Conservancy (TNC) to perform a landscape conservation forecasting analysis on the Boulder Mountain to aid in this planning effort. This Government Creek project will tie in with this larger Boulder Mountain landscape project in improving crucial wildlife habitat.

A phased approach to implementation allows for sagebrush community response monitoring to inform future phases. Phase III of this project is planned to extend these treatments to the east towards Government Creek. As monitoring indicates a need for re-treatment, and capacity allows, areas will be treated to maintain grass, forb, and shrub communities. The project area will be monitored for re-encroachment and proposed for re-treatment either through volunteers like the Dedicated Hunter program or a full WRI proposal depending on the severity and extent of the re-encroachment. This project will also help with managing natural fire ignitions in the future by giving land managers more fire management options. The UDWR and USFS combine efforts to annually count, monitor and conduct flea abatement treatments on Utah Prairie Dogs on the Awapa unit. Sage-grouse use on the nearby leks in the Parker SGMA will be monitored annually by UDWR utilizing the PARM working group. The project is located on both the North Slope and Dark Valley grazing allotments. These two allotments are managed under a deferred rotation grazing system which is in compliance with allotment management plans and annual operating instructions. Implementers will coordinate project activities with permittees to minimize impacts. Areas within the project have not been highly utilized by livestock in the recent past. With no seeding proposed, treatment areas will not likely be rested from livestock use following treatment. Field observations indicated the existing vegetation and seed source would persist and improve without an additional seeding at this time.

The project area contains approximately 0.5 miles of road. The nationally recognized Great Western Trail sets just to the south of the project area. Trails will be maintained following project implementation guidelines. The north slope of Boulder is also a known destination for deer, elk, pronghorn and turkey hunting. Pine Creek is a destination for Colorado cutthroat trout fishing. The project area is part of the Dark Valley Common Use allotment. The project area is on the Station Creek unit/pasture and runs approximately 1,107 head of cow/calf on a deferred rotation from June 16-Oct 15. Removal of successional pinyon and juniper will help improve forage availability for livestock. The project and surrounding areas are highly used recreational destinations that include; fishing for Colorado River Cutthroat trout at Pine Creek Reservoir and along Pine Creek tributaries, Aquarius Ranger Station, Great Western Trail access, and access to the Boulder Top. This project will benefit habitat for the Utah prairie dog, Colorado river cutthroat trout and the greater sage-grouse. Improving habitat for these species will allow other sustainable uses to occur by reducing threats (such as high intensity wildfire with effects of noxious weed invasion in mountain shrub vegetation). In addition, improving habitat for these species may help move listed species towards down-listing or reduce threats that could cause a trend towards Federal listing.

10/18/2022

06/29/2023

2023

Government Creek Phase III treated approximately 924 acres of successional pinyon and juniper within mountain shrub vegetation type on the north slope of Boulder Mountain. This phase of the project was combined with phase II that treated a combined 2,939 acres with full size excavator bull-hogs and was completed winter and spring of 2022/23. There were several small areas that had to be treated with a Bobcat style bull-hog that could access the rockier benches and flat areas within the project boundary that were completed summer of 2023.

The terrain proved to be extremely rocky and our plan to treat in a "bunchy/clumpy" pattern worked very well here. We were on-site the first two days all day as we worked with the contractor to decide exactly how to implement. The contractor was extremely good to work with us as we made slight modifications to our treatment design. What we ended up with was treating all available acres in the flats and benches. That allowed our leave areas in our original design to be the rocky ridges and rocky stringers. The result of this modified treatment design left us with many edge/travel/resting areas for wildlife throughout the treatment. An abundance of rocks prohibited the full size machines to access a few areas. These small areas were treated with a Bobcat style excavator that could gain access because of its smaller size. We estimated that we were unable to treat roughly 300 acres in the project area due to excessive rock on the surface. In addition to treating trees we obtained a seed mix containing grasses, forbs and brush species. As areas were checked for compliance this seed mix was hand applied to soil areas that had been scalped by the equipment as the polygons were treated. A total of 200 pounds of this seed mix was applied in this way in the treatment. We received more snow during this winter as the treatment progressed but there were only a few days of work missed. The snow was not too excessive to continue working. The completed polygons are clearly visible from the valley and several people walked into the treatments during the fall and spring and then called me with questions. All the comments and questions I received from the public were very positive!

A phased approach to implementation allows for mountain brush and sagebrush community response monitoring to inform future phases. Phase four of this project is planned to extend these treatments to the east across Government Creek. As monitoring indicates a need for re-treatment, and capacity allows, areas will be treated to maintain grass, forb, and shrub communities. The project area will be monitored for re-encroachment and proposed for re-treatment either through volunteers like the DH program or a full WRI proposal depending on the severity and extent of the re-encroachment. This project will also help with managing natural fire ignitions in the future by giving land managers more fire management options. Sage-grouse use on the nearby leks in the Parker SGMA will be monitored annually by UDWR utilizing the PARM working group. The project is located on both the North Slope and Dark Valley grazing allotments. These two allotments are managed under a deferred rotation grazing system which is in compliance with allotment management plans and annual operating instructions. Implementers will coordinate project activities with permittees in order to minimize impacts. Areas within the project have not been highly utilized by livestock in the recent past. With the small amount of hand seeding that was done, treatment areas will not likely be rested from livestock use following treatment.