The Currant Creek WMA is one of the few properties that UDWR manages that has an Aspen/Conifer high elevation forest type habitat. Many of the north facing slopes have become heavily encroached by conifers and the Aspen component is aging and lacking recruitment of younger age class stems.

Project objective is to reset ecological succession of the Aspen stand to a younger, more robust age class that helps maximize the habitat's benefit to wildlife. Crucial Mule deer summer range will be directly enhanced by this full stand replacement.

The targeted aspen stands contain older trees with minimal younger age class recruitment. Conifer species are encroaching into these stands, lessening the benefit to wildlife and utilizing resources available to the aspen stems. Eventually, conifers will dominate the stand and crowd out aspen stems, resulting in habitat that is of poor quality for wildlife. The aspen component of the stand is still viable enough to replace the stand after a prescribed fire.

Wildlife * Increase current populations or establish new populations of wildlife in all suitable habitat within the state as outlined in approved management plans. * 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. * Provide a diversity of high-quality hunting and viewing opportunities for wildlife species throughout the state. * Increase fish and game populations to meet management plan objectives, and expand quality fishing and hunting opportunities. * Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife forage on public and private lands. * Conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. * Minimize negative impacts from wildlife on private lands.

This project will help create a fire break that may help slow down or stop advancement of a future large wildfire in the area. The bordering USFS lands will also benefit from this fuel break as it will reduce the risk of prescribed fires escaping target areas.

Conifer removal will increase water availability to the emerging aspen stand. It is not anticipated that any runoff events would contribute sediment to Currant Creek that is located near the project area.

Project is entirely on State of Utah property. Archaeology surveys were performed and completed August 2023. Migratory bird surveys will be completed if the timing of the burn requires the surveys.

The identified polygons will be prepped before ignition using a bulldozer to outline each polygon and provide a fuel break to help keep the fire within the project boundaries. Prescribed fire will be achieved using a helicopter to provide ignition sources throughout the identified polygons. Hand crews and water tankers will be on site to help keep the fire contained.

Pre and post treatment photo points and drone footage will be used to monitor the project. Exclosure(s) might be constructed to quantify herbivory of emerging stand.

Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, 106 Forestry

If treatment shows success, it may be expanded to adjacent areas that are in a similar state of decline.

Enhanced big game summer range helps distribute animals during fawning/calving seasons and also helps protect forage and water sources by the increased distribution of wildlife.