Wildfires have been growing in size, duration, and destructivity over the past 20 years. Growing wildfire risk is due to accumulating fuels, a warming climate, and expanding development in the wildland-urban interface. The risk has reached crisis proportions in the West, calling for decisive action to protect people and communities and improve forest health and resilience. The Pine Valley is 1 of the Forest Service 21 Wildfire Crisis Landscapes nationally. In 2018 the West Valley Fire burned almost 11,800 acres in the Pine Valley Wilderness. Dense late successional forests and heavy dead and downed fuel loading resulted in more than 70% of those acres burning at moderate to high severity. Landscape Conservation Forecasting by the Nature Conservancy had shown that areas in and out of the Wilderness were moderately to highly departed from their desired condition and that fire regimes had been significantly altered in most vegetation types (Tuhy et al. 2014 -- see attachments). The scale and severity of the resulting fire was not unexpected based on the results of the LCF effort and other data collected by the Dixie National Forest (see attached Grass Valley Environmental Analysis). Prior to the West Valley Fire the Pine Valley Ranger District had been attempting to address ecological departure with the Grass Valley Creek Watershed Restoration project, which was designed to address ecological departure in the Grass Calley subwatershed of the Upper Santa Clara River and to address wildfire in the Wilderness. This project proposal is to reduce the risk of uncharacteristically large, high severity fire, improve watershed conditions and to improve wildlife habitat. This project area is highly important to mule deer. This project area was selected in the UDWR Southern Region top 5 mule deer projects in the region. A screenshot of wildlife tracker data (attached in documents)shows high deer use in the Rencher Peak/Mahogany Point area which is planned for aspen and forestry treatments. Interstingly, there is a small void in the central area planned for PJ treatments but when looking at the other concentrations they are largely in treated areas and as such treating the planned area should help expand use and make the area more inviting to mule deer.

The goals of this project are to 1) reduce ecological departure across multiple vegetation types 2) reduce the risk of uncharacteristically high severity fire and 3) increase the amount of early seral vegetation types. These goals are expected to improve wildlife habitat, reduce the amount of bare ground, improve riparian vegetation, allow for proper grazing practices, improve water quality (supports UWRI arm o Water Quality and quantity), improve livestock grazing, and protect private infrastructure and agricultural interests (supports UWRI arm of Sustainable Uses). Defensible Fire Area treatments: Within the Grass Valley DFAs the objective is to create and maintain of a Defensible Fire Area (DFA) to strategically arrange or place early, mid and late successional vegetation treatments in a mosaic pattern to reduce fire intensity and impede fire flow paths within the DFA (toward or away from adjacent areas and/or ownerships). Strategically breaking up the vegetation successional stages to limit fire intensity and spread results in conditions that promote a safe and effective wildfire response, improve landscape resiliency, and create fire adapted communities as described in the Cohesive Strategy. The area is currently in FRCC 2 and the project would move it toward and FRCC of 1. Sagebrush steppe treatments/Mountain shrub improvement treatments: The objectives are to reduce PJ cover to less than 10% in these areas and to maintain or cheat grass levels through seeding. Reduce trees per acre, especially in the 9" and less size classes. Move toward Desire BioPhysical settings outlined in the TNC LCF document (see attachments). Ponderosa Pine treatments: The objectives for conducting a commercial thinning will be to remove all of the white fir and smaller live ponderosa pine mostly between 12-18" DBH or ponderosa pine showing poor health characteristics such as dead branches in the tops, browning needles, or obvious bark beetle infestation. The thinning treatment will reduce the basal area from about 120 sq. ft./acre to 60-80 sq. ft./acre across the timber thinning unit and will increase tree health and vigor in ponderosa pine stands by reducing insect hazard rating and potential for crown fire. Aspen Woodland-Mechanically remove small diameter conifer trees on 345 acres of aspen woodland outside of the wilderness area using chainsaws. The 345 acre treatment polygon includes 88 acres of the aspen vegetation class scattered throughout. In this case, these treatments will be focused on reducing the composition of conifer trees within these stands in order to help protect the health and vigor of the remaining large over-story trees. Stands will be fenced after treatment to prevent livestock browsing. This treatment will remove mid-level ladder fuels, reducing the potential for an active crown fire under 90th percentile weather conditions. These treatments are consistent with the Forest Plan and create conditions where surface fire intensities may be increased but crown fire potential is reduced providing greater decision space for fire managers

Large portions of the Pine Valley Ranger District have been identified as high priority for fuels reduction treatments in the Chief's 10 Year Wildfire Crises Strategy: Enterprise, Hurricane, Washington, and Cedar City, UT Firesheds, and Acoma, NV Fireshed. The landscape's low elevation and topography make these areas particularly susceptible to changing fire regimes and climate change impacts, creating an urgent need to reduce the risk of undesired wildfire. Critical issues in these priority areas include wildland-urban interface and intermixed private land/communities (St. George, Enterprise, Pinto, New Harmony, Central, and Pine Valley), water quality, watershed health and resiliency, nonnative annual invasives, and critical infrastructure, including major national energy corridors. As highlighted under the "Need for the Project" and "Objectives" sections the current conditions of both vegetation and fuels within the project area and the areas proposed for treatment show the landscape varies in terms of whether it is near or across ecological thresholds. The areas proposed for mastication using Forest Service personnel are sagebrush grasslands with mid- to late Phase I PJ succession. If these areas are not treated within the next 10 years they will require larger equipment to complete the mastication resulting in increased costs ($200/acre to $600/acre at 2023 estimated costs.). In the areas proposed for contract mastication and seeding there is a mixture of Phase II-Phase III PJ succession into mountain shrublands. Full Conversion to Phase III will increase treatment costs. Forest Service vegetation trend data show these sites currently have between 0-5% cover comprised of cheat grass. If this area were to have a wildfire it could result in a complete type conversion to nonnative invasive annual grass species. The biggest risks to project success include; wildfire occurring in the project area prior to project completion, overutilization of treatments preventing desired vegetation establishment, and maintaining a mosaic of successional stages into the future. Recent wildfires around the project area have already caused economic and ecological damage. Should a wildfire start prior to completion of treatments, private property and infrastructure damage could occur (see Fire and Fuels Section). Fire suppression costs on the Saddle and West Valley Fires immediately adjacent to the project area totaled more than $20,000,000, not including post-fire rehabilitation. Completing fuels treatments in advance of a wildfire can help to reduce or eliminate suppression costs and reduce unwanted fire effects to resources and communities. The risks of an uncharacteristically severe wildfire in and adjacent to the project area include, but are not limited to: 1) Increased erosion and sedimentation 2) Stream channel incision and loss of fish habitat 3) Increased risk of flooding and debris flows 4) Loss of soil productivity 5) Loss of later seral stage wildlife habitat 6) Threat of noxious weed invasion and a change in plant community type. 7) Loss (at least temporarily) of wildlife and livestock forage 8) Loss of life and/or property in the nearby communities or private inholdings in Grass Valley. The DWR biologist over the Pine Valley Unit provided the following comments related to wildlife values associated with this project: "The DWR Pine Valley mule deer management plan sets a population objective of 19,500 deer. Our most recent estimate in 2022 showed the population is under objective at 18,000. We first deployed GPS collars as part of the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative on the Pine Valley in 2015. The collar data we're collecting shows significant mule deer reliance on this area during the spring, summer and early fall months. Deer collared on winter ranges from the Black Ridge, Tobin, Dammeron, Motoqua and Newcastle areas depend on this important habitat. A screenshot of the collar data in wildlife tracker is attached in the documents section. I'm hopeful that removing some PJ and increasing the presence of forbs and desirable browse species will help increase fawn production/survival on the unit and help us attain our mule deer population and recreation goals. I also want to mention that wild turkey use in this area. The population has been down significantly in recent drought years. I believe this project will help us recover the population by increasing and improving the poult rearing habitat. The seeded forbs and grasses will attract insect species that are heavily relied upon in their early growth stages. The nearby agricultural and recreational communities of Pinto and Pine Valley have had nuisance issues with turkeys. Hopefully by providing this improved habitat the nuisance issues will subside."

Directly ties to the National Cohesive Wildland Fires Management Strategy, Confronting the Wildfire Crisis 10 year Strategy, Shared Stewardship Investment Strategy, And Dixie National Forest Land Management Resource Plan. Utah's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP): The WAP identifies the following key habitats that would be addressed by this project: Riverine, Mountain sagebrush, and Mountain Shrub. The WAP lists Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity a high-level threat for BCT and mule deer. Actions supported by the project include: 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings, 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings, and 2.3.17 Apply or allow more fire in habitats/locations where fire was historically more frequent or intense. The WAP lists Problematic Plant Species - Native Upland as a Very High-level threat to Mountain sagebrush communities. Actions supported by this project that would stimulate younger age classes include Dixie or chain harrowing, brush mowing, mastication, mastication and lop and scatter or lop and pile. Dixie National Forest Land Resource Management Plan (as amended): Goal 15 -- Maintain or enhance the terrestrial habitat for all wildlife species presently on the Forest (page IV-5). All the vegetation treatments proposed should increase browse and or forage for Forest MIS species, such as mule deer, elk and wild turkey. Goal 17 -- Managed Classified Species habitat to maintain or enhance their status through direct habitat improvement and agency cooperation (Page IV-6). This project has the potential to benefit a core, remnant population of BCT. BCT are an Intermountain Region Sensitive species and is managed under Conservation Agreement and Strategy that both DWR and the Forest Service are signatories or involved partners. Deer Herd Unit # 30 (Pine Valley) 2015: The Unit Plan has objectives to "Maintain or enhance forage production through direct range improvements on winter and summer deer range throughout the unit to achieve population management objectives," and "Maintain critical fawning habitat in good condition. Fawn recruitment is a major concern on this unit and maybe the single greatest factor limiting the population." In order to accomplish these objectives it sets the following strategies "Coordinate with federal and state partners in designing projects that will improve fire resiliency and protect areas of crucial habitat," "Manage riparian areas in critical fawning habitat to furnish water, cover and succulent forage from mid- to late summer," "Protect deer winter ranges from wildfire by reseeding burned areas, creating fuel breaks and vegetated, green strips and reseed areas dominated by Cheat grass with desirable perennial vegetation," The Plan specifically calls for "Landscape level watershed improvements on the Pine Valley Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest with a focus on transitional ranges," as well as Pinyon juniper removal efforts and reseeding in sagebrush and mountain brush communities. Additionally, see "Other Sustainable Uses" for a discussion on depredation issues. Bonneville cutthroat trout Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy (UDWR 2018): The BCT CAS identifies large wildfires as a factor that is a threat to the persistence of BCT, with the threat being highest for disjunct populations such as Water Canyon. As outlined in the Project Need, Water Quality and Quantity and Ecological Thresholds sections of the proposal the treatments within this proposal will support the following objectives and actions from the BCT CAS: Goal 2: Protect all critical BCT populations (in this case critical = genetically pure). Goal 3, Objective 1: Work with landowners to maintain/improve land management activities. Goal 8, Objective 1 Encourage and enable partners to perform restoration that benefits the BCT fisheries. State of Utah-Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy: Protecting the health and welfare of Utahns and our lands. Recommendations- 5. Adopt key recommendations from the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy- Encourage federal land management agencies to expedite fuels treatments. Pine Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2014: Objectives: 1) Enhance levels of fire resistance and protection to the community. 2) Reduce the potential for and the consequences of wildfire. Goal B: Community will work with county, state and federal fire officials to decrease fuels on adjacent public lands to reduce wildfire intensity and impact in and around the community. The Plan lists a major part of achieving this goal is to complete the fuel break around Pine Valley, parts of which are included in this proposal. Washington County Resource Management Plan: The following objectives and action recommended in the Washington County RMP would be fulfilled by the various aspects of this project. Fire Management Objectives: 1) Fuels and fires are managed so that the county has no catastrophic wildfires. 2) Controlled fire is a tool for managing fuels. 3) Fire management is used as a tool to protect water quality and forage yield. To achieve these objectives the County recommended the following pre-suppression activities: 1) The creation of defensible space around homes, outbuildings, campgrounds. 2) Fuel load reduction projects through thinning, harvesting, and other mechanical means. 3) Utilizing prescribed fire under the appropriate conditions to remove hazardous fuels. 4) Implement efforts to maintain or create healthy landscapes and ecosystems focused on native vegetation. Fisheries Objectives: 1) Fisheries support healthy ecosystems, enhance native fish populations, and provide sport fishing. 2) Fisheries play a role in getting listed species delisted and preventing listing of new species. To achieve these objectives the County recommended the following Management Action: 1) The county will work with state, federal, and local partners to manage existing fisheries. Forest Management Objectives: 1) Forests are healthy and sustainable through management that responds to pest concerns and plans for responsible harvest. 2) Forests are managed to avoid catastrophic fires. To achieve these objectives the County recommended the following Management Actions: 1) The county will support and facilitate efforts by US Forest Service, state partners, and private landowners to maintain healthy forests through active and adaptive management. 2) The county will support efforts to manage fuels to reduce catastrophic wildfires in forests by identifying high priority areas for fuels management and actively participating in fuels decisions. Livestock and Grazing Objectives: 1) Grazing is adaptively managed to fully utilize forage resources. Adjusting stocking rates to achieve proper stocking should be based on monitoring of actual stocking, utilization, and trends in range vegetation and soil. This is called the "stock and monitor" approach and is synonymous with adaptive management. 2) Grazing rights are managed under best grazing practices including the time/timing/intensity model. Riparian Area Objectives: 1) Riparian areas are healthy and ecologically functional, where functional is not defined us untouched, but rather as structurally stable and supporting riparian flora and fauna. To achieve these objectives the County recommended the following Management Action: 1) The county will work with federal, state, and municipal partners to manage existing riparian areas. Water Quality and Hydrology Objectives: 1) The county has an adequate supply of clean water to supply the domestic, recreational, and ecological needs of the residents and visitors. Wilderness Objectives: 1) Existing wilderness is ecologically healthy and supports appropriate recreation. Wildlife Objectives: 1) Thriving wildlife populations provide wildlife viewing and hunting experiences for residents and visitors to the county. 2) Hunting continues to be part of the economy and traditions of the area.

High-risk firesheds are large forested landscapes and rangelands where there is a high likelihood that an ignition could expose homes, communities, and infrastructure to destructive wildfire. Overgrown forests, a warming climate, and a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface, following more than a century of rigorous fire suppression, have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis. The area is currently characterized as a condition class II and III and would continue to depart from historic levels with each missed fire return interval. Without treatment in the other proposed areas, this fire group would be at risk to a high intensity stand replacing fire situation, due to fire spreading from adjacent vegetation types. Current fuel configurations are prone to high intensity stand replacement fires. Fires of this nature are difficult to control and costly to suppress. Fuel conditions within the project area would likely result in uncharacteristically large and severe fires. Within the meadows and chained areas, mature sagebrush (Artemesia spp.), patches of mature mountain brush (Cercocarpus spp.) and encroachment of phase one P-J create uncharacteristically large areas of continuous fuels that are not limited by species diversity and mixed age classes. Presence of invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) contributes to the continuous fuel loading, flammability, and potential for increased rate of fire spread. Existing vegetative treatments (historic chainings) are not adequate to slow or safely suppress an approaching wildfire due to their present width and configuration. Few fuel reduction treatments have been implemented within the WUI values zone or project area. Continuous dense vegetation could lead to high intensity large scale fires and increase risk to suppression forces and adjacent landowners. Existing conditions limit fire management decision space and options related to initial attack. . The presence of ninety degree angles along the boundary between Forest Service administered lands and private lands has historically been shown to reduce the success of fire suppression actions from within the defensible fire space area (USDA 2010). Grassy Flat Rd (FS 253) the main egress route for the project area, may be compromised in the event of wildfire and not provide safe passage for residents and firefighter. Pinyon-juniper control thinning and removal treatments will change from a Fuel Model 6 (Shrub) to a Grass Shrub 2 (GS2) (Scott and Burgan 2005). GS2 is a Moderate Load Dry Climate Grass Shrub model with the main fire carrier being grass and shrubs 1-3 feet in height. This change in fuel type has a dramatic change in rates of spread (ROS) and Flame Length (Breshears and others) which allows for fire management personnel to provide better suppression response. Values at risk from a wildfire include homes and structures in Pine Valley which is 4 miles south of the project area, homes and structures in the community of Central which is 6 miles southwest of the project, private land in Grassy Flat which adjacent to the project and homes and structures in Grass Valley which is approximately 1 mile southeast of the project area. Cheat grass is present throughout the project area and a large wildfire could result in type conversion to cheat grass in sagebrush, mountain shrub and PJ woodland communities. This could have major impacts to big game use of the area, as well as the ability of the area to sustain the current level of livestock AUMs. Other values at risk from wildfire should the project not be completed include: homes and outbuildings in the private lands in Grass Valley and community of Pine Valley, the road and trail infrastructure in the Area, and irrigation water and infrastructure in Grass and Pine Valley.

Treatments in the Grass Valley portion of the project area were initiated to improve watershed conditions. This phase of the project focuses on PJ removal and seeding in the uplands above Grass Valley Creek which is a tributary to the Santa Clara River. This project also drains into a tansbasin diversion from Grass Valley into Pinto Creek to the north. In addition, there are some forestry practices to improve aspen condition below Rencher Peak. These treatments are directly adjacent to 2 ponds that typically hold water year-round and are an important source of drinking water for wildlife and livestock. Pebble counts downstream from the project in the Santa Clara River have shown the fine sediment levels exceeding Forest plan standards. Pinyon Juniper removal projects have been shown to increase the ground cover of grasses and forbs, thereby reducing bare ground and erosion (Roundy & Vernon, 1999; Pierson, Bates, Svejcar, & Hardegree, 2007a; Peterson & Stringham, 2008; Pierson, et al., 2010; Cline, Pierson, Kormos, & Williams, 2010). The benefits of healthy riparian vegetation and connected floodplains and wetlands to water quality, as well as water storage and release are well documented. Riparian vegetation buffers can trap sediment during overbank flow events and prevent sediment from overland runoff from reaching stream channels (Belt, O'Laughlin, & Merrill, 1992). Fine sediment input to streams can lead to an associated increase in nutrient loading, decreased dissolved oxygen and an increase in waterborne diseases. Stream bank stability is instrumental in preventing excessive erosion. Willow-sedge communities are among the best for maintaining stream bank stability (Winward, 2000). This project may indirectly improve hydric species and riparian hardwood communities through removal of encroaching conifers in the upland that directly contribute to grass valley creek and subsequently the Santa Clara River as a result of reduced erosion and the associated sediment it carries. Wildfire can have immediate and relatively long-lasting negative impacts to water quality. Ash and debris flows can elevate levels of total dissolved solids, lower dissolved oxygen and increase nutrient levels (Neary et al. 2005). These impacts can extend for long distances (30-50 miles downstream; Lyon and O'Connor 2008). Runoff from the 2018 West Valley Fire in the Pine Valley Wilderness had negative water quality and habitat ramifications on Pinto Creek (see project 4779). The Santa Clara River downstream from Baker Reservoir is 303d listed for Total Dissolved Solids, reducing the potential for uncharacteristically high severity wildfire in the in the headwaters of the Santa Clara reduces the risk of exacerbating these water quality issues. Pinto Creek drains into Newcastle Reservoir which currently has a TMDL for Total Phosphorus loading and low dissolved oxygen (Utah Department of Environmental Quality, 2008). These impairments to beneficial uses are interrelated as elevations in nutrient levels result in increased algal biomass production and transport which increases biological oxygen demand (BOD) and decreases dissolved oxygen levels. The TMDL identifies that non-point sources are the primary cause for elevated total phosphorus levels including forest land management. Management on NFS lands that increase erosion and runoff are implicated in elevating phosphorus levels in Newcastle Reservoir. Consequently, forest management is a major target for reducing phosphorus loading to the Reservoir. The TMDL calls for stabilizing slopes as well as pinyon and juniper removal to reduce runoff and erosion and promote better upland forage quality (Section 7.3.2.2.3). While research regarding the impacts of PJ removal on water yield are mixed, recent research indicates that pinyon-juniper removal in mountain sagebrush can increase soil water availability (Roundy et al. 2014). This research indicates that the later the stage of PJ succession the larger the benefit is likely to be. This project proposes removing over 3000 acres of Phase I and II PJ succession which should increase in the duration of soil moisture availability anywhere between 10-26 days for multiple years following treatment. The results of research on the volume and longevity of water yield increase following conifer removal from aspen communities, such as those proposed in this project, has been variable with some studies showing fairly substantial, relative long-term increases (Gottfried 1991) and others show little increase, or only short-term increases (Troendle et al. 2010). Perhaps the most compelling local study shows that aspen stands had 34-44% higher snow water equivalents than adjacent conifer stands and a 42-83% greater potential water yield for runoff and groundwater recharge (LaMalfa and Ryle, 2008), indicating that removal of conifer and maintaining and improving aspen stands should result in higher water yield. Both the Santa Clara River and Pinto Creek are used for irrigation. Preventing impacts to irrigation infrastructure caused by flooding subsequent to wildfire also maintains water availability for agriculture.

The Environmental Analysis and Decision Notice documents for the Grass Valley Watershed Restoration projects are all completed and signed (see attachments). Cultural clearance has been/or is being completed for all acres of the project area. Wildlife surveys will be completed prior to implementation.

PJ thinning and removal using mastication, hand thinning, lop and scatter using hand crews, entire project will be aerial seeded. Forestry treatments will be used in the area directly below Rencher peak to improve aspen condition.

Fuels monitoring -- Brown's transects have been established to measure fuel loading throughout the project area. These can be repeated post-treatment and the results uploaded to the UWRI web site. Additionally photo points will be established before and after project treatments within the various project units.

UTFFSL personnel and the Forest Service met in November 2019 to discuss this project and how private lands work can be coordinated with work on the Forest. UDWR is aware of this project and was asked for, and provided input to, the Environmental Analysis for the Grass Valley project. Additionally, these projects were several of many discussed at a meeting between Forest service and UDWR biologists in summer 2019. During the Environmental Analysis process several public meetings were held in the communities of Pine Valley and New Harmony to discuss the fuel break treatments, as well as the Grass Valley Watershed Creek Restoration Project. Additionally, District personnel have met with the Washington County Fire Warden, the Pine Valley Fire Department and the County Commissioners to discuss the project and they are supportive of moving the project forward. Livestock permittees met with USFS and NRCS personnel in December 2019 to discuss the project. To date three of the five permitees have signed up to qualify for funds from the EQIP program to go toward the project.

As mentioned previously this project is one Phase of a large effort to protect communities and allow for natural ignitions to burn in the Pine Valley Wilderness. More than 950 acres of the Pine Valley Fuel break have been completed and over 650 additional acres of vegetation management around the community of Pine Valley will be completed in future Phases of this project. In addition to Phase I future Phases of this project will treat more than 5,000 additional acres in Grass Valley. The Dixie National Forest has been working for nearly a decade to initiate and complete this suite of projects that help create fire resilient communities and ecosystems so that fire can play its natural role in the Pine Valley Wilderness, so the ultimate goal is to be able to manage natural ignitions to maintain ecological diversity in the future. The Forest Service's commitment to community wildfire protection should help to ensure the continued maintenance of the treatments contained in this proposal, as well as the pursuit of additional vegetation management projects that have that same goal. The Pine Valley Community Wildfire Protection Plan will also help make sure that fuels treatments in areas surrounding the community are maintained. The Pine Valley cattle allotment is partially overlain by all of the proposed projects (see Sustainable Uses Section). The portions of the pasture receiving seeding will be rested for two growing seasons using a combination of herding, reduced duration on the pasture and temporary electric fence. The Forest will work with permitees to adjust Annual Operating Instructions to achieve the goals of the project. Additionally, in order to qualify for NRCS funding the permittees need to agree to practices NCRS requires to protect its investment into a plan. In this case the producer that is participating in the upland range work will be required to follow NRCS practice 645- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management. NRCS practice 645-Upland Wildlife Habitat Management will require no grazing for 2 growing seasons, a stubble height requirement, and a grazing management plan with recommendations for proper use. Each NRCS practice has a lifespan Brush Management (practice used for the lop and scatter) has a 10 year lifespan. Meaning that for the next 10 years that practice cannot be implemented again in the same areas. The practice lifespan for fence is 20 years, so fence could not be contracted in the same footprint in the next 20 years. Future grazing management will be determined by long-term trend and annual use data providing an adaptive management feed back loop. One of the goals of the project is to provide a more functional 6 pasture allotment for the permitees. Once treatments in the entire project area are completed the goal is to maintain the treatments through future work to remove whips and missed trees using dedicated hunters and other volunteers, as well as Youth Conservation Corps crews. The Environmental Analysis allows for maintenance of future succession of pinyon and juniper trees into the treated areas.

The entire project area is in the active Pine Valley cattle allotment. The Pine Valley allotment is currently managed on a six pasture, deferred rotation with a permitted use of 786 cow/calf pairs. For many years the Grass Valley pasture has been used as a transitory pasture partially because of poor range conditions (see project need). Additionally, monitoring of annual use indicators on Water Canyon in the adjacent Mountain Unit pasture riparian areas has shown that stubble height and bank alteration have exceeded standard in multiple years over the past decade. One of the main contributors to both these issues has been the non-functional fence around the Grass Valley pasture. Rebuilding the fence would assist with maintaining the distribution and rotation of livestock on the allotment. Additionally, this project proposes 761 acres of mastication and lop and scatter treatments followed by seeding on the Mountain Unit pasture. This is expected to increase forage production on these acres by more than 400lbs/acre. Finally Phase II of this project will propose major work in the Grass Valley pasture including over 1,300 acres of Dixie harrow and seeding. This will dramatically increase the forage in this pasture and allow a return to a full 6 pasture deferred rotation. Resting the treatments in Phase II of the project is contingent on rebuilding the pasture boundary fence. Ponderosa pine communities that are outside of IRAs and the Pine Valley Wilderness have commercial value. This project proposes commercial harvest of 96 acres which could provide approximately 810 CCF of commercial timber volume. The other major use of the project area is recreation. The Pine Valley Recreation Area lies squarely within the area to be surrounded by the Pine Valley Fuel break. The recreation area has averaged over 46,000 visitors a year for the past five years with visitor use generally increasing. This generates over $125,000 a year in user fees for day use and camping. Additionally, it provides considerable business to the restaurants and other service industry businesses in Pine Valley, Central, and Veyo. The Forest Service has invested heavily infrastructure for this are included paved trails, bridges, campgrounds roads and a water system. Flooding that was partially off of the West Valley Fire scar damaged trail bridges, a campground, and the water system in 2018. Reducing the risk of large wildfire impacts to this area will help to maintain and support the economic benefit of recreation gained from this area. Pine Valley Reservoir is a popular family fishery within the recreation area and the Santa Clara flowing into the reservoir is also moderately used fishery by anglers using the recreation area. Downstream in the canyon section of the Santa Clara River below Pine Valley is a destination for fly fisherman and in certain years can produce fairly sizeable brown trout (see images in attachments). Reducing the risk of post-fire flooding impacts to these fisheries helps maintain these recreational opportunities. The Pine Valley Wilderness is a popular place for horseback riding, hunting and hiking. Treatments proposed in the Grass Valley portion of the project will improve trail systems through maintenance and reroutes, as well as improve the visual quality of the landscape by improving riparian, sagebrush steppe and mountain shrub vegetation. Hunting and shed hunting are common activities throughout the area. The benefits to mule deer on crucial and substantial summer range should improve the quality of hunting throughout the project area. This and future phases of the project should also provide additional forage around private lands in the north end of Grass Valley to assist with crop damage issues there. A 2017 report by the Outdoor Industry Association showed that nationally, outdoor recreation generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually, supports 7.6 million jobs and generates $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue. The USFWS's 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation estimated that more than $1,000,000 was spent on hunting and fishing in Utah alone in 2011. Maintaining and improving these recreational opportunities should provide economic benefits to local communities.