The project area is crucial big horn sheep habitat, and is a very isolated region west of the town of Green River. Pinyon-Juniper trees have been steadily invading the upland/sagebrush habitats, and tamarisk has invaded the riparian portions of the project over the last decade. As these vegetation types increase in size and density, the risk of unplanned fire events increase with increasing fuel loads. Studies have shown that the invasion of juniper and other conifers into the sagebrush rangelands degrades sagebrush habitat types. The project area is within Phase I, and II PJ development. In Phase II PJ trees are co-dominant with shrubs and herbs and all vegetation layers influence ecological processes on the site. With increased traffic along Interstate 70, small fires from vehicles have increased within the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Right Of Way (ROW), thus increasing threats to recreation areas and wildlife habitat within Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed areas near I-70.

The overall objectives of the project area is to alter the fire behavior, intensity and fire frequency within the UDOT ROW by decreasing the amount and arrangement of hazardous fuels. The treatments of the proposed project are designed to change the overall fire behavior; the project is expected to limit the size and intensity of large unplanned wildland fire events by increasing the size of current fuel breaks within the I-70 ROW. Specific objectives are: -Reduce the hazardous fuel load, -Remove about 225 acres of Phase I,& II PJ growth -Remove about 50 acres of tamarisk. -Mow 1,070 acres within the median and parallel to the interstate -Herbicide about 250 acres for weed and post tamarisk removal.

The more immediate threat is that with increased fuel loading from the invading trees and grass near the Interstate, vehicle fires will occur at higher rates. Portions of this project are currently being treated within the UDOT ROW. Further removal of P-J trees, tamarisk, grass and weeds is critical to maintain and improve the fire break parallel to I-70. Some portions of the project area are comprised basin big sagebrush and Colorado Plateau mixed low sagebrush shrubland, an unplanned fire event would result in the long term loss of these shrub communities, and the habitat values associated with this type. The longer term threat/risk, is the slow but continual increase in PJ trees and cheat grass that out compete the more desirable shrubs, forbs, and grasses. If the invasion continues unabated, then eventually the sagebrush shrubland habitats will be converted to a PJ type and cheat grass mono cultural stands, resulting in a long term loss of sagebrush habitat and sagebrush obligate species. The eastern portion of the project addresses the current degraded instream and riparian habitat that threatens the persistence of native fish and vegetation in the San Rafael River. Working to ensure persistence of native fish in the San Rafael River is critical, because the San Rafael River is one of the few rivers in Utah that harbors populations of bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and roundtail chub together. Risks of project implementation have been identified based on proposed methods (see below) as the following: * Secondary weed establishment or vigorous tamarisk regrowth following tamarisk removal * Short-term reduction in wildlife habitat due to secondary weed establishment * Gravel and wood washed away or buried by sand and mud * Disturbance to riparian areas and nearby cliff faces * Temporary reduction in cottonwood trees (through beaver herbivory) Many of these risks can be mitigated (e.g., herbicide treatments can be used to control secondary weeds) or are expected to be temporary (e.g., beaver may use cottonwood trees for dam-building, but dam building is expected to promote conditions for cottonwood establishment over the long-term). Furthermore, if no action is taken to improve habitat conditions on the lower San Rafael River degradation is likely to continue, especially with increased fire potential in tamarisk stands near I-70.

The proposed project will meet multiple objectives found within different plans; Price RMP ROD: Emphasize the use of mechanical, chemical, and biological methods, as well as fire and livestock grazing, to achieve the desired plant community for fish and wildlife habitats. Promote the use of native plant species that are desirable for wildlife, livestock, watershed management, and other resource values while maintaining vegetation species diversity. Coordinate with federal, tribal, and State agencies to develop information, strategies, and plans to manage fish and wildlife habitat and facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities. Maintain or improve the connectivity and productivity of fish and wildlife habitats to support the UDWR population objectives. Fire and fuels; To reduce risks and restore ecosystems through fuels management, allow the following fuels management tools throughout the planning area unless otherwise restricted: wildland fire use; prescribed fire; and mechanical, chemical, seeding, and biological actions. Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program The Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and bonytail chub have all been observed in the San Rafael River on a seasonal basis, suggesting potential use of the river for spawning and rearing. Many of the habitat requirements for the three species are closely aligned with habitat requirements of these endangered species, particularly young life stages, such that habitat restoration on the San Rafael will likely benefit these endangered species as well and contribute toward the goal of recovering populations of each species toward delisting.

PJ trees have steadily encroached over the last decade into sagebrush habitat. As these trees increase in size and numbers, habitat values for wildlife and grazing are lost as available forage declines. In addition the increase the trees has also increased the hazardous fuel loading and the risk of an unplanned fire event has also been increased. As sagebrush ecosystems shift to mid tree dominance by PJ, fuel loads double. As they shift to full tree dominance, fuel loads double again. An unplanned fire event would result in the long term loss of sagebrush habitats, and the habitat values associated with this type. In PJ woodlands, the ability of understory plants to recover after disturbance rapidly declines after pre-fire tree cover reaches about 40 to 50% (Fire science brief, Fire Science Program). The fuel breaks are designed to help stop unwanted fires.

After a fire, the competition with understory vegetation can increase the amount of bare soil, which can lead to an increase in runoff, soil loss and erosion (Thurow and Hester 2015). Erosion can lead to a reduction in soil productivity and can also increase non-point source water pollution, thus having the potential to affect water quality within a watershed over time (Thurow and Hester 2015). Invasive species such as cheatgrass currently exists in the project area. Cheatgrass has a higher fire frequency meaning it burns more often which results in more soil erosion. Noxious and invasive weed species utilize large amounts of water and release toxins into the soil that inhibit growth of other plants, which can also reduce the water quality and quantity. The impacts from a fire would be at a local site level.

Project work will be completed only within the existing UDOT ROW. ROW and fuel break maintenance is already occurring on a smaller scale at strategic locations. Areas of concern for wildlife and botany have been identified by BLM Price Office biologist. Timings and avoidance will be established on an as needed basis.

All methods of vegetation removal and maintenance will be conducted with UDOT staff, and will occur within the median or UDOT ROW. -Invading PJ would be cut and removed (about 226 acres). FY23-24. -Mowing median and within the ROW (about 1,543 acres). FY22-FY25 -Tamarisk removal (about 40 acres). FY23-24 -Herbicide for weeds and tamarisk (about 240 acres) FY 22-24

Vegetation monitoring for this project would be pre/post treatment photos and LPI's. Monitoring data; trend data, photo points including pre and post treatments, will be uploaded into the WRI database.

BLM, SITLA, Private, and DWR. BLM or the state will contacted SITLA about the fuel break project. State biologist will consult with private land owners that border the project area. BLM met with DWR and UDOT and discussed the project in February 2022. It was agreed to move forward with the project and UDOT would implement the project.

The project area will have continued monitoring and possible maintenance of the fuel break areas.

There will be no change to current livestock grazing management. The project is designed to establish fuel breaks along existing roadways to reduce the risk of more frequent fires and protect big game habitat and livestock forage. The roadways have been identified as areas where fires are sparked by vehicles. Improving conditions within this remote part of I-70 may also improve opportunities for wildlife viewing and other recreational activities.

07/01/2022

06/30/2024

2024

Implementation of the I-70 Fuel Break was conducted along I-70 in Emery County. This project was implemented by UDOT and funded through WRI, by BLM-GRD. The methods used were mastication on juniper and pinyon, pulling of tamarisk with machinery, mowing of fine fuels, and herbicide application on invasive and noxious weeds. This project was done due to the numerous fires that occur every year that are human caused. There was potential of catastrophic fire due to the encroachment of pinyon and juniper in shrub and grasslands, from a human caused fire. A catastrophic fire in this area could displace and degrade the habitat of important game species and other wildlife. The changing of fuel characteristics along the busy interstate has the potential to protect these habitats and species. Through this project we treated 2,136 acres. Some of the mastication and mowing acres overlap. Total acres of each treatment are listed below. Mastication: 663 acres Mowing: 1,811 acres Herbicide: 70

This project was not able to be completed to the end goal due to seasonal issues and funding. UDOT was not able to constantly work on this project throughout the year due to priority of different road projects and snow removal for UDOT. We expect that where treatments do occur, the change of fuels has the potential to reduce catastrophic wildfire. By reducing the potential of catastrophic fire, we have protected wildlife habitats.

This project was not completed to its end objective due to seasonal restraints and funding. BLM-GRD and UDOT will work together to continue looking at future maintenance of the fuel break along I-70. As future funds are available the continuation of this hazardous fuel reduction project may continue. Implementation of future projects along I-70 would consist of mowing, herbicide, and mastication. Photo points have been generated within the treatment areas which would provide information on further treatments.