The South Shore wetlands of Great Salt Lake encompass a large area of privately-owned, critical wildlife habitat southeast of Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area and adjacent to Great Salt Lake as part of the lower Jordan River watershed. This area faces many ongoing threats to habitat that include encroaching development from projects like the Inland Port and Utah State Correctional Facility, decreasing water quantity from drought and diversions, water quality issues, and invasive species such as tamarisk and Phragmites. The mosaic of marsh, playa, and grassland habitats make this area highly valuable for many species of shorebirds, waterfowl, waterbirds, passerines, raptors, mule deer, and pronghorn. It is also a highly valuable resource for waterfowl hunting and cattle grazing. Unlike many wetland areas around Great Salt Lake, this approximately 20,000-acre area is almost entirely privately-owned. As such, there are different levels and strategies of habitat management across land ownership. An overarching goal of this WRI effort is to identify current management practices, assess the need for additional management, and provide landowners with needed resources. This is the first phase of a longer-term effort to improve habitat management in this vital area. Ducks Unlimited and Partners for Fish & Wildlife reached out to multiple landowners to inquire about current habitat management practices and need for additional funding. Like many wetlands surrounding Great Salt Lake, Phragmites and tamarisk invasion has increased substantially in previous decades. In addition to decimating quality wildlife habitat, extensive invasive species cover puts additional stress on limited water supplies due to higher rates of evapotranspiration compared to native wetland plants. To create a contiguous habitat landscape for native avifauna, both private and public lands need a consistent invasive species management strategy. Thus, securing funding for invasive species control across connected habitats with variable ownership is a high priority in Great Salt Lake wetlands. In addition to invasive species management, native plant revegetation is a high priority in many wetland areas. In summer 2023, two south shore duck clubs experienced a complete die-off of sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) in all wetland management units. The cause of this die-off was unknown, but potentially attributed to an exceptionally large bloom of aquatic diatoms during the growing season. In the winter months, both clubs witnessed minimal swan usage of aquatic habitats while neighboring landowners had high swan use. The disparity of wildlife use across adjacent habitats suggests the underground tubers may have died off completely. Without the tubers, these areas may experience little to no regrowth of sago pondweed. As such, there is a need to revegetate these areas, another component addressed in this proposal.

The primary objectives of this project are to 1) improve nesting and migratory habitat for shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and summer range for mule deer and pronghorn; and 2) improve water quality and quantity of adjacent wetlands. These objectives will be accomplished by expanding treatment areas of tamarisk and Phragmites, and revegetating critical aquatic plant species (sago pondweed). Funding for this project will help remove 250 acres of tamarisk saplings at Aududon's Gillmor Sanctuary, control approximately 300 acres of Phragmites at the Ambassador Duck Club, and revegetate 40 acres of sago pondweed at the Rudy and North Point Duck Clubs. Reducing invasive species cover and restoring native plant communities will increase nesting and foraging habitats for shorebirds (Snowy Plover), waterfowl (Mallard, Redhead, Swan species, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal), other water birds (American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis), and upland game species (Ring-necked Pheasant, Mule Deer, Pronghorn). Finally, we have coordinated with Utah State University's Wetland Ecology and Restoration Lab to perform extensive monitoring of revegetation efforts. All treatment areas will be mapped to document acreage and location for follow-up treatment. Finally, we aim to engage new landowners among the South Shore wetlands in future grant phases to expand and improve habitat management actions.

There are many local and regional plans that focus on restoration work around Great Salt Lake. Examples include: Utah Div. of Water Rights Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Utah FFSL's Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan, National Audubon Society's Gillmor Sanctuary Management and Conservation Plan, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan, and The IWJV Implementation Plan. No wildlife tracker data from Utah's Wildlife Migration Initiative was available within the project location. This project location did not fall within TNC's Landscape Conservation Forecasting areas. Great Salt Lake is at risk of crossing several ecological thresholds that would have detrimental effects on its valuable habitat and the numerous wildlife species that depend on it. The most damaging thresholds we are facing are loss of suitable wildlife habitat, fire impacts, and drought/water diversion effects. Great Salt Lake has made headlines numerous times and has become a topic of concern nationwide. Delaying restorative action of the lake will lead to more watershed damage and will result in more costly actions later. Invasive weeds reduce access, food production, and cover value for wildlife. Wildlife access through Phragmites is limited by dense stands. No action or delayed action allows for continued expansion, loss of additional acreage and increased costs for treatment. No action by property neighbors would lead to increased spread of Phragmites and increased seed dispersal downstream onto both private and public lands. Invasive weeds, especially Phragmites, increases the potential risk of hazardous wildfires. As stated, this area is at a very high risk for severe fire impacts throughout the watershed. Conservation practices in past phases of this project and in this phase will mitigate and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Wildfire suppression is one of the most costly activities land management agencies undertake every year and depletes much of land management agency budgets. Additionally, fire scar rehabilitation is one of the most costly land restoration activities conservation practitioners can undertake. Given the threat of fire in this watershed, implementing conservation practices as part of this project will prevent fire suppression and restoration activities that may become cost prohibitive across the entire landscape. The time to do this project is now, while we can be proactive rather than being reactive after a severe wildfire burns through. In addition to decimating quality wildlife habitat, extensive invasive cover puts additional stress on limited water supplies due to higher rates of evapotranspiration compared to native wetland plants. According to Water for the Great Salt Lake (SWCA, 2017) " As much as 2.6 million acre-feet of water is estimated to evapotranspire from GSL annually. Removal of vegetation around the fringes of the lake could reduce this amount." Water shortages due to increased diversions and changing climate are expected to increase and fresh water supplies needed to support wetlands will become more limited. The area is currently in the grips of extreme drought and the GSL reached its lowest level in 170 years of recorded history in 2022 (USGS 2022). Measures must be put in place now to mitigate the nearly certain loss of freshwater wetland habitat and declines in productivity in the lake due to surface water loss and increasing salinity. Overall, we need to act quickly while we have the opportunity to improve/enhance rivers, wet habitats, and upland habitats directly adjacent to wet areas. These private stretches of river, mesic lands, and surrounding public rangelands are critically important to the health of wildlife populations and the watershed. In Utah, the landscape consists of less than 1% wetlands and research shows that 60-80% of wildlife is dependent on mesic habitats (e.g., wetlands and riparian areas; Thomas et al. 1979, Patten 1998, Belsky et al. 1999, Peck and Lovvorn 2001). Proposed treatments will diversify and improve overall health of the vegetational communities, thus improving the watershed resistance and resilience to future disturbance.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) 2015 Goal: "To manage native wildlife species and their habitats to help prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act." Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that have been observed on the areas include : Northern Leopard Frog, American Bittern, Caspian Tern, Snowy Plover, Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Burrowing Owl, Short-eared Owl, American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Key aquatic habitats listed in the plan include riverine, emergent, and open water. Priority threats to emergent habitats include: channelization, drought, water allocation policy, Agricultural, municipal, and industrial, water use, and invasive plant species. Threats to open water habitats include: same as above, but also; sediment transport imbalance, roads, improper grazing, diversions, housing and urban areas. Threats to riverine habitats: same as above, but also, presence of dams and inappropriate fire frequencies. Efforts are in place to secure water rights, protect water sources from exploitation and diversions, and secure appropriate buffers to urban and industrial development. Threats that are directly related to the WAP plan for this project include the control/eradication of invasive plant species. WAP plan objectives and actions: Objective #1 for Invasive Plant Species - Non-native Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. Actions to achieve objective: 2.2.2 Survey, inventory established, and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.4 Contain established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.9 Avoid establishment of new invasive/problematic species through education, planning, management, and/or regulation. Develop public information and educational programs aimed at encouraging attitudes and behaviors that are positive for wildlife conservation. Objective #2 for Invasive Plant Species - Non-native Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic (ecologically and economically). 2.2.2 Survey and inventory established and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.5 Conduct mechanical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.6 Conduct biological control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.7 Conduct chemical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 7.2.1 Support Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative. This project will support the prevention of SGCN being listed, key habitat improvement & restoration, invasive species management, ecological threats, and promote the actions listed above. This project will work collaboratively with several agencies (Federal, State, and County), private landowners, NGO's, and research universities. Utah Division of Water Resources Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan Goal: Ensure a resilient water supply for Great Salt Lake and all water uses, including people and the environment, throughout the watershed. 1998 Update for North American Waterfowl Management Plan Goal: Restoring and maintaining waterfowl populations. Biological foundation linked to waterfowl abundance. Planning, implementation, evaluation and local scale are measurable and appropriate to the geographic scale. Expanding habitat conservation coordination across landscapes with other initiatives. Vision: Enhance the capability of landscapes to support waterfowl and other wetland associated species-biologically based planning and ongoing evaluation. Seek landscape solutions that benefit waterfowl. US Shorebird Conservation Plan; Intermountain West Regional Shorebird Plan 2000 Great Salt Lake most important inland shorebird site in North America. Great Basin Bird Conservation Region, BCR: breeding snowy plover, long-billed curlew, American avocet, black-necked stilt, stop over species: least sandpiper, western sandpiper, marbled godwit, long-billed dowitcher, American avocet, red-necked phalarope, Wilson phalarope. Goal: Maintain and enhance diverse landscapes that sustain thriving shorebird populations. Objective 2; Develop Best Management Practices BPM for the maintenance of shorebird habitats. Strategy b. work with cooperating agencies and organizations to prepare a prioritized list of habitat maintenance needs annually and provide input into State and federal budget processes. Strategy f. Support the removal of tamarisk, whitetop, and other invasive exotic plants from important shorebird sites. Objective 3: Strategy b. Integrate restoration and enhancement actions for shorebirds into existing waterfowl and wetland management plans. Strategy c. Conserve and protect the hydrological integrity of ephemeral wetlands through habitat improvements and improved water management techniques. Our project addresses this goal by expanding habitat coordination and improvements across an entire watershed to support waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species that utilize wetlands. Division of Wildlife Strategic Plan Objective C6 - Increase hunting and fishing opportunities, Objective R2 - Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state, Objective R5 - Conduct management work to help prevent species of concern from being federally listed as threatened or endangered, and work to delist those species that are currently listed, Objective R7 - Decrease the number of wildlife-related incidents (including property damage, crop depredation and threatened or endangered species listings) that negatively affect private property owners. Our project will work to conserve, protect, manage, and enhance wildlife/ecosystems, and enhance/increase recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching and photography. We will also work with private landowners to ensure properties will not be negatively affected by wildlife (damage, listing, etc.) U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan The project area is located in the Great Salt Lake/Bear River Marshes Wetland Focal Area in the Intermountain West Flyway Region. The plan states that "no inland region of North America is more important to maintenance of the continent's shorebird populations than the Intermountain West." The Great Salt Lake ecosystem is perhaps the single-most important shorebird site in western North America. Approximately 5 million shorebirds annually use the project area for migration and breeding. The project area hosts over 30 species of shorebirds with significant populations of American avocets (250,000), black necked stilts (65,000), the world's largest concentration of staging Wilson's phalaropes (1,000,000), a single day record of red-necked phalaropes (280,000), the only inland staging area for marbled godwits (30,000), a single flock of western sandpipers numbering 17,000, a single day count of 32,000 long-billed dowitchers, and the world's largest assemblage (10,000) of western snowy plovers. These numbers substantiate the project area's designation as a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network site and 5 separate Globally Important Bird Areas identified by National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy. The managed wetlands of this project area provide reliable habitat conditions for shorebirds during nearly all Great Salt Lake water elevations. Effective water level management capabilities in these areas are essential to provide mud flat conditions. The match and grant projects will improve water management capabilities in managed wetlands by improving water management. The USSCP's first goal is to "maintain and enhance diverse landscapes that sustain thriving shorebird populations by working to protect, restore, and manage shorebird habitats." The proposed projects will follow this goal and will provide reliable shorebird habitat for migration and breeding. IWJV Implementation Plan The plan identifies IWJV operational principles including to "protect, restore, enhance, and/or maintain key Intermountain bird populations and their habitats on a variety of land ownerships." This is to be done by conserving seven Priority A Habitats, two of which are the wetland and wetland-associated upland habitats included in this proposal. The plan recommends control of invasive species and restoration/enhancement of wetland and grassland habitats, effective water level management capabilities on managed wetland areas. The proposed match and grant projects follow these recommendations, work on a variety of land ownerships, has a diverse partnership, and will improve nesting and foraging habitat for 38 Continentally Important species identified in the plan. FFSL's Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan Management plan calls for control of invasive Phragmites. Table 3.3 Wetlands lists invasive species as a resource issue and targeting and treating invasive Phragmites as an objective for both FFSL and DWR. Project will directly target the control of invasive Phragmites. USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan Project addresses habitat threats for priority species within a PFW priority area (Big Water Focus Area) for restoration work. Utah Noxious Weed Act "Pursuant to Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code 4-17-101 et seq.) and Utah Administrative Code R-68-9-6, it is the duty of every property owner to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any land in his/her possession or control". Our project is directly related to this Act by assisting private landowners in controlling a variety of noxious weeds on their properties. Ambassador Duck Club Site Evaluation (prepared by Ducks Unlimited) In summer 2023, Ducks Unlimited completed a comprehensive assessment of the Ambassador Duck Club in order to make habitat and infrastructure recommendations. One of the primary vegetation control recommendations was to expand Phragmites treatment areas around channels and water control structures to improve wetland hydrology and waterfowl habitat. National Audubon Society's Gillmor Sanctuary Management and Conservation Plan Management plan identifies the need for noxious/invasive weed control to keep habitat suitable for the variety of wildlife, birds, and insects that utilize the sanctuary.

This project will decrease the risk of severe wildfire by reducing fuel load and promoting the growth of understory vegetation, which are critical to maintaining ecosystem resilience. Phragmites forms dense monotypic stands that hold very high levels of dead (litter) and living biomass that can produce extremely hot, fast moving, and tall flame lengths if ignition occurs. With many of these project areas surrounded by urban and rural structures, the threat of fire and the potential for neighboring structure damage is high. Infrastructure consisting of houses, sheds, barns, grazing infrastructure (troughs, pipeline, fencing), irrigation infrastructure (water control gates, pumps, etc.) are found all throughout the project area. Reducing the cover of Phragmites, Tamarix spp., and other invasives through this project will greatly reduce the threat and risks of infrastructure loss and fire damage within the watershed. By increasing more available water and planting native vegetation, we are also creating natural fire breaks and creating a more fire resilient landscape.

The lower Jordan River, the primary water source for the South Shore wetlands, is listed as impaired for low dissolved oxygen, total P, and total dissolved solids (DWQ 2020). Sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) improves water quality in wetlands by taking up excess phosphorus, and can help remediate the effects of harmful algae blooms (Kantrud 1990). Without vast beds of aquatic vegetation, these areas are subject to prolonged water quality issues such as increased turbidity, high sediment loads, and increased nutrients that can propagate further downstream towards Great Salt Lake. Revegetating these areas with sago pondweed is a high priority from a water quality standpoint. Regarding water quantity, there has been extensive research demonstrating that tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) uses significantly more water than native vegetation. To our knowledge, no one has estimated the total water use of tamarisk on the lower Jordan River watershed, but we can assume that extensive invasion of tamarisk in this region reduces water quantity in wetlands, streams, and by proxy Great Salt Lake. Similarly, Phragmites australis has high evapotranspiration rates, and uses more water than native wetland vegetation (DWQ 2017). Removing large stands of invasive species in this area will result in more water for critical wetland habitat and increased conveyance of water to Great Salt Lake.

USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program will complete compliance on private lands prior to work being implemented. If additional compliance is required beyond what the USFWS can provide, it will be completed before work begins.

Tamarisk removal methods at Gillmor Sanctuary will depend largely on the tree size. Larger trees will be cut to stumps and sprayed with herbicide. Smaller saplings will be manually pulled. The proposal is requesting funding to hire a UCC crew to perform tamarisk removal for 4 weeks with a 5-person crew as well as funding for herbicide and to maintain on-site equipment. Phragmites removal at Ambassador Duck Club will be performed by club members as the club is planning to purchase a MarshMaster to conduct their own vegetation control. The funding from this proposal will provide the club with herbicide to treat approximately 300 acres of Phragmites (estimated at $50/acre for treatment). This will enable them to leverage their remaining budget to maintain equipment and purchase more materials as needed. Sago pondweed revegetation will occur at two clubs adjacent to one another and target 20 acres per club at key wetland units. The recommended planting rate for sago pondweed tubers is 1,000 tubers/acre. Tubers must be planted in the spring, so planting will occur in spring 2025 over the course of several days. Following a spring planting, a senior research technician from the USU's Wetland Ecology and Restoration Lab will set up several monitoring quadrats at each planting area and corresponding control quadrats in areas that were not planted with sago pondweed. At each monitoring point, the technician will record percent plant cover, water depth, and take photos.

We have coordinated with Utah State University's Wetland Ecology and Restoration Lab (WERL) to perform monitoring of sago pondweed revegetation success. A senior research technician and seasonal technician will assist with the installation of sago pondweed tubers, then set up monitoring quadrats at each duck club to assess revegetation success over the 2024 growing season compared to unvegetated areas (see above methods). Photos of all restoration activities will be uploaded to the WRI website and in addition to the results of the USU monitoring. For the Gillmor Sanctuary tamarisk removal, long-term monitoring will be conducted by Audubon staff and volunteers. Project completion reports from the contracted crews will be incorporated into a GIS database to identify treated areas to re-visit for follow-up monitoring. Audubon consistently revisit areas treated during a previous year to search for missed individual plants or branches and treat them on the spot. Staff also monitor for newly germinated individuals, which typically occur along shorelines of managed areas. Audubon will continue to coordinate with volunteers in subsequent years to pull new saplings that develop and avoid re-establishment of tamarisk at the sanctuary. Any re-sprouting or missed branches will be treated on the spot by Audubon staff. The USFWS Partners Program and Ducks Unlimited will work with remaining partners to complete some of the monitoring described, as well as doing our own photo point monitoring. Also, as part of the USFWS landowner agreement, USFWS biologists will visit the sites at minimum once per year to assess needs, success, failures, and the need for any follow-up treatments/maintenance for the duration of the 10-year Landowner Agreement. After photos and documentation will be uploaded to WRI website.

Ducks Unlimited: DU is the lead applicant for this proposal. DU will ensure all grant compliance, ensure grant funding is allocated accordingly, monitor and record all restoration activities, and engage additional stakeholders for future proposal phases. USFWS Partners Program: The Partners program will assist DU with any project management needs. The partners program will complete any compliance needed on private clubs, provide technical assistance, and provide financial assistance restoration efforts. Utah State University: USU's Wetland Ecology and Restoration Lab (WERL) will conduct monitoring of the sago pondweed revegetation effort. Private Landowners: Private duck clubs and conservation areas involved in this project surrounding the south shore of Great Salt Lake include: Ambassador Duck Club, North Point Duck Club, Rudy Duck Club and the Gillmor Sanctuary (Audubon Society). The clubs will assist, financially or in-kind, with the treatment of invasives and revegetation efforts. Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands: DU has coordinated with FFSL on this phase of the project regarding treating adjoining property boundaries. FFSL has expressed their support for the project and has offered to assist with supplying herbicide if needed. More involvement and coordination with FFSL will take place in future phases. This project will encompass several different landowners, with future phases spreading to additional surrounding landowners of the South Shore. Future phases will also include FFSL properties coordinating treatments with adjacent private properties.

This is a multi-year project that will only be successful with continued efforts. Follow up treatments for noxious/invasive species will be part of a long-term adaptive management strategy used in the watershed. After a few years of intense management, treatment activities would shift to a more routine weed maintenance effort within the treated areas. Collaboration with DU, USFWS Partners Program, FFSL, USU, Audubon Society, and numerous duck clubs will continue to stay current with Phragmites and tamarisk management and strategies that will improve ecosystem function. Ducks Unlimited: Ducks Unlimited will continue to engage stakeholders in the south shore wetlands area. In addition, to requesting funding from WRI, DU has acquired state and federal grant funding from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (GSLWET) to restore major wetland infrastructure in the lower Jordan River watershed that will occur between 2024 and 2027, and is heavily invested in the long term management and sustainability of GSL wetland ecosystems. USU: USU's WERL will assist with future monitoring of the succession of sago pondweed revegetation. Results from their monitoring efforts will be used to inform future revegetation techniques and Phase 2 efforts. USFWS Partners Program: As part of the landowner agreement with USFWS the landowner agrees to leave the habitat restored in place for a 10-year period and during that time will work with the USFWS biologist to monitor and access needs, success, and any needed adaptive management. Private Clubs: Private clubs will continue to coordinate with DU and other listed agencies to monitor progress of treatments. Treatments will include multi-phases of invasive treatments and revegetation plantings. The clubs are aware this is required for successful restoration and are willing to continue working with agencies till results are achieved. FFSL: Future coordination with FFSL will focus on aligning treatment areas on private clubs with adjoining areas on lands owned by FFSL.

The project will benefit the sustainable use of the Jordan River Watershed. The watershed is a recreation resource for anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers and photographers, and hunters. Habitat and water quality improvements will occur throughout the watershed and be beneficial to people, wildlife, and economic interests. The private clubs use cattle to intensively graze and help control and contain dense stands of Phragmites. These wetland and upland areas have been vital resources for grazing for generations, and figuring out how to manage and utilize it more effectively could result in huge economic benefits for cattle producers, as well as land owners who hold value in restoring native habitat for wildlife and recreational use. Grazing will occur in areas that have previously undergone invasive management techniques. The clubs will benefit from enhanced and more resilient native habitats on their private land as non-native vegetation is significantly reduced. This project promotes sustaining hunting of waterfowl and upland game species. The proposed treatments will create more open water habitat and nesting opportunities for a variety of bird species. Restoring native vegetation to these critical wildlife habitats will also provide a greater biodiversity of species utilizing the area and increase available forage. This will have the potential to increase wildlife numbers and potential hunting opportunities to future generations. As stated above, this project will promote local economies by enhancing recreational and agricultural opportunities. Additionally, restoration around Great Salt Lake has the potential to create more opportunity for ecotourism. Much of the local culture and identity is tied up in natural resources. This project is working across the watershed to boost and enhance local recreational opportunities.