Birch Creek is home to a remnant population of Bonneville cutthroat trout. Due to past management decisions (i.e. decades of heavy cattle grazing pressure, removal of beaver, and encroachment of pinyon and juniper into the riparian), the ecological condition of Birch Creek has declined to a simplified stream channel with little woody riparian vegetation and very few pool habitats for trout. The lack of sufficient fish habitat and riparian habitat on Birch Creek threatens the persistence of Bonneville cutthroat trout, a species of greatest conservation need in the state of Utah (Utah Wildlife Action Plan Joint Team, 2015). Vertical channel incision has also lowered the water table and floodplain connectivity. Incision has also likely caused a reduction in physical habitat diversity and reductions in late season base flows resulting in warmer stream temperatures causing declines in populations of fish and other aquatic organisms (Pollock et al., 2007). Previous projects along this section of Birch Creek focused on removing encroaching pinyon and juniper in the riparian area, installing instream structures such as beaver dam analogs and post-assisted log structures to help improve channel incision, raise the water table and improve in-stream habitat complexity, and also reconstruct the riparian enclosures (WRI Project #s 1664, 3688, 5515). Monitoring following the previous phases have shown improvement in riparian expanse, riparian condition and a higher water table. However, during monitoring it was found that fish habitat, primarily standing pools, was still limited. This project aims to improve in-stream fish habitat through the creation of pools using rock and/or log vanes. Another objective of this project is to continue to improve riparian habitat and in-stream complexity through the construction of beaver dam analogs and post-assisted log structures. Woody riparian species are also lacking along Birch Creek leading to limited stream shading. This project would also plant willow and birch along the stream to help improve riparian species diversity and stream shading. This project also benefits deer and elk by increasing forage in the riparian corridor of Birch Creek. Previous projects along Birch Creek have shown increases in riparian condition and extent. These benefits provide increased forage for deer, elk and sage grouse in the area. According to the Utah Migration Initiation, Birch Creek is also a low use migration corridor and supports stop-over habitat as well. Wildlife use monitoring following previous project stages has shown use by deer, elk, sage grouse, bear and many other creatures in the improved riparian corridor.

Primary Goals: 1. Increase in-stream habitat complexity for Bonneville cutthroat population in Birch Creek. 2. Continue previous projects efforts to improve riparian habitat condition. Habitat Objectives: 1. Increase the amount of pool habitat. 2. Increase in-stream habitat heterogeneity (i.e., riffle/run/pool composition). 3. Increase percentage and maximum depth of pools. 4. Increase availability of cover. 5. Increase the amount of woody riparian vegetation. Biological Objectives: 1. Increase trout abundance, size structure, and biomass. 2. Increase abundance and diversity of desirable and/or native herbaceous and woody riparian vegetation. The Conservation Agreement for Bonneville cutthroat trout in the State of Utah (February 2008) states "Habitat critical to Bonneville cutthroat trout survival should be managed and maintained to achieve the following goals: 1. Secure and protect habitats for all conservation populations covered under the agreement and conservation strategy to the extent possible. 2. Enhance or restore habitats used by conservation populations, including habitat associated with populations identified for restoration or expansion, to a desired, properly functioning. Actions should also be undertaken to curtail undesirable impacts form ongoing land uses, to the extent possible. 3. Give Bonneville cutthroat trout habitat management high priority consideration during land use planning and project implementation." The Birch Creek Habitat Management Plan identified the priority objectives to be achieved through the implementation of the Plan. Measurable objectives identified that apply to this proposal include: 1. To increase bank cover from 59 to 75 percent of optimum. 2. To obtain and maintain a pool-riffle ratio of 100 percent of optimum (50-50 pool-riffle ratio). 3. To increase the pool quality from 55 to 70 percent. 4. To increase and maintain the overall stream quality at 83 percent of optimum. 5. To increase stream shading from 50 to 75 percent.

If this project does not go forward, it is unlikely that degradation to Birch Creek will be reversed. Continued restoration actions, such as the actions proposed by this project, are needed to ensure the persistence of Bonneville cutthroat trout and native riparian vegetation on Birch Creek. It is also possible, that without this continued maintenance and next phase of this project that previous work in the area could become diminished and stop contributing to continued benefits for BCT and riparian improvements. If the project does go forward, there are few notable threats/risks. Similar stream improvement work has been completed along other portions of Birch Creek without negative impacts and many positive impacts (e.g., increases in riparian vegetation and water quality). There and minimal risks to water quality during the construction of log/rock vanes and BDAs.

1. Conservation Agreement for Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in the State of Utah (February 2008). The Bonneville cutthroat trout are currently managed under a range-wide and state conservation agreement to which the BLM and UDWR are signatories. The proposed restoration specifically targets improvement to the Bonneville cutthroat trout population in Birch Creek through habitat improvement, and thus will help accomplish the goals of this conservation agreement. The primary goal of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Conservation Agreement is to ensure long term existence of the species throughout its historic range by coordinating conservation efforts with state, federal and other interested parties. Ensuring the long-term persistence requires maintaining, improving, restoring and protecting existing habitat for the species. This Birch Creek project proposal is in concert with the goals and meets the intent and of the Conservation Agreement for the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in Utah 2. Birch Creek Habitat Management Plan (Utah cutthroat) BLM 1976. The Birch Creek Habitat Management Plan identified goals and objectives that are consistent with the proposal. The plan specifically states to A. Protect Birch Creek from and monitor land uses that damage stream banks and riparian habitat, B. Plant willows to stabilize stream banks and provide shade. The project would meet the objectives identified in this plan by creating a more suitable cutthroat trout habitat and improve stream banks and riparian habitat. 3. Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Resource Management Plan (1986) The resource management plan is a broad framework for managing BLM lands in the jurisdiction of the Cedar City Field Office, including Birch Creek. Although Birch Creek is not specifically addressed in the RMP, the proposed project will comply with and enhance the objectives of this management plan including objectives to restore riparian functioning and provide quality habitat to support native fish and wildlife. The project would help to meet habitat-related objectives in the Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah: 1. The project would promote a healthy, functioning riparian habitat along Birch Creek (within the Bald Hills Greater Sage-grouse SGMA), which will benefit late brood-rearing habitat for Greater Sage-grouse. Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) (2015) The WAP identifies the following threats and the level of impact to the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout: Threats - Channelization/bank alteration, sediment transport imbalance (Impact - Very High) Threats - Increasing Stream Temperatures (Impact - High) The project is expected to improve riparian conditions and provide sufficient fish habitat within Birch Creek, which will provide for the persistence of Bonneville cutthroat trout. This project also supports the Unit #22 Deer Herd Management Plan (2020) objectives as follows: (1) "Manage riparian areas in critical fawning habitat to provide water, cover and succulent forage from mid to late summer.", (2) Seek out opportunities to improve the limited summer range across the unit. Develop summer range habitat improvement projects that remove encroaching trees, improves succulent vegetation and wet meadows, increases aspen recruitment, enhances and/or protects riparian areas, and use prescribed fire to promote early succession habitats where appropriate.", and (3) Improving the amount and condition of summer range habitat on public lands (this is considered a limiting factor in the 2020 Deer Herd Unit Management Plan). This project supports the 2016 Elk Management Plan for Unit #22 in as follows: "Maintain and/or enhance forage production through direct range improvements throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives."

Previous projects have addressed fire/fuels concerns surrounding this section of Birch Creek on a larger scale. Pinyon and juniper removal has been accomplished in the riparian area and uplands areas immediately surrounding this section of Birch Creek on BLM managed lands. The values at risk from a fire in the surrounding area include the Birch Creek riparian corridor, winter and summer elk and mule deer habitat, South Creek and its recreational fishery and adjacent land owners including private land owners and Forest Service. Many of these have been addressed in previous phases of the project. Channel incision and decrease in water table elevation leads to changes in vegetation and drier conditions along stream corridors. Areas like the floodplains, wetlands, and meadows being targeted in this project serve as buffers, greenstrips, and/or firebreaks that can be critically important in defending landscapes against large fires and protecting adjacent habitat. This project will protect, restore, and enhance these wet areas and decrease fire risk. In a potential post-fire landscape, healthy riparian, wetlands, and stream habitat are very important for filtering heavy sediment, ash, and debris flows from post-fire areas in adjacent upland and up stream habitat, leading to a reduction in the negative downstream impacts to both rural communities and wildlife (e.g., fish low from ash flow, clogging of water infrastructure, flooding of communities).

Birch Creek is an important water source for wildlife including elk, deer, sage grouse, bear and Bonneville cutthroat trout and many more. The proposed project will use rock/log pools and BDA structures to provide similar functions as beaver dams; structures will impound water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplain. Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended sediment, capture of sediment loads, increase DO, decrease overall water temperatures and increase base flows. The project will also promote riparian vegetation community expansion through the re-connection of the floodplain and riparian plantings. This will provide more shade for the stream and help to reduce water temperatures in this stretch of Birch Creek. Riparian vegetation will also help to buffer the stream from sediment and overland flows.

Cultural Site Clearances were completed during earlier projects in and around Birch Creek. Site specific archaeological clearance will occur before project implementation to avoid impacts to cultural resources. NEPA was completed and authorized under the Cedar City Field Office Riparian Restoration and Wetlands Enhancement EA, October 2018. Utah Division of Water Rights Steam Channel Alteration Permit t will be secured by the BLM prior to project implementation.

This project is focused on improving fisheries habitat in Birch Creek through the construction of in-stream structures. We anticipate building approximately 100 structures (about 70 pool creating structures and 30 BDA/PALS). The major restoration techniques that would be used on the project include: (1) Rock or log vanes to create pools - Most of the rocks and large wood can be sourced directly on site. Heavy equipment operators from the BLM and UDWR would use mini excavators to install the rock/log vanes and anchor them into the bank. Geotextile fabric would also be used to help seal the structures and center the flow into the pools. The use of mini-excavators instead of large equipment would help reduce impacts to stream banks and also cultural resources. (2) Beave Dam Analog and/or Post Assisted Log structures would also be constructed. These structures would be used to help raise the stream channel and re-connect the floodplain. Structures will be constructed of untreated, sharpened lodgepole fence posts, approximately 3-4" diameter, driven into the active channel and inset floodplain using a hydraulic post pounder. Posts extend no more than 1 m above the active channel bed, which is within the 0.5 to 1.5 m typical height range of natural beaver dams. For a single structure, posts will be spaced approximately 0.5 - 0.8 m apart, and driven to a depth of approximately 1 m into the streambed (Refer to photos in Images/Documents Section). Following installation of the post line, woody stems from willows, juniper or pinyon trees will be woven in between the posts to create a semi-permeable structure that closely resembles a natural beaver dam. Structures will be reinforced by placing cobble, gravel, and fine sediment at the base of the structure, a technique very similar to the way beavers build natural dams. BDA's should last until the pool behind the dam fills with sediment and is colonized by woody riparian vegetation (typically < 5 yr. depending on sediment sources and the flow regime).BDA structures will be strategically placed to mimic the form and function of beaver dam complexes, while non-channel spanning structures will mimic natural accumulations of LWD. Each structure will be designed with defined objectives for triggering and/or maintaining geomorphic and hydraulic processes leading to river rehabilitation. (3) Riparian planting - Both the upper and lower exclosure will be planted with willow, river birch, red-osier dogwood and possibly some aspen. We will utilize willow cuttings and bare root riparian trees and shrubs to add cover and address streambank erosion problems.

UDWR, BLM and Fishlake NF have been conducting annual electrofishing surveys on Birch Creek for the past three years. These surveys will continue annually for five years following treatment and then will be done on a five year rotating basis. BLM has also utilize Proper Functioning Condition Assessment and Multiple Indicator Monitoring methods to assess riparian response and condition following treatment. Ocular observations including photo points will occur pre-treatment and on an annual basis post treatment to document changes in woody species abundance and regeneration. BLM has also implemented it's lotic Assessment, Inventory and Monitory (AIM) data collection at two sites on Birch Creek to determine condition and trend of stream habitat attributes over time. Initial data was collected in 2019 and 2020, sites will be re-sampled every 3-5 years. Wildlife monitoring has been occurring along the Birch Creek riparian corridor in the form of game cameras and bumble bee surveys. Game cameras have recorded the presence of elk, deer, bear and sage grouse utilizing the expanded riparian area around Birch Creek. BLM and USFS are also monitoring stream temperatures in Birch Creek at five to eight different locations throughout the stream (number of probes and locations vary slightly each year). Utah State University built two pressure transducer weirs to monitor stream elevation changes at both the top and bottom of the larger project area.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are the principle partners. Both parties will work together during project design, implementation, monitoring and maintenance. Individuals on the Fishlake National Forest are also supportive of restoration work on Birch Creek.

Monitoring of the project would guide future management. As needed, BDA and PAL structures would be maintained, failing stream structures would be repaired or replaced, and additional woody riparian vegetation would be planted. This project is phase 4 of a larger restoration plan for Birch Creek, BLM is committed to maintaining the investment and improvements that have already been implemented on Birch Creek and of any future investments also. If this project is successful at increasing pool habitat for Bonneville cutthroat trout, then future projects would look to expand the project goals to the lower exclosure. Future work in the lower exclosure to increase in-stream habitat complexity would benefit additional stream habitat for trout. BLM is a signatory to the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Conservation Agreement and Strategy. The CAS will be used to guide future management and restoration plans.

Beaver dam analogs and other stream restoration techniques aim to mimic natural processes. Numerous studies have shown the ecological benefits of beaver dams including raising water tables, promoting sediment retention, increasing species richness in the riparian zone and more (Pollock et al 2014; Pollock et al 2012; Pollock et al 2007). In the absence of beavers, BDA's can help land managers achieve similar results in a watershed. The stream restoration methods proposed in this project will not only benefit Bonneville cutthroat trout but they will also improve habitat and forage for mule deer, elk, sage grouse and other wildlife reliant on riparian corridors. This project will also improve the recreational fishery in Birch Creek and provide improved wildlife viewing opportunities for large game and birds. Bonneville cutthroat trout have been petitioned for listing multiple times but have been keep off the Endangered Species List due to efforts from the BCT CAS signatories and partners. This project works to improve BCT habitat and strengthen resiliency, thereby further helping to prevent listing of BCT. Birch Creek is located within the Lee Springs Allotment. Two exclosures were constructed around segments of Birch Creek to alleviate stream degradation due to livestock grazing and to reduce timber harvest. Each exclosure is approximately 0.5 miles in length and protects approximately 72 acres of riparian and upland habitat. Livestock grazing within the Birch Creek exclosures is not authorized. Annual exclosure maintenance is required to eliminate livestock trespass from the USFS.