INTRODUCTION This project is a continuation and supplement to projects already completed and ongoing vegetation, grazing, and habitat enhancement projects (WRI #5921, #6496, #6853, #3080, #5278, #5762, #6976, #6497, #6852, & #6807). Partners have been working in close collaboration in this area for several years and this project will further enhance the watershed scale improvements across all landownerships. The project area is near Koosharem Reservoir, Sevier County Utah, and characterized by intact sagebrush and meadow valley bottom, moving into pinyon/juniper woodlands and mountain mahogany, and then aspen and mountain brush communities. It is part of the Fishlake National Forest and the Fishlake Deer and Elk herd Management Unit. This area is extremely popular for both elk, deer and wild turkey hunting on both public and private lands. SAGE GROUSE and OTHER SAGEBRUSH BIRDS The project area is part of the Parker Mountain Sage grouse management area. The sagebrush valley bottom and meadow complexes are critically important for sage grouse with wet meadows being identified as a limiting factor for population growth in this management area. The area has also been identified as important habitat for rapidly declining sage sparrow, sage thrasher, and Brewer's sparrow. Within Utah, 66-75% of all bird species use mesic habitats during some portion of their life history. Typically, diversity and abundance of birds dramatically increases in western mesic habitat compared with other habitat types(Utah Partners in Flight Avian Conservation Strategy 2.0, 2002). Other research shows that 60--80% of wildlife are dependent on mesic habitats (e.g., wetlands and riparian areas; Thomas et al. 1979, Patten 1998, Belsky et al. 1999, Peck and Lovvorn 2001). AGRICULTURE This area is also vital to the local areas agriculture economy and identify being a mix of private and public grazing allotments. It is also the headwaters of the Otter Creek Watershed which feeds Koosharem Reservoir and Grass Valley, with valuable water resources then drains into Otter Creek Reservoir and then the Sevier River. Water projects that can distribute domestic and native ungulate species are needed to increase the positive impacts of additional open space and forage created by past upland projects. This will increase our return on investment for this area moving forward. Increased water developments, pipelines and troughs allow for improved grazing and water sources for livestock and wildlife. Fencing allows for grazing improvements, improved rotational grazing systems within the Daniels Canyon and Boobe Hole Allotments. MAPPED AND IDENTIFIED CRUCIAL MULE DEER HABITAT This project area is identified as "priority for restoration of crucial mule deer habitat" under the Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan (Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan, 2019-2024). "Crucial" is defined as "habitat necessary to sustain the areas mule deer herd". This project will specifically meet the objective of "working with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering and migration areas". MONARCH AND WESTERN BUMBLEBEE Monarchs are a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act and W. Bumble bee are a petitioned species. Some of the most forb diverse habitats are those around water. By improving wetlands and wet meadow complexes we are benefitting a very large diversity of pollinators, including monarchs and W. bumblebee. Furthermore, conservationists are coming to realize the importance of late season forb vegetation for migrating pollinators. Wetted habitats have those late season nectar sources.

This project will provide additional water to the South Boobe Hole CWMU livestock grazing allotment along with providing year round water source for wildlife on the Fishlake Plateau Wildlife Management Unit. This project will partner with the UDWR, USFWS (Partners Program) Anderson Ranches (Grazing Permittee) and the Boobe Hole CWMU to accomplish this task. Objective are to distribute additional water sources within the allotment allowing cattle to utilize the allotment more efficient. This will also allow additional water for wildlife to utilize during the year. 2 watering troughs to be installed and overflow catchments will be re-clayed and cleaned out. In addition a new 1.5" HDPE pipeline will be installed to service the water to the troughs, this pipeline will be installed above ground. The existing solar pump will continue to provide the needed water to the troughs and allow for water to be stored during the grazing season. Increase water storage and distribution will allow for additional grazing utilization of the livestock as well as providing much needed water for wildlife within the Fishlake Plateau Unit. In addition to the water troughs and pipeline portion of the project, USFWS will be providing a much needed but simple solution to spring water run off. USFWS will be implementing several Wetland Restoration practices in the form of Zeedyk Structures. These rock structures will allow for improved water saturation during the spring run off, letting water back up and spread across the landscape. Another aspect of this project will be to construct a let down fence along the FS and Private Property Boundary. This let down fence is critical in the future grazing aspect of the Boobe Hole Allotment, neighboring livestock trail along this fence utilizing water developments and forage during the summer months. Livestock spend an overwhelming amount of time in this location contributing to the increased TMDL sediment entering into Daniels Canyon headwaters and contributing to the Koosharem Reservoir/Otter Creek TMDL situation.

WE NEED TO WORK IN WETTED HABITATS AS SOON AS OPPORTUNITY ARISES Today, less than 1% of Utah's total land is wetlands. Seventy-five percent of these remaining wetlands are part of the Greater Great Salt Lake Ecosystem. In Southern Utah not only are wetlands rare, they are ultra-rare, making up an extremely small portion of the landscape. Having said this wetlands are disproportionally important on the landscape. Habitats near water -- streamsides, wet meadows and wetlands -- support the greatest variety of animal and plant life, and attract wildlife during their daily and seasonal movements. In a water-scarce landscape like Utah, these lush habitats are also where people have naturally settled. As stated, wetland habitat is the rarest type of habitat in Utah, yet the role of wetland habitat on the landscape is substantial. In Utah it is said as much as 80% of mesic habitat occurs on private lands. These private mesic lands critically important to the health of wildlife populations across public and private lands. If true wildlife conservation is to take place on a sustainable level, public wildlife managers must engage private landowners. It is important that we continue to work in these areas that are critically important to the landscape around them, and because these wet areas are mostly private it is extremely important to work with private landowners restoring these areas whenever possible. Wet habitat is the zipper that ties the ecology of the surrounding landscapes together. Not working in these wet areas puts adjacent habitat and wildlife at risk. Right now we have landowner and land manager who absolutely gets the vision of wetland/wet meadow restoration and had been trying to do his own restoration in the past. They are supportive moving forward working with University and scary Government biologists and we need to capitalized on this while we can. Additionally, they manage grazing very well with the meadows part of a large scale rotation, and the meadows receiving ample rest. MAPPED AND IDENTIFIED CRUCIAL MULE DEER HABITAT As previously stated, but also relevant in the "why here why now" section, this project area is identified as "priority for restoration of crucial mule deer habitat" under the Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan (Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan, 2019-2024). "Crucial" is defined as "habitat necessary to sustain the areas mule deer herd". This project will specifically meet the objective of "working with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering and migration areas". Mule deer population numbers are at a many year low. The public as well as elected officials are placing a high priority in restoring mule deer numbers. Working in crucial habitat as this has been identified by wildlife professionals, has a higher likelihood of giving us an greater return on our investment for mule deer. TNC LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION FORCAST MODELING A search of WRI supported Landscape Forecasting was conducted and no data exist for this area. USGS BIOME-SAGEBRUSH CORE HABITAT MODELING These data were compiled as a part of a landscape conservation design effort for the sagebrush biome, and are the result of applying a spatially explicit model that assessed geographic patterns in sagebrush ecological integrity and used these results to identify Core Sagebrush Areas (CSAs), Growth Opportunity Areas (GOAs), and Other Rangeland Areas (ORAs). This model is being used biome-wide to target core intact sagebrush habitat to focus sagebrush protection and restoration with the Department of the Interior. Using the prioritization tool, this project falls within CSAs and GOAs, meaning they are the best of the best sagebrush habitats needing protection and restoration. WILDLIFE TRACKER DATA Attached to the images/documents page is a screenshot of the project area and area directly adjacent to the project. Not much to say other than the project area and adjacent habitat get a ton of use from elk and deer. It also shows 3 bears and 2 mountain lions using previously completed work. The points show animals using previous mastication's, seedings, and wetland work. In addition to the above listed objectives the below goals/objectives are identified in the ELK STATEWIDE PLAN: B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. Strategies: C. Habitat Improvement - a. Utilize Habitat Council, Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, Wildlife Conservation Permit funds, and other funding mechanisms to restore or improve crucial elk habitats. b. Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk habitat. c. Coordinate with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize elk habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration. i. Identify habitat projects on summer ranges (aspen communities) to improve calving habitat and summer forage. ii. Encourage land managers to manage portions of forests in early succession stages through the use of controlled burning, logging or other methods. Controlled burning in areas with invasive weed and/or safety concerns should be supported only when adequate planning and mitigation measures have been identified. iii. Promote Fire Use (let-burn) policies in appropriate areas that will benefit elk, and conduct reseeding efforts post wildlife. In addition to the above listed objectives the below goals/objectives are identified in the TURKEY MANAGEMENT PLAN: General Suitable habitat includes three key ingredients: trees, forbs and grass. Regardless of the type of environment, this combination must exist for turkeys to thrive. Trees provide food, daytime loafing and escape cover, and- --most importantly -- nighttime roost sites. Grasses and forbs provide food for adults and are especially important to poults as an environment in which they can efficiently forage for insects. Brood Rearing: During the first eight weeks after hatching, there are three essential components of brood rearing habitat. First - Poults need an environment that produces an abundance of insects. Second - Poults need habitat in which they can frequently and efficiently forage throughout the day. Third - Poults need an area that provides enough cover to hide, but allows the adult hen unobstructed vision for protection from predators. Therefore, the fundamental component of brood rearing habitat is herbaceous vegetation interspersed with trees. Herbaceous vegetation is key because it provides an ideal foraging environment for poults. Fall and Winter: Wild turkeys seek two imperative habitat ingredients in the fall and winter --food and roosting cover. Vegetation that turkeys utilize during the fall and winter is highly varied. Turkeys increase their use of forested cover during the fall and winter and decrease their use of open areas. Mast (pine nuts, acorns, berries) is the primary food source during fall and winter. Habitat value increases with higher proportions of mast-producing species in the forest and their degree of maturity. In mountainous environments, spring seeps are an important source of fall and winter food. Seeps provide invertebrates, mast and green vegetation. Because such water does not freeze, it provides a microclimate that allows foraging throughout the winter. Increased Habitat for Dusky (Blue) Grouse: Nesting/brood rearing Habitat: Provide overhead cover for nests, most plants used, sagebrush in Utah Aspen patches are critical for nesting/brood-rearing Food is varied this time of year, mostly leaves, flowers, berries and insects (grasshoppers for chicks), dandelions. Broods move about 600 yds Forage species to encourage: Currants, serviceberry, snowberry, mountain-mahogany, strawberry, rose, buffaloberry, dandelion, clover, buckwheat, vetch. Dusky grouse will use sagebrush/forest ecotone brood break up is usually in early Sept. Water developments will continue to enhance brood survivability, creating wet areas for insects and bugs for young chicks to forage on and grow.

This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Fishlake National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1986) (LRMP). The purpose and need for this project is consistent with Fishlake National Forest goals and objectives found in Chapter IV of the Forest Plan. The proposed treatment units are within management areas 5A- Big Game Winter Range (majority of proposed acres) and 4B - Habitat for Management Indicator Species. This proposal is consistent with and it responds to Fishlake Forest Plan direction for wildlife management in areas 5A and 4B. The relevant goals and objectives are listed below: * Improve or maintain the quality of habitat on big game winter ranges. (Forest Plan IV-4) * Identify and improve habitat for sensitive, threatened and endangered species including participation in recovery efforts for both plants and animals. (Forest Plan IV-4) * Manage forest cover types to provide variety in stand sizes shape, crown closure, edge contrast, age structure and interspersion (Fishlake LRMP p. IV-99) *Reduce hazardous fuels: the full range of reduction methods is authorized, consistent with forest and MA emphasis and direction (Utah Fire Amendment, pg. A-41) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Elk Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Fishlake Mountain area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (elk). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit elk. B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. C. Watershed Restoration Initiative a) Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk habitat. b) Coordinate with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize elk habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration. This project will help minimize depredation on local agricultural cropland. UDWR biologists and technicians spend a tremendous amount of time and money up and down grass valley herding elk and deer from private lands in the late winter and spring months. The Greater Plateau Elk Complex Elk Management Plan (2016) lists range improvements in the habitat objectives section. This project specifically addresses the components listed under range improvements in that it enhances forage production and habitat quality through direct range improvements on winter range within the unit. The Greater Plateau Elk Complex goes on to mention that "focus will be on high use areas especially where we can entice animals away from agricultural areas". Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Mule Deer Management Plan: This project will help introduce species diversity back into the Fishlake Mountain area. A mosaic design is part of the implementation strategy to create a pattern of treated and un-treated acres that will create an increase of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation should not be an issue for wildlife as care has been taken to have leave areas, old growth areas, and treatment areas in good juxtaposition across the landscape to promote species diversity. Implementation of this project will benefit those species that favor early serial communities and early serial vegetation (deer). This project will provide increases in habitat effectiveness and benefit species such as ungulates. Mosaic patterns created by the project will distribute ungulate herbivory across the landscape minimizing overuse to current key areas and allow newly treated areas to have favorable responses to treatments. There will be some short-term (3-5 years) temporary impacts to plant and animal uses of these areas during the implementation phase of the project; however, the overall outcome will provide much needed plant species diversity across the landscape that will last well into the future. Increased vegetation through implementation of this project that will be created through primary succession methods will greatly benefit mule deer. Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 500,000 acres of crucial range by 2019. (p. 19) d. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species. e. Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah. g. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinion-juniper woodlands and aspen/conifer forests in early successional stages using various methods including timber harvest and managed fire. This project will help minimize depredation on local agricultural cropland. UDWR biologists and technicians spend a tremendous amount of time and money up and down grass valley herding elk and deer from private lands in the late winter and spring months. This project area is identified as "priority for restoration of crucial mule deer habitat" under the Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan (Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan, 2019-2024). "Crucial" is defined as "habitat necessary to sustain the areas mule deer herd". Allowing the area to remain in phase 2 and 3 pinyon and juniper encroachment means less quality habitat to meet mule deer objectives. This project will specifically meet the objective of "working with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering and migration areas". The Fish Lake Unit Mule Deer Management Plan specifically states to "reduce expansion of Pinyon-Juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog, and chaining" (Fish Lake Mule Deer Management Plan, 2015). Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan: Newly treated areas through fire or mechanical means will attract use by wild turkey which are present within the Boobe Hole CWMU and Fishlake Mountain. Insects and new growth will be readily available to support turkey populations. Objective 2. Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide by 2020. (p.16) UDWR Wildlife Action Plan: This project is geared toward meeting the goals found within this plan for a variety of wildlife species from large to small. The entire proposed project area is found within a UWRI conservation focus area. Threat - Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity: Objective #1 for Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity Fire is excluded from habitats in which potential burns now would be frequent, large, and destructive to soils and native vegetation; the habitats are being actively managed (treated) to reduce components or factors that promote risk of catastrophic fire, such as cheatgrass, excessive conifer encroachment, or unnaturally large stands of mature Gambel oak. (pg. 103) Actions: 2.1.9 Establish or enhance fuel breaks in locations that are susceptible to large or intense fires. (pg. 104) 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. (pg. 104) 2.3.20 Conduct post-fire rehabilitation. (pg. 104) Objective #2 for Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity Fire is returned to habitats from which it had been unnaturally excluded; the fire regime (frequency and intensity) in these habitats generally approximates a natural, pre-settlement regime. (pg. 105) 2.3.14 Conduct upland vegetation treatments to restore characteristic upland vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. (pg. 106) 2.3.17 Apply or allow more fire in habitats/locations where fire was historically more frequent or intense. (pg. 106) National Cohesive Strategy: By means of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning at a landscape scale, the resulting mosaic of early and late successional forests will work toward the goal of restoring and maintaining resilient landscapes, one of the three goals described in the National Cohesive Strategy. 1. Resilient Landscapes General guidance regarding vegetation and fuels management include* Use and expand fuel treatments involving mechanical, biological, or chemical methods where economically feasible and sustainable, and where they align with landowner objectives. (pg. 58) State of Utah Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy: The Boobe Hole Project aligns with the mission of the State of Utah's Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy. The project has developed a comprehensive and systematic approach toward reducing the size, intensity and frequency of catastrophic wildland fires on Fishlake Mountain through a collaborative process. The project reduces the risk of a catastrophic wildfire occurrence negatively affecting property, air quality and water systems. The Mission: Develop a collaborative process to protect the health and welfare of Utahns, and our lands by reducing the size and frequency of catastrophic fires. (pg. 4) 5. Adopt Key Recommendations from the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. (pg. 15) * Encourage federal land management agencies to expedite fuels treatments. (pg. 15) * Prioritize landscapes for treatment (irrespective of jurisdictional boundaries). (pg. 15) Grazing Allotment Management Plans: The amount of forage available to livestock within affected allotments on Boobe Hole CWMU is expected to increase significantly as a result of this project. With the removal of pinion/juniper, the amount of grasses and forbs in the sagebrush is also expected to increase significantly. With increased forage, ungulate distribution is expected to improve. Many areas that are currently unproductive due to overgrowth will soon become desirable for future uses by ungulates. Sage Grouse Management: Portions of this project are located within or adjacent to the Parker Mountain-Emery Sage Grouse Management Area. This project aligns with the Parker Mountain Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Local Conservation Plan, October 1, 2006. Specifically, the project corresponds with section 2.5. in the plan, which states as follows: "Action: Treat areas where undesirable vegetation has become, or is at risk of becoming a factor in sage-grouse habitat loss or fragmentation." It also follows the Conservation Plan for Greater Sagegrouse in Utah, February 14, 2013. Specifically section 5.4.1: "Aggressively remove encroaching conifers and other plant species to expand greater sage-grouse habitat where possible." As stated above in the Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse this project will reduce numbers of acres of Pinyon and Juniper encroaching into sage habitats, therefor meeting opportunities to enhance sage grouse habitat. Bald Eagle Management Bald Eagles: Bald eagles are protected by the Utah Wildlife Code, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Although the bald eagle is no longer listed on the Endangered Species List, the species remains listed as a Species of Concern in Utah, a subset of the State Sensitive Species List. State and federal laws prohibit harassing, injuring or killing eagles, or damaging their nests. Midwinter surveys of bald eagles within the lower 48 states were initiated by the National Wildlife Federation in 1979. Wintering Bald Eagles utilize the project area and treatments would improve life cycle opportunities for them. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) is a United States federal statute that protects two species of eagle. The bald eagle was chosen as a national emblem of the United States by the Continental Congress of 1782 and was given legal protection by the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940. This act was expanded to include the golden eagle in 1962.[1] Since the original Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act has been amended several times. It currently prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from "taking" bald eagles. Taking is described to include their parts, nests, or eggs, molesting or disturbing the birds. The Act provides criminal penalties for persons who "take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, at any time or any manner, any bald eagle ... [or any golden eagle], alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof."[2] The purpose of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection act is to not agitate the bald and golden eagle to the extent of not 1.) Abusing an eagle, 2.) Interfering with its substantial lifestyle, including shelter, breeding, feeding, or 3.) Nest abandonment.[3] The eagle feathers have been collected and incorporated into clothing, art, jewelry, etc. In addition, having the possession, exchange, or sale of bald eagle feathers violates the act if no permit is obtained. The basic structure of the act resembles the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. California Condor Management California Condor: This project lies south of I-70 and is therefore within the 10j experimental non-essential area for the California condor. We are to monitor if any of this species were to show up on Fishlake Mountain. State of Utah Forest Action Plan: This project addresses all three of the key goals laid out in the Forest Action Plan: conserve and manage working forest landscapes for multiple values and uses, protect forests from threats and enhance public benefits from trees and forests. Wood products will be available through firewood or post/pole permits. Sevier County Resource Management Plan; This project is congruent with the policies and desired management practices found in Sevier County's Resource Management Plan. Policies (all from pages 6-7) 1. Support the removal of conifers and manage land to promote the establishment of aspen cover and attendant grass, brush, and forbs. 3. Encourage timber harvesting to prevent fuel load and biomass buildup. 5. The county supports prescribed burns as a fuels reduction management tool for resource enhancement, when used in conjunction with forest thinning and post-treatment salvage or in areas that physically cannot be mechanically thinned, when such burns comply with air quality regulations. 12. Support managing forest cover types to perpetuate tree cover and provide healthy stands, high water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat. 14. Support the management of forests and woodlands for healthy conditions that contribute to healthy habitat for animal and plant species, proper watershed functioning conditions, and riparian restoration and enhancement. 16. Support agencies in prioritizing fuel reduction treatment in high-value/high-risk areas (e.g., wildland-urban interface, developed recreation facilities including campgrounds). Desired management Practices 1. Encourage the commercial and non-commercial harvesting of forests and woodlands, to the maximum extent possible, through federal agencies' plans and policies. 4. Agencies should support a broad range of reforestation and timber stand improvement tools and timber harvesting practices consistent with prudent resource protection practices. CENTRAL UTAH FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP): *Greater use of vegetation management to meet resource management objectives *Hazardous fuels treatments will be used to restore ecosystems; protect human, natural and cultural resources; and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities sagebrush steppe communities will be a high priority for ESR and fuel reduction to avoid catastrophic fires in these areas Federal Land Policy and Management Act *Sec. 102 (a); the public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic animals *Sec. 103 (c); The BLM is directed to manage public lands in a manner that will best meet present and future needs of the nation. Richfield Field Office RMP -Manage for a mix of vegetative types, structural stages, and provide for native plant, fish, and wildlife (including SSS) habitats. - Sustain or reestablish the integrity of the sagebrush continuity, and quality of habitat that is necessary to maintain sustainable populations of the Greater sage-grouse and other sagebrush-dependent wildlife species. BLM Grazing Management Regulations: -Objectives are to promote healthy sustainable rangeland ecosystems; to accelerate restoration and improvement of public lands to properly functioning condition -Maintenance and enhancement of habitats to promote the conservation of Federal proposed, Federal candidate, and other special status spec. *SITLA Management Plans: Correspond with the Utah Code Title 53C Chapter Five Section 101, 102 and 103 in accordance with Management of Rangeland Resources Utah Adminstrative Code R850-50-1100 Range Improvement Projects within the SITLA Property.

Fire or fuels loading may play a factor in this project due to the fact that the pipeline will be installed above ground. If by chance a fire does go through this area it may cause damage to the troughs and pipeline depending on the severity of the burn and the time of year the burn occurs. I would also damage or burn the structure that are holding the troughs in place such as lodge pole wood rails and cedar posts. If this does occur the private landowner/UDWR/USFWS will partner together to work on replacing the pipeline, wooden rails and troughs depending on the damage that may of occurred. Watering troughs will be made of galvanized metal and that may with stand the intense heat of a wild land fire in this area. The reduction of forage due to grazing efforts from Livestock will also reduce cheatgrass, and perennial grass species in the allotment that may carry a fire during certain times of year. By implementing this project this will allow cattle to disperse through the grazing allotments, overall grazing will be better managed throughout the season. Installing the additional water troughs will spread out the cattle grazing and reduce congregation at the one water source that is present today. I have uploaded CATFIRE Report for this area, 5-10 nearby structure would be in jeopardy of being burned in a wildfire, nearest structure would be 2-3 miles to the west of the project. This area is critical to wildlife as it is fawning and calving summer range for mule deer and elk, if a fire did happen to burn through this area we would definitely see the impact due to loss of summer habitat. Today, practitioners are restoring the West's creeks, valley bottoms, and wet meadows by using "low-tech, process-based" mesic restoration practices to slow down water, allowing it to spread across the landscape where plants and wildlife can use it. In addition to improving habitat for wildlife and boosting productivity of riparian vegetation communities, these mesic habitats create important fire breaks and refuge for wildlife fleeing wildfire, as detailed in this paper by Emily Fairfax from 2020.

This project will improve water quality and quantity due to the fact that we will be collecting water through a spring development or constructed head box that is already existing and delivering it overland through a pipeline that will prove to be more efficient than allowing the water to not be captured and disbursed on site, collecting sediment, debris and lose water due to evaporation. The quality of the water will be improved as it will be held in water troughs that will allow cattle and wildlife to drink clean clear water verse allowing water to be lost or made unavailable in a damaged seep. Water Right is held by Chad Anderson or Anderson Ranches and was a diligent right. Water Right #63-2582. With water being in short demand wildlife such as deer, elk, turkeys and small mammals would funnel to these areas using the water that the permittee had pumped for his livestock. With the development of this water system that will include solar pump, HDPE pipelines, and the installation of watering troughs along with re-claying water catchments we are positive that this will help improve this aspect of the allotments, reduce time and energy from the livestock grazer, save in fuel, and labor cost. Implementation of this project will benefit XXXXX acres within Boobe Hole grazing allotment within the Fishlake Wildlife Management Unit. This project will allow for distribution of water within the grazing season as cattle move from different pastures as will be available from start to finish. In the past water was critical and moving from pasture to pasture became harder as water was in short supply. Areas of the allotments were not grazed due to cattle congregating around sole sources of water in the fall of the year, as other sources have been over utilized. Within the Boobe Hole Water Enhancement Phase I Project (WRI#5278) we provided funding for the water troughs, solar pump, diversion box and some HDPE Pipe towards the project. With Phase I completed the water quality and quantity has increased significantly, easy access to cleaner water, springs are able to keep water later in the season, with improved overall rangeland forage production. With increased water available the elk, mule deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife species have an added water supply available during critical times of the year. Additional Information on Water Quality refers to the Management Plan: Otter Creek -- East Fork Sevier TMDL Study for Koosharem Reservoir Waterbody ID 16030002-011 Location Sevier County, Utah Pollutants of Concern Total Phosphorus Impaired Beneficial Uses Class 3A: Protected for cold water species of game fish and other cold water aquatic life, including the necessary aquatic organisms in their food chain. Water Quality Assessment In-Lake Total Phosphorus concentration exceeds 0.025 mg/l at reservoir monitoring sites from 50 percent to 100 percent. Water Quality Targets/Endpoints * 0.025 mg/l Total Phosphorus concentration in reservoir. * Average annual Total Phosphorus load = 629 kg/yr. * Load reduction = 582 kg/yr (48%). * A shift from blue-green algal dominance to green algal dominance. * A TSI value in the reservoir not to exceed 50. Implementation Strategies: * Remove livestock access to areas below the reservoir high water mark by fencing 2 miles of shoreline. * Remove livestock access to critical stream segments through fencing 6 miles of stream channel. * Stabilize channel banks and increase filtering capacity through implementation of riparian buffers on 6 miles of stream channel. * Provide off-stream watering for livestock. * Implement rest-rotation grazing management on public allotments and private land areas. * Conduct outreach programs to raise public awareness of proper maintenance and use of septic systems.

Wetland work has already been completed by USFWS, continued wetland work will be scheduled for this summer/fall. If compliance is needed USFWS/UDWR will work with Arie Leeflang on following Culture Clearance procedures and surveying the identified treatment areas. With the pipeline, trough ad fencing portion of the project, no survey work is needed due to the fact that the pipeline will be above surface and troughs will be installed in existing locations. The fence line would be replaced, and re-constructed within the original footprint. Project Manager will continue to work with UDWR Archeologist making sure this would fall under a maintenance or a non-undertaking request.

Pipeline Installation: This project will be implemented with the help of the UDWR, Boobe Hole CWMU, and Anderson Ranches (Grazing Premittee) to establish a pipeline to carry water from an existing head box and pipe water through an HDPE 1.5" pipeline to provide much needed water to two (2) watering troughs within the Boobe Hole CWMU and Fishlake Plateau Wildlife Management Area. This will be done by the use of a Mini Excavator/Skid-steer Equipment and hand laying the pipeline on top of the ground. This project will be installed within the South Boobe Hole Allotment, UDWR and Anderson Ranches (Grazing Permittee) will work together to install this pipeline and set the troughs. The need of distributing water within the allotment is critical in the summer months, UDWR is also in favor as additional watering locations will benefit wildlife populations of mule deer, elk, and wild turkeys within the Fishlake Plateau Management Unit. Rangeland Fence Installation: The construction of up to 5.600 feet of new barbwire let down fence, consisting of four strand barbwire fence with cedar post bracing. This project task order includes the Contractor to furnish all labor, fencing materials, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals. Private Landowner will be allowing access, and help with mobilization of equipment and materials. Wet Meadow Restoration: Contractors will be hired to build erosion control rock structures known as Zeedyk structures. These structures are low impact, low-tech structures using local rock and wood. Structures will be no higher than a few inches and a few feet across. Structures will be mostly hand built using hand-tools. Some small equipment may be needed to move rock and place rock. Rock will come from a local quarry. USU and USFWS will provide contractor oversight. The entire mesic meadow project area is approximately .5 mile in length and 3 acres of meadow. USU and USFWS will work with the contractor to prioritize areas within this project area to work in and types of structures to be built.

WETLAND MONITORING The Ecogeomorphology and Topographic Analysis Lab (ETAL) at Utah State University's Department of Watershed Sciences, working with the landowner and USFWS, will collect and process drone imagery and resulting maps and analysis for Phase II of the Wet Meadow/Wetland restoration on Upper Otter Creek, Utah. We will map a pre-restoration "snapshot" of the following features: 1. Valley Bottom 2. Valley Bottom Centerline 3. Floodplain (riparian/uplands) 4. Rock restoration structures 5. Active Channel 6. Inundation Types 7. Thalwegs 8. Confluences/Diffluences We will provide these outputs as a shapefile and as a map atlas with associated drone imagery and geomorphic mapping. See attached budget and scope of work in the document section. USFWS will conduct annual site visits to assess successes and future needs with the landowner/land manager as part of the USFWS contract. PIPELINE/TROUGHS and FENCE MONITORING: Monitoring of this project will be done by the Anderson Ranch, they will be able to inspect the pipeline, valves, floats and fittings along with the watering troughs to make sure all connections are tight and working properly. Also the permittees will be assigned to monitor the collection box or spring development and remove any sediment that may effect the pipeline, water will be turn off in the fall/winter allowing for the pipeline to drain and not freeze. Anderson Ranch and the UDWR will also monitor the livestock distribution as it pertains to the grazing allotment moving cattle when needed to allow for grass, forbs and shrubs to not be over utilized. UDWR will also monitor the need to keep the troughs clean and free from debris and small mammals along with allowing access for wildlife and cattle to the watering locations. Opportunities may arise to make further improvements on the pipeline, if this is needed grazing permittee will continue to work with UDWR and FS to improve areas of need. Also the need to control noxious weed species if present in the areas around the watering troughs may need to be addressed due to livestock concentration. Motoring the escape ramps making sure they are in good working order and functioning to allow for small rodents and birds to escape the water troughs.

USFWS The USFWS Partners Program has been a key partner in planning and implementing projects across this watershed. USFWS is working closely with the private landowners, UDWR biologists, and USU. Specifically, they are managing the wetland/wet meadow portion of this project from from planning through implementation and working with USU to hire and provide contractor oversight as well as complete the pre and post monitoring. USU Wally McFarland from USU has been a key partner in planning and designing this phase of the wetland work as well as getting the previous wetland work completed. They assisted will continue to assist with contractor hiring, oversight, and payments as well as doing specialized wetland monitoring pre and post treatment. In addition Partnerships from DWQ (Division of Water Quality 319) has been very supportive of this project funding over $42,000 towards this project. Opportunities to assist in other water related projects in the Otter Creek Watershed are moving forward to benefit projects like this. Partners for this project will consist of UDWR, Habitat Council, WRI, along with Anderson Farms (Livestock Permittee). We have been successful in working with them in the past on habitat related projects such as lop and scatter and bullhog mastication work to reduce pinyon and juniper encroachment on winter range to benefit mule deer, elk, wild turkeys and Greater Sage Grouse. Anderson Farms were instrumental in the success of the Phase I Water Enhancement Project WRI#5278. Additional support has been leveraged through great partnerships looking for projects that will provide benefits to the local community, that protect the livestock grazing and wildlife within Sevier County. Great efforts and strides have been made by Sportsman Organizations to improve the overall goals and objectives to increase and sustain wildlife through these types of projects. Phase I Project supporters include funding from RMEF, and Safari Club International.

The private landowners will enter into a Landowner Agreement with USFWS. As part of the landowner agreement with USFWS the landowner agrees to leave the habitat restored in place for at least 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. The landonwer has done other habitat work with USFWS and partners and delivered projects as agreed to.

This project will be a great asset to help benefit the livestock portion of the project, by increasing the need for water in critical areas of this allotment it will be able to increase the overall utilization of the Boobe Hole Allotments as far as grazing additional areas that have not been grazed, and reducing impacts of grazing on overgrazed areas within the allotments. This project will sustain 150 AUM's on the South Boobe Hole Allotment. Water is critical within the allotment improved water will allow for longer use of the allotment time during drought situations, and in the fall of the year when water source have run dry, additional storage through the water troughs will allow the livestock to maintain body weights and allow for better weighing weights for the producer due to reduction of traveling to different areas for water. Expansion and implementation of the water troughs will increase water capacity and allow for additional storage, and easy access to water larger groups of livestock at once. The pipeline portion just allows better distribution of water decreasing the cost to the permittee of the possibilities of hauling water by truck to different locations, during critical times of the summer. Cleaning out and re-claying overflow catchments also gives additional storage for water due to summer rains and snow melt in the spring. The installation of the fence portion of this project will help control trespass cattle from outside producers off the property, keeping the utilization of the watering facilities/troughs sustainable for the grazing season. This project promotes sustaining hunting of big game such as elk and deer along with small game such as wild turkey. Treatments like this have potential to increase wildlife numbers and potential hunting opportunities to future generations. A main goal of these treatments is to enhance habitat at a landscape scale. Other sustainable uses will include access on the CWMA for public hunting opportunities for big game such as mule deer and elk. Additional opportunities maybe opened up for turkey hunting and upland game hunting as well. With the Sevier County ATV Jamboree each year, riders from across the country enjoy riding trails in this area and enjoy camping and recreating. FORAGE PRODUCTION or IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION: Forage productivity has diminished greatly over the past century and the PJ expansion continues on a yearly basis into the more productive sage/grass/forb communities. As PJ is thinned, understory vegetation increases, wild and domestic ungulates will experience an increase in foraging habitat. Through the mechanical thinning, PJ expansion is addressed, and sagebrush, grasses, and forbs are promoted. This in return moves the sage/grass/forb ecosystems in the Lost Creek area on a trajectory toward improved forage conditions thus improving ecosystems for both wildlife and livestock. This project has the potential to improve distribution of domestic livestock into new areas. The amount of forage available to livestock and wildlife is expected to increase significantly as a result of this project. With increased water and forage, ungulate distribution is expected to improve. Many areas that are currently unproductive due to overgrowth will soon become desirable for future uses by ungulates.