Due to climate change, drought, invasive insects, and the lack of natural fire in the Wasatch Front and more specifically; Mill Creek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon there is an overabundance of dead, diseased, and overpopulated climax species of trees and a wildfire under dry and hot conditions will cause massive destruction to the watershed, plants, animals, infrastructure, and life/property. BCC and surrounding canyons have historically been a fire dependent watershed prior to settlement. Early pioneers actively logged and harvested the timber within the area and actively suppressed fires since their arrival in 1847. This removal and interruption of the fire cycle has led to a nearly 200 year absence of fire within the watershed. Historical data including tree rings show within this canyon and surrounding timber filled canyons that the fire cycle was several hundred years long resetting when the area was dominated by white fir and intermingled with doug fir. These climax species are shade tolerant and choke out biodiversity with tightly spaced canopies and highly flammable needle cast. This contributes to catastrophic fire effects enhanced by drought and amplified with the warming of the global climate change supported by the current administration. The current optical surveys and aerial imagery show that across the Salt Lake Ranger District we are looking at not only these two species as be the predominate conifer species within the ranger district but also even more amplified by the widespread infestation of the Balsam Woolly Adelgid (BWA) which has affected most of these species stands. The inability to reduce the timber stand through commercial sales based on the current management plan limits our options to reduce the woody biomass on the watershed. All these factors combined will result in a catastrophic fire and sterilize the soils destroying the seed banks and turning the remaining soils into hydrophobic substrate combinations that will completely erode most of the watershed, plug waterways with mud and debris, and devastate the water supply for the two million people within the Salt Lake and Davis County area. In order to prevent this inevitable demise, there is a great and urgent need to reduce the dead and available woody biomass on the firescape. Through a series of progressive and holistic active and passive treatments we can help reduce this inevitable destruction of the precious watersheds. This project would be the second of several within the Salt Lake Ranger District to reduce this imminent threat. Reducing Catastrophic Fire Potential By reducing ladder fuels and dense tree stands, land managers will help protect infrastructure, waterways, wildlife, soils, recreationalists, and other public land users. Beaver dam analog (BDA) structures are an inexpensive and highly effective method of reconnecting floodplain and riparian habitats in highly eroded streams. Furthermore, check dam structures such as BDAs have been proven to trap sediment from going downstream, halt stream channel incision, and increase habitat complexity. This is particularly evident when the structures are built with natural materials and constructed in a way to promote logjams. In other watersheds in Utah where streambed incision is severe following catastrophic fire, introducing large amounts of woody debris in the form dead and burned trees has been successful at aggrading streambeds and increasing stream complexity by trapping eroded sediments and holding them in place. In the summer of 2016, UDWR installed two beaver dam analog complexes on private property downstream of a proposed project area in south east Utah. Within just a few months, the analog complexes filled with sediment from summer flood events. This aggraded the formerly incised streambed as much as four feet. The rapid success of these complexes indicated a higher-than-expected sediment load from the upstream portions of the Miller Creek watershed, and the need for further investigation and possibly more project effort. Upon speaking with landowners further up the drainage, it was apparent that channel incision was more severe in the upper reaches of Miller Creek. In the fall of 2018, 25 additional beaver dam analog complexes and 17 post assisted analog structures were installed on the upper portion of the Middle Fork of Miller Creek to help support the 2016 stream restoration efforts. These previously completed project phases and the work outlined in that project greatly improved sediment balance throughout the target stream. A more recent invasion of myrtle spurge has been spreading like wildfire all along the Wasatch Front and is creeping up the further and further up the canyons. We must act now to stop the spread of this invasive weed that outcompetes native vegetation that is important for many wildlife species, especially mule deer and other big game. We have been effective at treating it with herbicide in Parley's Canyon and we are proposing to expand our efforts to Millcreek, BCC, and Little Cottonwood Canyon to contain the spread and hopefully eradicate this weed before it gets further out of control. This project will benefit many wildlife species including mule deer, elk, moose, golden eagles, Bonneville cutthroat trout, and bighorn sheep (See wildlife tracker data). Reducing conifer and increasing aspen will benefit mule deer, elk, and moose, as well as prey species for golden eagles. Building BDAs will create greater habitat diversity for Bonneville cutthroat trout. Removing myrtle spurge will help protect native vegetation within areas that are used by bighorn sheep, mule deer, and elk.

Stream and Riparian Component Objective 1 - Increase channel complexity and reconnect floodplain habitats. Objective 2 - Increase the water table to allow for sufficient water flows for trout to occur all summer. Objective 3 - Increase landowner-driven conservation work in the Wasatch Front. Objective 4 - Reduce invasive woody vegetation. Upland Objectives Objective 5- Mitigate the catastrophic fire potential in the Wasatch Front: A. Remove up to 50% of dead, diseased, and unhealthy trees on slopes less than 50%. C. Open up canopies to prevent crown run fires. D. Increase native forb communities to slow fire growth and spread potential. E. Some removal of lower limbs in some area's to prevent ladder fuels. Lop/scatter of some woody materials to aid in desired insect habitat. Objective 6- Create/expand and improve aspen habitat for upland wildlife that could be occupied immediately after treatment. Objective 7 - Improve ecosystem resiliency and meet habitat objectives defined by the Salt Lake Ranger District Resource Management Plan by increasing aspen, perennial grass, and forb cover by >10% and >5% respectively by 5 years post treatment. Objective 8- Increase pollinator habitat by promoting forbs that flower thru different times within the growing season. Objective 9- Create flyways for Goshawk feeding and habitat.

The project as it relates to the timber work is a proactive approach to treat areas where aspen is still established. Doing so has several other benefits to preventing soil loss through erosion, maintaining habitat to high interest species, water-soil infiltration, etc... Not treating the conifer trees in the near future will result in negative ecological consequences. Not doing work in these areas of lower conifer density means the threat of higher costs, inputs, and risk will become greater over time. The tri-canyons (MCC BCC LCC) are a high traffic use area for recreationalists and treatment will help reduce climax species conifer to help maintain a diverse native community. Waiting longer to do this will result in increased costs, and more aggressive management tactics. By taking a watershed approach to this project, it has allowed us to benefit some extremely important habitat types. We've been able to work on some of Utah's rarest habitat types, such as wet habitats. Habitats near water -- stream sides, wet meadows and wetlands -- support the greatest variety of animal and plant life, and attract wildlife during their daily and seasonal movements. Moreover, although wet habitats covers less than 2% of the western landscape, more than 80% are located on private lands. The riparian/stream practices are low impact/low risk/high reward practices. Work on previous phases has been highly successful in catching sediment, connecting/building floodplains habitat, increasing channel complexity, and increasing wetted area and riparian vegetation. Furthermore, lowland riparian habitat, and perennial lotic (flowing-water) habitat, are among the very rarest and most threatened habitats in the region and the state. These private mesic lands and surrounding private rangelands are critically important to the health of wildlife populations. Research shows that 60--80% of wildlife is dependent on mesic habitats (e.g., wetlands and riparian areas; Thomas et al. 1979, Patten 1998, Belsky et al. 1999, Peck and Lovvorn 2001). 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. Climate change has come to the forefront as a global threat to humans and wildlife alike. Although models vary on future impacts of global climate change one thing stands out is that water may become scarcer in the West. Especially in the tri-canyon area and Parleys Canyon. Preserving and restoring wet areas has been identified as a keyway to mitigate impacts like drought, increasing temperatures, and other impacts that a changing climate will have on humans and wildlife. Mill Creek is a tributary to the Great Salt Lake. Riparian/stream conservation practices will directly address TMDL issues in the watershed. Not doing the project exacerbates the problem with water quality and communities and economies as risk as well as continues to put imperiled fish species at risk. See water quality section for more info. Removal of climax conifer species and the replacement of a more diverse native plant community will promote a more robust fish and wildlife population throughout the project area. The project is a continuation of previous restoration accomplished on adjacent public lands, private lands, Salt Lake Public Utilities, and state lands that was funded by several partners, including WRI. This project will help connect these previous phases and create a more contiguous area restored and enhanced thus having a greater ecological impact. Species Threats: "Crucial" means the areas habitat is necessary to sustain the areas mule deer herd. Conservation practices previously implemented as part of this watershed project and practices proposed for this current project will meet restoration goals outlined in the State Mule Deer Management Plan as well as the Unit Management Plan. Parts of the project falls within an identified Bird Habitat Conservation Area (BHCA) with timber and wetland habitat listed as priority habitats types for conservation. Not doing the project will lead to a decrease in the amount of available habitat for dependent bird species in an area being designated as important for these birds. Populations of other native, non-sport fish species occurring in the project area should also be maintained. Maintaining populations of native fish species is biologically important for preserving endangered fish populations in the Great Salt Lake Watershed. Financial Threats: The site hasn't crossed a financial threshold where cost becomes a prohibitive factor. If we don't do the project now and the catastrophic wildfire occurs before the treatments are complete the resulting devastation will be irreversible and complete. The riparian treatments are also a low cost conservation practice. Continued degradation of the riparian habitat will increase future costs of restoration. Social/Political Threats: There is also a social ecological threshold to consider with the private lands as part of this project. Right now, we have willing landowners and private companies working with agencies to do the project. This has required meetings, presentations, and a lot of signatures and paperwork to get to this point. Not taking advantage of this while everyone is willing may mean a lost opportunity in the future. The project area also provides important recreational hunting. Because this is important habitat it provides hunting opportunity on the forest as well. The hunting opportunities provide a financial boost to local economies in several ways. Continuing to do work to maintain the habitat in this area will help to perpetuate the recreational and economic benefits in these areas. Additional Plans which were included in the Big Cottonwood Restoration Surveys FY24 Project from last year. 1. The Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) Conservation Plan (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 2005) 3.1 Fire Management. 3.1.1 Protect habitats in forest stands adjacent to and within 2.5 miles of breeding sites. 3.1.2 Restrict burns to late fall through early spring during which time boreal toads are inactive in known occupied areas. 3.1.3 Determine impacts of fire through monitoring of known breeding sites. 3.2 Habitat Fragmentation. 3.2.1 Prevent further habitat fragmentation of breeding populations. 3.2.1.a Identify and preserve dispersal corridors. 3.2.1.b Identify and preserve metapopulation structure. 3.2.2. Restore historic dispersal corridors where possible. 3.2.2.a Identify where migration and gene flow among occupied habitats should be facilitated. 32 3.2.2.b Improve habitat conditions in degraded dispersal corridors where appropriate 3.3.1.c Minimize depletion of boreal toad prey base. 3.3.1.d Minimize degradation of bank conditions. 3.3.1.e Minimize degradation of water quality. 3.3.1.f Minimize depletion of emergent and riparian vegetation. 3.9.2 Minimize habitat loss and degradation associated with water management. 3.9.2.a Minimize stream channelization. 3.9.3 Create, restore, and maintain new habitats through water management. 3.9.3.a Create shallow shoreline margins in new impoundments. 3.9.3.b Deepen impoundments to maintain sufficient water levels through metamorphosis. 3.9.3.c Create new wetlands according to boreal toad breeding habitat requirements. 2. Deer Herd Unit 17a Management Plan 1. Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the unit by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts. 2. Seek cooperative projects to improve the quality and quantity of deer habitat. 3. Provide improved habitat security and escapement opportunities for deer Future habitat work should be concentrated on the following areas.: 4. Quaking aspen forests unit wide. We will be working in the quaking aspen stands to reduce conifer competition. 5. Anywhere along the front that would avert deer from entering cities. By improving the habitat condition up higher in the canyon we will hopefully keep deer from going down into the city. 3. Wildlife Action Plan 1. Under the threats, data gaps, and action section of the plan it identifies a list of Essential Conservation Actions. It states the need to restore and improve degraded wildlife habitats. species and others. 2. The habitat type that this project is located in as identified in the WAP is the aquatic scrub/shrub type, forested aquatics, and riverine. We will be improving the habitat in this key habitat and addressing the threats to this habitat type. 3. The plan identifies sediment transport imbalance as a medium threat to this habitat type and this project will help to reduce sediment transport by stabilizing the banks with vegetation and rocks. 4.It identifies channel down-cutting as a high threat and this project will help to remove the channels in the stream and make a more subtle gradient. This project will raise the water levels to restore the floodplain and reduce this channel down-cutting. 5. The plan mentions a management strategy that this project addresses to help improve this habitat type through 1.( restoring more natural water and sediment flow regimes) WAP Ch. 7-1; Mountain Riparian Habitat, criteria and score totals (ch. 7-8) 3rd highest priority statewide. Ch. 6-15; Western Toad; threat - 4. Statewide Moose Management Plan 1. Population Management Goal: Achieve optimum populations of moose in all suitable habitat within the state. 2. Habitat Management Goal: Assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive moose populations. 3. Recreation Goal: Provide high-quality opportunities for hunting and viewing of moose. 5. Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan Habitat Objective1: Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts 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. 6. Statewide Elk Managment Plan 1. Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk habitat. 2. Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. 7. Salt Lake County Integrated Watershed Management Plan 1. Identifies stream restoration as a priority implementation task Pg. 10 This project through the BDA work will help to achieve this task. 2. It identifies Parley's Creek as a priority watershed. 3. The plan identifies improving habitat as a priority. Pg 80 8. Big Cottonwood Creek Management Plan 1. Pg.15 Goal: Improve Riparian Habitat through Control of Invasive Plant Species and Restoration of Native Plant Communities 2. Action: Initiate invasive plant removal/control efforts in city-owned riparian corridor areas, beginning upstream and working downstream, utilizing an integrated weed control strategy. 9. Salt Lake or UFA County Code: SOMETHING LIKE (A) (A): Fire Protection Fuel Breaks/Vegetation Manipulation: Hazardous fuels in the form of native vegetation will be cleared around structures and around the perimeter of the development to assist in wildfire prevention measures. This fuel break is not intended as a complete vegetation clearing firebreak. 10. Summit County General Plan: Goals: (1) Preservation of open space, view corridors and scenic mountainsides, (2) preservation of Critical Lands (as defined in Section 10-4-3 of the Code) natural resources and the environment, including clean air and water. Community Vision: (1) Open Space, (2) Recreation, (4) Wildlife, (6) Critical Land Protection, (7) Water Conservation and (11) Natural Resource Preservation. Policy 5.22: Wildfire Management. Policy 5.23: Wildlife 11. Utah Administrative Code R68-9 (Utah's Noxious Weed Act): Utah Noxious Weed Act and the Summit County Code, Title 4, Chapter 4. The Act states that local governments are directed to take the necessary steps to manage the noxious weeds within their jurisdiction and provides specific authorization for local enforcement. 12. Utah Forest Action Plan 2016: Distribute materials to community members, individual landowners, public officials, interagency partners and media for further dissemination and outreach. Increase participation in state and national programs including Utah Living with Fire, Ready, Set, Go!, Firewise USA and Fire-Adaptive Communities. Use all available management tools, including forest industry, to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems. 13. Treatments lie within Central Region UPCD/UWRI focus areas. 14. UDWR Strategic Management Plan Objective R2 Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. Objective R4 Decrease risks to species and their habitats through integrated implementation of the WAP, Objective C6 Increase hunting and fishing opportunities 15. Utah Shared Stewardship Agreement (May 2019) - Project is within Shared Stewardship priority areas. Meets objectives to reduce hazardous fuels. Forest Wide Goal Wasatch Cache NF 1. Watershed Health Maintain and/or restore overall watershed health (proper functioning of physical, biological and chemical conditions). Provide for long-term soil productivity. Watershed health should be addressed across administrative and political boundaries. Sub Goal's 2b, 2i. Objective to Desired condition 3.b, 3.c. 2. Biodiversity & Viability Provide for sustained diversity of species at the genetic, populations, community and ecosystem levels. Maintain communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species. Restore or maintain hydrologic functions. Reduce potential for uncharacteristic high-intensity wildfires, and insect epidemics. To achieve sustainable ecosystems, meet properly functioning condition (PFC) criteria for all vegetation types that occur in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Focus on approximating natural disturbances and processes by restoring composition, age class diversity, patch sizes, and patterns for all vegetation types. Sub Goal's 3.d, 3e, 3n, 3s. Objective to Desired condition 3.b, 3.c. 3. Fire and Fuels Management Wildland fire use and prescribed fire provide for ecosystem maintenance and restoration consistent with land uses and historic fire regimes. Fire suppression provides for public and firefighter safety and protection of other federal, state and private property and natural resources. Fuels are managed to reduce risk of property damage and uncharacteristic fires. Sub Goal's 4a,4d. Objective to Desired Condition 4.a.

Management Plans State and County Management Plans 1) State of Utah Resource Management Plan Wildlife *Conserve, improve, and restore 500,000 acres of mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. *Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025. *Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands. Livestock and Grazing *Improve vegetative health on public and private lands through range improvements, prescribed fire, vegetation treatments, and active management of invasive plants and noxious weeds. *Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation, and wildlife *The state supports the active removal of pinyon juniper encroachment on other ecosystem, such as sagebrush, due to its consumption of water, detrimental effects on vegetation and available forage, and its negative effects on wildlife habitat. Noxious Weeds *Establish immediate revegetation or rehabilitation after treatment. The state of Utah supports prevention as one of the best methods of managing noxious weeds. T&E Species *Work with stakeholders and partners to continue to implement recommendations from the Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015--2025 to conserve sensitive species and their habitat. *Restore 75,000 acres of critical habitat for sensitive species each year through the Watershed Restoration Initiative and by partnering with other government and nongovernmental entities. Water Quality and Hydrology *Cooperate in the protection, restoration, enhancement, and management of water resources in the State of Utah to the extent of each agency's authority, expertise, and resources. 2) Salt Lake County Resource Management Plan Land Use *Encourage public land management agencies to restore damaged areas. *Encourage coordination between federal agencies and local governments, public land managers, and private landowners. Support responsible development and the long -term health of the land. Fire Management *Fuel reduction techniques such as conifer reduction, grazing, prescribed fire, and chemical, biological, and mechanical treatments may be acceptable, given site-specific variables. *Work with the private landowner(s), federal, or state agency, in cooperation with Utah Forestry Fire & State Lands to remove fuel load buildup by prescriptive grazing, silviculture prescriptions or mechanical means. Wildlife *Forest and range health are managed to provide more forage for both livestock and wildlife. *Cooperation between livestock owners and wildlife agencies occurs to manage the lands to the benefit of all species. *Funding increases for the increased quality of habitat for all species. *Promote hunting and wildlife photography in the area. T&E Species *The county supports finding local solutions to protect sensitive species in an effort to prevent federal listing. *Salt Lake County participates in the management of watersheds on public and private lands to optimize quality and quantity of water. *Preserve our watershed and ensure that reclamation occurs on areas destroyed by fire. *Support projects and policies that maintain and improve soil ecology and vegetative cover in uplands. *Salt Lake County will participate in the management of watersheds on public and private lands watersheds to optimize quality and quantity of water. *Where water resources on public lands have diminished because grasses have succeeded to woody vegetation, a vigorous program of mechanical treatment should be applied to promptly remove the woody vegetation and stimulate the return of grasses. These efforts would be intended to provide a watershed that maximizes water yield and water quality for wildlife, and human uses. *To identify and control noxious weeds and invasive plant species, beginning at the head of each natural drainage area of the watershed. Noxious Weeds *Remove noxious and invasive vegetation along rivers and streams, followed by revegetation. *Control noxious weeds and poisonous plants in cooperation with public land users and state and local agencies. *Continue to encourage, coordinate with, and participate in public land management agency projects to implement an aggressive noxious weed and invasive species control operation on all of the lands they manage. Promote the use of good science to establish data used in rangeland decision-making. *Where rangeland health has suffered for any other reason, a vigorous program of mechanical treatments such as chaining, logging, seeding, lopping, thinning, burning, and other vegetative treatments should be applied to remove woody vegetation and stimulate the return of the grazing forage for the mutual benefit. 3) Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan (2019) *Habitat Goal: Conserve, improve, and restore mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges * Habitat Objective 1: Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts *Work 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 *Work with local, state and federal land management agencies and ranchers to properly manage livestock to enhance crucial mule deer ranges *Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 700,000 acres of crucial range by 2026 *Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize mule deer habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration (Figure 6). Emphasis should be placed on crucial habitats including sagebrush winter ranges and aspen summer ranges *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 *Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinyon-juniper woodlands and aspen conifer forests in early successional stages using various methods including timber harvest and managed fire * Protect, Maintain, and/or improve deer habitat through direct range improvements to support and maintain herd population management objectives * Work with private landowners and federal, state, and local and tribal governments to maintain and protect critical and existing ranges from future losses and degradation *Work with federal, private, and state partners to improve crucial deer habitats through the WRI process. Habitat Management Strategy *Continue to improve, protect, and restore sagebrush steppe habitats critical to deer. Cooperate with federal land management agencies and private landowners in carrying out habitat improvements such as pinion-juniper removal, reseedings, controlled burns, grazing management, water developments, etc. on public and private lands. Habitat improvement projects will occur on both winter ranges as well as summer range *Reduce expansion of pinion-juniper and other woodlands into sagebrush habitats and improve habitats dominated by pinion-juniper woodlands by completing habitat restoration projects like lop & scatter, bullhog, and chaining. 4) Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan (2015) Habitat Objective 1: Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. *Coordinate with land management agencies and private landowners to properly manage and improve elk habitat, especially calving and wintering areas. *Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk habitat *Coordinate with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working group Recreation Management Goal: Enhance recreational opportunities for hunting and viewing elk throughout the state. *Maintain a diversity of elk hunting opportunities. *Increase opportunities for viewing elk while educating the public concerning the needs of elk management and the importance of habitat 5) Utah Wild Turkey Management Plan (2014) Goal A. Maintain and improve wild turkey populations to habitat or social carrying capacity Objective1.Stabilize populations that are declining outside of natural population fluctuations; especially through catastrophic events (i.e. following fires, severe winters, etc.). Strategy c: Conduct habitat projects to address limiting factors. Objective 2.Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide by 2020. Strategy d: Conduct habitat improvement projects in limiting habitat(s). 7) Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 This project proposes to increase the amount and/or improve the condition of three of the thirteen key habitat types in the state: lowland sagebrush, aquatic scrub/shrub ("riparian"), and riverine ("lotic" or flowing water). This project will also address threats to the following wildlife: Black Rosy Finch, Golden Eagle, Greater Sage-Grouse, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Bluehead Sucker, Northern Leaopard Frog, Little Brown Myotis. Threats addressed and strategies to improve condition are include below. Lowland sagebrush *Alterations from reference conditions that have occurred ... include widespread encroachment by juniper and pinyon pine, and understory depletion. *Deficits of some young and mid age classes, and surplus of older and especially the uncharacteristic class Threat- Inappropriate fire frequency and intensity (VH) Improving Condition *Promoting and funding restoration that reduces the Uncharacteristic class, including cutting/mulching/chaining of invading pinyon and juniper trees *Developing and deploying techniques to diversify the understory species composition and age classes of decadent even-aged sagebrush stands. Aquatic-Shrub/Scrub Threat-sediment transport imbalance (M), improper grazing (H) Improving Condition *Promoting policies that maintain or restore natural water and sediment flow regimes. *Promoting policies that reduce inappropriate grazing by domestic livestock and wildlife. *Continuing the use of appropriate methods for reducing the spread and dominance of invasive weeds, including "early detection -- rapid response" programs. *Continuing the use of appropriate methods for reducing the spread and dominance of invasive weeds, including "early detection -- rapid response" programs Aquatic-Riverine Threats- sediment transport imbalance (M), improper grazing (H), inappropriate fire frequency/intensity (M), invasive plant species non-native (M) Improving condition *Promoting policies that maintain or restore natural water and sediment flow regimes. *Promoting policies that reduce inappropriate grazing by domestic livestock and wildlife. Black Rosy Finch Threat- inadequate understanding of distribution or range (NA) * An altitudinal migrant, moving to sagebrush or shrubland in lower elevation valleys, benches, and foothills during winter. Golden Eagle Threats- fire and fire suppression (M), * Found in open country with sufficient mammalian, avian, and reptilian prey, or carrion in winter. * Apparent breeding declines associated with fire, shrub loss and jackrabbit declines in the Great Basin area (Slater et al. 2013, Keller 2014)129130. Little data on nesting in southeastern Utah exists. Greater Sage-Grouse Threats-fire and fire suppression (VH), other ecosystem modifications (H) * A sagebrush obligate species dependent on sagebrush ecosystems for breeding, brood rearing and winter survival. * The species is found throughout Utah in suitable sagebrush habitat, however distribution in Utah now covers only 41% of historic habitat in several disjunct populations. Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Threats-habitat shifting and alteration (H), other ecosystem modifications (H) * Need cool, well-oxygenated water. * Occur in streams and high lakes in the Colorado River Basin. * Populations have become isolated and fragmented. Bluehead Sucker Threats-habitat shifting and alteration (M), fire and fire suppression (H) * Occurs in mainstem and tributary locations. *Found in the Colorado, Snake, and Bonneville River Basins. *Habitat and populations have been lost from water diversions and barriers to movement. Northern Leopard Frog Threats-other ecosystem modifications (M) * Highly aquatic frog found in streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and meadows for breeding and overwintering * Found in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and desert grassland habitat Little Brown Myotis Threats-habitat shifting and alteration (M), * Little brown bats are currently common and abundant in Utah. 9) Department of Interior Plans A) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Mountain-Prairie Region Strategic Plan (2017-2021) Goal 1-Conserve Habitat * Maintain intact landscapes to benefit suites of Federal Trust Species * Restore or enhance habitat for threatened, endangered, and candidate species * Restore and enhance habitat for Native species of trout * *Restore and enhance habitat for migratory birds of conservation concern, as identified in the Service's migratory bird conservation plans *Regional habitat 5 year target- Upland Restoration/Enhancement: 457,070 acres, River/Stream/Riparian Restoration/Enhancement: 325.1 miles. 10) National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, and ensure improved coordination with local, state, tribal, and regional efforts to address the threat of rangeland fire at a landscape-level. Sec. 4 Policy. Protecting, conserving, and restoring the health of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem and, in particular, greater sage-grouse habitat, while maintaining safe and efficient operations, is a critical fire management priority for the Department. Allocation of fire management resources and assets before, during, and after wildland fire incidents will reflect this priority, as will investments related to restoration activities. We are meeting the objectives set for in Sec. 5 Developing an Enhanced Fire Prevention, Suppression, and Restoration Strategy of Secretarial Order 3336 by: a.) Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other Federal agencies, states, tribes, local stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations on fire management and habitat restoration activities, including: (i) Enhancing the capability and capacity of state, tribal, and local government, as well as non-governmental, fire management organizations, including rangeland fire protection associations and volunteer fire departments, through improved and expanded education and training; and (ii) Improving coordination among all partners involved in rangeland fire management to further improve safety and effectiveness. b.) Utilize risk-based, landscape-scale approaches to identify and facilitate investments in fuels treatments, fire suppression capabilities, and post-fire stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration in the Great Basin. c.) Seek to reduce the likelihood, size, and severity of rangeland fires by addressing the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive, non-native species. f.) To the extent practicable, utilize locally-adapted seeds and native plant materials appropriate to the location, conditions, and management objectives for vegetation management and restoration activities, including strategic sourcing for acquiring, storing, and utilizing genetically appropriate seeds and other plant materials. g.) Encourage efforts to expedite processes, streamline procedures, and promote innovations that can improve overall rangeland fire prevention, suppression and restoration efficiency and effectiveness. h.) Explore opportunities to pilot new strategies to reduce the threat of invasive, nonnative plant species and rangeland fire to sagebrush-steppe ecosystems and greater sage-grouse conservation, including enhanced use of veteran fire crews and youth conservation teams, and efforts to further public-private partnerships to expand capacity for improved fire management. i.) Establish protocols for monitoring the effectiveness of fuels management, post-fire, and long-term restoration treatments and a strategy for adaptive management to modify management practices or improve land treatments when necessary. 12) Secretarial Order 3372: (2)(b) Coordinate and Collaborate with Land-Managing Partners and Stakeholders. Managing wildfire is not unique to the Department. The Department shares this responsibility with other Federal land-managing Agencies, States, Territories, Tribes, localities and stakeholder groups. (c) Utilize active Land, Vegetation, and Wildfire Management Techniques that are supported by Best Practices and Best Available Science. 6) Executive Order 13855 of December 21, 2018, specifically: Section 1. Policy, (b) Coordinating Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Assets. Wildfire prevention and suppression and post-wildfire restoration require a variety of assets and skills across landscapes. Federal, State, tribal, and local governments should coordinate the deployment of appropriate assets and skills to restore our landscapes and communities after damage caused by fires and to help reduce hazardous fuels through active forest management in order to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. (c) Removing Hazardous Fuels, Increasing Active Management, and Supporting Rural Economies. Post-fire assessments show that reducing vegetation through hazardous fuel management and strategic forest health treatments is effective in reducing wildfire severity and loss. Actions must be taken across landscapes to prioritize treatments in order to enhance fuel reduction and forest-restoration projects that protect life and property, and to benefit rural economies through encouraging utilization of the by-products of forest restoration. Sec. 6. Collaborative Partnerships. To reduce fuel loads, restore watersheds, and improve forest, rangeland, and other Federal land conditions, and to utilize available expertise and efficiently deploy resources, the Secretaries shall expand collaboration with States, tribes, communities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. 11) Salt Lake Ranger District -- 12) Brighton and Big Cottonwood Canyon Wildfire Preparedness Plan The purpose of wildfire preparedness planning is to... Motivate and empower local government, communities, and property owners to organize, plan, and take action on issues impacting the safety and resilience of values at risk Enhance levels of fire resilience and protection to the communities and infrastructure Identify the threat of wildland fires in the area Identify strategies to reduce the risks to structures, infrastructure and commerce in the community during a wildfire

Wildfire Threat is a measure of the likelihood of a fire starting and spreading to a location. Collectively, areas with Moderate Wildfire Threat. This area has Moderate to High Wildfire Threat which is approximately six times greater than Low Wildfire Threat. Flame length is directly related to Fire Intensity and is commonly used as a direct visual indication of Fire Intensity. The Fire Intensity displayed is the average of non-zero Fire Intensity values for the area inside of the circle shown which has a radius of 787 feet (eight 30-meter cells). This Fire Intensity Level has flame lengths ranging from 12 to 20 feet long. Trees with low branches can be expected to torch with fire extending into the canopy of stands. Expect short-range spotting to be very common with medium to long range spotting possible up to one mile. Direct attack by firefighters, engines, aircraft, and dozers is generally ineffective but indirect attack may be effective. It will be difficult for firefighters to work near structures unless adequate defensible space has been created. Areas with Very high intensity have flame lengths up to ten times more than very low intensity areas. Wildfire is one of the greatest threats to this watershed. This project will help protect and preserve aspen habitat by decreasing both fuel loading and fire potential. Climax species trees have expanded and moved into areas once dominated by shrubs, forbs, and grasses. Dense conifer fuel conditions are to the point that when a wildfire occurrs it would be difficult to contain, leading to an increased risk to firefighter and public safety, suppression effectiveness, and natural resource degradation. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) within the project area is predominately FRCC 3 which is where fire regimes have been extensively altered and risk of losing key ecosystem components from wildfire is high. Treatments identified within this proposal, will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, create fuel breaks, and reduce the overall threat of a destructive wildfire which could impact outlying properties and oil & gas infrastructure. Functional riparian areas create a fuel break since they have green vegetation most of the time. By repairing and creating a healthy riparian area in the project area it will provide a fuel break in some areas this year which will eventually get connected with other fuel breaks and treatment polygons within the Wasatch Front. Finally the fire threat in this area threatens not only native vegetation but, homes, public and firefighter safety, soil health and soil structure, and wildlife. See Documents for the full UWRAP Assessment.

Improvements to the Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (Standard 1 and Standard 3) are expected through project implementation. It is expected that Standard 1 (Soils) will improve by allowing soils to exhibit permeability and infiltration rates that will sustain/improve site productivity throughout the area. This will be accomplished by making improvements to the Biotic Integrity of the community by converting areas that are dominated by PJ to a diverse component of perennial grasses, forbs and shrubs that is consistent with Ecological Site Description. Indicators will include sufficient cover and litter to protect the soil surface from excessive water and wind erosion, limiting surface flow and limiting soil moisture loss through evaporation, which will promote proper infiltration. BDAs are an effective and relatively inexpensive way to improve water quality by reduing the amount of erosion and sediments carried in the water. This is a very important watershed for downstream water users and building BDAs all along this watershed should be a high priority. BDAs also help increase water storage capacity. There is not a large reservoir at the bottom of BCC so building many small reservoirs can help function in the same way.

BDAs- For this phase of the project we are partnering with Sageland Collaborative to help us design and acquire the necessary permits (stream alteration, salt lake county flood control, FEMA/floodplain protection, any other relevant ordinances), and support site assessment/monitoring. We are also working with the USFS to get the NEPA done. We All permitting will be completed in this phase. Construction will begin in late-summer/fall of 2025. We will follow best management practices, which include no large equipment or re-fueling in the riparian zone/floodplain, minimizing and distributing disturbance to existing riparian vegetation collected for fill materials, and timing the project in late summer/fall (next fiscal year) in order to 1) avoid high flows and ensure safety of workers/partners & volunteers, 2) avoid spring/summer spawning season of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, and 3) avoid illegal takes of migratory birds per the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Myrtle Spurge- We worked with the USFS last year to get the necessary permit to spray on the USFS. NEPA is done but we just have to fill out some paperwork that will be done in time for this project. The first phase of this project funded the cultural surveys on USFS lands and supported compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). All NEPA requirements were completed on 03/202 for the work to be done in Mill Creek Canyon. Vegetation surveys are still ongoing for the work within Cottonwood Canyon and the Archaeology surveys scheduled for Big Cottonwood Canyon will support the cut and pile treatments for the following year. Vegetation Surveys are intended to be implemented this year in Little Cottonwood Canyon with this phase as well. NEPA for the USFS lands is under construction and intended on being signed in February for the mechanical treatments in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Upland Upland sites this year may be treated with one or more of the following:, hand crews (lop and scatter), mastication, and some hand planted forb islands. Most areas will receive a lop and scatter treatment and the following year a cut/pile treatment for the areas which have a higher density of biomass per acre. Target species will be cut within six inches of the ground on the uphill side. Slash will be kept to less than 30 inches above the ground and no longer than 8 feet. Small mammal and herpetofaunal (herp) monitoring will occur at several sites in or around the project area. See the Monitoring section for specific methods on small mammals and herps. BDAs will be built with hand crews that pound the posts into the stream bed. Then we weave natural woody material like a basket between the posts. This turns into a porous structure that slows water down and reduces erosion without impounding the water. Myrtle spurge will be spot-sprayed by hand crews and drones. We will use a mixture of roundup and telar that has been effective in Parley's Canyon.

Effectiveness of stream restoration (e.g., BDAs) will be monitored with the Rapid Stream-Riparian Assessment (RSRA) survey. The RSRA generates a score for water quality, hydrogeomorphology, fish and aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation, and terrestrial wildlife habitat. This method was selected because it is a time and cost-efficient means to monitor restoration projects. Representative channel cross sections will be taken at each distinct location where BDA's will be constructed. Benchmarks will be installed to allow accurate re-survey of the channel post construction and after the first major flooding event. Cross sections will allow us to monitor changes is channel profile and flood plain formation and quantify the effectiveness of our objectives such as facilitating channel aggradation. Upland Component Monitoring will consist of randomly located vegetation transects with the purpose of measuring both overstory and understory vegetation change. Measurements will include line-point intercept cover, tree density, species richness, and seeded species frequency using established Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) protocols minus the soil pits. Repeat photographs will also be taken. Monitoring data will be maintained by the UWC Central Zone Fuels Team. DWR may also place photo monitoring plots that will be revisited pre-treatment and 3 years post treatment. This monitoring program uses standard core indicators and methods to provide a statistically valid sampling design across the landscape. The sample points are randomly generated by software. Herpetofauna and small mammals will be monitored using pitfall and funnel trap arrays based on a modified design presented in Fisher 2008.

Forest Service:. Will be providing funding/planning/implementation support and is one of the project managers working closely Utah Division of Wildlife. The Forest Service will begin the NEPA process for drainages to be worked on in future phases. Fire crews will also assist with some of the lop and scatter DWR: The Utah DWR will provide contract administration associated with both upland and riparian work. The DWR will also provide monitoring in the stream channel and on the uplands. Additional monitoring will be conducted on small mammals and reptiles by DWR staff. Archaeological clearance will be a combination of in-house surveys and contracts through DWR. Private Landowners: There are multiple private landowners involved in this project. There has been coordination with these landowners to maintain the project and manage property accordingly to help achieve project success. NRCS: Will help with soil analysis. Rocky Mountain Power: They have provided monies and manpower for each of the previous phases and will continue to support this project as it moves forward. UDOT: UDOT will continue to partner with the USFS as they have in the past with electric sign support, maintaining of ROW's and supporting the roadside chipping program. UFFSL: Will partner with us and help reach out to private landowners so projects don't stop on ownership lines. UFA: With the new interagency agreement with UFA there will be opportunities for cutting and burning assistance. Salt Lake City Public Utilities: SLCPU has partnered with USFS in the last phase of this project and are heavily invested in aspects that affect water quality since BCC supplies a significant amount of water to the Salt Lake Valley. Sageland Collaborative: As a nonprofit supporting science & science-based strategies for wildlife and land conservation, Sageland Collaborative will add capacity to this project by providing expertise on stream/riparian restoration design, permitting, and carry out pre/post riparian restoration habitat assessments. In future phases, Sageland can support community awareness and engagement opportunities on watershed projects through social media, blog posts, and volunteer programs.

The Forest Service is interested and focused on future restoration in a collaborative effort that reaches across jurisdictional boundaries and connects the headwaters with these treatments on a landscape scale. The Forest Service is eager to participate in this shared stewardship and has the support to begin project planning for these future efforts. These efforts may include an array of restoration tools, including; BDA's, in-stream structures, plantings, and upland fuels reduction, e.g... Upland Component The site will be monitored and if maintenance needs to be done in the future the NEPA is already in planning for future phases and will allow managers to respond swiftly to maintain the health of the forest. Adjacent treatments have occurred on tributaries within Parleys Canyon and Mill Creek Canyon with benefits to grass, sage, and forb rejuvenation. This project will be the missing link for connectivity between other adjacent projects for seasonal transitional wildlife range. Upland and stream projects will continue in this area until the stream health can support fish, the uplands are balanced and can provide habitat for multiple wildlife species such as wild turkey, quail and big game to name just a few. The areas on public lands will continue to manage for multiple use including grazing, recreation, wildlife viewing, hunting and all aspects of multiple use.

This project has the ability to increase quantity and quality of forage for multiple wildlife species (esp. big game). The removal of mixed conifer will open up the canopy and release soil moisture which will allow other vegetation to take advantage of the light and moisture that was previously being taken up by the climax species. Hunting opportunities could be enhanced by this project as well. Improvements to wildlife habitat and increased forage opportunities will benefit multiple game species and will provide not only a benefit within this project area but will also expand to neighboring public lands. Adding complexity to a stream through Beaver Dam Analogs and introduction of large woody debris has been shown to trap sediment and promote healthy sediment transport. Other Sustainable Uses: The project area also provides important recreational hunting. The area sustains populations of big game on the forest. These hunting opportunities provide a financial boost to local economies in several ways. Continuing to do work to maintain the habitat in this area will help to perpetuate the recreational and economic benefits. Wildlife watching and shed antler gathering are another popular recreational activity in some of these areas. Improving habitat here will benefit this sustainable use of the landscape.

07/10/2024

06/30/2025

2025

This project had multiple partners and multiple aspects to it. First, the UDWR hired a contractor to spray myrtle spurge along the foothills near Millcreek and Big Cottonwood Canyons. We used Roundup, which has been proven to be one of the only herbicides to be effective at killing myrtle spurge. We treated a total of 227 acres in this contract in the spring of 2025. The second part of the project was to do fire risk reduction and wildlife habitat improvement by thinning the conifer trees and helping to open up the understory and encourage aspen regeneration. This was not done as part of this project because the NEPA was not completed. Funding for that work from the USFS will be transferred to the next phase of this project in FY 26. The BDAs were not constructed as part of this project because the permitting was not done in time. However, the stream alteration permits were completed by Sageland Collaborative for Mill D South BDAs and Willow Creek BDAs. Also, Utah's Hogle Zoo did extensive pre-monitoring with acoustic recorders, motion sensor cameras, and stream health assessments to provide a baseline for monitoring the BDA work when we are able to do it. Below is a detailed summary of the work that Hogle Zoo completed. WILDLIFE MONITORING (UTAH'S HOGLE ZOO) To accommodate the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' priorities for wildlife monitoring in this watershed. The Zoo's Conservation Department and DWR experts developed the methodological approach, notably adjusting the placement and timing of acoustic monitors to align with North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) protocols and adding vegetation sampling along streams. In summary, the Zoo team conducted surveys of bats and birds using acoustic monitors and surveys of terrestrial wildlife using trail cameras, as well as assessed stream health along the Mill D North Fork stream system. At one site (upstream of treatment areas), the team also conducted a survey of amphibians. The purpose of this research was to assess how wildlife may be affected by habitat-restoration treatments within key watersheds. The Zoo team collected data before and after treatments scheduled during Fall 2025. Two types of treatments are planned: beaver dam analog (BDA) construction and mechanical forest thinning. Data were collected at eight sites: six study sites and two control sites. BDAs will be constructed at three of the study sites, and forest thinning work will occur at the other three study sites. One control site was surveyed in an area similar to those where BDAs will be built, but no restoration work will occur here. The second control site represents similar forest conditions as those study sites where forest thinning is planned. All eight sites share key characteristics: minimal human traffic, well suited for wildlife monitoring, and representative of the larger region as a whole. Herein, the three sites where BDAs will be built and the BDA control site are collectively referred to as "BDA sites". Similarly, the three sites where forest thinning will occur and the forest-thinning control site are referred to as "forest treatment sites". To determine wildlife presence at all eight sites, the Zoo team deployed trail cameras to monitor terrestrial mammals and acoustic monitors to monitor birds and bats. The team used Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 and Browning Strikeforce Pro X 1080 trail cameras and Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter Mini Bat 2 with a microphone stub. The distribution of equipment was one trail camera and one acoustic monitor at each BDA site and two trail cameras and one acoustic monitor at each forest-treatment site. Cameras were positioned facing areas indicating likely use by mammals, such as game trails. To ensure proper functioning and retrieval of data, camera maintenance typically occurred bi-weekly for the first month (cameras were initially deployed in late June). Cameras will continue to be deployed through the Fall until just before the first snowfall. All photos will be analyzed to determine the mammals observed (when possible, to species level), and the number of sightings at each camera location. Following NABat protocols and guidance from DWR biologist Shawn Pladas, acoustic monitors were deployed over a 10-day period beginning at the end of June. Acoustic data and sonograms will be analyzed to identify bird and bat taxa and acoustic activity at each site. To collect baseline metrics regarding stream conditions and vegetation, the Zoo team conducted riparian health assessments at BDA sites using the "DWR Riparian Restoration Assessment (ERRA)" protocol. To better understand tree species presence, density, and distribution, as well as ground cover, at the forest treatment sites, the team also conducted forest health assessments following the "CRO DWR Forest Health Assessment 100ft" protocol. Finally, the Zoo team conducted a survey for amphibians at a wetland site along the Mill D trail, just above (at a higher elevation than) the eight study sites. This site was ~0.1 miles from the nearest BDA site and 0.4 miles from the nearest forest treatment site. The team followed the standardized amphibian survey protocol developed by the DWR, Hogle Zoo, Sageland Collaborative, and other partners, as part of the western toad monitoring program. Using the Survey123 application, the team recorded these data: water-quality variables; environmental variables; presence of western toads and other amphibians; and life stage, biometric measurements, detection location, and PIT tag number of any observed amphibians. Strict safety guidelines were followed to minimize the spread of fungal and bacterial pathogens. No amphibians were observed during the survey. This project's monitoring approach will be repeated after restoration treatments are complete in order to assess any measurable change in wildlife presence and habitat use and in the condition of riparian and forest habitats at the study sites. Inferences drawn from data collected at these sites may be representative of changes to similar areas in Mill D that undergo mechanical forest thinning and BDA construction treatments. (END: Hogle Zoo)

The original plan of this project was to do several forest thinning projects to reduce fire risk, but because the NEPA was not completed this portion of the project was not done in BCC. The other portion of the project to reduce the myrtle spurge infestation was completed. This helped to stop the spread of this weed from destroying wildlife habitat further. The BDAs were not completed because stream alteration permits were not able to be obtained in time to get work done on the ground. However, permits were completed by Sageland Collaborative and we will be ready to do that work in spring of 2026 as part of the next phase of this project. Hogle Zoo was also able to conduct pre-monitoring for us in the areas that will be treated with vegetation surveys, audio recorders, and motion sensor cameras. Stream alteration permit and monitoring areas are shown as affected areas on the map.

Because the seeds of myrtle spurge will remain viable in the soil for up to eight years, we will continue to treat the areas that were sprayed with herbicide over that period of time in future phases of this project. The NEPA should be completed soon for forest thinning treatments and that work should be completed in the FY 26 phase of this project. Now that the stream alteration permits are done for the BDAs, we will begin doing that work in the next phase of this project in FY 26.