The stakeholders who participated in the development of the Kanab Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan, Best Friends Animal Society Master Plan, and Kane County Natural Resource Plan have all identified the need for woody invasive treatment protocols for Kanab Creek, area springs, and associated drainages. Best Friends Animal Society's ecological and botanical surveys placed woody invasive species in their top tiers of concern. Moreover, other agency assessments also supported reductions in riparian habitat, biodiversity losses, and reduced water flow in associated wetlands caused by woody invasives. Surface water resources are very limited in Kane County and while there are a few options for groundwater resource development, woody invasives alter surface flows and groundwater recharge while decreasing biodiversity and habitat resiliency. Best Friends Animal Society, area municipalities, agriculture, recreation, and some local industries rely upon the water resources of Kanab Creek which originates below the rim of the Pansaugant and Markagunt Plateaus near Alton, Utah. The presence of woody invasive species salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) continue to dominate the riparian species composition. Their removals and restoration of native vegetative habitats are the focus of this project.

The objective of the Kanab Creek Woody Invasive Mitigation Project is to implement woody invasive treatment protocols and restore habitat. In 2026, our treatment goals include the removal of invasive species from 38 acres and retreatment of previously treated areas. Approximately 45-90% of the Kanab Creek riparian corridor, which runs through lands owned and managed by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, is dominated by Tamarix and Elaeagnus (Russian Olive). Primary Restoration Goals: 1. Reduce Woody Invasive Species: We aim to decrease the prevalence of woody invasive species through mechanical, chemical, vegetative, and retreatment methods. This will enhance the survivability of native plants and animals and increase the resilience of Kanab Creek, its drainages, wetlands, seeps, and meadows. Historically, "Prior to the 1880s, Kanab Creek in Kanab Canyon was a small stream flowing through a large wet meadow with a high water table. However, catastrophic floods during the 1880s, likely exacerbated by overgrazing, caused the streambed to drop 20-30 meters, resulting in separate wet meadows fed by springs along an upper bench and exposing a lower series of springs just above the current level of Kanab Creek." (Webb et al., 1992) 2. Reestablish Native Species: We will work on reestablishing cottonwood (Populus fremontii), willow (Salix spp.), and native shrub species following consistent revegetation protocols. 3. Evaluate Cottonwood Health: We will assess decadent and dead cottonwood trees that may be infected with (cytospora) canker, caused by the fungi Leucostoma niveum and Valsa sordida in Colorado (Sinclair and Lyon, 2005; Stevens, 2021); if needed will seek support from plant pathologists or mycologists. 4. Monitor Natural Recruitment: Establish line transects to evaluate the natural recruitment of native grasses and forbs, and reseed using a mixture of native species (Baker, 2016). 5. Improve Water Quality: Enhance water quality and quantity through the development of water catchments and troughs. This will support grazing management processes and strategies for riparian-wetland areas, alleviating riparian stress in the John R. Flat allotment (#UT24064, 258 AUMs) and Brown Canyon allotment (#UT24011, 20 AUMs). 6. Enhance Wildlife Habitat: Improve the habitat complexity of the riparian corridor to support diverse wildlife, including species of concern, through the restoration of native plant communities. 7. Develop Education Programs: Connect accessible walking trails and create interpretive presentations and educational programming about project treatments, native plant communities, and the uses of indigenous plants. 8. Continue Partnerships: Maintain monitoring efforts and restoration partnerships with organizations such as Utah DWR, USDA Fish and Wildlife, BLM, Button Livestock Company, and other private and natural resource organizations. 9. Implement Beaver Assisted Restoration (BAR): Monitor the American beaver (Castor canadensis) present in Kanab Creek as part of our restoration efforts.

Restoration and mitigation treatments began in 2015 after the development of the Kanab Creek Watershed CRMP and subsequent interagency treatment of a severe monoculture of Lythrum salicaria and woody invasives at Big Lake and adjacent springs and wetlands. This has resulted in an 86% reduction in L.salicaria, and woody invasives. Moreover, these treatments and restoration efforts halted L. salicaria advancement into the Kanab Creek, through interconnected drainages, and increased native vegetation, biodiversity, and hydrology. The current treatment area within BFAS property is approximately 4 miles of primary and secondary sand bottom channels, fringe floodplain wetlands with connections to many perennial and intermittent cliff face seeps, and surface drainages. The riparian corridor width, species composition, and density are variable throughout the treatment length. Also, Kanab Creek riparian floristics, vegetation structure, and wetland hydrology are representative of critical nesting for SWFL. This was recently confirmed by the USDA NRCS Biologist during a site visit in April 2024. Additional monitoring for SWFL and continued monitoring of bat populations will begin in April 2025. While significant restoration and monitoring efforts have been achieved with collaborative partnerships with American Conservation Experience (ACE), Color Country CWMA partners, Northern Arizona University Spring Institute, Color Country BLM, GSENM, Kane County Weed Department, and the Kane County Conservation District; the necessity for additional funding and resource support will further the efforts and project momentum. Moreover, the project timing supports the recent recommendations concerning groundwater resources in a 2024 study conducted by Sunrise Engineering, Inc. for Kane County Water Conservancy District. One of their recommendations stated: "It is recommended that in planning water resources development, the impact of climate change should be considered. The general trend is that the availability of groundwater resources in the study area will likely decrease with time but will also likely fluctuate with extreme weather patterns." The removal of woody invasives will mitigate the losses to groundwater and surface flows caused by Tamarisk and Elaeagnus and support the resource management plans outlined in the Kanab Creek Watershed CRMP, Kane County Natural Resource Management Plan, and the Best Friends Animal Society's Master Plan.

The mitigation and restoration efforts align with the Kanab Creek Watershed CRMP, Best Friends Master Plan-Invasive Species Mitigation Protocols, and the Kane County Natural Resource Management Plans. All of these management plans include best practices for the eradication and control of invasive species of concern. Since 2016 BFAS has partnered with multiple local partnerships for the restoration of Big Lake wetlands and Kanab Creek Riparian woody invasive restoration guidelines that outline their removal through mechanical, biological, and chemical methodologies. Chemical use is determined by proximity to native vegetation and water resources. Mitigation and treatment guidelines are similar to recommendations outlined within the Kanab Creek Watershed CRMP, Escalante River Restoration guidelines, and the USDA guidelines for area-specific treatment protocols for both Tamarix and Russian Olive. Patch stand and snag frequency within treatment areas are also included within the management plan and determined by the distance to standing water, saturated soil, and % cover of intact native vegetation that remains after invasive removals.

The physiological characteristics of Tamarix and Russian Olive decrease soil moisture and increase fire and fuel loads through several mechanisms. When Tamarix drops its leaves, it creates a debris layer known as 'duff' that adds to the fuel load, compounding an already high fire danger in the drought-stricken soils that have low moisture. Decadent and dead trees also contribute. The areas where the densest infestations of Tamarix inhabit within the Kanab Creek corridor of BF property are not easily accessible to humans who are one of the main contributors to fire events. When fires ravage an area, Tamarix ignites quickly, leading to a more severe burn. Consequently, its removal and monitoring are important for fire and fuel reduction protocols. BFAS had an independent evaluation of catastrophic fire scenarios caused by invasive species within the riparian corridor and other upland habitats. The report findings have emphasized the necessity of woody invasive removals and habitat enhancement that will mitigate catastrophic fire events. Fire/Fuel Mitigation Goals: 1) Removal of Tamarix and Russian Olive 2) Increase 'biotic pumps' of ponds and wetlands created by beaver present in the treatment area. 3) Revetation protocols to support beaver expansion that reduces fire/fuel concerns through saturated soils, deep-rooted native vegetation, and an increase in groundwater that facilitates springs and seeps and Kanab Creek flows.

Water quality monitoring sites are predominantly evaluated at Big Lake, and BFAS wells and monitoring sites established by the Utah Division of Water Quality. A permanent water quality testing site for the Utah Division of Water Quality is located at the southwestern boundary of Best Friends (BFAS). TMDL, TIM, values, and HAB's are of greatest concern. Alterations to water quantity are precipitation rates, global climate change, invasive species impacts on groundwater and stream flow, and water rights concerns due to downdraws from inappropriately placed wells. The reduction of woody invasive species and the restoration of a more resilient and diverse canopy will increase both water quality and quantity.

The Utah Division of Water Quality is the only organization that Best Friends Animal Society has compliance guidelines to follow. All other relationships are mutually cooperative or ranked at different types of professional associations.

BFAS in cooperation with American Conservation Experience, APHIS and treatment recommendations of organizations undergoing similar projects has Best Management Practices for the following treatment and restoration categories. These are fluid and adjust depending on the treatment goal and any ecological restraints such as habitat enhancement for endangered, species of concern. Treatment Methods: -Woody Invasive Mechanical Treatments and Removal of Debris -Woody Invasive Biological Control Treatments (when applicable) -Chemical treatment strategies on current removals and retreatment protocols -Woody Invasive Monitoring Protocols -Habitat Restoration Standards -Professional Protection Equipment Standards -Monitoring Protocols and Retreatment -Southwestern Fly Catcher Monitoring Protocols -Beaver Monitoring Protocols BAR -Mechanical removal guidelines for Tamarix and Russian Olive are based on stem size diameter, depth of bank, stream bank stability, presence of Southwestern Flycatcher nesting sites, and post-treatment of vegetative-woody debris. Additional Treatment Guidelines -Cut paint, frill cuts, mastication of woody debris, and strategically placed stacks of trunk and stem > than 5" diameter. 4' diameter and below are masticated and used as cover debris to suppress revegetation and provide habitat for small mammals, and invertebrates. -Snag placement protocols are used when the adjacent native habitat is within adequate proximity and will provide nesting cover for neotropical birds including the Southwestern Willow Fly Catcher. -BF restoration strategies and replanting protocols follow guidelines established by the USDA Department of Forestry and Utah State University Extension Recommendations. In addition to protocols developed by the Escalante River Watershed Partnership. -A summary of treatment protocols is available in the ACE BFAS Kanab Creek Woody Invasives Mitigation, Treatments, and Restoration Protocols

Monitoring protocols begin this year and will be repeated yearly through the treatment polygons, in a sequential order. Retreatment protocols will include mastication, mulch suppression at treatment sites, and additional basal and frill-cut methods. Depending upon regrowth rates biological controls for Tamarix may be used. Monitoring will also include both ground-truthing, drone surveys, and several line transects will be established at various localities throughout the treatment corridor to monitor established native growth stands and revegetation sites. Biological monitoring will also include a minimum of three to five years of monitoring for the Southwestern Willow Fly Catcher that follows the protocols developed by the USDA Fish and Wildlife. Personnel from Best Friends participated in this training in May 2024 and will recertify as needed. Biological monitoring will also include a minimum of three to five-year monitoring for the Southwestern Willow Fly Catcher that follows the protocols developed by the USDA Fish and Wildlife. Personnel from Best Friends participated in this training in May 2024 and will recertify as needed. Lastly, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians have a verbal agreement with BFAS that they can visit the sanctuary and collect plants for food, medicine, and other culturally related events. Their use of the different vegetation communities will assist in the evaluation of plant abundance and decreases.

Kanab Creek Woody Invasive Partners include: Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) Canyon Country BLM Range Management Jacob Shakespeare Danny Buttons Kane County, Utah Rancher American Conservation Experience (ACE) NRCS Panguitch Office Christy Hatch, Stan Gurley Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Best Friends Animal Society staff are the future management personnel with numerous contributions from independent contractors, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, and recommendations made by the BLM concerning the grazing allotment.

Best Friends Animal Society staff are the future management personnel with numerous contributions from independent contractors, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, and recommendations made by the BLM and NRCS concerning grazing allotments.

The sustainable use of natural resources will ensure that all materials are masticated and shredded, then utilized as suppression mulch or strategically placed to create habitats for small mammals and invertebrates, as well as for bank stabilization. As more data regarding the status of the beaver becomes available, the creation of "Beaver Dam Analogues" may become necessary.