Pinyon and juniper trees have increased in the Miller Meadows area of the Wah Wah Mountains and are competing with the sagebrush, forbs and grasses that should be occupying the proposed project area. Besides impacting the plant community structure and composition, the infilling of pinyon and juniper has negatively impacted soil resources, water and nutrient cycles, fire regimes, forage production and wildlife habitat. Mule deer and elk use this area along with past treatments on adjacent BLM and state lands. The project area serves as important seasonal habitat for several species of wildlife including but not limited to mule deer, elk, and many shrub steppe species. A catastrophic wildfire could also increase the risk of invasive species and erosion. The treatment is on the eastern edge of the Hamlin Valley. It is in a sage grouse management area. This project and future projects in the area will be designed to enhance to habitat for grouse that will also benefit all sage brush obligate species. As mentioned, this area also contains habitat for mule deer and elk, and pronghorn may also use the area. There are two TLA sections in the area that were chained in 2017 have become a common place to view, and hunt particularly elk. In 2022 approximately 4,000 acres were treated to the west of this location. This a popular place for wildlife viewing, hunting, wood cutting, camping, shed antler gathering, and a host of other outdoor related activities enjoyed and supported by the public. There is not a soil survey in this area but from field visits and gathering the data need for planning it was determined that the site of the proposed project most closely coincides with an Upland Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper -- Single leaf Pinyon) site and a semidesert shallow loam. Fencing has been proposed around one of the TLA section and the private lands for the protection of the resources that will be applied. Two sections that were treated in 2017 were fenced to keep livestock and wild horses off the treatment. The fence has proven to be invaluable, allowing for grazing management and to reduce feral horse damage to treatments. Fencing has allowed the permitee to better manage their range, make the areas more desirable for wildlife and allow for a successful restoration of the lands. The fence will be marked with wildlife markers which have proven to reduce wildlife fence collisions (namely Elk).

1) Improve forage conditions for big game, livestock, and wild horses by increasing natural regeneration of shrub, forb, and grass vegetation as ground cover browse. 2) Maintain or improve vegetative diversity and age class structure. 3) Break up continuous woodland stand cover for sage grouse and sagebrush obligate bird species while still maintaining corridors for big game. 4) Decrease hazardous fuels by removing areas of pinyon and juniper.

The invasion of pinyon and juniper trees into areas once dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs increases the risk of losing key areas for mule deer, elk, and many sage steppe species. The increase of pinyon and juniper also increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The risk of invasion of cheatgrass and rabbitbrush and loss of sagebrush after a wildfire could further impact critical habitat. High tree density also increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire which could increase the risk of invasive species and erosion. Projects on SITLA lands adjacent to this proposed project have proven successful in meeting objectives. However, as with any surface disturbing activity, there is a low potential for weed invasion. BLM will aggressively treat any noxious weeds in the area if found. Mule Deer populations have struggle on the Southwest Desert Unit for years. Recently the population object was reduced to 3,500 mule deer from 4,000 mule deer. In the last 3 years the population has never exceeded 2,900 mule deer. Habitat is one of the limiting factors on the unit, primarily the lack of quality summer habitat. This treatment is in "year-round" habitat according to the UDWR. Fawn recruitment on this unit "may be the single greatest factor limiting this population". Increasing beneficial fawning habitat will provide more opportunity for this population to grow. Recent data shows a decrease in Pinyon Jay populations. We will address this as we continue the planning process. It is important to note that pinyon jays need health pinyon-juniper forest. As per the sage steppe guidelines PJ density is noted in "Phases I-III" Phase one being the most sparse, young trees, and Phase three being the most dense, old trees. Research has shown large landscapes of Phase II and Phase III trees are vulnerable to parasites, disease and large-scale die offs from drought (see Greenwood et al.). Pinyon Jays rely on pinyon and juniper forest for food, cover, and nesting. Large scale die offs of Pinyon would and do have negative effects on pinyon jay populations. Creating healthy mosaics increase the diversity across the landscape. Of the site proposed for treatment. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources pinyon jays "nests are located in trees, usually conifers, five to thirty feet off the ground". Islands of trees will be left in mosaic patterns as we continue the planning process and obtain the areas that need to be avoided for cultural resources and wildlife. By removing trees and seeding these areas will return the site to an early successional stage. We are improving the ecological value of the landscape. Using mechanical treatments allows mimicking natural disturbances, which prevents catastrophic events that can lead to large amounts of soil loss, invasive weeds, and loss of property or live. As part of the treatment seeding will increase the amounts vegetation that native and non-native to the area. The seeded species have been selected to compete with invasive species, provide beneficial forage for livestock and wildlife, increase the amount pollinator sources throughout the growing season, provide soil stability and improve soil health. Ferruginous Hawks, according the Audubon Society are found in all seasons in very open and dry country. Inhabits dry grassland, sagebrush plains, saltbush and greasewood flats, rangeland, desert. Increasing the open areas and restoring sagebrush habitats will increase their habitat.

Pinyon Management Framework Plan (PMFP) (1983) Although the Project Area was not specifically discussed in the RMP vegetation treatments were identified throughout the Field Office. Southwest Utah Support Area Fire Management Plan (May 2006) National Fire Plan (2000) The project is also consistent with the NFP. The goals and objectives of the NFP is to manage BLM administered public land to maintain, enhance and restore sagebrush habitats while ensuring multiple use and sustained yield goals of FLPMA. Goals/Strategies identified in the NFP include the following: 1. Provide guidance to ensure integration of sage-grouse habitat conservation measures for actions provided through the management in land use planning process. 2. Issue mandatory guidance on management of sagebrush habitat for sage-grouse conservation. 3. Enhance knowledge of resource conditions and priorities in order to support habitat maintenance and restoration efforts. 4. Complete and maintain eco-regional assessments of sagebrush and sage-grouse habitats across the sagebrush biome. 5. Provide a consistent and scientifically based approach for collection and use of monitoring data for sagebrush habitats, sage-grouse and other components of the sagebrush community. 6. Identify, prioritize and facilitate needed research to develop relevant information for sage-grouse and sagebrush habitat conservation 7. Maintain, develop and expand partnerships to promote cooperation and support for all activities associated with sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation. 8. Effectively communicate throughout BLM and with current and prospective partners on steps BLM will take to conserve sage-grouse and sage-grouse and sagebrush habitats. 9. Facilitate the collection, transfer and sharing of information among all BLM partners and cooperators, as well as BLM program personnel. 10. Develop BLM state-level strategies and/or plans for sage-grouse and sagebrush conservation on BLM administered public lands. . Southwest Desert Local Working Group Conservation Plan 2009. The local Working Group has developed a Conservation Plan detailing the natural history, threats, and mitigation measures for sage-grouse in each conservation plan area; and conservation guidelines for any activities occurring in the area. The Utah State Wildlife Action Plan 2025-2030 is a comprehensive management plan designed to conserve native species populations and habitats in Utah and prevent the need for additional federal listings. Southwest Desert Elk Herd Unit Management Plan (2023). This plan has a stated habitat goal that calls for Treating 30,000 acres on the SWD unit. it also states Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. This project will help the plan and aligns with its goals Following the Southwest Desert Mule Deer Management (2020): * Manage for a population of healthy animals capable of providing a broad range of recreational opportunities, including hunting and viewing. * Balance deer herd impacts on human needs, such as private property rights, agricultural crops and local economies. * Maintain the population at a level that is within the long-term capability of the available habitat to support. Beaver County Resource Management Plan "To improve range conditions through vegetation treatments and proper management, allowing for an appropriate increase in livestock grazing." "To maintain the AUMs at current levels and encourage increases as range conditions Provide." "Land management agencies shall take actions to control and eradicate harmful and invasive noxious weeds and aggressively treat pinyon-juniper encroachment on habitats which benefit wildlife." "Wildlife habitat and range reseeding projects must employ a mix of desirable native and non-native seeds that optimize forage requirements, range health and productivity."

The potential for more extreme fires will intensify as densities of pinion and juniper increase. By reducing stand densities, the possibility for future larger-scale stand replacing fire events will be decreased. An extreme fire event could lead to a loss of crucial habitat/understory vegetation and the potential for a noxious weed infestation. Current FRCC is FR I, CC 2, with moderate departure from the historic range of variability. The Fire Threat Index shows that the proposed treatment areas are classified as Extreme to Low. Fire regimes have been moderately and extensively altered and the risk of losing key ecosystem components from fire is high. This is mainly due to the expansion of pinyon and juniper. Without this project, fuel conditions are such that an unexpected wildfire may become increasingly difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness and natural resource degradation such as loss of important sage grouse and mule deer habitat. The proposed treatments are scaled to mimic natural disturbances. Because of the lack of fire on the landscape a fire of this scale would be catastrophic!

Completion of this project would reduce flooding and runoff from heavy rainstorms by depositing woody debris in the gullies to slow and hold back the water. Currently with the pinyon and Juniper on site there is a lot of bare ground available for erosion. By planting this treatment with a variety of grasses, forbs and shrubs the ground cover will be greatly increased, which will decrease the potential for erosion. Areas that become dominated by pinyon and juniper out compete understory herbaceous species and leave bare soil prone to erosion. This herbaceous vegetation is important to reducing overland flow and reducing soil loss. Pinyon and juniper dominated sites can intercept 10-20% of precipitation (Horman et al., 1999). By completing this project we will allow more precipitation to contact the soil and get into the water table. Treating areas of lower densities will prevent a future situation as described above. According to Folliott 2012, research showed that pinyon and juniper expansion into areas historically dominated by higher forbs and grasses impeded streamflow for off-site uses. Because pinyon and juniper are very competitive for water this often reduces grasses and forbs within the area. "The increase in bare soil, particularly in the spaces between trees, typically leads to increased runoff and soil loss as the juniper infestation increases" (Thurow 1997). Increased runoff and sediment load decreases water yield and water quality within the watershed. Studies have shown that an evaluation of alternatives using conversion treatments to enhance streamflow in the pinyon and juniper should be made (Barr 1956). It could be thus assumed that by completing the pinyon and juniper removal project that more water will enter the soil profile and streams, wet meadows, and springs will continue to flow and have the potential to increase flow.

The necessary cultural clearance will be completed in the spring. Wildlife clearances will be completed prior to implementation and any concerns will be properly mitigated prior to treatment. NRCS will also complete an Environmental Assessment as part of the planning and contracting process. NRCS will work with TLA, and UDWR Archeologist(s) to ensure that all eligible cultural resources are protected from damage. Coordination with TLA Trust Lands Resource Specialist is ongoing and will make any adjustment deemed necessary by the specialist.

Pinyon and Juniper, which currently occupy and are encroaching on the site will be removed with mastication. Islands and corridors of pinyon and juniper would remain untreated throughout the unit, creating a mosaic pattern of treated and untreated vegetation. Before mechanical implementation, treated areas would be broadcast seeded with a mix of native and non-native shrubs, grasses and forbs critical to improving mule deer and elk range, and stabilization of soils. Fence will be constructed by a contractor to reduce the damage caused by feral horses and provide the permittee with a management tool for future use. Fence will be four strands of barbed wire and wildlife markers will be installed to reduce wildlife collisions. This method of fencing has been successful in this area by protecting these treatment areas.

NRCS will contract practice 645-Upland Wildlife Habitat Management, which will require two years of rest from livestock grazing and a stubble height of 16" following two growing seasons of rest from livestock grazing. A grazing management plan will be included but will not be a contracted item. Using the data from the migration initiative collared elk movements can be monitored. This will show if there is hold over in these treatment areas, if hunting pressure is affecting the elk, if weather changes timing, or duration of migration, and use of private lands verses public lands. Farm Bill Biologist will establish photo points at random locations within the treatment and monitor yearly for a minimum of 5 years and greater at landowners' consent.

The livestock permitee and private land owners are committing all of their NRCS Farm bill dollars to this project. This means that they will not be able to obtain funding from the NRCS till the next Farm Bill which is anticipated in 2024. Through the permittee, the NRCS will be providing over half the funding for the project on public land. The UDWR supports this treatment for the benefit of all wildlife (game and non-game species) that benefit from healthy PJ forest and sagebrush ecosystems. Treatments like these reduce all wildlife utilize more habitat and allow wildlife managers to better manage populations through hunting and hunter dispersal. Range improvement project (RIP) has been submitted to TLA. TLA has committed to partner on this project and will help with the overall design.

The Miller Meadows project is within the BLM/TLA livestock grazing allotment called Jockeys. All areas seeded will be rested for a minimum of two growing seasons to ensure adequate rest and seedling establishment. TLA has and will continue to closely monitor the grazing on these fenced TLA Sections. Over the past 5 years of monitoring on the original chainings (WRI 3905) done, the permitees have done phenomenal at the management and these sections are of show case quality. The private land will be monitored by the NRCS to ensure that lifespan of the practices is maintained. Limited livestock grazing will take place, but the landowners primary focus is on wildlife and providing quality for them.

Private lands are primarily for wildlife habitat and limited livestock production. Increasing the forage will allow for better management and decrease the threat of over utilization. Wildlife is abundant in the area and of high interest to public and private stakeholders in the area. Wildlife viewing and hunting takes place on the property. The area potential for one of the larger deer herds in the state. This unit is one of the premier general season deer hunting units in Utah and provides ample hunting opportunity to the public. The Southwest Desert unit is also home to a population of elk that provide one of the few over-the-counter spike bull general season hunting opportunities for elk in the state along with the quality bull elk that the Southwest Desert has become known about. Improving and maintaining habitat condition in the Southwest Desert unit is important to sustaining wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities that benefit the public. By doing so, we are also maintaining and enhancing economic stability in surrounding rural communities. Many of these rural incomes rely on wildlife and wildlife habitat as a source of income. Turkeys are found throughout the Southwest Desert and this are could serve as a release location in the future and provide hunting and viewing opportunities for the public and private landowners. Hunting takes place with general season and limited entry tags, providing opportunities for youth to have hunts with less pressure and greater success. This area is a very high use area for non- consumptive recreational users (campers, hikers, photographers, birders, etc...). Managing for a diversity of vegetational states protects and enhances the viewscape.