WRI has recently invested in Landscape Conservation Forecasting for the Boulder Mountains and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has identified the Plateau - Boulder Unit as an important focus area in an attempt to help struggling deer herds. Both the Dixie and Fish Lake National Forests have also planned to invest significant resources into this area from both a planning and implementation standpoint moving into the future. A shared partner biologist will help with both planning and implementation while ensuring the goals and objectives for each agency are being met.

Assist in planning and implementing USFS and other WRI projects by completing the following tasks. * Monitor projects and collect data to determine project success * Support project planning, flag/mark treatment areas. * Oversee contractors to ensure compliance to ensure work is within contracted specifications * Monitor project expenditures to stay within approved budgets.

UDWR and WRI have invested significant resources into Landscape Conservation Forecasting for the Boulder Mountains on both the Fishlake and Dixie National Forests and anticipate increasing the amount of project proposals in that area in the near future. This partner biologist will provide a position that can focus on both the planning necessary to get these projects to the point they are ready for proposal as well as carrying out the work necessary to complete the projects.

This position will help meet some of the goals and objectives of the DWR's Strategic plan. Resource Goal Conserve, enhance and actively manage Utah's protected wildlife populations. OBJECTIVE R1 Increase, decrease or maintain wildlife populations, as needed, to meet the objectives in our management plans. 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 Wildlife Action Plan, species recovery plans, conservation agreements and other management plans (species, AIS, disease, etc.). 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 R6 Decrease vehicle collisions and dangerous wildlife encounters for people who live, travel and recreate in Utah. 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.

Landscape Conservation Forecasting has confirmed the overabundant representation of late successional vegetation in forested classes on the Boulder Mountain and this position will work to help reset these vegetative communities to a more representative Natural Range of Variation. That work will include improving Fire Regime Classes and provide opportunities in the future for fire to take its natural role in the landscape. It is anticipated the partner biologist will work with fire/fuels staff on the forests to plan and implement projects to help with these conditions.

The Boulder Mountains are home to significant important fisheries, it will be important for this partner biologist to be keyed in to the goals and objectives of both terrestrial and aquatic resources and seek to balance the needs of each.

Partner Biologist will work with USFS to ensure that NEPA and other required compliance efforts are completed prior to projects implementation. Biologist will have access to State cultural resources contracting to aid in the completion of necessary surveys.

Biologist will be funded 50/50 between the USFS and UDWR. Biologist will work remotely and be required to participate in a teleworking agreement. State will provide computer, phone and truck. While direct supervision will be provided by UDWR it is anticipated that USFS will direct many of the day to day activities and a majority of the projects and activities conducted by the biologist will be on USFS lands. Biologist may also participate in other wri projects as needed.

Biologist will provide quarterly reports as outlined in the cooperative agreement for the 2 agencies.

US Forest Service and Division of Wildlife Resources

Cooperative agreement between the 2 agencies will provide for annual meetings and quarterly reports to assess effectiveness of partner position. Position will be planned for continuation and extension based on the assessed effectiveness.

This position will help complete habitat improvement projects that will improve water quality and quantity, improve forage abundance and availability that will benefit wildlife, grazing, timber harvest, and recreation.