This project is working with the Bureau of Land Management and the permittees of the Three Creeks, Woodruff Pastures, East Woodruff, Duck Creek, and Cumberland to Uintah allotments to help distribute water through adding solar pumping stations to existing wells, supplying a solar pumping station to a proposed new well, and constructing pipelines on the allotments. The need for this project is to increase livestock distribution among the allotments by adding new pumps to existing systems and adding additional water sources on the allotment. This project will consist of installing solar pumping stations at several existing wells on the allotments and constructing several miles of 2" to 3" HDPE Pipe to aid in the planned projects. The project would be an added benefit to both wildlife and domestic livestock through access to the water resource.

The objectives of the project would be to update existing infrastructure and to provide new infrastructure to the allotments for both the benefit of wildlife and livestock.

The project is located within Rich County on the Three Creeks, Woodruff Pastures, East Woodruff, Duck Creek, and Cumberland to Uintah allotments. There is a need to update existing wells by adding solar pumping stations and a need to improve livestock distribution across the allotments.

UDWR Upper Bear River Management Plan (hydrologic unit 16010101): Identifies native and nonnative interactions as a resource and biological issue in this watershed [page 9]. Management strategies for BCT include (1) "chemical treatment of streams or lakes to remove nonnative fish" [page 11]. Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Conservation Agreement and Strategy (signed by all states within historic range): The goal of the BCT CAS is to (1) "ensure the long-term existence of BCT within its historic range [page 2]. Specific actions include (2) the selective control of nonnative species [page 34, sections 4(a,b, and c)], as well as (3) subsequent introduction/re-introduction actions [page 35, sections 5(a, b and c). This project will also help to address the specific objective of additional BCT conservation populations in the Bear River in Utah [Table 2]. Rich County Long Range Management Plan- This project correlates to the improvement of water quality on an impaired waterbody. This plan also states that it intends to support the livestock and agriculture industry in the county which is done on the private lands involved. Rich County Conservation District- This project corresponds to its long-range management plan to improve habitat for sensitive species. BLM, Three Creeks Proposed Decision: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/legacyProjectSite.do?methodName=renderLegacyProjectSite&projectId=71505 UBRW Pipeline Extensions and Troughs 2024 decision. BLM Sage Grouse Management Plan BLM Rich County Management Framework Plan

The project would likely have slight benefits to the fire program as there would be additional water sources to pull from for wild fire suppression and additional tools to allow for any needed rest from livestock use in treatment or stabilization areas.

The project isn't allowing for additional water to be used just making more efficient use of the water by locating the water sources in the uplands and away from the riparian resources. The water pumps would allow for a more consistent use of the wells and refresh the existing infrastructure. There would be less chance of fuel spills from filling generators to power the pumps. Water quality is expected to increase as the livestock would be moved from the riparian resources (not loafing there) and allow for a more efficient use of the uplands.

The Salt Lake BLM issued the UBRW Pipeline Extensions and Troughs decision and is now final (DOI-BLM-UT-W010-2024-0007-DNA). The decision implements the pipeline across the allotments adding additional water sources. The wells are in place and are in need of maintenance. The BLM will work with the Utah Division of Water Rights on any needed change applications through their processes.

The solar pumping stations are installed by a well truck with a winch to pull out the old pump and lower down the new pump into the well. The panels are installed on post facing the south with all needed electrical wiring connected to the pump. The pipelines will be laid into the ground using a bulldozer pulling a ripper that lays the pipeline into and under the ground. The pipeline to be used will be both 2 and 3 inch HDPE poly line that will be fused at each joint. The ripper makes a cut in the ground that is only about 4 inches wide and the tracks on the dozer distribute the weight causing no damage to the ground. Tire troughs will be used for the livestock waterer. The tire troughs are recycled mining truck tires that are tough and take being shot at by bullets really well. The tires are all outfitted with an escape ramp and hold about 1300 gallons each when they're cut in half. All work will be performed by contractors.

The BLM will continue collecting monitoring data on the allotments through a variety of methods (AIM, water quality sampling, utilization, MIM, and etc.). The BLM has been collecting this data for several years on the allotments and will continue to collect the information as needed to respond to range land health issues or other needs.

The BLM is partnering with WRI and UGIP to complete the work.

The management of the projects would be through the cooperative range improvement agreements with the grazing permittees. The permittees have been maintaining the existing improvements on the allotments and would continue to do that. They would also provide the upkeep on the new projects through the same process.

By adding additional and more reliable water sources on the allotments allows for better distribution of the grazing resource and work to prevent over utilization of existing watered areas. The pumps are needed to support the extensions and allow for a cleaner energy option to power the pumps.