Red Creek flows through the Red Creek Flat WMA. The riparian area adjacent to Red Creek is generally degraded as shown through a general lack of species diversity in the WMA. Success of this project will be shown through the improvement of Red Creek and the riparian area associated with it. Red Creek Flat has been, and is currently grazed by livestock operators. Red Creek Flat is managed by the DWR to provide habitat for wildlife including mule deer, pronghorn, and elk. Red Creek Flat is crucial winter range for elk and mule deer, and it is also crucial summer range for pronghorn.

This project is composed of a few different components. Each component will be discussed individually. Gully Plugs: Examples of successful gully plug installations have taken place in the Northeastern region by the USFS. After consulting with the USFS about their project in Sowers Canyon, we selected locations that would benefit from gully plug complexes. The complex sites were selected for their potential to create backwater riparian areas that will promote the success of other project components by increasing potential riparian area. BDA Installations: BDAs have been used in the past to raise the water table, and increase the rate of sedimentation in the stream. Because Red Creek carries high levels of sediment, we expect installed BDA complexes to increase the rate of sedimentation in the stream, and raise the water table. We plan to install complexes within the large exclosures that are already built. By installing BDAs in the exclosures, we will be able to observe the impacts of BDAs in the area without the interference of wildlife or livestock interfering with the longevity of the BDAs. Riparian Plantings: Exclosures in the area have shown that cottonwood, willow, buffaloberry, and a robust population of grasses are capable of establishing in the riparian area of the WMA. The goal is to plant a variety of riparian species that will be able to take advantage of the protected riparian area provided by the exclosures. Although present in small numbers, cottonwood and willow have struggled to establish outside of exclosures. Expanding on the success of previous exclosures will help to establish a mosaic of habitats to be utilized by pronghorn, mule deer, and elk. Exclosure construction: By using gully plugs to increase the riparian area, we will be able to identify the best locations for a series of smaller exclosures that will protect cottonwoods and willows until they are mature enough to not be at threat by browsing livestock. Exclosures will be built in locations that will allow cottonwood and willow to take advantage of the higher water table provided by gully plugs. Tamarisk Removal: Tamarisk has been detected on the WMA and is still in the early stages of establishing. By eliminating this tamarisk, we will ensure the availability of habitat for riparian vegetation we would prefer to have on the WMA for wildlife. Sweetwater County in Wyoming is committed to removing tamarisk upstream of the WMA which will help to ensure future success of tamarisk removal in the WMA.

The large exclosures on the Red Creek Flat have been in place for over 10 years and have shown the potential success for restoring habitat in the WMA. Investing time and money now will show great benefits for wildlife habitat in the future. The risk of tamarisk maturing in the area is a threat we can eliminate by taking action now. Waiting longer to eliminate tamarisk will result in higher costs to successfully control this invasive species. The Sweetwater County Weed department has plans to control tamarisk on the upstream portion of Red Creek in Wyoming. The BRAT model shows the area being a "low-hanging-fruit" area for river restoration. Improving this area will not only improve habitat for the wildlife that use the area, but also land that is grazed by livestock. Improving land utilized by livestock and wildlife will help improve relationships with operators, and improve wildlife habitat at the same time. GPS collar data on Utah's Wildlife Tracker show that this area is utilized by mule deer during their migrations. Specifically, during 2023, collared mule deer used this area in late March. According to the Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan, "Deer use high quality forage during the spring and early summer to aid in fat and protein deposition (Cook et. al. 2013). The higher the quality of spring and summer forage, the better the antler growth in bucks, the better does are prepared for lactation and estrus, and the more fat reserves deer can build up for use during winter." This area is included in the "crucial mule deer habitat restoration priority areas" shown in Figure 6, of this plan. By improving the riparian area and promoting the growth of high quality vegetation during the spring when mule deer are moving through this area, this project should benefit the mule deer population in Clay Basin and Brown's Park. GPS collar data on Utah's Wildlife Tracker show that this area is utilized by pronghorn year-round. This area is identified as part of the Uintah SGMA and a BLM Priority Habitat Management Area. Recent data gathered in the Uintah Basin suggests that monarch butterflies use the Green River as a migration corridor as the fourth and fifth generations travel to their overwintering sites in Mexico and California. With its current population of showy milkweed, Red Creek provides additional crucial breeding and migrational-use habitat adjacent to the Green River. Pollinators play a crucial role in many ecosystems and they need more extreme conservation efforts, with major threats to pollinators including loss of milkweed, insecticide, herbicide and pesticide use, parasites, disease, and loss of nectaring plants. This project should result in improved habitat conditions for milkweed, as well as additional flowering plants that can be used as nectar sources for pollinators. The proposed pollinator improvements give this project a unique opportunity to address threats to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other sensitive species that rely on pollinator plants to survive. Utah's Wildlife Action Plan (2015-2025) This project area includes the Aquatic Scrub/Shrub, Emergent, and Riverine key habitats as defined in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan, and addresses threats to those habitats as follows: - Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) - Channel downcutting on Red Creek is evident. This project aims to restore wet areas and backwaters through the placement of gully plugs and BDA's. - Droughts - An expanded wet area and higher water table will help mitigate the effects of droughts, especially during late summer - Improper Grazing -- Livestock (current) - Exclosures on the property have demonstrated the riparian vegetation recovery that is possible when grazing is excluded. - Invasive Plant Species -- Non-native - Removal of tamarisk directly addresses this threat. - Sediment Transport Imbalance- Red Creek carries high loads of sediment. Through BDAs and check dams we hope to trap some of that sediment and use it to raise the water table of the riparian area.

Red Creek Flat HMP(2008): Section D - "Although stabilized and apparently improving, the entire Red Creek drainage has severe erosion problems with excessive sediment loading in Red Creek. Section E - "The instability of Red Creek's stream bed combined with past grazing practices have left the riparian corridor and associated wetlands in poor condition. Cottonwood trees exist in Martin Draw and in Red Creek. Scattered willows exist within the WMA bordering Red Creek but are not readily visible due to heavy grazing. Since 1991, over 4,000 coyote willow and 86 cottonwoods have been planted on UDWR and BLM land. The only over story species present is tamarisk which has become common in recent years." Utah Pronghorn Management Plan: Red Creek Flat contains a significant amount of crucial year-long habitat for pronghorn. IB: "Continued development of water sources is a critical component of maintaining and expanding pronghorn in Utah." B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve pronghorn habitat throughout the state/ Objective 1: Maintain or enhance the quantity and quality of pronghorn habitat. A: Identify crucial pronghorn habitats and work with public land managers and private landowners to protect and enhance those areas. D: Under the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, design, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of habitat improvement projects to benefit pronghorn. Uinta Basin Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Plan (2007) 16. Strategy: Enhance existing riparian areas or create small wet areas to improve nesting and brood-rearing habitat. 16.1 Action: Identify opportunities or needs to create small wet areas, implement such projects where economically feasible. 16.5 Action: Protect existing wet meadows and riparian areas where necessary. 16.7 Action: Install catchments to slow run-off, hold water, and eventually raise water tables. Utah Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse. Strategies to Address Wildlfire: 2a. i. Pre-suppression: Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances in accordance with management objectives. Human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property. Utah State Resource Management Plan - Restore floodplain connectivity.... - Encourage the use of bio-engineering practices or flood structures, dams, catch basins, gully plugs, and reseeding of grass ways to help reduce erosion during and after storm events. - The state supports efforts to ensure that noxious weeds are detected early to reduce the risk of ecosystem degradation.... - In addition to early detection, the state supports rapid response efforts on private, state, and federal land. - Support adequate funding to combat the spread of noxious weeds. - Employ active management to improve and enhance riparian resources to provide for appropriate physical, biological, and chemical function. - Manage riparian areas for the mutual and maximum benefit of wildlife, livestock, and special-status species. - Support the use of structural and non-structural improvements in unstable water courses to restore riparian areas properly functioning/desired future conditions. - Attain an optimal mix of native and desirable nonnative species to support desired ecological conditions and a properly functioning ecosystem. - Support the removal of invasive species from riparian areas on public lands. - Work to preserve and improve water quantity, water quality, and appropriate hydrological functions. - Support the use of mechanical treatments... and other tools to control invasive plants and other plant species that compromise wetland health, in accordance with best available practices. - Expand wildlife populations and conserve species of greatest conservation need by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. - Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2024. - Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands throughout Utah. 2022 Daggett County General Plan Chapter 8 - Resource Management Plan. - Prioritize management programs and initiatives that improve watersheds, forests, and increase forage for the mutual benefit of wildlife and livestock. - Support efforts to protect water quality and the quality of the associated fisheries. - Restore floodplain connectivity for improved flood control in suitable areas. - Healthy forests, rangelands, and watersheds are necessary and beneficial for wildlife, livestock, and other multiple-uses. - Management programs and initiatives that increase forage for the mutual benefit of the watersheds, livestock operations, and wildlife species should utilize all proven techniques and tools. - Reduce or eliminate noxious weed infestations and minimize the establishment of new weed species across jurisdictional boundaries using adaptive management and integrated weed management approaches. - In areas where weeds have been treated, revegetate and restore with desirable native plant species. - Support the Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) method of treating new weed infestations in Daggett County. - Employ a variety of (integrated) weed-management techniques in Daggett County including prevention, biological controls, chemical controls, and mechanical controls. - Conserve and protect riparian areas in Daggett County through application of best management practices. - Support the treatment of invasive species, e.g., phragmites, tamarisk, and Russian olive, which can degrade habitat value and impact groundwater levels. - Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation in Daggett County. - Use guzzlers, reservoirs, wells, and springs to attract livestock and native wildlife away from riparian areas in Daggett County, which can help decrease soil disturbance and impacts to aquatic resources. - Use bio-engineering methods that facilitate riparian vegetation growth in Daggett County for bank stabilization in lieu of hardened structures or surfaces. - Conduct riparian vegetation treatments in Daggett County to restore characteristic vegetation and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loads. - Manage lands and watersheds for optimal water yield. - Identify opportunities for creation, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands to augment the ecosystem services these resources provide in Daggett County. Utah's Wildlife Action Plan (2015-2025) This project addresses the following threats to wildlife: - Droughts - This threat has been identified for sage-grouse, monarch butterfly, pronghorn, elk, and mule deer. An expanded wet area and higher water table will help mitigate the effects of droughts, especially during late summer. These wet areas provide additional forage for big game, and important habitat components for grouse and butterflies, particularly flowering plants and the insects that use them. - Improper Grazing -- Livestock (current) - This threat has been identified for elk. Exclosures on the property have demonstrated the riparian vegetation recovery that is possible when grazing is excluded. Additional forage from a healthier riparian system will provide benefits to both elk and livestock and will help mitigate conflict between the two. - Invasive Plant Species -- Non-native - This threat has been identified for elk and mule deer. Tamarisk tends to form monoculture stands that provide little value for wildlife. By removing tamarisk, this project directly addresses this threat, and protects existing forage values for these species. - Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity - This threat has been identified for elk and mule deer. The recent Richard Mountain fire altered adjacent habitats that elk and mule deer utilize. While fire in the pinyon/juniper zone may lead to improved habitat values for these species, the burned sagebrush areas adjacent to Red Creek have decreased in habitat value. Improving the riparian area will not only help compensate for this loss, but will help protect against future losses due to fire. Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan (2019-2069) - NL-S1: Identify high priority breeding areas for monarch conservation on natural lands throughout the West and promote protection, restoration, and/or enhancement in these areas. - NL-S2: Identify high priority migratory pathways and clustering locations and promote protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of these areas, including riparian corridors. - NL-S4: Promote the use of local native plants and seeds for habitat enhancement and restoration projects, particularly for monarch conservation efforts. The Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan 2019-2069, published by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, encourages the following applicable actions: --Work with land management partners to integrate monarch/pollinator conservation in all-new land management plans, as appropriate.

Establishing the riparian corridor will help to establish a firebreak. Eliminating tamarisk over time from the WMA will reduce excessive fuel load. There is significant oil and gas infrastructure in Clay Basin, adjacent to the Red Creek project area. A healthy riparian corridor could be a significant fuel break to help protect this infrastructure. In addition, crucial sage-grouse habitat nearby could be severely impacted by fire. A healthy riparian corridor can help protect this important resource, as well.

Installing BDAs and gully plugs will help increase sedimentation in the area, improving water quality in Red Creek and the Green River. By creating backwater areas and improving floodplain connection, this project will hopefully raise the water table and provide improved water retention, which can then release water back to the system during late summer and autumn, thereby providing increased water availability at times it is most needed. Native plants can have a very positive impact on the water quality in this watershed. Native plants, like milkweed, wildflowers, and bunch grasses, often have deep root systems that penetrate several feet into the ground. These roots not only provide soil stability and prevent erosion, but they also form channels in the soil that help rainfall soak in and replenish our groundwater supply. Some plants act as sponges by soaking heavy metals up into their tissues with water and removing them and other pollutants from the soil. In addition, they can prevent them from getting into the nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. These plants provide food and shelter for many wildlife species, including monarch butterflies, while also helping to slow the flow of runoff and prevent contaminants from reaching our waterways.

Stream Alteration Permits will be applied for as appropriate. Arch surveys will be performed as needed. The state engineer will be consulted for water rights as related to the gully plugs and BDAs. As this project takes place on State land only, NEPA is not required.

This project is composed of a few different components. Each component will be discussed individually. Gully Plugs: Structures composed of Gabion baskets will be used to plug the creek. By installing the plugs in complexes of 3-4 structures, we will increase sediment catchment capacity and ensure success of the backwatering objectives of this project. The permanent nature of these gully plugs will help to establish a larger riparian area that will provide significant habitat for mule deer, elk, and pronghorn. BDA Installations: BDAs will be installed within the larger exclosures that are already present on the property. By installing BDAs in the exclosures, it is anticipated that we will be able to observe the riparian impact of the BDAs and elevate the water table in the immediate vicinity of installation. If BDAs are successful, we anticipate future phases in this area to include the installation of BDAs. Riparian Plantings: Willows will be planted using cuttings from plants already established in exclosures on the WMA. Recommendations for cottonwood plantings include planting cottonwoods .5 - 2.0 M above the river channel along with using an auger to ensure appropriate depth (Laub et al. 2019). Cottonwood and shrub species will be obtained and planted where appropriate depending on the area inundated from the gully plugs and BDAs. Many historical exclosures will likely be made available from successful gully plugs, which will help reduce the number of new exclosures necessary for plantings. Exclosure construction: Exclosures will be constructed where appropriate according to the water table adjustments from the gully plugs. Constructing the exclosures in the appropriate areas will help to ensure success of the riparian plantings. It is likely that some of the older exclosures on the property will be able to be used for plantings if gully plugs are successful. We anticipate constructing wildlife friendly exclosures. Laub, B. G., Detlor, J., & Keller, D. L. (2019). Determining factors of cottonwood planting survival in a desert river restoration project. Restoration Ecology, 28(S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13086

The UDWR will monitor the success of the project in the future. Photo points will be established in each new exclosure or riparian planting location. The Red Creek Flat exclosures are monitored each year with photo points. Photos will be uploaded to the WRI page as appropriate.

USFS - By coordinating with the USFS we have been able to determine the best approach to installing gully plugs in the area. Sweetwater County weed department - Coordination has taken place with the Sweetwater County weed department and they are committed to controlling tamarisk on the Wyoming stretch of Red Creek.

Monitoring and follow-up treatments will ensure removal of Tamarisk is effective. Gully plugs and BDAs will likely require periodic maintenance to ensure they are providing the desired result. Additional structures may be built if determined necessary. From the initial construction of the exclosures it was thought that they would one day be removed once vegetation was established and could withstand grazing. We want to experiment with the BDA's in the existing exclosures to see how the stream might benefit from additional structures outside the exclosures. Monitoring of these structures and their effects will help determine when exclosure fences can be taken down, or moved to new areas to enhance other areas. DWR is considering the creation of off-channel watering areas to encourage cattle and wildlife to spread out and reduce pressure on the riparian area. This will likely occur in a future phase of this project. It is anticipated that this will be a multi-phase project to make the area ideal for the wildlife that use it.

Red Creek Flat is currently grazed by two seperate livestock operators. Improving the riparian area, creating backwaters and expanding the wet area of the WMA will also increase the forage available for livestock.