This project is a continuation of Phase I (WRI 6639) and the goal is to improve the overall health of private and public lands within the Lower Bear River Watershed. Land ownership in the lower Bear River watershed is predominantly private (72%), with 19% federal and 9% state ownership (Cirrus, LBRWP 2018). Because of the large acreage and multiple habitat treatments, habitats treated, and ecological communities affected, this project has the potential to have a big impact on watershed health. Proposed treatments will diversify and improve overall health of the vegetational communities, thus improving the watershed resistance and resilience to future disturbance. Restoration areas will include riparian, stream, wetlands, and upland sites. To accomplish our landscape-scale goal, we have relied on coordination and planning between many stakeholders including landowners, government entities, and non-profit organizations. Invasive Species: This funding would allow for the purchase of contractual services to treat Tamarisk and Phragmites, additional VENCE GPS collars, collar subscriptions, batteries, and maintenance of equipment to continue the of control Phragmites (common reed) and other invasive weeds within the watershed by means of intensive target grazing. Phragmites is the primary target species scheduled for virtual grazing treatment, however, other invasive weeds may be controlled during this effort. These include, but are not limited to, Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), Dyers Woad (Isatis tinctoria), Hoary Cress (Cardaria spp.), thistle species (Cirsium spp.), Poison hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), and Cattail, (Typha spp.). Total eradication of invasive and noxious weeds is not very likely due to upstream (wind and water) seed sources that carry into these areas. Conversion to a more diverse and beneficial group of wetland species is the desired outcome. Monotypic stands of Phragmites and other invasives provide little to no value for wildlife. The encroachment and continuing spread of these species is further reducing wildlife habitat, which was once very productive. Fuels Reduction: Fuel buildup from Phragmites within the watershed has significantly increased uncharacteristic wildfire risk throughout the area, leaving the ecological system vulnerable to the catastrophic impacts on residents, critical water and power infrastructure, aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and the local recreation economy. Efforts are needed to reduce fuel loads, enhance habitat, create defensible space and promote wildfire resilient landscapes. This project will work to address and minimize these threats by working at a landscape level and utilizing the benefit of cross boundary mitigation and restoration work. Water Quality: Improving water quality within the Lower Bear River Watershed should be prioritized. Water of poor quality does not support wildlife and agriculture. Excess sediments, which enter the river during spring runoff and during storms, can affect habitat for aquatic life. Irrigation water returning to the river through runoff or via field drains can carry high concentrations of nutrients, which can cause over-fertilization of downstream waters. Water from the Lower Bear River plays a crucial role in sustaining the delicate ecosystems of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the Great Salt Lake. Maintaining a high standard of water quality is essential to preserving the character of life in these important environments (USU Water Quality Extension, 2014). Funding from this proposal will assist with funding a wetland creation and an exclusion fence along the Bear River. Lastly, 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 more scarce in the West. Preserving and restoring wet areas has been identified as a key way to mitigate impacts like drought, increasing temperatures, and other impacts that a changing climate will have on humans and wildlife. The importance of wetlands cannot be overstated, especially in a water starved landscape like Utah that is in the midst of severe drought. Taking a watershed approach will allow us to benefit some of Utah's rarest habitat types (habitats near water: stream sides, wet meadows, wetlands) and support the greatest variety of animal and plant life, and attract wildlife during their daily and seasonal movements.

This is a multiyear project which is intended to be completed over several phases. Using a holistic watershed approach, it will focus on improving the ecological function of the entire system while improving water quality/quantity, enhancing/protecting fish and wildlife habitat, reducing fire fuels, and promoting landscapes resilient to wildfire. The project has multiple objectives designed to address the Watershed Restoration Initiative's priorities: Protect lives and wildlife from catastrophic wildfire, reduce fire risk to communities and infrastructure and reduce costs of post fire rehabilitation, improve fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality and increase water quantity, address threats to species identified in the Wildlife Action Plan, address specific objectives identified in local, state, and federal resource management plans, increase forage for livestock where grazing is possible, increase and protect recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, hiking, etc. Phase 2 Objectives: 1.) Reduce Phragmites and improve soil health using virtual fencing to target graze invasive species. 2.) Retreat previously treated Phragmites areas to maximize efforts to eradicate species. 3.) Improve wildlife habitat and reduce fire fuels by treating newly identified invasive species areas. 4.) Increase water quality and quantity by installing a 5.6 mile riparian exclusion fence along the Bear River and creating a series of wetlands in Corinne.

There are several plans that focus on restoration work around the Lower Bear Watershed. Examples include: Utah Div. of Water Quality's Lower Bear River Watershed Plan (2018), Utah Div. of Water Quality Lower Bear TMDL (2002), Utah FFSL's Final Bear River Comprehensive Management Plan, The Lower Bear River Watershed Action Plan (2022), the USFWS Land Protection Plan: Bear River Watershed Conservation Area, and USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan. No wildlife tracker data from Utah's Wildlife Migration Initiative was available within the project location, however numerous mule deer have been seen throughout this area. This project location did not fall within TNC's Landscape Conservation Forecasting areas. The biggest ecological thresholds we are dealing with in the Lower Bear Watershed is loss of suitable wildlife habitat, fire impacts, and impaired water systems. Invasive weeds reduce access, food production, and cover value for wildlife. Access through Phragmites is limited by dense stands and Tamarisks do not fully meet the needs of wildlife species living in riparian areas. No action or delayed action allows for continued expansion, loss of additional acreage and increased costs for treatment. No action by property neighbors would lead to increased spread of Phragmites/Tamarisk and increased seed dispersal downstream onto both private and publics lands. Invasive weeds, especially Phragmites, also increases the potential risk of hazardous wildfires. All is detrimental to remaining wildlife habitat. As stated, this area is at a very high risk for severe fire impacts throughout the watershed. Conservation practices in past phases of this project and in this phase will mitigate and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Wildfire suppression is one of the most costly activities land management agencies undertake every year and depletes much of land management agency budgets. Additionally, fire scar rehabilitation is one of the most costly land restoration activities conservation practitioners can undertake. Given the threat of fire in this watershed, implementing conservation practices as part of this project will prevent fire suppression and restoration activities that may become cost prohibitive across the entire landscape. The time to do this project is now, while we can be proactive rather than being reactive after a severe wildfire burns through. Below Cutler Reservoir, concentrations of sediment and phosphorus increase as the Bear River travels south. In this watershed, the Malad River contributes nutrients and high concentrations of total dissolved solids, which it receives from thermal springs and human activities. Because of the high concentrations of phosphorus, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has designated the entire reach of the Bear River between Cutler Reservoir and Great Salt Lake as impaired. As a result, a watershed plan was completed and approved in 2002. Downstream duck clubs also claim the Malad is depositing sediment into their wetlands and filling valuable open water habitat. Overall, we need to act quickly whenever we have the opportunity to improve/enhance rivers, wet habitats, and upland habitats directly adjacent to wet areas. These private stretches of river, mesic lands, and surrounding public rangelands are critically important to the health of wildlife populations and the watershed. In Utah, the landscape consists of less than 1% wetlands and 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).

Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) 2015: Goal: "To manage native wildlife species and their habitats to help prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act." Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that have been observed on the areas include : Northern Leopard Frog, American Bittern, Caspian Tern, Snowy Plover, Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Burrowing Owl, Short-eared Owl, American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Key aquatic habitats listed in the plan include riverine, emergent, and open water. Priority threats to emergent habitats include: channelization, drought, water allocation policy, Agricultural, municipal, and industrial, water use, and invasive plant species. Threats to open water habitats include: same as above, but also; sediment transport imbalance, roads, improper grazing, diversions, housing and urban areas. Threats to riverine habitats: same as above, but also, presence of dams and inappropriate fire frequencies. Efforts are in place to secure water rights, protect water sources from exploitation and diversions, and secure appropriate buffers to urban and industrial development. Threats that are directly related to the WAP plan for this project include the control/eradication of invasive plant species. WAP plan objectives and actions: Objective #1 for Invasive Plant Species - Non-native Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. Actions to achieve objective: 2.2.2 Survey, inventory established, and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.4 Contain established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.9 Avoid establishment of new invasive/problematic species through education, planning, management, and/or regulation. Develop public information and educational programs aimed at encouraging attitudes and behaviors that are positive for wildlife conservation. Objective #2 for Invasive Plant Species - Non-native Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic (ecologically and economically). 2.2.2 Survey and inventory established and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.5 Conduct mechanical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.6 Conduct biological control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.7 Conduct chemical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 7.2.1 Support Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative. --This project will support the prevention of SGCN being listed, key habitat improvement & restoration, invasive species management, ecological threats, and promote the actions listed above. This project will work collaboratively with several agencies (Federal, State, and County), private landowners, NGO's, and research universities. North American Waterfowl Management Plan Goal: Restoring and maintaining waterfowl populations. Biological foundation linked to waterfowl abundance. Planning, implementation, evaluation and local scale are measurable and appropriate to the geographic scale. Expanding habitat conservation coordination across landscapes with other initiatives. Vision: Enhance the capability of landscapes to support waterfowl and other wetland associated species-biologically based planning and ongoing evaluation. Seek landscape solutions that benefit waterfowl. US Shorebird Conservation Plan; Intermountain West Regional Shorebird Plan 2000 Great Salt Lake most important inland shorebird site in North America. Great Basin Bird Conservation Region, BCR: breeding snowy plover, long-billed curlew, American avocet, black-necked stilt, stop over species: least sandpiper, western sandpiper, marbled godwit, long-billed dowitcher, American avocet, red-necked phalarope, Wilson phalarope. Goal: Maintain and enhance diverse landscapes that sustain thriving shorebird populations. Objective 2; Develop Best Management Practices BPM for the maintenance of shorebird habitats. Strategy b. work with cooperating agencies and organizations to prepare a prioritized list of habitat maintenance needs annually and provide input into State and federal budget processes. Strategy f. Support the removal the tamarisk, whitetop, and other invasive exotic plants from important shorebird sites. Objective 3: Strategy b. Integrate restoration and enhancement actions for shorebirds into existing waterfowl and wetland management plans. Strategy c. Conserve and protect the hydrological integrity of ephemeral wetlands through habitat improvements and improved water management techniques. --Our project addresses this goal by expanding habitat coordination and improvements across an entire watershed to support waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species that utilize wetlands. Division of Wildlife Strategic Plan: Objective C6 - Increase hunting and fishing opportunities, Objective R2 - Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state, Objective R5 - Conduct management work to help prevent species of concern from being federally listed as threatened or endangered, and work to delist those species that are currently listed, Objective R7 - Decrease the number of wildlife-related incidents (including property damage, crop depredation and threatened or endangered species listings) that negatively affect private property owners. --Our project will work to conserve, protect, manage, and enhance wildlife/ecosystems, and enhance/increase recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife watching and photography. We will also work with private landowners to ensure properties will not be negatively affected by wildlife (damage, listing, etc.) FFSL's Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan: Calls for control of invasive Phragmites. (Table 3.3) Wetlands lists invasive species as a resource issue and targeting and treating invasive Phragmites as an objective for both FFSL and DWR. --Project will directly target the control of invasive Phragmites. FFSL's Final Bear River Comprehensive Management Plan: Wildlife Habitat Management Goals 1.Protect and sustain native habitats in and along the Bear River. 2. Restore and enhance native habitats in and along the Bear River. 3. Support habitat restoration or enhancement on lands adjacent to the Bear River. 4. Manage invasive and noxious weed species in and along the Bear River. --Our project directly supports the goals of this management plan by working directly with FFSL, other partners, and landowners to protect, restore, and manage invasive species along the Bear River. USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan: --Project addresses habitat threats for priority species within a PFW priority area (Big Water Focus Area) for restoration work. BRMBR Final Habitat Management Plan (HMP): GOAL 1. Restore and manage Bear River deltaic wetland habitats and River Corridor units to emulate historic natural hydrology, where possible, to provide migration and breeding habitat for a diversity of waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds. GOAL 4. Maintain and expand partnerships that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of Refuge habitats, the Bear River watershed, and the GSL Ecosystem. --Project will directly assist in reaching the goals of the HMP by collaborating with multiple partners to remove invasives, restore, and preserve wetland habitat within the watershed for a diversity of wildlife species. Utah Noxious Weed Act: "Pursuant to Utah Noxious Weed Act (Utah Code 4-17-101 et seq.) and Utah Administrative Code R-68-9-6, it is the duty of every property owner to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any land in his/her possession or control". --Our project is directly related to this Act by assisting private landowners in controlling a variety of noxious weeds on their properties.

This project will decrease the risk of severe wildfire by reducing fuel load and promoting the growth of understory vegetation, which are critical to maintaining ecosystem resilience. Phragmites forms dense monotypic stands that hold very high levels of dead (litter) and living biomass that can produce extremely hot, fast moving, and tall flame lengths if ignition occurs. With many of these project areas surrounded by urban and rural structures, the threat of fire and the potential for neighboring structure damage is high. Infrastructure consisting of houses, sheds, barns, grazing infrastructure (troughs, pipeline, fencing), irrigation infrastructure (water control gates, pumps, etc.) are found all throughout the watershed. Reducing the cover of Phragmites, Tamarisk, and other invasives through this project will greatly reduce the threat and risks of infrastructure loss and fire damage within the watershed. By increasing more available water (in stream and wetlands) and planting native vegetation, we are creating natural fire breaks and creating a more fire resilient landscape.

Due to the amount of water that invasives use, removing them from wetlands, rivers, and lakes could increase the amount of water available for urban and rural use, and in our case, provide more water to the GSL. Phragmites and Tamarisk both consume large amounts of water and are able to outcompete and eventually eliminate native vegetation and crucially important wetlands. Phragmites also create large, monotypic stands, often in open waters, which slow down the flow of water, as well as eliminate valuable wildlife habitat. In addition to decimating quality wildlife habitat, extensive Phragmites cover puts additional stress on limited water supplies due to higher rates of evapotranspiration compared to native wetland plants. According to Water for the Great Salt Lake (SWCA, 2017) " As much as 2.6 million acre-feet of water is estimated to evapotranspire from GSL annually. Removal of vegetation around the fringes of the lake could reduce this amount." To create a contiguous habitat landscape for native avifauna, both private and public lands need a consistent invasive species management strategy. Thus, securing funding for invasive species control across connected habitats with variable ownership is a high priority in Great Salt Lake wetlands. Creating wetlands will also assist with both water quality and quantity within the watershed. Irrigation shares from the Bear River Canal Company are being used to fill in the newly created wetland. Once the water has gone through a wetland function, the water will be drained into Sulphur Creek. This project will allow more water of better quality to enter the creek, which terminates at the Bird Refuge before ultimately making it's way to the Great Salt Lake. As mentioned in ecological thresholds, due to high concentrations of phosphorus the entire reach of the Bear River between Cutler Reservoir and the GSL is listed as impaired. According to the Lower Bear River Watershed Plan (Cirrus, 2018) "Most pollutant sources in the lower Bear River watershed are located on private land including nearly all of the land adjacent to the lower Bear River and Malad River. As a result, projects with the greatest opportunity to immediately affect the river's water quality will be implemented and maintained by private landowners". The primary sources of the pollutants are: several large animal feeding operations, streambank erosion caused by natural processes such as changes in in-stream flows and grazing on streambanks, agricultural runoff that carries sediments, fertilizers, and animal wastes from agricultural lands, urban runoff and point source pollution. This project would directly address those pollutant issues by installing 5.6 miles of riparian fencing along the Bear River. Excluding cattle from having direct access to the Bear River will improve stream bank stability, reduce sediment deposition, and prevent unnecessary pollutants from entering the river.

USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program will complete compliance on private lands prior to work being implemented. If USACE or FFSL permits are required, those will be obtained by the PFW Program before implementation as well.

This is a multi-year, multi-phase plan and will require a long-term commitment for dollars and manpower to be effective and successful. Phase 2 will include virtual fencing and grazing management, chemical/mechanical treatment of invasive species, installing a riparian fence, and restoring a series of wetlands in Corinne. Virtual Fencing: Additional materials are needed for this phase of virtual fencing. We received the UDAF Soil Health Grant for $50,000 to acquire more VENCE materials for the North Utah Conservation District. Their equipment will also be used in the Lower Bear Area. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has joined in on the virtual fence study, and an extra 300 collars w/batteries and subscriptions will be needed to include them. Approx. 745 acres will be affected. A producer who grazes at the refuge will supply cattle for the grazing study. A USU Plant, Soil, and Climate Ph.D student will be performing soil health studies on areas we are grazing using virtual fencing. She will conduct baseline tests, during tests, and after tests. More of what she will do can be found in the monitoring section. A portion of the funding asking in the proposal will go to support her research efforts on this project. Chemical/Mechanical Control of Invasives: The Chesapeake Duck Club will conduct a retreatment of 625 acres of Phragmites that was treated the previous FY. Heavy marsh equipment will be utilized to spray (fall) and trample (winter) the retreatment areas. The club will manage any regrowth in treated areas by spot spraying using their own herbicide and equipment. Another landowner adjacent to the refuge will also be treating 30 acres Phragmites on their property. The treatment schedule will be the same as the duck club, spraying in the fall and trampling in the winter. Lastly, another landowner adjacent to the refuge will be treating approx. 40acres of Tamarisk. Tamarisk removal methods will depend largely on tree size and density. Larger trees will be cut to stumps and sprayed with herbicide, smaller trees will be mowed. There are several large trees in this area so we are expecting higher prices. This property is along the Bear River banks and to ensure excessive erosion does not occur, Tamarisk near or on the banks will be cut to stump and sprayed, rather than pulled out. Cut to stump will allow material to remain to hold the soil in tact. We plan to plant willow clippings along the bank where Tamarisk have been removed using willow from the property. Cattle will be kept away from the newly planted willows. We will be working with our FFSL partners during this phase and have them treating their adjacent properties around the same time. We will also coordinate with FFSL to ensure that BMP's for Tamarisk removal are being followed. Riparian Fence Installation: Approx. 5.6 miles of wildlife friendly fencing will be installed along the Bear River. UDAF has secured $75,000 from their 319 and Non-Point Source Grant. This money will go toward removing Tamarisk in the fence line area and buying some fence materials. An additional $50,000 is needed to complete the fence. The money will go toward fence materials. Wetland Creation: Phase 1 of wetland creation was completed in 2023 with USFWS PFW and Sageland Collaborative. Area was leveled, scraped, and converted from grass pasture to a 4 acre wetland. Milkweed, Nebraska Sedge, and other wetland plant seeds were scattered. Monarch Butterflies have been seen by partners at the site and we have discussed with the landowner about using Utah's Pollinator Pursuit to monitor them. Phase 2 will involve expanding the 4 acre wetland to a 7 acre wetland. Two smaller wetlands (2 acre and 1 acre) will also be created. Ditch excavation will occur on both new wetlands to be able to fill and drain them. An old fence will need to be removed due to close proximity to the ponds to ensure shorebird and other avian species do not get tangled in it. The fence will be rebuilt as a wildlife friendly fence further away from the wetland. Fence has to be rebuilt to allow grazing management and to prevent cattle from entering the wetland area. More pollinator and wetland seed mixes will be scattered following this phase. Lastly, we have worked closely with the Bear River Canal Company to use irrigation shares to create these wetlands. The BRCC has given us written permission and the landowner has 132 acre ft. of water allocated to future wetland creations. Water that would have been used to irrigate crops is now being put through a wetland function, drained back into Sulphur Creek, and eventually making its way to the GSL. USFWS PFW Program has received permission from the USACE to complete Phase I and will continue to coordinate with them to receive all permits needed to complete additional phases. Funding from WRI will go towards the excavation, materials (wetland and fence) and pollinator seed. This project area abuts Salt Creek WMA and has a variety of upland, wetland, and pollinator species on the property. Our methods for this phase will benefit all species listed on species tab. Removing Phragmites and Tamarisk will allow for native vegetation to reemerge, access to more readily available water, and easier navigation through these infested areas. This will benefit all waterfowl species listed. More specifically, removing Phragmites will create more open water habitat and better nesting habitat for all migratory and shorebird species. Improvements around wetland playas will also benefit the snowy plover. Other species such as beaver, monarch, northern leopard frog, and various waterfowl species (coots, teal, mallards, gadwall, etc.) will benefit from the Phragmites and Tamarisk being removed around riparian areas. Clearing riparian areas will allow for more diversity of trees and plants to emerge (willows, milkweed, etc.) that wetland/riparian reliant species can use. Monarchs have and will continue to benefit from the milkweed plantings that have been done around the wetland area. We intend to utilize the UDAF Pollinator Program to plant a variety of wetland plants around the project area as well. All species will benefit from the increased available water, soil moisture, and forage. Species such as mule deer, ibis, Hungarian partridge, sharp-tailed grouse, burrowing owls, sandhill cranes, ring-necked pheasants, turkey, and white-tailed jackrabbits will benefit by having more open space habitat, better foraging options, and easier access to water sources from the wetland creations. These wetland creations will also support a variety of breeding and migratory shorebirds and waterfowls as a place to rest and forage.

USFWS PFW: Will work with partners to complete some of the monitoring described, as well as doing our own photo point monitoring. Also, as part of the USFWS landowner agreement, USFWS biologist will visit all project sites at minimum once per year to assess needs, success, failures, and the need for any follow-up treatments/maintenance for the duration of the 10-year Landowner Agreement. All after photos and documentation will be uploaded to WRI website. PFW Biologist will coordinate with FFSL for invasive monitoring on their properties adjacent to private landowners involved in this project. PFW Biologist will also closely monitor the success of the created wetlands and the establishment of riparian/pollinator seed mixes. USFWS BRMBR: The refuge will work with both USU partners to monitor the effects of virtual grazing on the refuge lands. BOX ELDER CO. WEED DEPT.: Will assess the total acreage infested by phragmites and secondary noxious weed species the summer prior to treatment using visual estimates. This will be repeated the following 3 summers after each treatment phase. A photo plot will be used to provide a visual for change in phragmites infestations. USU EXTENSION: USU Extension will monitor success of virtual fence grazing to determine if the economic costs and benefits outweigh that of traditional fencing. They will also work with landowners to determine if virtual fencing can be used as a tool to increase flexibility in management when target grazing specific invasive species. USU Extension will also work closely with the USU PSC Ph.D. student to ensure all research goals are being met throughout the soil health study. USU PLANT, SOIL, AND CLIMATE (PSC) PROGRAM: We have coordinated with a Ph.D student within USU's PSC Program to assist with soil health testing and monitoring while using virtual fencing. Baseline soil health tests will be completed for the different soil types in each pasture during year one. Test will measure water stable aggregates, soil respiration, nutrients, total C and N by water extraction, PH, organic matter, POX-C, soil ACE protein, B-glucosidase, and total organic carbon. After two years of management using virtual fencing, tests will be repeated to see if any improvements have occurred. The wetland virtual fencing sites will also have their methane levels in the soil monitored by using a portable gas analyzer. These sites will be monitored before grazing to establish a baseline, during grazing, and after grazing to compare the effects of the grazing on methane content. UDAF: Riparian fence project will be monitored using photo points showing before and after effects. Particular attention will be given to areas of high cattle traffic.

Partners include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Partners For Fish and Wildlife & Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge), Box Elder County Weed Department, USU Extension, USU Plant, Soil, and Climate Program, Ducks Unlimited, Forestry, Fire, & State Lands, Sageland Collaborative, Utah Dept. of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), Chesapeake Duck Club, & various private landowners throughout the watershed. This phase of the project will include private, federal, and state lands. USFWS Partners Program: Project Management and Oversight, Landowner Facilitation, Compliance Completion, Monitoring, Technical Advice USFWS BRMBR: Technical Advice, Virtual Fence Participant, Research Access Box Elder Co. Weed Dept.: Project assistance, Technical Advice, Noxious Weed spraying and management, Monitoring USU Extension: Technical Advice, virtual fencing outreach and education opportunities, economic research opportunities, Monitoring. USU Plant, Soil, and Climate (PSC) Program: Research assistance, soil health studies, monitoring Ducks Unlimited: Technical assistance, landowner coordination, site evaluations Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL): Technical advice and invasive treatment assistance/coordination Sageland Collaborative: Technical assistance for wetland creation UDAF: provide technical assistance and funding through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality's Nonpoint Source(NPS) and 319 Grants, Monitoring Chesapeake Duck Club: in-kind contribution, phragmites management. Private Landowners: in-kind contributions, financial assistance, monitoring Although not all partners are contributing direct funds for this project, all listed agencies support this proposed project. Collaboration with these partners pertaining to invasive treatment effectiveness, treatment locations, and strategies has been very beneficial and shows effective collaboration and partnership across agencies.

This is a multi-year project that will only be successful with continued efforts. Follow up treatments for noxious/invasive species will be part of a long-term adaptive management strategy used in the watershed. After a few years of intense management, treatment activities would shift to a more routine weed maintenance effort within the treated areas. Collaboration with USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Box Elder Co. Weed Dept., USU Extension, USU PSC Program, FFSL, Ducks Unlimited, Sageland Collaborative, UDAF, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, and landowners will continue to stay current with Phragmites management and strategies that will improve ecosystem function. Box Elder Co. Weed Dept.: Will continue their routine monitoring of invasive noxious weed in order to keep landowners informed of re-growth of current weed populations or new infestations. Outreach through our landowner herbicide program will be continued in the project area so that awareness of invasive weeds will continue, as well as so future partners can be found. Ducks Unlimited: DU will make recommendations on high priority areas from their habitat assessment, which may be the subject of future WRI proposals. These recommendations will include updates to water management infrastructure and strategies to manage water levels and invasive species to improve wetland functions across the club. DU is highly invested in the improvement of wetland habitat on the Chesapeake Duck Club and surrounding wetlands in the Bear River Valley. USU Extension: USU will host education and outreach events to livestock producers, land managers, cooperating partners, and government agencies on how virtual fencing and grazing can be used to treat invasive/noxious weeds. By providing information to these groups of people a larger audience can be reached, locally, state wide, regionally and even nationally. By hosting a field day, technical material, and peer-reviewed publications and presentations, as well as provide our contact information to answer any questions, we believe we can accomplish our educational objectives. USU PSC Program: Ph.D student will perform soil tests for two years to determine if grazing using virtual fencing has any impact on soil heath. Coordination and monitoring with the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and private landowners will continue throughout the study. USFWS Partners Program: As part of the landowner agreement with USFWS the landowner agrees to leave the habitat restored in place for a 10-year period and during that time will work with the USFWS biologist to monitor and access needs, success, and any needed adaptive management. FFSL: Will continue to collaborate with USFWS PFW Program and private landowners to assist with and coordinate invasive treatments adjacent to their properties. Sageland Collaborative: Will continue to provide technical assistance on projects and assist with pollinator monitoring on wetland project. FUTURE PROJECT PHASES Overall project vision is to continue to expand project types throughout the watershed. Other landowners within the watershed have reached out for project assistance including participating in virtual fencing, riparian fencing along the Malad & Bear River, wetland creations, improving duck habitat, tree planting, river restorations, and native vegetation seeding. Coordination between partners will continue as this project continues to grow.

The project will benefit the sustainable use of the Lower Bear River Watershed. The watershed is a recreation resource for anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers and photographers, and hunters and a means of livelihood for the agricultural community. Habitat and water quality improvements will occur throughout the watershed and be beneficial to people, wildlife, and economic interests. Landowners plan to use cattle to help control and contain dense stands of Phragmites. Grazing is utilized in areas that become drought stressed in the fall and are unsuitable for chemical application, as well as in areas to reduce seed head formation. Phragmites is a valuable feed source, and figuring out how to manage and utilize it more effectively could result in huge economic benefits for cattle producers, as well as land owners who hold value in restoring native habitat for wildlife and recreational use. Some cattle are also being used in areas that have previously undergone invasive management techniques. The landowners will benefit from enhanced riparian health and more resilient riparian corridors on their private land as sedimentation is reduced significantly. Additionally, better soil health practices also help create the sustainable use of natural resources. When producers use soil health practices, they help reduce the excessive use of natural resources. Better practices help create a resilient system that uses less of the natural resources and is more resilient as the climate continues to change. Healthy soil improves water quality, vegetative growth and creates more terrestrial habitat for wildlife. Soils that are healthy retain more water, have less erosion, need less fertilizer and produce a higher yield. This project promotes sustaining hunting of a variety of waterfowl and upland game species. The proposed treatments will create more open water habitat and nesting opportunities for a variety of bird species. Treatments like this will also have potential to increase wildlife numbers and potential hunting opportunities to future generations. As stated above this project will boost local rural economies by enhancing recreational and agricultural opportunities. Much of the local culture and identity is tied up in natural resources. This project is working across the watershed to boost and enhance local recreational opportunities and provide jobs. Additionally, it will boost the landowners ability to remain sustainable and profitable keeping them on the landscape and avoiding the threat of selling the property and developing.