The project is needed in order to make the south catchment functional again. These catchments are located in an extremely dry area with limited precipitation. The project is needed to be able to collect and store precious water and make it available to numerous wildlife species and also a cattle operation.

At the south catchment, the objective is to replace the existing tin apron with a reinforced polyethylene apron in order to collect water once again. The existing water storage tank would receive a floating lid to reduce evaporation. A wildlife watering drinker would be added to this location which would preserve a minimum pool for wildlife and be kept on year-round. At the north catchment, the existing apron is in good shape and does not need replaced. The existing water storage tank would receive a floating lid to reduce evaporation. A wildlife watering drinker would be added to this location which would preserve a minimum pool for wildlife and be kept on year-round.

This is a water collection and storage project. There is no threat of crossing a threshold with this project.

The Bighorn Sheep Unit Management Plan for the Kaiparowits WMU #26 (2019) states "additional water sources may alleviate disease concerns by distributing sheep into lower densities and thus mitigate or reduce any negative impacts from disease transmission." The plan specifically contains the following language in the Water Management Projects section: 1) Work with GSENM . . to locate and improve water sources across bighorn habitat. 2) Cooperatively modify or improve existing water developments and guzzlers for bighorns (Fiftymile Mountain specifically mentioned). Both catchments are within bighorn sheep habitat and the south catchment is within a mile of a former release location (sooner slide) for bighorn sheep. Although the Plateau/Boulder/Kaiparowits Deer Herd Management Plan (2015) does not specifically state that lack of water is a limiting factor, it is well known that wintering areas south of Highway 12 are largely devoid of dependable water. Addition of water is known to benefit habitat in general as it disperses use and reduces densities which is important for disease transmission. The habitat management objectives state: "Seek cooperative projects . . . to encourage and improve the quality and quantity of deer habitat, with . . . land managers to maintain a stable or upward trend." It also states, "Cooperate with federal land management agencies . . . in carrying out habitat improvement projects." The Statewide Management Plan for mule deer states "Water is a fundamental need for mule deer. The spatial distribution of mule deer populations is often positively associated with the availability of water in arid regions of western North America (Hervert and Krausman 1986, Boroski and Mossman 1996). Consequently, recent work by state wildlife agencies depicts large expanses of the Intermountain West ecoregion as water-limiting to mule deer (Wasley et al. 2008). Wildlife water developments, or guzzlers, can help provide water to mule deer in arid areas."

There is no fire/fuels component to this project.

Affects to water quality and quantity are localized to right at the catchment locations. Water quantity would be increased by the restoration of the south catchment. Water quantity would be improved at both locations through the addition of a lid to reduce evaporation. Water quality generally also increases as lids prevent the build up of organic matter and reduce the amount of decaying wildlife within the tanks.

Both of these catchments have been in existence for decades and are already disturbed. No new archaeological clearance is necessary. Similarly, because these projects are already in existence, and we will not be going outside of existing disturbance, no new NEPA is required.

At the south catchment, the remnants of the existing apron will be piled up by hand or machinery and removed from the site on a trailer. The apron location will be cleared with heavy equipment in an area about 120' by 120'. The new apron is pre-fabricated to size and will be hauled to the site with a truck and trailer. A field crew will spread the apron out and heavy equipment will be used to create a berm and bury the apron edges. The floating lids will be floating hexagonal discs that are simply dumped into the tanks with heavy equipment. The discs disperse and lock into place on their own. The tanks will be fitted with an overflow several inches from the top to prevent water (and the floating discs) from spilling over the tanks. At both locations, near the existing cattle troughs, a line will be added which will go to a buried plastic water storage tank between 1,500 to 2,500 gallons. This line will be dedicated specifically for wildlife use. Water from these tanks will flow into a wildlife only watering drinker within a small lodgepole fence. This will ensure that wildlife have a year-round, dependable watering location separate from the cattle watering location which is not kept on year-round.

Camera trap monitoring will take place occasionally to document wildlife use.

The UDWR and BLM have worked collaboratively in the planning of this project as it benefits both partners. BLM benefits by the addition of a new collection apron and the ability to place a lid on the water storage tanks. This in turn provides needed water to a large cattle operation. The UDWR benefits by the ability to collect and store a large amount of water. Water will be available to wildlife year-round, benefitting numerous wildlife species, especially mule deer and potentially bighorn sheep. The ranching operation, Flying V, is also a partner in this project. The ranch has offered to handle all aspects of the apron replacement. This includes the use of their personnel, vehicles, tools and heavy equipment.

The livestock operation will continue as currently permitted since this is not a vegetation project. The catchments will be inspected several times annually to ensure proper function.

The south catchment has not been functional in several years. This has limited wildlife and cattle distribution. When both catchments are functioning and providing dependable water to wildlife and cattle, the cattle operation and wildlife will benefit and will be sustainable as long as continued maintenance occurs.

04/29/2025

05/01/2025

2025

Using a backhoe, the old tin apron was removed. A new apron was placed on level ground, burmed up using the backhoe. A trench was dug to find and tie into the existing water line. A septic tank was installed to insure a 1000 gallon supply for willdife use. From the septic tank, the line continued to a wildlife-only drinker, surrounded by a lodgepole fence. A floating lid material was placed in the large water tank to reduce evaporation. This was done at two sites.

Using a backhoe, the old tin apron was removed. A new apron was placed on level ground, burmed up using the backhoe. A trench was dug to find and tie into the existing water line. A septic tank was installed to insure a 1000 gallon supply for willdife use. From the septic tank, the line continued to a wildlife-only drinker, surrounded by a lodgepole fence. A floating lid material was placed in the large water tank to reduce evaporation. This was done at two sites.

The catchment aprons will be inspected several times annually and minor repairs will be made. The wildlife drinker itself and at the lodgepole fence will also be inspected and repaired as needed several times annually.