This funding allows for the purchase of herbicide, contract for aerial application, contract for both ground herbicide applications and vegetation removal, purchase or rental of equipment, maintenance of equipment and purchase of necessary supplies to control Phragmites(common reed) and other invasive weeds on Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wetland areas, State Sovereign Lands managed by Forestry, Fire and State Lands and federal lands managed by the USFW at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Phragmites is the primary target species scheduled for treatment; however other invasive weeds may be controlled during this effort. These include, but are not limited to,Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), Dyers Woad (Isatis tinctoria), Hoary Cress (Cardaria spp.), thistle species (Cirsium spp.),Poison hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima), and Cattail, (Typha spp.). Total eradication of invasive and noxious weeds will never happen due to upstream(wind and water) seed sources that carry into these areas. Conversion to amore diverse and beneficial group of wetland species is the desired outcome. Because these are public lands managed by the DWR and FFSL that are adjacent to private agricultural and residential lands, it is imperative to control and contain noxious and invasive weed species. This type of stewardship is not only expected, but also appreciated by neighboring landowners and the user public.Waterfowl hunters and bird watchers have expressed concern that important public wetlands have deteriorated and become limited in value for wetland wildlife due to invasive weeds, primarily Phragmites. These monotypic stands of Phragmites provide little to no value for wildlife. They also prevent viewing of wildlife and provide limited hunting opportunities for the public. The encroachment and continuing spread of this species of invasive weed is further reducing habitat, which was once very productive.

The goal for the project is to protect, enhance and maximize the benefits for the wildlife resources and the public that use these WMA's. The objective is to control noxious weeds on the areas through eradication or containment to acceptable levels (20% cover or less in the case of Phragmites), to reduce fire hazards, increase plant and habitat diversity, restore wildlife habitat, increase public use opportunity, and maximize available water, and decrease water loss through evapotranspiration as Phragmites uses more water than other native wetland plants. The need is to maintain existing suitable habitat, improve marginal habitat that have noxious weed infestations, and to reduce the possibility of weed dispersion onto adjacent private and public lands from these Division, County, and USFWS managed lands. There is a need to continue maintaining the State's premier wetlands for the public's use and enjoyment in a productive, functional and aesthetically pleasing condition.

Loss of native habitat, plant diversity, bird use days, and public use are the main reasons why this project needs to continue. Invasive weeds reduce access, food production and cover value for wildlife. Access through Phragmites is limited by dense stands and precludes human and wildlife use. Phragmites alters water distribution along the GSL and uses more water compared to other native plant communities. This is especially concerning given the current status and concerns surrounding the GSL and its associated wetlands. No action or delayed action allows for continued expansion, loss of additional acreage and increased costs for treatment. No action upstream of DWR WMA's by counties would lead to increased spread of Phragmites and increased seed dispersal downstream. Weeds,especially Phragmites, increases the potential risk of hazardous wildfires. Cooperation and coordination are critical, as well as information dissemination. A number of wetland dependent species will benefit from this project. Many of these include high-ranking game species, such as waterfowl;others include shorebirds and wading birds. Simply put, reducing Phragmites cover and "opening" up the canopy allows all species listed to access wetland areas that are otherwise inaccessible with Phragmites as the dominant species. Phragmites has reduced the amount of acreage available for feeding, nesting, brood rearing, and loafing, for all species mentioned. Some passive revegetation does occur after Phragmites removal and provides beneficial native plants used for nesting and feeding. In addition, active revegetation is taking place in some areas to provide native plant communities these species rely on.Shorebirds and wading birds such as the Snowy Plover, American Bittern, and White-faced ibis are highly threatened by Phragmites expansion. Phragmites does very well in shallow water marshes and playas with fluctuating water levels. Shallow water marshes and playas are essential for these birds whether it be feeding, loafing, or nesting and continued efforts are needed to contain and decrease expansion into these critical habitats. All waterfowl species will greatly benefit from this project. Cinnamon Teal, Mallards, Gadwall, Redheads, and Swans will be benefit by removing and reducing Phragmites expansion into open water areas that produce submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). SAV is the primary food source found within the WMA's and one that managers strive to produce. Cinnamon teal are also threatened by Phragmites as it easily takes over Salt grass and wet meadow habitats these birds rely on for nesting. Some of the highest nesting densities of Cinnamon teal have been found in GSL wetlands. Phragmites expansion threatens Canada geese around the GSL as it easily takes over playas and wet meadows where these birds graze on grasses and salicornia (pickleweed). Habitats threatened by Phragmites and other invasive weeds includes; open water, emergent marsh, riverine, and playas. As mentioned above, open water expansion will reduce SAV growth and in extreme cases, completely choke out the open water leaving the area impenetrable by many wetland dependant species. Phragmites stands will also accrete sediments quickly and alter water depths to a point where SAV growth is minimal. Riverine habitats are altered by choking out water flows, increasing sedimentation, and in some cases water flow is impeded to the point that downstream wetlands remain dry and never receive water. Emergent wetlands are threatened by lower diversity of native emergent plants that wetland fauna depend on, and by the same sedimentation problems riverine and open water habitats experience.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) 2015: Goal: "To manage native wildlife species and their habitats to help prevent listings under the Endangered Species Act." Species of Greatest Conservation Need(SGCN) that have been observed on the areas include : Northern Leopard Frog, American Bittern,Caspian Tern, Snowy Plover, Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle,Burrowing Owl, Short-eared Owl, American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, and Sharp-tailed Grouse (pgs. 14-19). Key aquatic habitats listed in the plan include riverine, emergent, and open water. Priority threats to emergent habitats include: channelization, drought, water allocation policy, Agricultural,municipal, and industrial, water use, and invasive plant species. Threats to open water habitats include: same as above, but also; sediment transport imbalance, roads, improper grazing, diversions,housing and urban areas. Threats to riverine habitats: same as above, but also, presence of dams and inappropriate fire frequencies. .Efforts are in place to secure water rights, protect water sources from exploitation and diversions, and secure appropriate buffers to urban and industrial development.Threats that are directly related to the WAP plan for this project include the control/eradication of invasive plant species. WAP plan objectives and actions. Objective #1 for Invasive Plant Species --Non-native Locations/habitats that currently do not have non-native plant problems remain free from the introduction and spread of invasive non-native plants. Actions to achieve objective: 2.2.2 Survey,inventory established, and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.4 Contain established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.9 Avoid establishment of new invasive/problematic species through education, planning, management, and/or regulation. Develop public information and educational programs aimed at encouraging attitudes and behaviors that are positive for wildlife conservation.Objective #2 for Invasive Plant Species -- Non-native Invasive plant dominance/presence is reduced or eliminated in locations or habitats where such an outcome is realistic(ecologically and economically).2.2.2 Survey and inventory established and new populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.3 Eradicate established populations of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.5 Conduct mechanical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.6 Conduct biological control of invasive/problematic species. 2.2.7Conduct chemical control of invasive/problematic species. 2.3.15 Conduct riparian vegetation treatments to restore characteristic riparian vegetation, and reduce uncharacteristic fuel types and loadings. 7.2.1 Support Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative. This project has, and will continue to address these SGCN and threats and promote the actions listed above. It also has and will continue to work collaboratively with several other agencies (Federal and State and County), private landowners,NGO's, and research universities (see partners section of proposal). Other management plans1998Update for North American Waterfowl Management Plan Goal: Restoring and maintaining waterfowl populations pg. 7. Biological foundation linked to waterfowl abundance.Planning...implementation...evaluation and local scale are measurable and appropriate to the geographic scale. Expanding habitat conservation coordination across landscapes with otheri nitiatives. Vision: Enhance the capability of landscapes to support waterfowl and other wetland associated species-biologically based planning and ongoing evaluation. pg 13 Seek landscape solutions that benefit waterfowl, pg14 Duck population objective 62 million with fall flight of 100 million maintaining current diversity of species pg 17 US Shorebird Conservation Plan; Intermountain West Regional Shorebird Plan2000 Great Salt Lake most important inland shorebird site in North America pg4. Great Basin Bird Conservation Region, BCR: breeding snowy plover, long-billed curlew, American avocet, black-necked stilt, stop over species: least sandpiper, western sandpiper, marbled godwit,long-billed dowitcher, American avocet, red-necked phalarope, Wilson phalarope Goal: Maintain and enhance diverse landscapes that sustain thriving shorebird populations pg 13.Objective 2; Develop Best Management Practices BPM for the maintenance of shorebird habitats pg 13. Strategy b. work with cooperating agencies and organizations to prepare a prioritized list of habitat maintenance needs annually and provide input into State and federal budget processes. Strategy f. Support the removal of tamarisk, whitetop and other invasive exotic plants from important shorebird sites. Objective 3:Develop a five-year action and enhancement of shorebird habitats in the Intermountain West Region by2001 pg 14. Strategy b. Integrate restoration and enhancement actions for shorebirds Strategy c.Conserve and protect the hydrological integrity of ephemeral wetlands through habitat improvement sand improved water management techniques. Division of Wildlife Strategic Plan: Conserve, Protect and Enhance Wildlife and Ecosystems; Enhance Recreational Experience; Maximize Productivity and Satisfaction: Goal A, B,C and F. Objectives A-4, B. FFSL's Great Salt Lake Comprehensive Management Plan calls for control of invasive Phragmites. Table 3.3Wetlands lists invasive species asa resource issue and targeting and treating invasive Phragmites as an objective for both FFSL and DWR. FFSL, with the help of UDWR wetland managers have written and implemented a strategic Phragmites control plan for Sovereign Lands adjacent to Howard Slough and Farmington Bay and are working on similar plans for Ogden Bay and the Bear River Refuge.

Phragmites forms dense monotypic stands. These stands hold very high levels of dead (litter) and living biomass that can produce extremely hot, fast moving, and tall flame lengths if ignition occurs. With many of these wetland areas surrounded by urban and rural structures, the threat of fire and the potential for neighboring structure damage is high. Reducing the cover of Phragmites through this project will greatly reduce the threat and risks of fire damage on the WMAs and adjacent properties. About every two years, there is a natural caused fire (lightning) in dense Phragmites stands that have threatened nearby structures and private property. This project aims to reduce that threat of large, uncontrollable fires.

Due to it's high biomass, Phragmites evapotranspiration is higher than most native plant species. One study estimated that GSL Phragmites uses as much as 71,446 acre-ft. Reducing the amount of Phragmites can help improve water quantity. Phragmites also accretes soil and litter at much higher rates than most native plants. Increased sedimentation rates decreases water quality Rapid soil accretion, high amounts of litter, and very high density of stems, alters water distributions reducing downstream flow and in some cases,resulting in loss of wetland habitat further downstream.

For UDWR and FFSL lands: Archaeology, covered by categorical exclusion and SHPO MOU, Dec 32014. NEPA, This activity is covered by categorical exclusion, Dec 3 2014 For County managed lands:Counties follow NEPA process and documentation according to the National Discharge of Pesticide Permit.

This is a multiyear plan and will require a long-term commitment for dollars and manpower to be effective and successful. Phragmites and any noxious weed control effort take multiple years to eradicate or to achieve an acceptable level of containment. The vast acreage of Phragmites requires a long term commitment in order to effectively treat each years designated acreage for the additional two years of follow up treatment required. Each treated acre of Phragmites will require a three-year commitment; initial and two follow up treatments. Maintenance treatments will be required beyond year three. Phragmites treatment with glyphosate (aquatic approve Roundup) will be applied aerially on most areas for the first treatment period. If possible,Phragmites treatment areas will be burned or mowed to remove residual following the initial aerial treatment in the fall or spring. This will encourage growth from competitive desirable species and allow for easier access for follow up treatment of any surviving Phragmites stems/plants with ground application equipment. If burning cannot be accomplished then mowing will be the second choice, for residual removal. If mowing cannot be accomplished then rolling/trampling can be used if affordable or considered effective. Once monotypic stands of Phragmites have been thinned it becomes a plant-by-plant herbicide treatment in order to reduce damage to desirable species such as Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), Olney Threesquare (Scirpus olneyi) and Alkali Bulrush (Scirpus paludosus). Some sources indicate a delayed application of herbicide after desirable plants have started into dormancy may reduce mortality on desirable plants. Residual removal is considered necessary for follow-up treatment in year two. This allows for access into the area by ground equipment. It also allows the pilot to find surviving Phragmites stands for aerial treatment if that method of application is selected or required. No additional burn for the initial treatment site is anticipated after the initial burn unless cattail or Phragmites stands remain too thick to penetrate effectively or are blocking light penetration to allow for germination of more desirable plants. It is not recommended aerial application be applied on the third year treatment unless stands are dense enough and large enough to justify the use of the helicopter for aerial application. Ground treatment should be the only option for the third year during follow-up treatment to selective as possible and reduce damage to desirable plants. Aerial application will be used for the initial application in most cases for Phragmites control efforts and on occasion as a second year treatment if survival within the stands so dictates. Follow up application of herbicide for Phragmites control will be accomplished with , tractor mounted sprayer, trackmachine mounted sprayer, airboat mounted sprayer and by ATV mounted sprayer. Helicopter application for more sensitivity and selectivity will be requested as the method for aerial application. Summer drawdowns and drought stressing remaining Phragmites stands has shown to be an important tool for wetland managers. DWR and FFSL managers will select areas that have already been treated for 3-4 years and where Phragmites stands have been reduced significantly. Droughtstressing has shown to reduce Phragmites seed production, overall growth, and expansion. However,in order to implement this strategy, some areas are in need of water control structures in order to divert water. Livestock grazing (cattle) is being used in areas that become drought stressed later in the summer. Drought stressed plants will not absorb herbicide readily and therefor cattle are a great option in these areas. Cattle are also used as a maintenance tool in areas that have already received 3 years of herbicide and vegetation removal treatments.

UDWR, within the scope of this project has worked and will continue to work with USU in studying treatment effectiveness and returning native plant communities. Research from USU has identified strategies that prove treatment efficiency and effectiveness (for both large and small patches),strategies to improve native seed germination, and strategies to help improve Phragmites grazing program. Monitoring will include germination rates, abiotic factors that affect seed germination and seedling survival. USU will continue to monitor seeding treatments with the UDWR and adjacent FFSL lands. In particular they will be monitoring different seeding densities, species composition, and developing a predictive model where seeding is likely to be most successful. Starting in 2020, USU willbe initiating a large re-vegetation trial with funding through an EPA Grant. This project will implement seeding and planting techniques and monitor the results. DWR compiles data on vegetation transects and photo-points of some treated areas for at least three years. DWR also monitors bird populations on all of the WMA's during monthly waterfowl and quarterly non-game bird counts. FFSL andDWR have partnered with the UDAF ISM monitoring specialist. She conducted in depth annual monitoring on Phragmites treatment areas. In depth annual reports have be written that show successes of our approach. FFSL and DWR have initiated a UAS remote sensing program to monitor Phragmites cover in the treatment areas near Howard Slough WMA. Expanding to additional areas is planned for subsequent years.

Partners include: Forestry Fire and State Lands (FFSL), Utah State University (USU), Utah Department of Agriculture (UDAF), Utah Geologic Survey (UGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge), Box Elder, Weber, and Cache County, Central Davis Sewer District, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, private duck clubs, Utah Waterfowl Association, Delta Waterfowl, Wasatch Wigeons. USU continues to provide valuable monitoring data and scholarly reports pertaining to Phragmites control and re-vegetation along the GSL. UGS will pilot drones for multispectral imagery collection. USFWS will continue to contribute funds for aerial treatments on their property. The counties continue with implementing treatments upstream of WMA's. Central Davis Sewer District continues to treat Phragmites at and near their treatment facility outflow which extends onto state sovereign lands managed by FFSL. The Nature Conservancy is treating adjacent Phragmites and helping to coordinate water management. Audubon is treating adjacent Phragmites, monitoring, and applying for additional funding. Although not all of these partners are contributing direct funds for this project, these agencies and groups are contributing to the treatment and reduction of Phragmites on their respective properties. Also, many of these partners contribute volunteer hours during DWR treatment implementation. Multi-agency and adjacent and upstream treatment is imperative due to Phragmites wind and water dispersal. All of these agencies support this proposed project. Collaboration with these partners pertaining to treatment effectiveness,treatment locations, and strategies has been very beneficial.

This is a multi-year project that will only be successful with continued efforts. The initial 2006 project proposal was for an aggressive continued effort for 15 years, until 2021. Afterwards activities would shift to a more routine weed maintenance effort on the WMAs. Starting in the fall of 2021 (FY22), most Phragmites treatment activities within the diked (impounded) units of the WMA's will be considered weed maintenance efforts. Other property additions over the course of the last five years have expanded our efforts. Collaboration with researchers will continue in order to stay current with Phragmites management and strategies that will improve our wetlands. During the course of this project there has been an effort to educate other agencies, local cities, organizations and private landowners on how to treat Phragmites and the need to do so within the entire drainage area of the Great Salt Lake. These efforts and partnerships need to, and will continue in order to enhance and preserve wetland habitats around the GSL. In addition, all DWR Waterfowl Management Area's have specific Habitat Management Plans addressing noxious weeds and Phragmites control and continued efforts into the future. FFSL, in coordination with WMA managers, have developed strategic Phragmites plans for their properties directly adjacent to Farmington Bay and Howard Slough WMA's (these are attached in the document section). They are currently working on similar plans for Ogden Bay, with the Nature Conservancy, and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

UDWR, FFSL, and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are currently using cattle to help control and contain dense stands of Phragmites. Grazing is mostly being utilized in areas that become drought stressed in the fall and are unsuitable for chemical application. Some cattle are also being used in areas that have gone through the 3 year chemical treatment cycle in order to maintain remaining stands of Phragmites. The decrease and control of Phragmites cover throughout the GSL watershed increases opportunity for many recreationists including hunters, kayakers, photographers, and other wetland enthusiasts by increasing productive habitats that wetland dependent wildlife actual use. Phragmites removal has the potential to increase bird numbers through more productive nesting, brood rearing, and foraging habitats, and will increase bird use days. In addition, this project increases visibility and accessibility to these areas allowing people to recreate in these areas. Finally, Phragmites control can increase water quality and quantity as explained above, contributes to a more natural flow through the wetlands, and will ultimately help deliver more water to the GSL.