Columbia spotted frog (S2) and western toad (S3) are SGCN species and have been conservation priorities for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) and partners since the early 2000's. Statewide resource managers are observing declines in the distribution and abundance of both species likely due to habitat degradation coupled with the impact of drought and disease. Unfortunately, resource managers are limited in their ability to combat drought and disease; however, much can be done to mitigate the impacts of habitat degradation. During the 2024 Columbia spotted frog and western toad conservation team meetings, seven projects were identified that would address and mediate habitat concerns. Western Toad Monte Cristo Habitat Restoration (northern region) The Monte Cristo western toad population has experienced a significant decline in toad abundance. Historically, toads were annually observed throughout the range, but within the past 5-8 years toads are only consistently observed at one site (Blacksmith Springs). Unlike other sites in the range, Blacksmith Springs has retained a fairly normal hydrographic regimen -- the site is fed by a number of springs that are allowed to flow freely throughout a series of somewhat unaltered ponds. In turn, this site has a great deal of habitat complexity which allows toads to use different portions of the habitat depending on their life history stage. In addition, the complexity provides toads refuge from tiger salamanders that are thought to prey heavily on toads in certain circumstances. The other sites in the range are primarily spring fed stock ponds that are deep with little to no emergent vegetation and provide poor breeding habitat and refuge. Thus, the purpose of this project is to replicate the habitat complexity observed at Blacksmith Springs at two additional sites: Buck Spring and Davenport Spring. Columba Spotted Frog North Fork Habitat Connection (northern region) The North Fork site was historically connected to the North Fork Provo River; however, it has lost much of its connectivity as the hydrogeography of the river has changed which has resulted in the site drying up by mid-summer. From 2022-2024, a series of beaver dam analogs (BDA) were installed to divert water back into the site and a fuel treatment was completed to allow regeneration of riparian plant fauna. Unfortunately, the 2024 spring flows deposited a large woody debris pile above the first BDA structure preventing any diversion of water from occurring. The purpose of this project is to remove the large woody debris pile and slightly excavate the river connection to prevent future debris from accumulating in this area and restore the site's connection back to the river. Gandy Marsh Springhead improvement (southern region) Between 1993 and 2003, many of the springheads in Gandy Marsh had deteriorated to the point that Columbia Spotted Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, and Least Chub were no longer using them. Long-term grazing had sloughed off the sides of the springheads into the spring, creating shallow sloped banks and shallow water. Vegetation then grew in and eliminated open water. Springhead restoration, by means of manually removing sediment and vegetation, proved to be a cost-efficient and effective way to improve habitat. This project aims to restore some of the springheads to effectively enhance the area for Columbia Spotted Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Least Chub, and other aquatic species. Bishop Springs Russian Olive Maintenance (southern region) Russian olive had encroached and altered habitat at Foote Spring and Twin Springs in the Bishop Springs complex of Snake Valley. These non-native trees affected aquatic habitats and species dependent on them. UDWR and BLM worked to remove the Russian olive at Foote Spring (2012, UWRI project 1947) and Twin Springs (2014, UWRI project 2724). UDWR has continued to maintain these areas free of re-growth from the stumps and new growth by clipping saplings and spraying herbicide, but this work has been opportunistic and sporadic. This proposal aims to provide for a concerted effort to maintain these areas free from Russian olive thus protecting wetland habitat for wildlife. Coyote Spring Tamarisk Maintenance (southern region) By the mid-2000s, Tamarisk had invaded Coyote Spring in Tule Valley. UDWR and BLM cooperatively worked to remove the Tamarisk (2008-2011). UDWR has continued to maintain this area, but work has been sporadic, and in some areas the tamarisk has regrown in dense clusters. This proposal provides for continued maintenance of the tamarisk to provide open water and appropriate riparian habitat at Coyote Spring for Columbia Spotted Frog.

Western Toad Monte Cristo Habitat Restoration 1. Slightly notch the main stock ponds at Buck Spring and Davenport Spring to allow the water to flow down the historic spring channel. 2. Excavate two to three small, shallow ponds along the spring channel. 3. Reseed and plant. 4. Fence the newly created habitat with wildlife friendly wire fencing to prevent sheep grazing. Columbia Spotted Frog North Fork Habitat Connection 1. Remove the large woody debris pile and excavate the river connection. 2. Restore previous BDA connections and install additional structures if needed once the connection is restored. 3. Gandy Marsh Springhead Restoration 4. Bishop Springs Russian Olive Maintenance 5. Coyote Spring Tamarisk Maintenance

Restoring viable habitat and decreasing threats for Columbia spotted frog and western toad is necessary in order to protect and ensure the long-term persistence of these species as outlined in these species' conservation agreements and management plans. In addition, this project will also benefit least chub (S3) and northern leopard frog (S3 and a new addition to the 2025 Utah Wildlife Action Plan) as both species occupy portions of the proposed project sites.

Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Columbia Spotted Frog The goal of the Columbia spotted frog CAS is to "ensure the long-term persistence of Columbia spotted frog within its historic range and support development of statewide conservation efforts." This project will specifically address: Objective 1 -- Eliminate or significantly reduce threats to Columbia spotted frog and its habitat. Objective 2 -- Maintain self-sustaining populations and their habitat. Western Toad Conservation Plan The goal of the western toad conservation plan is to maintain or restore multiple, viable breeding populations in the mountain ranges or geologic areas in Utah where toads exist. This project will specifically address: Conservation Action 3 -- Identify and reduce threats from habitat loss and degradation. Conservation Action 5 -- Increase understanding of boreal toad ecology, life history, and threats in Utah. Conservation Action 7 -- Identify and reduce threats from predators. UDWR Strategic Plan This project will ensure that the UDWR meets its Resource Goal in the UDWR Strategic Plan by "conserv[ing], enhanc[ing], and actively manag[ing] Utah's protected wildlife populations, their habitats, and the water resources they rely on." This project will specifically address Objectives R2-R6 of the UDWR Resource Goal. Utah Wildlife Action Plan The goal of the Wildlife Action plan is "to manage native wildlife species and their habitats, sufficient to prevent the need for additional listing under the Endangered Species Act." This project will specifically address and mitigate threats identified in the plan to ensure the continued preservation of Columbia spotted frog and western toad.

Catastrophic wildfires have the propensity to eliminate isolated amphibian populations. Although this project does not directly address the risk of fire and fuels, it does improve the resiliency of Columbia spotted frog and western toad populations by maintaining and potentially increasing the integrity of the wetted area where these populations are found.

The projects proposed should increase the quality and quantity of water available, as well as, protect and prolong the storage and availability of that water.

All applicable clearances and permitting will be secured prior to any work.

A myriad of habitat restoration techniques and equipment will be utilized in order to meet the objectives outlined above.

Monitoring is not a direct component of this project, but GIS analyses can be utilized after completion to quantify the increase of available habitat.

United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Hogle Zoo, and Sageland Collaborative

Annual monitoring will occur at each of the proposed project locations to ensure that key aspects of the project are maintained and functioning properly.

Amphibians are an important part of healthy and functional aquatic ecosystems. Any steps that the UDWR can take to protect and mitigate threats to Columbia spotted frog and western toad will ensure the continued persistence of these species. Taking steps to prevent the lowering of conservation status ranks and potential listings under the Endangered Species Act will be important in reducing the impacts to Utahans. Since amphibians are associated with a variety of aquatic habitats, the possibility of listing could affect the acquisition of water rights, agricultural, municipal, and recreation water usage, grazing practices, recreation activities, and urban development.