The Northern Leatherside Chub (L. copei) is a species of greatest conservation need (S2, N3). A number of contributing factors have led to the decrease of NLSC across their native range, including in the upper Bear River Watershed. Previous efforts have unsuccessfully tried to translocate NLSC individuals from the Ham's Fork to North Fork Otter Creek, which is located about 9.5 miles west of Randolph, Utah. Project leaders have attributed the lack of success to poor habitat, lack of other fishes that are part of the native assemblage, and the translocation of predators during the same time frame (Bonneville Cutthroat Trout were released at similar sites in the same time frame as the NLSC). The project team intends to address all of these concerns with the current project proposal in hopes of creating a more successful translocation effort. Phase one of this project will work to improve habitat characteristics within the streams to make them more suitable for NLSC. Many of the streams within the project area exhibit long, shallow runs, with areas that are greatly incised and disconnected from their floodplain. With federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds, the BLM is planning to implement low-tech process-based restoration techniques to help aggrade the channel, slow the in-stream flows, and create better pool and backwater habitat. This work will be coupled with native riparian plantings to increase bank stability and provide better habitat for aquatic species. Restoration techniques utilized will be temporary in nature and will not impact downstream water users. Techniques considered will the use of Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) and Post Assisted Log Structures (PALS). This is a unique opportunity to leverage federal dollars to carryout targeted restoration work for The Northern Leatherside Chub, and an opportunity to restore a SGCN to a key part of its native range. There is limited literature and information about successful NLSC translocation events, so this project could serve as a framework for the future.

Phase one restoration objectives * Utilize low-tech process based restoration techniques to: o Slow in-stream flows o Raise the water table o Aggrade the channel and correct incision o Create deep water and backwater habitat suitable for the NLSC o Increase hydraulic complexity to better NLSC habitat o Monitoring restoration efficacy Phase two translocation objectives * Gain appropriate support from Rich County elected officials * Work with UDWR staff to ensure an appropriate donor population * Successfully put fish in selected reaches * Monitor to see if populations are self-sustaining

This is a unique opportunity to leverage federal dollars to carryout targeted restoration work for The Northern Leatherside Chub, and an opportunity to restore a SGCN to a key part of its native range. There is limited literature and information about successful NLSC translocation events, so this project could serve as a framework for the future.

1. Northern Leatherside Chub Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy: --This project meets the following recommended conservation actions to: 1) Expand NLSC populations and distribution... 2) Enhance and maintain habitat. -- Meets goals to manage for NLSC in the Bear River geographic management unit (GMU) and maintain all populations within the GMU 2. Utah Wildlife Action Plan (2015) -- Northern Leatherside Chub are a N3 priority species. -- Key Habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need include Riverine and Aquatic Scrub-shrub. 3. UDWR Strategic Plan: this project will help the UDWR meet its Resource Goal, which is to "expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. This project will specifically address objectives 2 and 3 of the UDWR Resource Goal, which are to (1) "increase fish and game populations to meet management plan objectives and expand quality fishing and hunting opportunities," and to (2) "conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered." 4. UDWR Bear Lake Management Plan (hydrologic unit 16010201): Identifies dewatering as a major resource issue and a solution of working with irrigators to allow minimum stream flows, especially during cutthroat trout spawning in the spring and egg incubation in the summer. Erosion is also cited as an issue, along with a solution to continue to work with landowners and managers to improve erosion control. Habitat enhancement and maintenance is also specified for NLSC in the plan. 6. Randolph Management Framework Plan (BLM 1980) -- Designate Laketown Area Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) for purposes of maintaining high water quality and fisheries habitat. 7. Laketown Canyon ACEC (BLM 1989) -- Maintain water quality in Laketown Canyon -- Improve quality of aquatic and riparian habitat -- Maintain recreational opportunities

A well functioning riparian area, as a result of restoration efforts, will help increase resilience to future fires in the area.

LTPBR structures (in combination with other types) will be utilized to simulate beaver dams. Dam building by beaver has been shown to influence stream hydrology and water quality in a number of important ways primarily by altering the amount, and timing of delivery of water and sediment (Naiman et al., 1988; Gurnell, 1998; Pollock et al., 2003). Ponding upstream of beaver dams slows water velocity encouraging deposition of fine sediment (Butler and Malanson, 1995; Pollock et al., 2007) in the pond itself and during high flows onto the adjacent floodplain. Beaver ponds and dams can act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009). An increase in overbank flooding due to beaver dams also typically leads to an increase in the diversity of riparian vegetation (Wright et al., 2002) and an expansion of the riparian corridor (Westbrook et al., 2006; Westbrook et al., 2011). The proposed project will use LTPBR structures to essentially provide the same function as beaver dams; in that the structures will slow water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplain. Water quality benefits of the proposed project would include reduction of suspended sediment, capture of sediment loads, increase DO, decrease overall water temperatures and increase base flows.

BLM will comply with all NEPA principles throughout the project. Coordination with the Division of Water rights and the Division of Wildlife will occur frequently.

-Low-tech process based restoration techniques will be utilized to ensure that all local materials are used, the work is completed with hand crews, and the cost is kept to a minimum. -All federal and state laws will be followed and standard operating procedure will be used for the translocation of Northern Leatherside Chub

-Pre-restoration monitoring at the proposed locations has been carried out using BLM's AIM and MIM protocols. -Pre-restoration drone flights will be utilized to survey the broader landscape. -Post-restoration monitoring at the proposed locations will be carried out using BLM's AIM and MIM protocols. -Post-restoration drone flights will be utilized to survey the broader landscape. -Pre and post restoration species monitoring programs will be utilized to determine the efficacy of the translocation effort.

-UDWR -Trout Unlimited -Partners for Fish and Wildlife -Forest Service

Adaptive management associated with this project will be informed by the pre and post restoration monitoring, resource experts, and stakeholder input.

Successful implementation of this project will help ensure the long term survivability of the NLSC, the overall riparian and stream health of crucial drainages in the Upper Bear River Watershed, and resilience to future fire.