The Halfway Hill Fire of 2022 started on the UDWR Halfway Hill WMA, the fire burned more that 11,000 acres of UDWR, Private, BLM and Forest Service Lands. The overwhelming need for this project to take place is to replace over 27,486' (5.2 miles) of 4-strand barbwire fence that is the boundary fence around the WMA. The fire destroyed the WMA fence, burning up all gate entrances along with "H" bracing and all the single treated posts within the boundary fence. All the wire has been jeopardized due to the heat of the fire, the wire is brittle and breaks very easy when working with or trying to repair it. Without the boundary fence for this WMA, we are faced with trespass cattle from neighboring grazing allotments, unidentified boundary locations, seasonal road closure issues and trespass from ATV/UTV access. We also jeopardize the agreement we have with current livestock grazing on the WMA with the assigned grazing permittee.

The main objective of this project is to contract through State Purchasing the implementation of the new boundary fence for the Halfway Hill WMA. This will include contracting with a fencing contractor to rebuild/construct a 4-strand barbwire and steel fence within the burn scar of the Halfway Hill Fire. Installing new gates and wire, providing new "H" bracing, removing old the wire, installing existing ATV access ramps as locations permit. Contractor will provide labor and necessary materials to perform work on the WMA and the adjacent BLM Boundary Fence as well.

The overall threats and risks are medium to low, with this project the need to construct a new fence is critical. UDWR is provided a policy that we will provide proper maintained and functioning fences, gates, cattle guards and watering facilities for our grazing permittees. The opportunity to not construct the Halfway Hill WMA fence puts the UDWR in a position that is not in line with the Grazing Permit Terms and Conditions. This year the Grazing Permittee paid the grazing fees to UDWR but did not graze any portion of the WMA. The Ecological Thresholds of this project is still the opportunity to defer grazing for another growing season, but being prepared with a newly constructed fence as the permittee is allowed to graze in the future.

The proposed projects will address some of the habitat management strategies outlined in the deer and elk management plans for herd unit 21B (Fillmore Pahvant Unit ) including: *Continue to improve and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer according to DWRs Habitat Initiative. *Maintain habitat quantity and quality at a level adequate to support the stated population objectives while at the same time not resulting in an overall downward trend in range condition and watershed quality. *Work cooperatively with land management agencies and private landowners to plan and implement improvement projects for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat and range resources in general. *The project also helps fulfill the state mule deer management plan section IV Habitat Goal: Conserve and improve mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *The proposed projects will address the following goals and objectives of the Division of Wildlife Resources most recent strategic management plan: *Resource Goal: expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. *Objective 1: protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. *Objective 3: conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. *Constituency Goal: Achieve broad-based support for Division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah. *Objective 2: improve communication with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs. *UDWR SR critical big game winter range are important browse communities that need to be enhanced and improved. The Division will employ a variety of methods to achieve this including prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, reseeding and seedling transplants, also mechanical treatments. Priority areas will include sagebrush-steppe and mountain browse communities. Falls within the rangeland focus area for WRI wildlife species for mule deer and elk. *This plan is consistent with the Fishlake National Forest Plan for wildlife habitat enhancement and fuels management to improve habitat, reduce fuel loading, and protect against catastrophic wildfire. *Other project have been completed by the Forest Service and UDWR in past years within the Ebbs Canyon. Along with the Meadow Creek and Baker Canyon Fire Rehab Project completed on Forest Service, BLM and Private Properties. *Project within the are also benefit the management plans objectives of the lower Sevier River Watershed, as this will reduced sediment run off and create a healthy rangeland communities. *Management Plans are also in conjunction with NRCS overall goals of healthy rangelands and communities, improving watersheds and reducing erosion and sediment. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment *FFSL CWPP Process is a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaborative plan created by the fire department, state and local forestry, land managers, community leaders, and the public.The planning process maps values at risk, and requires actions to reduce risk, such as prescribed burning, fuel reduction, or other measures that adapt a community to better confront their wildfire threat. Area is also part of the Millard RWPP FFSL Plan which was implemented in 2014, there are Wildfire Codes and Ordinances associated with this plan. Project would also be relevant to NCS Goals and supported through the FS National Cohesive Strategies. CAT FIRE Objectives and Strategies: In 2013, the State of Utah developed the Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy (CAT FIRE) in response to the severe 2012 fire season. Reducing the catastrophic wildfire requires attention to three interdependent goals identified in the National Cohesive Wildfire Management Strategy -- Restore and Maintain Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities, and Wildfire Response. These goals have been embraced throughout the development of the state's CAT FIRE strategy. Mitigation of hazardous fuels can change fire behavior making it easier to suppress. The effects of the mitigation, however, are not limited to life and property safety but will also affect forest health, water quality, vegetative species abundance, etc. As we continue to implement projects across the landscapes in Utah, the only way to truly be successful is to integrate existing programs, utilize local and federal partners and continue to educate the general public to create the desired shift towards more resilient communities and ecosystems.

In December of 2022, UDWR along with the BLM contracted the aerial seeding and the single one way chaining of more that 1,090 acres. This treatment was to reseed and establish a improved community of grasses, forbs, shrubs and browse species that is critical to support wildlife and livestock in the future. Through these restoration efforts from the USFS, UDWR, Private Landowners, BLM, and Grazing Permitees established a great working partnership to obtain the goals and objectives to restore and maintain the area effected by the Halfway Hill Fire. Reseeding efforts allowed for future reduction in wildfire behavior due to the resilient seed species being planted that can help suppress fire activity in the future. The Pahvant Management Unit has burn several time over the past 10-20 years, which include but not limited to the Lower Ebbs Fire, Baker Canyon and the Meadow Creek Fire. Fuel loading has transitioned to more of a grass and shrub community over this time adding lower concentrated fuels due to cheatgrass invasion over time. With the implementation and reseeding efforts of perennial grasses and forbs we are hopeful the establishment of grasses and forbs can compete and resist or control large scale fire behavior in the future.

Water Quality and Quantity should greatly increase due to the nature of old standing PJ trees along with some conifers in the top end of this project being burned. After the reseeding efforts and restoration occurred we are more likely to see the improvement of springs, increase water flow to rangeland water troughs, increase grass and fob establishment due to loss of competition from the pinyon-juniper trees. Water should be better utilized by the perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs increasing the quantity down stream for water users and irrigation systems. Until establishment is obtain we will likely see sheet and rill water erosion of land, water will continue to erode the landscape, reseeding efforts will reduce erosion effects and improve water erosion. We have also installed two debris basins to catch overland flow of water and soil erosion to help protect the community of Fillmore downstream.

As we are implementing the fence contract the possible need for a cadastral survey will be needed to find existing section corners and quarter corners of the WMA. Certain inventories have been completed in the past for the Private, UDWR and the BLM portions. Project Manager will follow up to ensure the implementation of the fence can move forward without any complications. UDWR Project Manager will consult with UDWR Archaeologist to ensure the proper consultation between agencies is identified from the the BLM, UDWR and Private Landowners.

With the Halfway Hill Fire of 2022, the need to replace 27,486' (5.2 miles) of fencing is critical. The UDWR and BLM properties sustained immense amount of damage from the fire, all of the boundary fences were destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. The BLM has provided funding through ESR towards their portion of the fence. UDWR and the BLM are partnering with each to contract both the labor and materials to build the fence. State Purchasing will be involved for the contracting side of this project. Fencing Specifications will be a 4-strand barbwire w/ steel T-Post fence designed to UDWR Wildlife Specification. UDWR has already installed a cattle guard within the WMA that allows portions of the WMA to be sectioned off and rested from grazing in the future. This allows for the newly seeded grasses, forbs and shrubs to become establishment until grazing is allowed back on the WMA.

Partnerships with the BLM and UDWR will be involved with the project and overseeing their properties, making sure establishment of the grasses, forbs and shrubs are growing before grazing will return. UDWR Habitat Biologists will be looking at the need to re-establish new fences with the Halfway Hill WMA and manage them in accordance with UDWR Management Plans and objectives. We will continue to monitor access points, gates, cattle guards and ATV/UTV access as the new constructed fence is built. UDWR will coordinate with the BLM, Private Landowners as well as the grazing permittee on fencing needs if any in the future.

Partnerships will include the UDWR, BLM (Fillmore Office), USFS (Fillmore Office), livestock permittees, Private Landowners, FFSL and Millard County Road Dept. along with Millard County Commissioners and other elected officials. Other great funding partners include WRI, Habitat Council and the Conservation Sportsman Groups.

Grazing of the UDWR properties will be deferred for at least two growing seasons or until establishment of grass, forbs and shrubs are deemed ready to be grazed. The BLM Range Conservationist will allow for proper grazing management of the reseeding efforts and monitor BLM administered lands. UDWR Representative will also work with grazing permittees to ensure the seeding efforts are successful on UDWR Lands as well. UDWR would also like to request that the Private Landowner allows for two growing seasons to be deferred from livestock grazing. Once the WMA fence is constructed, UDWR Permeant or Seasonal employees along with the Grazing Permittee will provide labor if need to help maintain and or fix areas that are in need of repair.

No direct livestock benefit as of right now due to the Halfway Hill Fire, within the FS, BLM, UDWR and Private Properties that where effected by the fire. Through Private, State and Federal Agencies Fire Rehab efforts and restoration work will prepare us for the future benefits in the years to come. Through the implemented restoration efforts in the fall of 2022 we are able to monitor the reseeding efforts of the Halfway Hill Fire. Reseed in December of 2022 perennial grasses, forbs, shrubs and browse species will contribute to the rangeland health conditions, increase water production for grasses species. Overall, grazing permittees and private landowners should see improved forage production and better weight gain and overall, calf production in the future due to the restoration efforts that took take place through the 2022 fire rehab effort. In addition, the improvement and establishment of grasses, forbs and shrubs will benefit the wildlife populations of big game and upland game in this area.