The Cedar City Field Office has been trying to reestablish sagebrush species following wildfire through Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) . Approximately 35,000 acres of sagebrush has been burned in the past 15-years within the Bald Hills Greater Sage Grouse (GSG) Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA). Adequate sagebrush cover is becoming a limiting factor to provide for the health and viability of sage grouse in portions of the PHMA. In addition, opportunities for sagebrush plantings have been identified in the Flat Fire and Parowan Front areas to provide additional habitat for mule deer in crucial winter range. The project is expected to benefit sage grouse, mule deer and other sagebrush obligate species. The CCFO partnered with Utah State University (USU) Extension to apply for a grant to implement a research project geared at improving success of sagebrush plantings. The BLM, USU Extension and UDWR implemented the sagebrush research project at 6 locations in the Bald Hills in Fall 2021 utilizing a variety of methods. In addition, BLM has partnered with the Southern Utah University (SUU) Farm to plant locally sourced sagebrush plants and seed. This will allow locally sourced seed to be produced in the immediate area that will support future ES&R and WRI projects. Information obtained from the research project will be utilized to refine treatment techniques and opportunity areas within the project area. In addition, sagebrush plantings and seeding will occur in localized areas based on past sage grouse telemetry (Bald Hills) and ongoing mule deer telemetry (Parowan Front) data that has been collected. Islands or patches of sagebrush between 50 - 200 acres will be established throughout the two areas in multiple phases using a variety of methods (Refer to Methods section).

Specific project objectives are as follows: 1. Maintain adequate habitat components to meet needs of sage grouse nesting, brood-rearing and winter habitats in accordance with current guidelines and in coordination with UDWR and SWARM while providing for other wildlife values. 2. Manage to create large, un-fragmented blocks of sagebrush habitat with a variety of seral stages, which would meet the seasonal needs of sage grouse and mule deer. 3. Identification of treatment areas will utilize a suite of existing telemetry data (sage grouse and mule deer) that has been collected in the project area to determine the best locations of the sagebrush plantings while taking the ESDs into full consideration. 4. Landscape Conservation Forecasting has been completed in the Bald Hills. This model will be utilized to identify the highest Return on Investment for sagebrush plantings.

The project is focused on sagebrush restoration. The project area is currently in an early seral state (i.e. perennial grass/forb dominated) as a result of wildfire. The project would be expected to move the project area to a mid seral state (i.e. perennial grass, forb and shrub dominated). The project would be expected to improve habitat conditions for sage grouse and mule deer. Sage grouse telemetry data has also been collected within the Bald Hills portion of the project area. It is expected that future sage grouse telemetry efforts may occur in this area. Mule deer telemetry data has been collected within the Parowan Front portion of the project area. This telemetry effort is ongoing. The telemetry information will be utilized to identify future treatments and determine whether sage grouse and mule deer are utilizing the areas that were replanted to sagebrush. Risks of the project are the failure of Wyoming Big Sagebrush to establish following treatment. BLM will actively coordinate with Utah State University (USU) Extension, UDWR and SWARM to determine where the greatest opportunity for success of the planting would occur.

BLM Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 2015 A. The project is consistent with the SGARMP (2015) goals, objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Special Status Species section as follows: Special Status Species Goal: Maintain and/or increase GRSG abundance and distribution by conserving, enhancing or restoring the sagebrush ecosystem upon which populations depend in collaboration with other conservation partners. Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (Objectives: SSS-3, SSS-4, SSS-5) and Management Actions (MA-SSS-4, MA-SSS-6, MA-SSS7). B. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) objectives and Management Actions that were identified in the Vegetation section as follows: Refer to the following Objectives and Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-VEG-1, MA-VEG-2, MA-VEG-4, MA-VEG-5, MA-VEG-6, MA-VEG-8, MA-VEG-9, MA-VEG-10, MA-VEG-12 and MA-VEG-14). C. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Fire and Fuels Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-FIRE-1 and MA-FIRE-3) D. The project is also consistent with the SGARMP (2015) Management Actions that were identified in the Livestock Grazing/Range Management section as follows: Refer to the following Management Actions in the SGRMPA (MA-LG-3, MA-LG-4, MA-LG-5, MA-LG-12, MALG- 13, MA-LG-16 and MA-LG-17). The Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah was approved by the Governor in April 2013. The plan establishes incentive-based conservation programs for conservation of sage-grouse on private, local government, and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration lands and regulatory programs on other state- and federally managed lands. The Conservation Plan also establishes sage-grouse management areas and implements specific management protocols in these areas. The Utah Greater Sage-grouse Management Plan in 2009 identified threats and issues affecting sage-grouse management in Utah as well as goals, objectives, and strategies intended to guide UDWR, local working groups, and land managers efforts to protect, maintain, and improve sage-grouse populations and habitats and balance their management with other resource uses. Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 (Final) is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah, and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Please refer to attached excerpts from the Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 that identify Strategy for Management (Pg. 41 and Pg. 50). Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Resource Management Plan Resource Management Plan (1986). Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office. Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May, 2006) The SUSAFMP identifies the Black Mountains as a priority for conversion of encroached pinyon and juniper dominated communities to a sagebrush community with a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs. This would be consistent with the vegetative monitoring data that has been collected within the Project Area to identify the Ecological Site Description. National Fire Plan (2000), BLM National Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy (2004) The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following: 1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process. 2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation. 3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts. 4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome. 5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community. 6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation 7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation. 8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. 9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel. 10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands. Southwest Desert Deer Herd Unit Management Plan - Bald Hills area The project will be consistent with the habitat management strategies identified in the Deer Herd Unit Management Plan for Deer Herd Unit #20 (Southwest Desert) (UDWR) which pertain to the Project Area are as follows: * Evaluate and implement potential habitat improvement projects on BLM, state, and private lands. * Evaluate opportunities to address problems created by closed canopy pinyon pine and juniper. Panguitch Lake Deer Herd Unit Management Plan Parowan Front area The project will be consistent with the habitat management strategies identified in the Deer Herd Unit Management Plan for Deer Herd Unit #28 (Panguitch Lake) (UDWR) which pertain to the Project Area are as follows: * Evaluate and implement potential habitat improvement projects on BLM, state, and private lands. * Evaluate opportunities to address problems created by closed canopy pinyon pine and juniper. Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (2009) Habitat Management Objective, under the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of habitat improvement projects to benefit pronghorn. Coordinated Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Utah (2005) The priority habitat identified for this area was shrub-steppe, which was identified as a Priority A (High threat, high opportunity, and high value to birds statewide) habitat. Priority birds identified within this area include sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, sage sparrow, and Brewer's sparrow. Sagebrush restoration was identified as an opportunity within this area to address concerns with sagebrush die-off and potential for cheatgrass invasion.

N/A - The project is not expected to have an impact on Fire/Fuels.

It is expected that through sagebrush establishment that improvements to water quality/quantity would occur. Vegetative growth form is an important determination of infiltration and interrill erosion. Changes in plant community composition and distribution of species can influence the ability of a site to capture and store precipitation. The project is expected to improve the diversity of the vegetative community, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion while increasing infiltration. These improvements will provide for reductions in pollutants, nutrient loading and sediment loading in nearby drainages and riparian areas.

The project will be authorized under DOI-BLM-UT-C010-2021-0023-EA. Cultural clearances will be completed as determined necessary based on treatment method prior to project implementation.

Treatment methods including the following may be utilized: 1. Sagebrush seed would be harvested from a source population of sagebrush within close proximity to the project area 2. Sagebrush tublings/seedlings would be grown in a greenhouse prior to planting a. Variations in sagebrush age prior to planting (i.e. 4 months, 6 months, etc...) b. Tublings/Seedlings would be planted during different times throughout the year; particularly Fall or Spring. c. Tublings/Seedlings would be planted by a hand crew using a variety of tools (Pulaski, shovel or dibble bar), planting depths and removing vegetation competition (i.e. scraping vegetation) vs. not removing competition, etc... d. Soil moisture monitors would be deployed prior to plantings to determine the best planting times based on moisture availability for seedlings. 3. Drill seeding a. Vary application rates from 1/2 lb to 4 lbs per acre b. Plant sagebrush with and without perennial grass and forbs to determine if competition other perennials is an issue 4. Scalper/Broadcaster a. Scalper consists of a tractor that pulls a moldboard plow that blades existing vegetation from a localized area, which reduces competition with sagebrush seed that will be broadcasted. 5. Pothole Seeding -- create pockets of greater soil moisture and reduce competition

Treatment areas will be GPS'd and vegetative monitoring transects will be established throughout the treatment areas to determine effectiveness/success of the treatment methods. In coordination with USU Extension a Modified-Whittaker Nested Vegetation Sampling Method (Stohlgren et. al. 1995) (Refer to Attachment for more information) has been identified to monitor the treatment area. Monitoring data will be collected for 3-5 years to determine treatment effectiveness and a monitoring report with data summaries and photos will be completed, which can be uploaded to the WRI website.

The project is supported by the USU extension, UDWR, local SWARM sage grouse working group and livestock permittees. The Nature Conservancy has completed a Landscape Conservation Forecasting for the project area in November 2015 and a supplemental report in April 2018. Partners recognize the importance of optimizing the successful establishment of sagebrush within the Bald Hills and Parowan Front areas to provide suitable habitat for sage grouse and mule deer.

Fencing would be identified as necessary to protect sagebrush plantings from livestock and wildlife use. Sagebrush plantings will be strategically located away from livestock waters and in upper elevations that will limit the chance of livestock use.

The project would provide for improved habitat conditions for sage grouse and mule deer. The project has the opportunity to enhance hunting opportunities for mule deer by providing improvements to crucial winter habitat in the Parowan Front area. Access to high quality winter range for pregnant does has been shown to improve early survival of fawns the following summer and improved nutrition of fawns during winter can increase over-winter survival rates