The purpose of this project is to provide water on a consistent, dependable basis to benefit wildlife throughout the Escalante Desert and Upper Virgin watersheds as part of the Color Country Converging Landscapes (CCCL) project (IRA funding). There are several locations within CCFO and one within SGFO that have been identified as contributing to the improvement of these watersheds. Additionally, bighorn sheep were transplanted to the Mineral Mountains in 2019 where water was identified through a stakeholder working group. One of the objectives was to improve water distribution and prevent bighorn sheep from using livestock tanks; however since this was a new population, this guzzler was delayed until sufficient telemetry data was collected to identify the most effective location for a bighorn sheep guzzler. In coordination with BLM CCFO, Pinnacle Pass has been identified for a bighorn guzzler; however this location is outside the CCCL IRA boundary.

1. Increase utilization of available habitat during seasonal drought conditions. 2. Reduce disease transmission by providing additional water sources which alleviates concentrations of wildlife competing for the limited amount of available natural water resources. 3. Provide constant, dependable water to improve priority habitat for multiple big game species as well as non-game species. 4. Promote and maximize habitat restoration projects conducted throughout the Escalante Desert and Upper Virgin watersheds.

BLM and UDWR have coordinated wildlife guzzler priorities throughout the CCFO since 2018 in the issuance of the 2018 and 2023 NEPA documents. Prolonged drought and wildfire have elevated the need to provide water for wildlife in priority habitats. The following locations have been identified to be constructed in FY25; 1) Mineral Mountains, Pinnacle Pass (bighorn sheep), 2 boss tanks 2) Tillie Creek (deer/elk/pronghorn), up to 5 boss tanks 3) Sweat Hills (deer), up to 5 boss tanks 4) Blawn (elk, deer, pronghorn), up to 5 boss tanks 5) Lost Hollow (deer, pronghorn), up to 5 boss tanks 6) N Blue Mountain (deer, elk, pronghorn), up to 5 boss tanks 7) SGFO - Dalton Wash (deer), 10,200ga big game system (water right secured by BLM, NEPA pending)

Water has been identified in the following management plans within the CCFO and SGFO: Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Deer Herd Unit #20, Southwest Desert (2020) Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Deer Herd Unit #22, Beaver (2020) Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Deer Herd Unit #29, Zion (2020) Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Deer Herd Unit #30, Pine Valley (2020) Elk Herd Unit Management Plan, Elk Herd Unit #20 (Southwest Desert) (2016) Bighorn Sheep Unit Management Plan, Mineral Mnts (2018) Utah Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan (2017)

Guzzler design is fire resistant to minimize maintenance and does not contribute to fuels.

Water quantity will be increased. Water quality may be improved by distributing competing species to more available water sources thus, reducing competition on the limited resources currently available.

All necessary NEPA has been completed for sites located within the CCFO: DOI-BLM-UT-C010-2018-0048-EA DOI-BLM-UT-C010-2023-0012-DNA NEPA for the Dalton Wash site in the SGFO will be completed prior to construction. WATER RIGHTS Steps have been taken to ensure this project is in compliance per Utah Code Title 73-3.Section 1.5. Utah Code 73-3-1.5(3): After registering for the capture and storage of precipitation in accordance with Subsection (5), a person may collect and store precipitation in a container installed in accordance with the State Construction Code or an approved code under Title 15A, State Construction and Fire Codes Act, if: (a) for a person who uses only one container on a parcel, the total capacity of the container is no more than 2,500 gallons; or (b) for a person who uses more than one container on a parcel, the aggregate capacity of the containers is no more than 2,500 gallons. Sites that have water containment larger than 2,500 gallons will use existing water rights held by the BLM SGFO (Dalton Wash).

Each boss tank location would consist of an 1,800-gallon polyethylene wildlife catchment tank per site (up to 7 sites) measuring 3.5 ft. high X 8 ft. wide X 16 ft. long, would be installed at each location. All guzzler units would be placed in locations pre-designated by the local wildlife biologist. Water catchment would consist of one tank with a rainwater catchment apron. Rainwater collected on a catchment apron drains into the tank through a 2-inch diameter pipe above ground. The tanks would have an opening in one corner for wildlife to access the water, which is partitioned from the main tank and pre-installed with wildlife escape ramps to eliminate the risk of drowning or entrapment. The drinker tanks would be partially buried into the ground to limit visibility and to allow smaller animals access to the drinker. All water units would be fenced in in order to exclude livestock use of the water and forage surrounding the units. The exclosure surrounding each guzzler would be approximately 1/4 acre and constructed with pole fencing. All water units would be painted in a camouflaged pattern of dark gray, dark green, and rusty brown colors to match the surrounding area. This would lessen the visual impact and obscure the units to not attract attention, which could potentially disturb wildlife.

Wildlife crews with both the BLM and UDWR would monitor these sites throughout the year to ensure function and general use. The placement of trail cameras may also be utilized to assess specific usage and seasonal rain collection trends.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Mule Deer Foundation Utah Foundation for North American Wild Sheep

Guzzlers will be fenced to provide access for wildlife while excluding livestock. Guzzlers will be added to UDWR/BLM inventory list and visited regularly to monitor use and repair needs.

The BLM has the objective of improving, enhancing, and expanding wildlife habitat on public lands. Increased availability of surface water will increase the distribution and or abundance of popular and economically important game species such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, and several species of upland game birds. Water developments also benefit non-game wildlife, particularly birds, and bats. Wildlife will use waters from springs and streams and those developed for livestock, such as tanks and troughs. However, persistent drought conditions have limited water available for wildlife thus, reducing the utilization and distribution of all ungulates. The construction of guzzlers throughout the Escalante Desert and Upper Virgin watersheds will ensure that wildlife have access to water throughout the year.