Through a wide range of impacts, both natural and human caused, parts of the Dugway Proving Ground Range have become degraded. The focus of this project is to improve some of these areas through the use of fencing, seeding and plantings. Most of the natural springs on Dugway have become degraded through overuse of horses. Fencing will be required to prevent this overuse, and to allow wildlife to have access to valuable water resources. The western foothills of the cedar mountains have seen fire on a regular basis over the last several decades, which has allowed for invasion by fire prone annual weeds to the point that there is very little or no native seed source in many areas. Outside seed is required in order to bring this back to a desired state as habitat for wildlife.

Prevent further damage and increase the overall health of our desert springs by installing fencing to remove any horse utilization. Increase beneficial, fire resistant, species on the landscape and reduce fire prone species such as cheatgrass and Russian thistle, through a helicopter aided broadcast seeding. Increase shrub species on the landscape to improve big game habitat through both helicopter aided broadcast seeding and planting contracted container stock. Utilize the expertise of GBRC to have a tire roller fabricated. Fencing at the spring will benefit Monarch Butterfly by eliminated excessive horse use, the vegetation including milk weed will be able to grow and provide habitat. Fencing at the spring will benefit Little Brown Myotis, Townsend's Big-Eared and Fringed Myotis as it is anticipated that open water will return to the area once horses are excluded. All 3 species were recorded at the spring when there was last open water over 10 years ago. Golden eagles will be benefited with the seeding efforts as it should improve rabbit habitat and is also hypothesized that reducing the Russian Thistle and resultant tumbleweed accumulations will provided better hunting areas. Mule deer and Pronghorn antelope will be benefited from the conversion of cheatgrass and Russian thistle to a beneficial habitat that provides forage value.

Phase II of spring fencing is critical to avoid prolonged and increased pressure on unfenced springs. For the aerial seeding we would prefer to conduct ground prep activities but that is currently not possible. But with the potential for a transition from a cool wet spring to warmer dry one that will likely result in a reduction in Russian Thistle and increase in Cheatgrass. Hopefully having seed on the ground takes advantage of that transition.

DPG Integrated Management Plan -Restore and protect springs DPG Integrated Fire Management Plan -Reduce invasive vegetation, particularly cheat grass. Statewide and Unit Deer Management Plans for water availability and habitat improvement. Statewide and Unit Pronghorn Management Plans for water availability and habitat improvement. UDWR WAP - Key Habitat and Species

The areas being targeted burned in 1994, and then occasionally from then. These areas are dominated by fire prone invasive species, primarily cheatgrass, Russian thistle and tumble mustard. Our goal is to reduce these species and replace them with fire resistant species.

By reducing horse access to the springs there will be an increase in water quality and quantity. Not just in the amount of gallons that herds or horses consume but by preventing the damage from hooves and pawing at the water sources there will be a marked increase in hydric vegetation and water flow. Cane Springs is not as disturbed as the others in the area, but with those springs being protected in phase one, we fear that horse pressure will increase at this spring without protection.

NEPA and all associated compliance, UXO (Unexploded Ordinance) will be handled by Army staff.

To complete all NEPA requirements and hire a fence contractor through state contracting to construct the fences. Fences will be a combination of slick wire and steel T posts with heavy duty panel gates to provide periodic horse access to water and facilitate escape if needed. Hire a aerial seed contract via the state contracting process and have winning bid transport seed from GBRC to DPG and apply seed. Potted plants will be planted by Dugway staff using hand tools.

An intensive spring monitoring protocol has been put in place and is implemented by both DPG staff and summer interns. This protocol will be used to monitor springs post-treatment. Seeding and plantings will be monitored by DPG staff to determine future management actions.

Possible partners on the other side of the Dugway boundary are primarily the BLM and STLA. We reached out to both to see if there was interest in extending work across the border. Both did not have any plans to complete work in the area and will not be collaborating on this project.

Our office is directed to sustainably manage Dugway Proving Ground. This requires us to continually provide management on areas that have been degraded such as these. These areas will be revisited as often as needed with additional seed, herbicide or other treatments, to ensure a successful rehabilitation.

Deer move between the Army base and public land in the Cedar Mtns. Improved spring heath and habitat improvement should be beneficial to the overall deer population. Shrub seeding is targeting an area around a wildlife guzzler and will help create continuous habitat between two areas of high value mule deer habitat inside the proposed Military Hunting Unit. A deer hunting program was 85% completed for the area on the base but has been placed on hold due to low deer numbers. Once the population recovers this option will be pursued again.