The Deep Creek property is a vital part of the 10(j) recovery program for the California Condor and a central hub for condor activity in Utah. Using GPS, The Peregrine Fund has confirmed 85 percent or more of the Utah and Arizona condor population use the property and surrounding area to roost and forage. The property will be preserved in perpetuity to protect the conservation values, wildlife values, open space values, and livestock heritage of the property,

The objective of the project is to place 563 acres of premium montane wildlife habitat and agricultural land into a conservation easement. Funds are needed to complete closing costs, title insurance, baseline inventory reports, mineral assessments, and environmental clearances on two private parcels (Tasks 1 - 5). The proposed completion date to convey a signed deed of conservation easement is December 2021.

Several agency and private conservation groups have overlapping goals set for Condor recovery efforts in Utah. Some of the key management actions that are shared between these programs are as follows: Reduction of lead contamination for Condors and other wildlife, preserving critical habitats, engaging and educating the public about the threats to California Condors, and the value of open space for wildlife and livestock. A few specific management plans to which the Deep Creek Condor Easement project aligns with are as follows: 1. Utah Wildlife Action Plan. This project will benefit several species listed in Utah's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) as "species of greatest conservation need" and "high interest game" species. For a list of benefitting species see the "Species" section of this proposal. The focal species of the proposed conservation easement is the California Condor. The WAP plan lists lead poisoning as the biggest threat to Condors in Utah. The Deep Creek property is an essential forage area and capture/release area for Condors; Acting as the main hub of the Peregrine Fund's effort to monitor Condor movements and combat lead poisoning. The WAP also lists the following life history information for the Condor: -The largest North American land bird is a member of the vulture family and subsists entirely on carrion; reproduces very slowly, highly susceptible to lead poisoning which impedes population increase and subsequent recovery. - Inquisitive birds, not especially afraid of people. Recovery team partners have developed programs to train condors, to the degree possible, to avoid humans. - Low reproductive potential and small population size are being addressed through continued,bi-annual releases of captive-reared birds. - One of the most endangered birds in the world, with fewer than 500 individuals in existence. ESA-listed as Endangered, with 10j Status in the southwestern Utah, and is a Utah State Sensitive Species. 2. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Condor Recovery Program. Several status reviews of reintroduction programs in the Southwest for 10(j) populations have indicated that the Cedar Mountain/Kolob Terrace area remains a vital part of the reintroduction program or experimental 10(j) population recovery program. Current monitoring of Condors in the Southwest place nearly 70-80 percent of them in this area of Utah. A limiting factor for Condors was the lack of clean lead free carrion. The Deep Creek Easement will be an area closed to hunting and will provide clean Condor food in the form of livestock or native wildlife. 3. The Peregrine Fund Condor Recovery Program. The Peregrine Fund is the primary organization over the Condor recovery program in Utah and Arizona. Through the Peregrine Fund's GPS monitoring we have learned of the great importance of the Deep Creek area for condor foraging habitat (See Peregrine Fund support letter). In fact, the parents of the Condor chick that hatched in Zion NP in 2019 were confirmed to be using the Deep Creek area extensively as forage habitat. The Peregrine Fund operates a capture and release facility upon the Deep Creek Easement property that is vital to their efforts in capturing and tagging Condors and in fighting lead poisoning. 4. Utah Division of Wildlife Non-Lead Ammo Program. The Deep Creek Condor project is a potential educational opportunity to help the UDWR's non-lead ammo program. The UDWR has an incentive program in place to encourage hunters to use non-lead ammo during big game hunting seasons. The program has strategic stations at the access points to the Zion Wildlife Management Unit which is the unit in which the Deep Creek property lies. The importance of the Deep Creek area and it's close proximity to areas that are hunted actively could be used as motivation for hunters to make the voluntary switch to non-lead ammo. 5. UDWR Strategic Plan. The UDWR strategic plan has a specific resource goal which is to "conserve, enhance, and actively manage Utah's protected wildlife populations". In the strategic plan under this resource goal the Deep Creek Condor project aligns closely with "Objective R2" which is to: "Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state". The Deep Creek Condor project also aligns with UDWR's constituency goal which is to "strengthen support for wildlife management by demonstrating the value and importance of wildlife to all Utahns". Specifically the Deep Creek Condor project is a showcase of private and public partnerships and highlights the effectiveness of having multiple stakeholders invested in a project. This helps achieve UDWR's "Objective C8" under the constituency goal which is to: "maintain and/or increase public understanding and political support for our agency and Utah's wildlife."

A Phase I Environmental Hazards Assessment will be completed on the property. This assessment will follow all applicable federal and state laws. A Baseline Documentation Report will also be completed prior to closing. Any findings not to these laws will be remedied before a purchase can be completed.

The UDWR Habitat Section Lands Program personnel will solicit bids, and complete the paperwork necessary to complete the Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, Baseline Inventory, Title Insurance, closing details and acquisition of a Deed of Conservation on 2 properties. The UDWR has committed substantial in-kind contributions to this project and will continue to work closely with the 2 private landowners, the UDWR Director's office, the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, and all applicable partners.

The Utah Department of Agriculture (UDAF) will be the Holder of the Deed of Conservation Easement. UDAF will do annual monitoring all aspects related to livestock grazing plans of the Conservation Easement. The UDWR will do annual monitoring all wildlife related aspects on the property. UDAF and UDWR along with project partners will prepare a Conservation Values plan that is to be associated with the property and updated regularly, or on an as-needed basis. These monitoring efforts will be mostly in-kind contributions.

The Peregrine Fund. Utah Department of Agriculture & Food. the livestock permittee. Iron County Commission. The DNR Virgin River Program. Utah State Senator. Utah State Representative. The Nature Conservancy. Utah Open Lands Trust. The Virgin River Land Preservation Association. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the 2 separate landowners. This project represents a unique opportunity for a partnership between 2 private landowners, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

A Conservation Management Plan will be written for each property to address grazing, timber, wildlife, and other management issues. These plans will be reviewed every 5 years with the Utah Department of Agriculture, Forestry Fire & State Lands, and the UDWR. The UDWR will also perform yearly monitoring on the properties to be sure the Conservation Values identified in the easement deed are being upheld.

07/31/2019

11/26/2021

2022

563 acres of private property for a Conservation Easement with California condor as the target species. Cedar Mountain, Iron County Utah.

Acquired Section 6 funding for the purchase of the property. Completed a baseline inventory, Phase I Environmental assessment and a Letter of Remoteness for mineral exploration on the property.

UDWR nor Utah Department of Agriculture & Foods will proceed with the purchase of this Conservation Easement. Project has been completed and closed out. The title company will invoice UDWR for the cancellation of the project. Funds will be paid and any remainder will be sent back to UDWR.