Streams and riparian areas make up a very small portion of the habitat in the West but are important to most species. Saddle Creek historically had perennial flows, supporting fish, amphibians and other riparian dependent species. For the last 40-50 years, flows have been intermittent within the five miles section of stream targeted for restoration in this project. Aspen forests are vital ecosystems in the Interior West, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and their ability to enhance water yields and fire resilience. Aspen ecosystems support a vast array of plant and animal species thanks to their high productivity and structural diversity, making aspen one of the most significant deciduous forest types in western North America. Aspen stands also play a crucial role in wildfire suppression and management, acting as natural fuel breaks. However, many aspen populations across the West are in decline due to factors such as drought, ungulate browsing, and a lack of disturbance, particularly fire. With suckering from the clonal root system being the primary method of aspen reproduction any decline in aspen is concerning, as the loss is not easily recovered and may be permanent. Therefore, active restoration efforts are essential to maintain and improve aspen forest health in the region. This project aims to maintain and enhance the health of aspen communities across the Logan and Ogden Ranger Districts, covering 22,057 acres over the next 12 years. The treatments will not only prevent further decline but also benefit ungulates such as mule deer, elk, and moose by providing more habitat and forage. Post-treatment, the area is expected to have reduced barrier to movement for larger mammals, increasing understory growth providing more forage for large mammals, livestock and improved habitat for ruffed grouse, migratory birds, and small mammals.

Aspen treatment methods include cut, pile & burn. The objectives of the project are to move aspen forests closer to the desired future conditions and: 1. Increase aspen resilience and improve wildlife habitat by increasing the age-class diversity of aspen on the landscape. 2.Restore and maintain the ability of aspen stands to self-replace. 3. Increase Forest resistance to uncharacteristically large and severe wildfires, prevent water quality degradation following high intensity wildfire, and increase opportunities for managing wildfires for natural resource objectives by expanding the extent of aspen on the landscape. 4. Improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient loading by stabilizing stream banks and establishment of willows and other riparian plant species. 5.Increase water quantity and turn the currently intermittent Saddle Creek back to perennial flow through expansion of hydric vegetation. Reestablish perennial flows throughout Saddle Creek 6. Improve wildlife and livestock grazing opportunities 7. Reduce and control the spread of invasive weeds. 8. Collect one Common Stand Exam plot for every 10 acres treated (required for silvicultural prescriptions), for a total of 1000 plots over the entire 22,057 acres. Note, some areas are already complete, the 1000 plots are the remaining surveys needed for the North Zone Aspen Restoration project.

Currently, there is an overabundance of mature to old aspen stands and late-seral conditions in which high densities of conifer are replacing aspen. Without treatment or natural disturbance like fire, these stands will continue to succeed into conifer-dominated cover types, risking the long-term loss of the aspen clone. The Swan Flat area is identified as being at high and very high risk for wildfire hazard according to the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. Implementing treatment in this area now will help mitigate this risk and provide critical options for fire crews to protect the town of Garden City during wildfire events. Delaying this project will result in further conifer domination, making future treatments more costly and risking the possible permanent loss of aspen stands. Immediate action is necessary to prevent continued habitat degradation, increased fire risk and to maintain ecological balance. Implementing this project now is essential to address these critical issues and ensure the long-term health and resilience of aspen communities in the region. Previous restoration projects in portions of Saddle Creek have significantly improved water quality, water quantity and habitat conditions. Riparian enclosures successfully facilitated willow establishment, and perennial flows. Relocation of the road and removal of six stream fords has reduced sediment loading and increased stream bank stability. To build on these successes, it is crucial to reestablish perennial flows throughout the entire Saddle Creek area. This project is essential to continue the momentum of restoration efforts and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the creek's ecosystem. Area wide control of invasive and noxious weed species is critical to maintain and restore the ecological integrity of forest ecosystems and control wildfire risk. This will promote the health and diversity of native plant communities, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance resilience against future weed infestations.

This project supports multiple state and federal management plans by moving conditions of landscapes and habitat towards conditions outlined in land management plans and improving condition of habitat as specified in wildlife management plans. The project is on Forest Service lands, and project treatments will move the landscape toward desired conditions as described in the forest plan. The treatments will shift age structure of aspen stands to the desired condition by increasing plant species composition, ground cover and age class diversity that includes early seral stages to improve soil productivity, improve primary production to support wildlife populations and livestock grazing. Treatments will restore and maintain fire adapted ecosystems to reduce probability of catastrophic wildfire, reduce hazardous fuels, reduce risk of property damage, increase firefighter safety and overall shift toward a low intensity fire regime. This work also supports multiple state wildlife management plans including the Deer Unit Management Plan, Elk Unit Management Plan, Statewide Elk Management Plan, Statewide Deer Management Plan, Statewide Moose Management Plan, and State Upland Game Management Plan. In brief this work supports: - Deer Unit Plan (Unit 2) by preventing the loss of and improving productivity of critical high productivity summer habitat leading to improved end of season body condition and increased survival. - Elk Unit Plan (Unit 2) by improving summer range. - Statewide Elk Plan by maintaining sufficient habitat to support elk herds and population objectives, and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock, and help to reach the goal of 40,000 annual acres of elk habitat improved, specifically by managing portions of forest in early successional stages. - Statewide Deer Plan by actively managing and protecting crucial summer habitat and migration areas, and contributing to the plan goal of improving vegetation for mule deer on 600,000 acres by 2030 using broad scale vegetation treatment on ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into aspen habitats. - Statewide Moose Plan by reversing habitat degradation in crucial moose habitats by initiating vegetation treatments to improve moose habitat lost to ecological succession. - Statewide Upland Game Management Plan by maintaining forest grouse habitat and maintain aspen for ruffed grouse winter range. Specific place details are contained in excerpts of plans below: US FOREST SERVICE FOREST PLAN OF THE WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST: Forest wide Goal 2-Watershed Health-Maintain and/or restore overall watershed health (proper functioning of physical, biological and chemical conditions). Provide for long-term soil productivity. Watershed health should be addressed across administrative and political boundaries. Subgoal 2a. Identify areas not in properly functioning condition. Improve plant species composition, ground cover and age class diversity in these areas. Forest wide Goal 3-Biodiversity & Viability- Provide for sustained diversity of species at the genetic, populations, community, and ecosystem levels. Maintain communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species. Restore or maintain hydrologic functions. Reduce potential for uncharacteristic high-intensity wildfires, and insect epidemics. To achieve sustainable ecosystems, meet properly functioning condition criteria for all vegetation types that occur in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Focus on approximating natural disturbances and processes by restoring composition, age class diversity, patch sizes, and patterns for all vegetation types. Subgoal 3d. Restore or maintain fire-adapted ecosystems (consistent with land uses, historic fire regimes, and other Forest Plan direction) through wildland fire use, prescribed fire, timber harvest or mechanical treatments. Subgoal 3e. Maintain or restore as mature and old age classes 40% of total conifer and 30% of total aspen cover types, well distributed across the landscape. Subgoal 3f. Maintain or restore species composition, such that the species that occupy any given site are predominantly native species in the kind and amount that were historically distributed across the landscapes. Forest wide Goal 4-Fire and Fuels Management- Wildland fire use and prescribed fire provide for ecosystem maintenance and restoration consistent with land uses and historic fire regimes. Fire suppression provides for public and firefighter safety and protection of other federal, state and private property and natural resources. Fuels are managed to reduce risk of property damage and uncharacteristic fires. Subgoal 4d. Reduce hazardous fuels (prescribed fire, silvicultural and mechanical treatments) with emphasis on interface communities (wildland/urban) and increase proactive participation of communities at risk. Forest wide Goal 9-Heritage Resources- Inventory, evaluate, protect and enhance heritage sites and landscapes. Goal 9b. Fully integrate the Heritage Program into land and resource management. The project is consistent with the following Forest Plan Objective: 3.b. Stimulate aspen regeneration and reduce other encroaching woody species in aspen by treating approximately 3,200 acres average annually for a 10-year total of 32,000 acres. Forest wide Standards and Guidelines: (S12) Prohibit Forest vegetation treatments within active northern goshawk nest areas (approximately 30 acres) during the active nesting period. (G24) Management activities that negatively affect pollinators (e.g. insecticide, herbicide application and prescribed burns) should not be conducted during the flowering period of any known Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive plant populations in the application area. An exception to this guideline is the application of Bacillus thuringiensis. (G26) Protect key big game calving, fawning and lambing habitat and provide security in summer concentration areas. UTAH DWR: DEER HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN DEER HERD UNIT # 2 (CACHE; SEPT 2023) [This project is located in areas designated as crucial summer mule deer range] The main concern for summer range habitat is the loss of aspen stands due to conifer encroachment. It is recommended that work to reduce conifer encroachment (bullhog, chaining, lop and scatter, etc. and prescribed fire in aspen) continue or begin in these communities. On some sites, management of annual grasses might be necessary through herbicide application. Introduced perennial grasses may also need management through changes in grazing or restoration of competitive native species. When reseeding, care should be taken in species selection and preference should be given to native species when possible. ELK HERD UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN ELK HERD UNIT # 2 (CACHE; 2023): Habitat - Continue to work with division habitat personnel to improve both summer range and winter range habitat. UTAH STATEWIDE ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN (2022): B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. Habitat Objective 1: Maintain sufficient habitat to support elk herds at population objectives and reduce competition for forage between elk and livestock. Strategy C. Habitat Improvement a. Utilize Habitat Council, Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, Wildlife Conservation Permit funds, and other funding mechanisms to restore or improve crucial elk habitats. b. Increase forage production by annually treating a minimum of 40,000 acres of elk habitat. c. Coordinate with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional Watershed Restoration Initiative working groups to identify and prioritize elk habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration. i. Identify habitat projects on summer ranges (aspen communities) to improve calving habitat and summer forage. ii. Encourage land managers to manage portions of forests in early succession stages through the use of controlled burning, logging or other methods. Controlled burning in areas with invasive weed and/or safety concerns should be supported only when adequate planning and mitigation measures have been identified. UTAH MULE DEER STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2024): Habitat Objective 1: Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts B. Habitat Management and Conservation a. Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and actively manage and protect crucial mule deer habitats including summer (especially fawning), winter, and migration areas as defined in Sawyer et al. 2009 g. Work with local, state and federal land management agencies and ranchers to properly manage livestock to enhance crucial mule deer ranges E. Land Management Plans a. Coordinate with local, state, and/or federal agencies on land management type plans such as Forest Plans, Resources Management Plans, County Resource Plans, etc. Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 600,000 acres of crucial range by 2030 A. Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) a. Utilize WRI as a tool to improve deer habitat with all partners across the state b. Continue to support and provide leadership for WRI, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah c. Work with land management agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and local leaders through the regional WRI teams working groups to identify and prioritize mule deer habitats that are in need of enhancement or restoration (Figure 6). Emphasis should be placed on crucial habitats which include summer range habitats such as improving aspen, winter ranges sagebrush habitats, and improving riparian areas. e. Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve and restore mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species f. Encourage land managers to manage portions of pinyon-juniper woodlands and aspen-conifer forests in early successional stages using various methods including timber harvest and managed fire UTAH MOOSE STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017): D. Habitat - The primary limiting factor for moose in Utah and across their range is the availability of suitable habitat. - Moose have done well in drier habitats in northern Utah which are dominated by mountain mahogany, Gambel oak, serviceberry, quaking aspen, and burned over coniferous forests A. Habitat Degradation or Loss. - The single biggest influence on moose populations in Utah is the quantity and quality of available habitat. Habitat can be degraded, fragmented, or lost to a variety of causes including human development and plant succession. Habitat Management Goal B: Assure sufficient habitat is available to sustain healthy and productive moose populations. Strategy A: Identify crucial moose habitats (including calving, winter, summer, and year-long) and work with public and private land managers to protect and enhance those areas., Strategy C: Work with public land management agencies to minimize, and where possible, mitigate loss or degradation of moose habitat., and Strategy E: Initiate prescribed burns, timber harvests, and other vegetative treatment projects to improve moose habitat lost to ecological succession or human impacts. UTAH UPLAND GAME MANAGEMENT PLAN (2022): Forest grouse habitat treatments: Maintain forest grouse habitat Maintain aspen for ruffed grouse winter habitat

This project aims to address the prolonged absence of fire in this fire-adapted ecosystem. Aspen trees, which are shade intolerant, are gradually outcompeted by conifers in the absence of regular disturbance, leading to a decline in the ecological benefits provided by aspen stands. By removing conifers through various treatment methods, this project will simulate the beneficial effects of fire and reduce overall fuel structure. This will enhance the forest's resilience to unusually large and severe wildfires, creating more opportunities for managing wildfires with natural resource objectives by expanding the presence of aspen on the landscape. Critical values at risk include Garden City and the nearby cabins in the Bear Lake area, some of which are within one mile of the project site. By implementing these treatments, we aim to reduce smoke impact on the community, mitigate the intensity and severity of future wildfires, and safeguard public health and safety. Reducing weeds will also help mitigate fire risk by decreasing the amount of light flashy fuels, thereby lowering fuel loads and reducing the ignition probability, intensity and spread of wildfires.

Water Quality Currently, certain tree stands within the project area are at risk of high-intensity crown fire, which if occurred could lead to high soil burn severity, severe soil erosion, reduced water quality in the lower watershed, both terrestrial and aquatic habitat loss, and flooding. Improving health and resilience of aspen stands will significantly reduce hazardous fuel loads and improve the structure of remaining vegetation. Vegetation in healthy aspen stands retain greater moisture, thereby enhancing preparedness for future fires and mitigating severe fire behavior. Reestablishing flows throughout Saddle Creek and improving riparian habitat will improve both water quality and quantity in the Blacksmith Fork Drainage. Water Quantity The shift in vegetation classes from late-seral stages to a diverse array of age classes, coupled with the reduction of conifer competition for groundwater is expected to increase water quantity. The watershed in this area ultimately contributes its flow to the Great Salt Lake, highlighting the broader impact on regional water resources.

NEPA is completed for these projects. A silviculture prescription is needed prior to implementation. Common Stand Exams included in this projected are required to develop silvicultural prescriptions.

1.Aspen Restoration: Hand cut, pile & burn: Cut and pile will be performed by hand and will occur on 485 acres in FY26. Piles will be burned at least one year after treatment. 2. Timber Surveys for Silviculture prescription: Common Stand Exams: One plot for every 10 acres on half of total project area, 1000 plots total. The remaining project area has completed common stand exams. 3. Riparian Restoration: Temporary electrical fence exclosures around Saddle Creek, willow plantings, Beaver Dam Analog construction, and off channel water for livestock. 4. Weed treatments: Cross-boundary weed treatment on National Forest and county lands. Target species include rush skeleton weed, spotted knapweed, Dalmatian toadflax, St. John's wort, Japanese knotweed, black henbane, Dyer's woad, Canada thistle, Russian knapweed, and goats rue.

Monitoring protocols will be completed before, during and after the implementation of this project. These protocols will encompass photo points, understory regeneration and recruitment assessments, evaluations of ungulate browsing pressure on aspen, fuel loading measurements, and monitoring of invasive and noxious weeds to ensure that the project objectives are being achieved. Some common stand exams and photo points have already been established for this phase of the project, with the remaining being requested with this proposal. The resulting photos will be uploaded to the WRI database.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Mule Deer Foundation(MDF) - These organizations have played a key role in selecting areas for treatment, ensuring that the project meets wildlife conservation goals. MDF will oversee contract for aspen treatments. Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands - Collaborated with the WUI coordinator and Northern Area manager to identify potential cross-boundary work, although one area was identified and it will likely be added to a future phase of this project to allow time to work with the private landowner. Also engaged the State Forester for cross-boundary work near the Beaver Creek turnoff of US 89. School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) - Engaged in discussions to conduct cross-boundary work near Beaver Mountain Resort, with potential implementation in future phases of this project. US Forest Service - Fuels specialist and technicians identified treatment areas and completed NEPA for this project. Fisheries Biologist, Wildlife Biologist, Range Specialist and Timber staff also contributed to the development of this proposal. Caribou Targhee National Forest - Consulted with fuels specialists to explore cross-boundary work opportunities. They are currently implementing a project on the Idaho side of the project area. Trout Unlimited- Lead agency for riparian restoration, purchasing of all supplies/materials Cache Angers- provide volunteer labor to install electric fence and maintain it. Utah State University- helping with the BDA design work. Hoping to use the area as an outdoor classroom for an advanced riverscape restoration class, which will be focused on low-tech process-based restoration. Cache County: 50/50 matching contributions for weed treatments.

This project is Phase II of the larger North Zone Aspen Restoration project, which NEPA has been completed for the restoration of 22,057 acres of aspen within the Logan and Ogden Ranger districts. Future phases will involve a comprehensive implementation of restoration efforts, including lop/scatter, cut, pile & burn, and other mechanical treatments. Annual grazing plans will be adjusted to accommodate these various treatment methods and to support the post-treatment establishment of aspen. These plans will be coordinated closely with the grazing permittees. Invasive and noxious weeds will be treated as necessary to maintain the health of the ecosystem. To protect big game winter range within the area, disruptive management activities will be avoided from November 15th to April 30th to protect wintering wildlife. Treatments are selected for each stand based on site-specific conditions, ensuring the use of the most effective methods. These treatments will be followed by post-treatment monitoring. Based on the results of this monitoring, additional management actions may be implemented to achieve the desired restoration objectives.

Vegetation and fuels treatments will be strategically designed to enhance the diversity of species and age classes within the project area. Natural disturbances such as fire and insect activity play crucial roles in maintaining forest health. However, the recent increase in the extent and severity of these disturbances poses a significant threat to forest sustainability. These treatments aim to bolster forest health by improving resistance and resilience to future insect infestations and diseases, while also mitigating the intensity and severity of potential wildfires. By doing so, we aim to protect forest recreation activities, hunting, and fishing from the adverse effects of future wildfires and smoke. Healthy aspen stands are highly productive supporting healthy big and small game populations allowing for sustainable consumptive use of wildlife resources. The same healthy aspen stands reduce competition between wild ungulates and livestock providing for sustainable production of livestock. Additionally, some of the biomass generated from these treatments will be made available for firewood collection through a permit system, promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

07/01/2025

11/24/2025

2026

Funding for Common Stand Exams (CSE) were received for 2025 for the entirety of proposed North Zone Aspen, besides the Lop and Scatter units in the Swan Flat and Franklin Basin areas that are also listed under WRI #6858.

CSE contracts are being worked on for the 2025 year and will begin in 2026. The forest silviculture, Scott Frost, is working on FSVeg delineation work for this contract, as well as an update to the prescriptions. Actual fuel reduction work is on hold until these exams and prescriptions are completed. Additionally, 992 acres of treatment units within this project were funded and completed under WRI project #6858 during the spring of 2025, and 431 acres were completed in Fall of 2024. 172 acres still remain within the other WRI project, and all of these units are to be shown as complete within this project #7405. Also, for work completed in FY25 related to riparian restoration in Saddle Creek --- No funding was received through WRI, but the FS partnered with Trout Unlimited and planted about 1000 willow cuttings, installed a temporary electric fence to exclude livestock grazing in the riparian area, and Trout Unlimited installed 50 BDAs through this reach.

Once prescription work and CSEs see progress, fuel reduction work will be on hold. Work may be attainable in 2026