The BLM and UDWR have constructed hundreds of guzzlers (wildlife water developments) and invested thousands of dollars in the construction of these facilities on public land. During drought years or when wildlife guzzlers fail, big game animals such as bighorn sheep, which have grown dependent on this available free water, may be forced to look elsewhere for water. This can create excess stress on lactating ewes and lambs and force them into less than desirable habitats, and may even cause premature death due to stress. Production and survival of young may decrease due to lack of forage and water availability during drought years. As these animals are forced to roam over larger areas seeking forage and water, excess energy can be expended, thus creating higher physiological demands. Ensuring water facilities are functioning and supplying free water will help reduce the stress of searching for new water sources and of traveling to other areas of the range that may put these animals into a compromised situation from predation, disturbance and stress. The Moab Field Office has constructed 13 bighorn sheep and 27 antelope water developments to enhance habitat for these species. These developments are checked annually by BLM, UDWR and volunteers. Many are in need of repair, reconstruction and water to make them functioning again to provide water. Many of the bighorn sheep water developments require parts and water to be hauled via helicopter. The BLM works with the UDWR and volunteers to accomplish maintenance, but, repair needs and water hauling exceeds annual budgets allocations for water development maintenance. Additional habitats in the vicinity are also assessed for potential improvements that may be needed to further ensure suitability of these habitats.

The objective of this project is to ensure desert bighorn and pronghorn guzzlers in the Moab Field Office are in good working order and are supplying free water to big game populations. Many other raptors, birds, reptiles, and small mammals also benefit from the availability of year round water, especially during drought and periods of low rainfall. For FY24, in addition to annual maintenance, four aprons on bighorn sheep guzzlers will either be replaced or installed. These aprons will be on the Upper Hell Roaring, Little Canyon, Long Canyon saddle, and Long Canyon guzzlers. The saucer tank at Little Canyon may also be replaced with a boss tank that is already available in the region.

Failure of these developments that animals have become dependent upon may lead to additional stress or even mortality. Lack of consistent maintenance often leads to catastrophic failure of the structure and expensive repairs. There are no ecological risks associated with implementing this project.

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 Sec 103 (C); The BLM is directed to manage public lands in a manner that will best meet present and future needs of the Nation. BLM National Policy Guidance on Wildlife and Fisheries Management (Manual 6500). This manual provides direction 'to restore, maintain and improve wildlife habitat conditions on public lands through the implementation of activity plans. Cisco Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, 1978; overall objective of the plan is to improve the 242,000 acres of habitat through the development of reliable water sources to provide water for approximately 750 adult antelope year-round. Hatch Point Habitat Management Plan, 1976; * Objective 3; Improve pronghorn, sage grouse and other big game and non- game species habitat by improving year-round water resources on Hatch Point. Potash-Confluence Habitat Management Plan, 1896; * Objective 4; Maintain water developments used by bighorn, chukar and other wildlife by providing funding where needed. Moab Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP), approved 2008 (BLM-UT-PL-09-001-1610 UT-060-2007-04) * Page 139 (WL-23): Install and improve year-round water resources within the LaSal Management Unit and the Cisco Desert Herd Unit (pronghorn). * Page 141 (WL-35); Improve desert bighorn habitat by installing and improving year round water resources within all desert bighorn habitat. Utah DWR Statewide Management Plan for Bighorn Sheep, 2018 * B. Habitat Management Goal: Provide good quality habitat for healthy populations of bighorn sheep. o Objective: Maintain or improve bighorn sheep habitat to enhance individual herd success and thereby promote the overall sustainability of bighorn sheep statewide. Strategy A. a. Identify valuable bighorn sheep habitats and work with land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance these areas. Strategy F. Improve or maintain existing water sources and develop new water sources as needed to improve distribution and abundance of bighorn sheep. Strategy J. Inform and educate the public concerning the needs of bighorn sheep including the effects of human disturbance and the need for habitat improvements. Utah DWR Statewide Management Plan for Pronghorn, 2017 B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve pronghorn habitat throughout the state. *Objective 1: Maintain or enhance the quantity and quality of pronghorn habitat. Strategy I. In conjunction with other land management agencies, develop and implement a maintenance schedule for existing water developments and develop new water sources as needed.

Having additional water on the landscape distributes animals and their use of forage which could contribute to reduction of fine fuels. Animal use around the guzzler should reduce potential fuels which could risk damage to guzzlers from a fire. Impacts to fire and fuels would likely be unrecordable.

Containing rainwater in a guzzler may reduce erosion from storm events on an extremely small scale as water is collected in the system rather than running across the landscape.

Archaeology, NEPA, Sec 7 - Not needed for maintenance. All other compliance will be completed as needed

A BLM Recreation/Wildlife Maintenance positions is in place to do biannual inspections, and maintenance of guzzlers in the Moab/Monticello area with an emphasis on bighorn sheep guzzlers. -Maintain over 47 large guzzlers for desert and rocky mountain bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and mule deer. Includes checking water levels, scheduling water delivery, completing needed repairs, stabilizing decks, tightening gutters, removing debris, fence maintenance, and removing and weeds or vegetation inhibiting wildlife use. -Manage a set of remote cameras at various guzzler locations -Winterize systems to prevent livestock use and freezing damage Funding from WRI will primarily be used to replace four aprons on bighorn sheep guzzlers and potentially one tank replacement. Due to remote access, materials and potentially people will need to be flown in via helicopter in at least three locations. Old materials will need to be flown out from Upper Hell Roaring. The saucer for little canyon will also need to be flown out. Guzzlers will be assembled on the ground with hand tools.

Most pronghorn guzzlers are visited biannually, and many bighorn sheep guzzlers are visited annually. Reports on guzzlers are documented in long-term databases. Guzzlers are checked for needed maintenance and any vandalism. Remote cameras are placed on guzzler to document wildlife use and potential vandalism.

The BLM hires a part-time person to monitor and maintain guzzlers. The Utah Wild Sheep foundation has been on-site for many of the guzzlers and have offered resources in terms of people and expertise. They have also contributed to funding BLM staff to monitor and maintain guzzlers. DWR personnel can assist in purchasing materials, monitoring guzzlers, and completing repairs. Volunteers and dedicated hunters are also used for maintenance if needed.

The DWR will be working with the Moab BLM office to get an agreement to use the DWR guzzler database so monitoring and maintenance needs are tracked in a central location. This database will allow each agency to see when a guzzler was last checked so that guzzlers can be continued to be maintained on a regular schedule. Guzzlers within BLM allotments are turned on and off annually and are visited 2x per season at a minimum to determine water level and other needs. Future needs include: -managing off-road recreation and closing or monitoring illegal trails -providing additional water in refugia areas -mitigation in bighorn habitats, primarily lambing areas, especially with recreation like base-jumping, high-lining, rope swings, human catapulting, base jumping etc. -identify habitat projects needed in nearby areas -inform public of closed or limited areas

Water systems that are accessible to livestock are turned off and locked while cattle are on the range. Catchment facilities are fenced to prevent damage from livestock. Bighorn guzzlers are typically inaccessible by livestock. However, wildlife specific guzzlers on the landscape decrease wildlife dependency on stock waters and disperses wildlife use on the range. Bighorn sheep in particular are a charismatic species that are also a species of greatest conservation need. Public viewing of sheep creates intrinsic and economic value.

03/25/2024

03/25/2024

2024

DWR contracted Mountain West Helicopters to fly in one guzzler tank and apron materials into three guzzler locations in the Moab field office on March 25, 2024. Flight needed to be completed prior to April 1st due to timing restrictions for bighorn sheep. The three guzzler locations were Upper Hell Roaring, Little Canyon, and Long Canyon saddle. The Long Canyon apron was accessed by vehicle and did not require helicopter time. Apron materials were purchased direct by UWSF. Two apron sizes were used on the four guzzlers, two were 15' x 36' (Upper Hell Roaring, Little Canyon) and 2 were 15' x 12' (Long Canyon, Long-Canyon Saddle)

The following activities occurred at each guzzler site: Long Canyon Saddle-fly-in apron materials-500 lbs Little Canyon- fly in 1800 gallon boss tank guzzler 900 lbs and apron materials 1200 lbs Upper Hell Roaring-fly in apron materials 1200 lbs, fencing material 400 lbs Long Canyon-- drive in apron materials. Installation assistance from UWSF--complete Because materials were not able to be flown in until just prior to the lamb-closure, installation was not able to be completed before the end of the fiscal year. Installation will be completed in Fall 2025.

Guzzler use and maintenance needs will be monitored by the BLM as part of their annual guzzler program. Annual reports are available that describe needs at each guzzler location.