Upper Pack Creek Restoration: After the Pack Creek fire in 2021, dozens of debris flows occurred in Pack Creek. These flooding events have resulted in vertical incision that is lowering the local water table. Downstream, in the Pack Creek community, people rely on the local unconfined aquifer for municipal water; the community has expressed concern of the unconfined aquifer being dewatered as the vertical incision is clearly releasing more water than expected. Other impacts that could be seen are a loss of riparian vegetation in the USFS picnic area as the wetland indicator species rooting depth may not be in sync with the lowering of the water table. The upper and middle Pack and Mill Creek watersheds on USFS land are year round habitat for Mule Deer and are a low to medium use migration corridor. Upper Pack Creek is also habitat for turkey populations. Stream restoration and work in riparian areas within the watershed will improve wildlife habitat and improve water availability and quality as well as food sources for both Mule Deer and turkey. Lower Watershed Need (RRR/FFSL) The lowest 5 miles of Pack Creek and 3.5 miles of Mill Creek run through Spanish Valley and the City of Moab, and in many areas are dominated by areas of dense woody invasive species where the creek has perennial flow. In the last 5 years there has also been an increase of invasive ravenna grass along both Mill and Pack Creeks increasing fire hazards and reducing native plant diversity. In addition to dangerous levels of fire fuels, the dense woody vegetation in some areas along the creek focuses high water flows into the channel rather than allowing it to spread, resulting in significant downcutting and channelization, as well as creating significant debris dams that divert high flows. This downcutting has lowered the water table along the creek, reduced native riparian vegetation, and increased erosion. Channel diversions due to debris dam establishment during flood events has also caused some significant damage. High flows over the past two years due to active monsoon seasons have exacerbated issues in both creeks. 2022 proved to be a very active monsoon year creating some rather extreme problems in the lower reaches of the creeks. In addition to assisting with fire fuels reduction activity along the creeks by FFSL, this project focuses on bank stabilization work, channel work and other active native plant regeneration to help increase the resiliency of the riparian area. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): This project addresses overall watershed health by improving water quality conditions, improving soil conditions, increasing floodplain functionality, increasing streambank stability, decreasing fire hazards, increasing native plant diversity and densities, and improving wildlife habitats. This would be accomplished by removing invasive plant species, construction of gully control structures, re-seeding of disturbed areas, and by planting willows on eroding streambanks.

Upper Pack Creek (USFS) Restoration Objectives: 1) Collaborate with and meet the needs of the Pack Creek community. 2) Slow debris-flow velocities. 3) Restore channel dimensions by accumulating sediment within the incised sections of Pack Creek. 4) Initiate the regeneration of riparian vegetation. 5) Protect the Pack Creek unconfined aquifer. Lower Creek Objectives (Mill and Pack, RRR and FFSL) 1) Reduce fire fuels in critical areas to reduce fire hazard as well as reduce high flood flow debris damming and channel shifts 2) Establish vegetation in recently cleared areas where it is not passively regenerating 3) Implement bank stabilization and channel work to help mitigate for high flood flows, and improve stability and access during lower flood flows BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): 1) Improve streambank stability and floodplain functionality by vegetating eroding streambanks 2) Reduce erosion by closing social trails, restoring disturbed areas and constructing gully control structures 3) Improve riparian conditions with higher native plant densities by reducing invasive plant species including Russian Olive and Tamarisk 4) Reduce risk of catastrophic wildfires and associated downstream damage by reducing the density of invasive plants to less than 5% in the riparian corridor 5) Improve water quality conditions with frequent trash removal in high use recreation areas 6) Improve wildlife habitat conditions by increasing native plant diversity

Upper Pack Creek Restoration (USFS): Currently, the Pack Creek watershed is the most critically threatened watershed in the La Sal Mountains. Since the Pack Creek fire in 2021, south facing slopes are still experiencing slow recovery times with little to no ground cover to protect from runoff. The numerous debris-flows have changes the drainages significantly by means of lateral and vertical incision. In some areas of Pack Creek, the incision has reached the unconfined aquifer's aquitard and has already been releasing more water than average into the stream. The continuation and severity of debris-flows and their associated erosion is a relatively high risk to the hydrologic function, biotic integrity, and site stability of Pack Creek and the associated aquifer; not only is this a threat to the ecology of the area, but may have undesirable consequences to the Pack Creek community. Lower Watershed (both creeks, RRR/FFSL) While vegetation is recovering in the burned areas of Upper Pack Creek, a particularly active monsoon season has changed a lot in both drainages through the populated portions of the watershed. Mill Creek also flooded at historic levels this monsoon season and there is need to recover some balance in the flood plain areas, especially reestablishing vegetation in areas where the stream may be prone to lateral migration during larger flow events. The primary threats to the Mill Creek Watershed include invasive woody and non-woody plant concentrations that result in: decreased riparian diversity and native plant density which results in loss of habitat, reduced channel stability and flood channel predictability, and increasing fire fuels density and distribution which increases risk of fire. In order to keep the forward momentum and interest in riparian management active revegetation in areas where passive regeneration does not occur as well as channel stabilization work in critical areas. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): This project addresses multiple threats to watershed health and water quality conditions including invasive plant species, accelerated erosion and sedimentation, decreased riparian plant densities and diversity, potential for catastrophic wildfires and damaging flood events. These impacts affect both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitats. These threats will continue to increase in severity without these treatments. Mill Creek is currently listed for high stream temperatures and high levels of Total Dissolved Solids. By reducing erosion and revegetating disturbed areas, water quality conditions and aquatic habitats will be improved along with aquatic habitats. Without this project water quality conditions may continue to degrade. There are no threats or risks expected from implementing this project. BLM and partners are committed to working in the Mill Creek Watershed until restoration efforts are complete and sustainable.

Upper Pack Creek Watershed (USFS): The project is consistent with the Standards and Guidelines of the Manti-La Sal Forest Land and Resource Management Plan of 1986, as amended. III-11: Flood damage repair programs in conjunction with fisheries improvement would result in improved conditions of damaged streams. Other identified watershed improvement needs would be completed at a reasonable rate throughout the planning period, which would reduce soil erosion and stream sedimentation. Lower Watershed (Mill and Pack creeks): The Grand County General Plan includes the vision and goal of preserving riparian habitat by improving the condition of land along the Mill Creek corridor. This project would improve riparian habitat by reducing the amount of invasive plant species and increasing native plant diversity and densities in Mill Creek Canyon. Grand County Noxious Weed List includes Russian olive, and recently Ravenna Grass was added. This project would reduce the amount of Russian olive, tamarisk and ravenna throughout the entire watershed. The Grand County Resource Management Plan encourages public land managers to enhance and restore watersheds in the Moab and Spanish Valleys and encourages FFSL to reduce wildfire hazards in the wildland-urban interface. The plan also identifies that invasive weeds should be reduced in order to allow native species to thrive with wildlife corridors that connect natural areas. The plan specifically mentions that riparian habitat should be preserved and restored. This project would reduce the risk of fire, particularly in the wildland-urban interface while reducing invasive weeds such as Tamarisk, Russian Olive, and Ravenna grass. Restoring the riparian area will create more continuous native habitat and improve the watershed by reducing erosion in the creek. The Grand Conservation District Resource Assessment identifies natural and social resources present in Grand County and details specific areas of concern, including soil erosion and noxious weeds. The assessment cites a need to improve stream banks and riparian areas by removing invasive species and improving native plant communities. This project would reduce the amount of noxious weeds in Mill Creek Canyon, improving riparian conditions and increasing native plant diversity and densities. The Southeast Utah Riparian Partnership (SURP) prepared the Colorado River Woody Invasive Species Management Plan through collaboration with 29 local partners including the Tamarisk Coalition, Grand County Council and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The plan's main objective is to reduce non-native plant species within 80% of high priority streams by 2020. The Mill Creek Watershed is listed as a high-priority area in this plan. This project would reduce the amount of non-native invasive plant species in Mill Creek Canyon. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): The Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) identified Mill Creek as impaired and not meeting state water quality standards in 1998. In 2002 UDWQ completed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report with recommendations to improve water quality conditions. These recommendations include improving riparian conditions and decreasing erosion within the watershed. This project would improve riparian conditions by reducing the amount of invasive plant species (Russian Olive and Ravenna Grass) and increasing native plant diversity and densities, by reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire, and increasing overflow channels, therefore reducing damage from large flood events. This project would also decrease erosion by constructing several small gully control structures directly adjacent to Mill Creek in Mill Creek Canyon. The BLM Moab Field Office 2008 Resource Management Plan (RMP) identifies two objectives that would be accomplished by implementing this plan. Goal/ objective #VEG-9 states "reduce Tamarisk and Russian Olive where appropriate ... and restore riparian habitat to native willow and cottonwood communities". Goal/ objective #WL-8 states "prevent the spread of invasive and non-native plants especially cheatgrass, Tamarisk and Russian Olive. Strive for a dense understory of native species in riparian areas with a reduction in Tamarisk and improvement of cottonwood and willow regeneration." This project would reduce the amount of invasive and non-native plants including Russian Olive and Ravenna Grass in the riparian areas in Mill Creek Canyon, allowing native species such as cottonwoods and willows and native understory species to flourish and regenerate. The 2005 BLM Utah Riparian Policy states:" riparian areas are to be improved at every opportunity." This project would improve the riparian area by reducing the non-native invasive plant species and increasing native plant species diversity and densities in Mill Creek Canyon. The Grand County General Plan includes the vision and goal of preserving riparian habitat by improving the condition of land along the Mill Creek corridor. This project would improve riparian habitat by reducing the amount of invasive plant species and increasing native plant diversity and densities in Mill Creek Canyon. The Utah Wildlife Action Plan, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, identifies actions needed to protect lowland riparian habitats including restoring degraded habitats. This project would protect lowland riparian habitats by reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires, reducing the potential for damage from large flood events by increased overflow channels in Mill Creek Canyon, and decreasing sediment loading from gullies adjacent to Mill Creek. The WAP also identifies Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher as species of greatest conservation need. The removal of non-native vegetation followed by revegetation of native species such as cottonwood and willow may create stopover and foraging areas for these species. As willow patches become more dense through time, willow flycatchers may find nesting opportunities within the project area. Big Free-tailed Bat and Allen's Big-eared Bat are also benefited by improvements to the watershed. Threats to these species may be riparian management and disturbance near roost sites. This project will improve the riparian area and also aims to reduce disturbance from recreation by eliminating trails. The Conservation and Management Plan for Three Species in Utah (2006) describes the importance of maintaining populations of roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker, and bluehead sucker throughout their ranges. One method for maintaining populations is to enhance and maintain habitat by restoring habitat features and altered channels. Increases in water temperature and declines in water quality negatively impact the fish and are only exacerbated by invasive riparian species such as tamarisk. Although these fish are more often found in large rivers, tributary streams are often important for their life cycle. Removal of invasive species and allowing the re-establishment of native vegetation can increase stream complexity as well as reduce temperature. The State Resource Management Plan identifies the importance of the Watershed Restoration Initiative. It specifically mentions support for efforts to reduce wildfire and the associated soil loss from erosion and sedimentation. It talks specifically about improving wildlife populations and reducing the risk of additional listing of species under the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the plan identifies the importance of improving resistance to invasive plant species, specifically mentioning that healthy ecosystems are the most effective way of preventing the spread of noxious weeds. The state supports the proposals proactive management of noxious weeds. This project will reduce the risk of fire by removing flammable, invasive vegetation from the riparian area and allowing for the establishment of native species which provide better habitat for sensitive wildlife species. The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Recovery Plan identifies the removal of exotic plants as important for the recovery of this species. This project would reduce the amount of exotic plants such as Russian Olive and Ravenna Grass in Mill Creek Canyon. The Utah Fire Amendment has a goal to reduce hazard fuels. The full range of fuel reduction methods is authorized, consistent with forest and management area emphasis and direction. * Certain vegetative types are to be managed such that varying successional stages will be present to provide for a high level of vegetative diversity and productivity (III-2).* Pinyon-juniper stands on gentle slopes and on lands with good soils will be treated periodically to maintain early successional stages (III-8). Black rosy-finch have been documented using burned or treated pinyon-juniper habitat for winter foraging on the La Sals. These early seral habitats produce the grass and forb seeds these birds rely on in the winter. * Intensive management practices would maintain structural diversity within the woody species in at least 25 percent of the area covered by the Gamble oak and mountain shrub type. In some cases, the Gamble oak would be encouraged to successionally develop as an open savannah or in a high seral stage (III-9). The Moab Valley CWPP- Mill and Pack Creek Corridors are priority areas under the latest (2020) version of the CWPP. Data from the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal categorizes both corridors as having a "very high" to "extreme" risk due to the fuel loading and proximity of structures to the fuels. The CWPP list "Reduce undesirable fuels adjacent to riparian areas to reduce fire impacts and maintain channel stability" and "Manage vegetation adjacent to roadways, trails, and railroad lines to prevent wildfire ignitions and to create green strips and fuel breaks" as priority management actions across the Valley. The plan also focuses on noxious weed control, improvement of wildlife habitat, improvements to channel stability and management of recreation areas to prevent wildfire ignitions.

(Mill and Pack Creeks) This proposal seeks to reduce the threat and intensity of fire by expanding and connecting fire breaks on private lands along vulnerable stretches of Mill and Pack Creeks in the lower reaches of the creeks. These fire breaks are designed to break up contiguous fuel loading and protect ecological and human values along these riparian corridors. According to UWRAP (Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal), there are high and very high levels of fire risk along a large portion of these riparian corridors, which means there is a high likelihood of loss or harm in the event of a fire. This was proven to be true in the 2018 Cinema Court fire, in which 8 homes were lost in hours along Pack Creek. The community has since voiced desire for fire protection, and Pack Creek will be prioritized for fire resiliency. In Mill and Pack Creeks in the Moab valley, nonnative woody species (Russian olive and tamarisk) have largely replaced fire-resilient natives such as willows, sumac, and cottonwoods. Ravenna grass, a nonnative and fast-growing ornamental bunchgrass, has also been outcompeting natives along these creeks. Contiguous loading of these species serves as a serious wildfire threat for the riparian area. Russian olive, tamarisk and Ravenna have created a dense understory of growth below native cottonwood trees. They all produce large quantities of volatile fuels that allow fire to spread vertically and reach native canopy cover, creating devastating crown fires in the cottonwoods. The current fuel loading also exacerbates the speed and intensity with which fire moves horizontally. Furthermore, fire spread and intensity are more extreme when there is an extended drought in the area or a buildup of dead and senescent material in the tamarisk crowns, as is currently the case. Removal efforts are expected to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire by reducing volatile fuel loads in some of the more choked sections of the creeks. It will also allow better creek access for fire personnel in the event of a fire. This will not only improve firefighter safety, it will also protect the homes and structures adjacent to the creek. Additionally, removing the invasive vegetation will promote the establishment of under-story native vegetation and will reduce soil erosion, which is critical to maintaining riparian ecosystem resilience. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): The proposed project would significantly reduce the risk of wildfires and reduce the continuity of hazardous fuels including ladder fuels such as Ravenna grass. The potential for human caused wildfires is high in the heavier recreation use areas. Removing Russian olives and Ravenna Grass not only reduces fuel loads but also isolates smaller fuel load areas. If a fire were to start, the chance of a large scale catastrophic fire would be greatly minimized as the fire would be more accessible and suppressed more easily, and may not spread as rapidly.

Mill Creek and Pack Creek are the main perennial streams that drain the Mill Creek Watershed and are listed by the State of Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) as not meeting the state standards associated with its assigned beneficial uses. Parameters of concern include high stream temperatures, high readings of e.coli bacteria and high levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). In 2002, UDWQ prepared a TMDL report recommending actions to protect and improve water quality conditions such as improving riparian and streambank conditions. The Mill Creek Watershed has been designated as a "Sole Source Aquifer" by the EPA to protect the shallow unconfined aquifer that provides drinking water to the residents of Moab and Spanish Valley. This designation is recognized by both the BLM and USFS in their respective management plans, and most surface disturbing activities are not allowed on federal lands in the Mill Creek Watershed. This project has the potential to improve and protect water quality conditions over both the short term and the long term by increasing the functional integrity of the riparian areas, by improving soil and vegetation conditions in the uplands, and by reducing the risk of severe, large scale wildfires. Invasive plants such as Russian olive and tamarisk constrain the channel, clog overflow channels, increase streambank erosion while reducing native tree and shrub regeneration. Reducing the density of invasive plant species in the riparian corridor would increase the functional integrity of the riparian corridor by improving floodplain connectivity, increase streambank stability which reduces erosion during larger flood events, and increase bank storage in times of high runoff allowing higher releases of shallow groundwater during periods of low stream flows. These actions would improve stream temperatures and reduce sediment loads in the perennial streams. This project would improve upland soil and vegetation conditions by managing high use recreation areas and trails, re-seeding disturbed areas and by constructing small gully control structures. Better upland conditions lead to improved infiltration rates, reduced overland flow and associated erosion and sediment loading to Mill Creek during larger rain events. This project would reduce the risk of severe large scale wildfires by clearing fuels from riparian areas and drainages. By reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the watershed, the potential for associated damage including reduced soil infiltration, increased erosion and loss of top soil, long term loss of soil productivity, and accelerated sediment loading to the system would be greatly reduced. Treatment of drainages that could act as funnels during a wildfire would further protect and enhance riparian areas. This project has the potential to improve and protect water quantity over both the short term and the long term. By removing denser stands of invasive plant species from the riparian corridor, more water would be available to native plants. By improving floodplain connectivity and functionality, natural hydrologic streambank storage processes would improve. This would allow water during high runoff periods to recharge small banks and point bars. This stored water would be released during periods of low stream flows, enhancing instream flows and water quantity conditions in times of low flows. By improving soil and vegetation conditions in the upland areas, with increased infiltration rates and decreased runoff rates, and increased bank storage, water quantities would increase throughout the watershed.

Upper Pack Creek (USFS): The Moab District Watershed Restoration CE which covers most watershed restoration techniques on NFS lands in the La Sal Mountains was signed in January 2023. Lower Watershed: most project locations are identified and project designs are evolving due to changes in the floodplain from the 2022 floods. Any permitting (404, stream alteration and city or county) will be in place prior to any work commencing. Local permits expire after only 3 months so these permits will be submitted and acquired at the appropriate times for work to be done. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): The proposed project is ready for implementation on BLM lands. All necessary NEPA documents have been completed and approved. This included consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the Endangered Species Act. All Pesticide Use Approvals and archaeological clearances have been completed.

Upper Pack Creek Restoration (USFS): 1) Contract the installation of gabion baskets in two different methods a) retaining wall gabions b) cross-vane gabions. The stream restoration is approximately 1 mile in length and will contain 30-40 cross-vane gabions, and 600 feet of retaining wall. 2) Contract the design and develop a stream crossing to be more flood resilient 3) Willows will be transplanted into the gabion baskets to increase strength and longevity of the gabions. Lower Watershed Methods (RRR/FFSL) RRR will use a variety of methods to meet project objectives. Some of these efforts will connect with local school groups led by Science Moab, and volunteer efforts to help implement them. Others will involve youth corps or other contractors, and Grand County Weed Department expertise and assistance. 1) Establish vegetation with seeding, containerized plants, poles and wattle installations in key locations. 2) Reduce fine fuels and competition for native perennial species through mowing and other fine fuels reduction efforts 3) Ensure previous olive removal activities are followed up on through basal bark, foliar and cut stump treatments. We have found 3 years of follow up is needed to ensure full kill on removed olive trees 4) Work with land owners, city and county governments and others to link efforts across administrative and legal boundaries to ensure project consistency and collaboration. 5) In key areas stablize banks using bio-engineerd techniques including: a) bank laybacks, willow wattles and grass plantings. b) gabion baskets (with vegetation included) in some areas c) cross veins and other in stream structures where needed. FFSL will continue to work with identified landowners to remove invasive woody vegetation along the creek corridors to improve the riparian habitat associated with Mill and Pack creeks. We will also be working with Science Moab on community outreach surrounding the work we do in fuels reduction and riparian restoration across the valley. To meet the objectives FFSL will 1) Reduce fuel loading by Hand-thinning and chipping Russian olive and tamarisk along Mill and Pack Creeks 2)Applying herbicide on cut stumps and treat resprouts for 3-year post-treatment to ensure maintenance of the work. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): 1) mechanical, chemical and hand treatments to eliminate or control Russian Olive, Tamarisk, Ravenna Grass and other invasive plants in coordination with the Grand County Weed Dept 2) plant willows and other native plants in disturbed areas 3) reseed disturbed areas by hand 5) construct small Zeedyk style erosion control structures using native materials in small gullies 6) conduct daily trash pickup and trail management using volunteer groups whenever possible

Each participating collaborator is performing monitoring in their areas. Upper Pack Creek Restoration (USFS): 1) Longitudinal transects will capture % grade and channel features before implementation and post-years 1,2,3,4,5,10. 2) Photopoints will be taken pre and post implementation to capture the visual changes in morphology. Lower Watershed Monitoring will include 1) mortality monitoring of planted materials 2) channel cross sections in bioengineered areas 3) photopoints to track vegetation changes and channel changes over time BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): BLM monitoring will involve long term photo points, vegetation monitoring, multiple indicator monitoring (MIM) and water quality sampling. Water quality investigations will be conducted in cooperation with the Moab Area Watershed Partnership and the local UDWQ watershed coordinator, as part of a watershed wide water quality study. A comprehensive monitoring report will be completed after project implementation is completed. In areas within Mill/Pack Creek where treatments have been implemented, the wildlife tracker website provided by the State of Utah will be used to track increases in use patterns within treatment areas.

Upper Pack Creek community, San Juan County, Grand County, Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, Utah State, City , Rim to Rim Restoration and Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Rim to Rim Restoration works with land owners in the upper and lower watersheds to facilitate work across administrative and legal boundaries, manages field crews, assists with project installation, and performs quality control on project installation. Moab Valley Fire Department provides assistance with land owner communication, fire monitoring (if mowing occurs during times of high fire concern), and project planning. FFSL as well as the Moab Valley Fire Department have been a part of the working group that has begun to coordinate the gathering of landowner needs for clearing of Mill and Pack creeks. In addition FFSL is completing Russian olive and tamarisk removal on private lands within this proposal. Private land owners throughout the watershed has been involved in project implementation and planning efforts. Many are also engaged in post project maintenance. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): 1- The Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) is a partner on BLM actions in the Mill Creek Watershed, providing funding and technical support on a multi-year basis. This work is important to UDWQ as it is improving water quality conditions and protecting beneficial uses including recreation, wildlife and livestock throughout the watershed. 2- The Moab Area Watershed Partnership is a local group of water users, water and land managers that work together to resolve water related issues in the Mill Creek Watershed. This group supports this project proposal and has helped with related monitoring efforts. 3- The Bureau of Land Management is committed to improving watershed health, mitigating impacts from increased recreation and reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires. 4- The Grand County Weed Dept is supportive of this project and has been an active partner with implementation on BLM and private lands, focusing on Ravenna Grass treatments. 5- Moab Solutions is a local non-profit organization that works closely with BLM on resource protection efforts in Mill Creek Canyon, especially working on trail management and trash pickup.

Upper Pack Creek (USFS): Future management in Pack Creek will be focused on the long-term recovery of the ecosystem after the Pack Creek fire in 2021. On forest service lands, multiple-use will still be a mission goal, but emphasis will be placed on the restoration and protection of resources to achieve long-term sustainability. Lower Watershed (both creeks): Extreme floods in 2022 have catalyzed some additional action at the City and County levels -- and RRR is currently assessing the feasibility of more formal long term collaborative efforts across city, county and other administrative boundaries to help sustain consistency in floodplain management throughout the watershed. Rim to Rim is working with the City, County and Moab Valley Fire Department to create resilient firebreaks and improve communication paths to coordinate mitigation efforts and long-term follow-up, providing a solid framework for sustained coordination. There are new opportunities for reconnecting the Mill and Pack creeks channels to their flood plains through the use of native plants and instream structures to slow flows and encourage natural processes that will encourage groundwater recharge. A few locations have been identified for work in 2023 and early 2024, and more channel and bank stabilization work will be forthcoming in future years. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): Future management will continue to support the goals of this project. BLM designated the Mill Creek sub-watershed as a municipal watershed, with no new surface disturbing activities allowed. Most of the BLM lands in the Mill Creek Watershed are within the Mill Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) based on important ecological resources as well as within the Mill Creek Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Grazing activities have been suspended indefinitely in Mill Creek Canyon to protect the important ecological and archaeological resources, therefore there is more forage available for wildlife. Grazing will continue in the middle Pack Creek sub-watershed as vegetation conditions recover with fire rehab actions.

Upper Pack Creek (USFS): The project area is part of three allotments. As part of a larger project, the treatments have decreased the amount of woody vegetation (especially pinyon-juniper and oak) within much of the grazed areas in these allotments. This has led to an increased production of herbaceous vegetation (grass and forb species) on all 4500 treated acres, as these woody species crowd out all other vegetation. Soil health is relatively poor under pinyon/juniper canopies which may lead to more erosion, water pollution, and early snowmelt. Historically there has been repeated and heavy livestock and wildlife grazing due to large concentrations on a small number of acres. Decreasing the amount of woody vegetation increases soil health and allows for a more even distribution of livestock and wildlife which will limit the amount that they compete for habitat and nutrition. Even distribution is also linked with soil health, as there will be lighter use. Less woody encroachment leads to greater spring flow which is also a tool to help with distribution of livestock and wildlife. Noxious weeds are not expected to increase or spread as a result of the treatments as best management practices will be implemented. Treatment should decrease the risk of spreading of noxious weeds. Range trend studies showed little cheatgrass in the areas to be treated and the risk of cheatgrass being established as a result of the project is very low, due to the existing diversity and healthy grass production of most of the understory layers and because of the elevation. Any other noxious weeds in the area would continue to be treated. In the short-term there could be some interruption of grazing operations; however, the long-term benefits to the range resource outweigh the short-term negative impacts that may have to occur to individual permit holders such as resting pastures or exclusion of livestock from areas. Livestock will still be able to continue to graze in the area above the private in-holding in Pack Creek and have access to a small part of Pack Creek for water. In the future, off-site water developments will decrease livestock need of accessing the creek for water. Pack Creek - Because of the recent Pack Creek fire, the Forest Service will be resting portions of allotments that were impacted by the fire for a period of 2-3 years. Grazing will only resume when land managers determine it to be sustainable based on the current regeneration of vegetation. Lower Watershed (both creeks): A focus of our work in the floodplain is to increase infiltration in a way that will also improve the flood capacity of the riparian area by allowing water to spread out and soak in during large events rather than simply rush down a tight channel, downcutting and eroding as it flows. The project also has the potential to both improve and increase forage along both creeks with the removal of dense and dead stands of woody invasives. The removal of these invasives will open up the understory and will allow for increases in native grasses and forbs which are more desirable for many native species. Invasives removal will also allow for greater access to the creek for wildlife. There is currently no grazing along this part of the project area. Some of the project area is located on public land owned by the City of Moab and the Grand County School District. This project has the opportunity to improve recreation areas along Mill and Pack creeks by opening more vegetation choked land to use as well as improving barren areas by reestablishing native plant species. In many areas that FFSL does removal in we can't leave all of the chipped and cut biomass on site due to the size of working areas. We typically will distribute chips for use to multiple non-profits around town, and when they are full we will distribute to landowners for use in the area. Firewood size logs typically get stacked and will be picked up by community members. BLM (middle Mill Creek and Pack Creek sub-watersheds): This project would provide more sustainable uses of natural resources due to improved watershed health. Domestic livestock and wildlife, both aquatic and terrestrial, would benefit from improved watershed conditions in the Pack Creek portion of the watershed from the post fire rehab actions. Although there is no grazing currently authorized on BLM lands within Mill Creek Canyon, both upland and aquatic wildlife habitats would be improved from this project. These improvements include increased forage for wildlife species, increased pools and habitat diversity for native fish, and more habitat connectivity for all wildlife species. With the heavy recreation use in parts of Mill Creek Canyon, this project will allow use to continue while protecting natural resources.

07/01/2023

06/30/2024

2024

Rim to Rim Restoration (RRR): In the Mill Creek Restoration Partnership WRI 6518 Rim to Rim Restoration successfully implemented work across property boundaries and among agencies. Coordination took many forms, including coordinating planning meetings, as well as conducting site visits with contract crews, interagency work, and writing scopes of work. Coordination Rim to Rim Restoration successfully facilitated and supervised many projects this season, working across property boundaries and between different agencies, including work in Upper Pack Creek on USFS. There has also been continued progress on creating and communicating project procedures to contract crews on the ground, especially when there is limited contact with those crews. Project work On the ground methods were primarily: -Hand removal and herbicide treatment to clear tamarisk and Russian Olive from around native plants including willow and cottonwood. -Spraying knapweed and other high priority exotics along Mill and Pack Creeks. -Mowing and hand removing herbaceous annuals and other invasive plants along Mill and Pack Creeks between 500 W and 100 W in town (shown on map as "manual removal") -Revegetation with longstem plantings, containerized plantings. -Frill cut treatment of Russian olive and elm. -Installing fencing and plantings around eroded springs in Upper Pack Creek on USFS units. - lop and scatter work in and around the Pack Creek Ranch area where UCC crews cut dead trees and either scattered the debris or used it to build small dams in erosion gullies where they also seeded. -Instream structures in Upper Pack Creek, and bank layback work BLM: Work completed on BLM lands included willow plantings in the North Fork of Mill Creek near the confluence with Mill Creek, adjacent to Kens Lake Campground and erosion control work on a disturbed hillslope adjacent to Mill Creek. Work also included Ravenna Grass control throughout the year and multiple volunteer days of tumbleweed and goathead removal near the powerdam area by the Grand County Weed Dept. Finally social trail management and trash pick up was conducted by the local non-profit organization Moab Solutions throughout the year. FFSL: Work on private lands followed the same scope as previous years where all Russian olive and tamarisk on sites were cut, chipped, and stumps treated. Elm was typically left on sites where little cottonwood overstory was left but was otherwise cut and chipped. Chips were spread as much as feasible on sites. We also removed about 5 cords of wood from sites for distribution to wood banks in San Juan County with the Wood For Life program. Sites were typically treated with FFSL crews in conjunction with UCC crews. Team Rubicon made another appearance this year with "Operation Grand Adventure". Over the course of 7 days we had roughly 25 volunteer sawyers working on 3 sites in the valley. In addition to Team Rubicon Volunteers we had assistance from the BLM, Moab Valley Fire Department, and Rim to Rim Restoration. GCWD: Grand County Weeds Department focused on removing herbaceous invasive species, including Ravennagrass (Tripidium ravennae), Kochia (Bassia scoparia), and Russian thistle / Tumbleweed (Salsola tragus), from the in-town Mill and Pack creek corridors.GCWD monitored, mapped, and treated 66 acres along the creek banks, and revisited work areas throughout the growing season. All treatments were completed using hand tools.

Rim to Rim Restoration (RRR): The Rim to Rim Restoration portion of completed work for WRI 6518 was, 8.1 acres of flood debris removal, 20 acres of Russian olive removal (cutting, stump treatments and chipping) erosion control work, 6 acres of fine fuels mowing, 2 acres of containerized planting and 4 acres of herbicide application, for a total of 40.1 acres of total treatments. Rim to Rim Project coordination has been fine-tuned over the course of previous WRI Mill and Pack Creek projects. Expanding upon and improving these WRI projects year after year has greatly improved coordination between agencies and other partners including Rim to Rim. Other coordination improvements that were implemented in this phase of work were increased involvement of the City of Moab and Moab Valley Fire in planning and developing work plans for the creeks after the large flood and the continued involvement of the Team Rubicon volunteer organization in both fuels removal work and flood debris work. RRR coordination included the use of an herbaceous weed coordination plan that was reviewed by the BLM, NPS and the GCWD to help with coordination and planning for herbaceous weed treatment projects and improved post-hitch reporting from Utah Conservation Corps crews. BLM: all the projects implemented on BLM lands were nearly 100% successful, providing important streambank stabilization, removal of invasive plant species, reduction of social trails which all allow natural revegetation to occur and water quality conditions to improve. FFSL: Work was somewhat typical for Moab Valley Russian olive removal sites in FY24, except for the decrease in accessibility due to sand in the creek corridors. Starting in 2022 the increasing sand deposition with our large floods during monsoon season has made access significantly more difficult especially in our attempts to bring chippers into the creeks. We continued to make good headway removing invasive trees in the corridor but we may need to look to different tactics to continue removal work in future years including burning or mastication where possible. GCWD: GCWD's goal was to target Ravennagrass (Grand County Class 4 Noxious Weed) in the Mill and Pack creek corridors, due to the concern of it acting as a fine / ladder fuel. Removal efforts also included other herbaceous invasive species such as Kochia and Russian Thistle. GCWD was able to remove all Ravennagrass found in the project area, and also helped facilitate Americorps work days and volunteer events.

Rim to Rim Restoration (RRR): Work on Mill and Pack Creeks has built strong collaborative relations between land managers at the local FFSL Sovereign Lands office, DNR staff, the City and County, MVFD, private landowners, the BLM, USFS and nonprofits. With the many administrative boundaries in our area the continued communication through the SE Utah Riparian Partnership is creating continuity across these boundaries and across intra agency boundaries as well. Coordination: RRR coordination efforts will continue through the FY25 WRI Mill and Pack project as well as through the SE Utah Riparian Partnership. RRR has a contract with the City of Moab to help with planning and coordination of work in the creeks and also is managing a community wildfire defense grant that will relate directly to this upcoming work. That role will increase the effectiveness of the WRI funding for FY25, including riparian restoration efforts. The ArcGIS Fieldmaps tool developed in collaboration with the BLM in the WRI Colorado 5.0 project will help refine and track future planning efforts and project reporting. Mortality Monitoring: RRR began monitoring the mortality of native plantings in 2019 and those efforts will continue this coming year. This data will be used to focus and improve species selection, planting timing, methods and site selection. The mortality data is available at any time to project partners and other interested parties, RRR is also happy to provide a monitoring report to any interested partners. BLM: BLM will continue to monitor the Mill Creek Watershed and complete projects to ensure continued improvements to watershed health. FFSL: We will continue to monitor old removal sites and prioritize for retreatments as necessary. As mentioned above with increased difficulty in access due to sand deposition we will be working with the fire department and city to see if we can burn some material instead of chipping in certain difficult to access areas. We may also need to borrow tracked equipment in future phases in order to access many of our sites. GCWD: GCWD will continue to monitor and treat the project area monthly through the growing season. Non-chemical treatments were shown to be effective and well-received by the public, so removal using hand tools will be the primary method going forward. Since this project was drastically impacted by flash flooding - most vegetation was buried under sediment deposits following a flash flood, and with these deposits are likely countless seeds from upstream invasive species - more planning will be focused on pre-flood season removal and post- flood response.