The BLM is requesting rebuilding a fence along the Utah/Nevada state line. This fence acts as the boundary between Utah and Nevada grazing allotments. This is an extremely old fence that is no longer functional. This fence is an allotment boundary between a Utah and Nevada grazing allotment and also serves to restrict overgrazing from wild horses with a portion of the Stateline Grazing allotment that is not within a Horse Management Area and has been re-seeded following the 2020 Big Summit Wildfire. The fence crosses a portion of State Lands and is approximately 16,653 feet.

The main objective is to reduce wild horse and burros crossing in from Nevada to Utah. Additionally, a second objective is to aid in management of livestock grazing. Rebuilding the fence would improve rangeland health, especially in areas re-seeded following the 2020 Big Summit fire.

This fence is located along the Utah/Nevada state line and has historically kept wild horses in Nevada. The Utah side of the fence is not with a Horse Management Area. This is an old range fence that is no longer functional and needs to be rebuilt to support proper livestock grazing management and to facilitate management of wild horse populations and movement.

This is a current Range Improvement project that NEPA has been completed on in the past. No NEPA will be required for new fence construction within the same existing footprint. New Cultural surveys will be completed prior to construction.

The proposed project would be expected to promote healthy vegetative communities and improve the quality and quantity of desired species by reducing the impacts of livestock and wild horse utilization and allowing for better management of the grazing system. The project will help reduce the impacts of invasive annual grasses by allowing time for perennial species to recover and maintain their vigor. Improved overall rangeland health would reduce fire frequency and impact if wildland fire should occur.

This project is expected to improve both the vegetative communities and the soil health and structure by limiting the impacts of wild horses in the area and by allowing for more precise management of livestock grazing rotations. It is likely that improved vegetative communities and soil health will lead to healthier hydrologic systems and higher water quality and quantity in the project area.

Cultural surveys were completed during initial fence installation. No further NEPA is required for reconstruction of fence. The Archeologist will review the fence rebuild project and complete any new cultural surveys as needed.

The existing old fence will be removed and reconstructed according to BLM specifications. The reconstructed fence will be 4 strand barbed wire and all corners, gates, end panels, stress panels, etc. will be replaced with new material. Any additional corners, gates, or panels that are needed will be added to the project. All old fence materials along with any other refuse or unused materials will be removed from the project area. Brush and tree clearing will be allowed only directly along the fence line to allow for removal/construction.

The project will be inspected for completion by the BLM and DWR. The fence will be inspected regularly by the BLM Range Specialist over the allotment. If condition of the fence is trending downward, inspections should occur more frequently and maintenance should occur as needed.

BLM, DWR, Livestock Permittee

The fence will be maintained by the livestock permittee. The BLM Range Specialist over the allotment will complete range improvement inspections as needed to ensure maintenance is being completed regularly.

The project will improve the quantity and quality of sustainable use by reducing the excess grazing occurring from wild horses and allowing for management of livestock grazing use to levels appropriate for sustainable use of the vegetation, soil, and hydrologic resources. In addition to this the project will also support improving habitat and forage quality and availability for wildlife species such as elk and mule deer by reducing the competition for resources with wild horses and unauthorized livestock.