Water is a precious resource in the arid west and decreased snowmelt runoff associated with climate change and drought threatens this precious resource. Thus, sustaining and recovering the water holding capacity (quantity and quality) and associated habitats of riparian areas is critical. This is especially true for working ranches such as The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Dugout Ranch where healthy riparian areas are equally vital to livestock production, healthy ecosystems and wildlife conservation. Currently, streams and riparian areas on Dugout Ranch are not providing all the desired benefits that Dugout Ranch management is seeking. As such, Dugout Ranch is interested in enhancing the hydrologic and habitat connectivity between upland, ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial ecosystems throughout the Indian Creek watershed to adapt to and mitigate for projected and on-going climate change impacts, such as drought, catastrophic fire and extreme weather events. Ranch management is interested in: (1) increasing water holding capacity by increasing soil moisture and pooling within channels, ponds, and riparian areas to enhance habitat for fish species and wildlife such as mule deer, elk, turkey, southwestern willow flycatcher, and livestock, (2) reducing the potential threat for catastrophic wildfires and drought by enhancing riparian areas by reconnecting stream channels and their floodplains. UDWR, BLM, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) and USFS are also committed to enhancing instream and riparian habitat through restoration actions and converting pinyon/juniper stands to shrub/grassland to reduce the potential threat for catastrophic wildfires and drought on their lands that make up the remainder of the Indian Creek watershed.

This project is part of a long term, watershed wide, collaborative effort involving multiple partners and land management agencies (see partners section). Because of the scope of the project, it is planned to be completed in multiple phases. For the first phase of the project (Phase I) restoration work was implemented on private land, TNC's Dugout Ranch, while supporting the BLM and Forest Service for funding in the NEPA process through the BLM Cooperative agreement between TNC and BLM. In phase I, we installed 50 beaver dam analogs (BDAs), post assisted log structures (PALS), and Zeedyk structures in the North Cottonwood Creek, on the Goudelock property, and another 8 structures on Indian Creek at the Dugout Ranch Headquarters. The project included monitoring the ecological and geomorphic changes associated with these treatments. For Phase II of this project, we propose three restoration reaches. 1) We will re-treat the TNC's Goudelock property structures. 2) We will implement 30+ machine and hand-built structures to continue the work on N. Cottonwood Creek on a Utah State Lands parcel adjacent and to the North of the TNC's Goudelock property. 3) We will implement a new project of 30+ machine and hand-built structures on Indian Creek below the confluence of Cottonwood and Indian Creek on TNC's private lands called "The Cottonwoods". The eight objectives of this project are to: (1) increase channel-floodplain connectivity (lateral and vertical connectivity), (2) increase temporary water storage and residence time (water quantity), (3) improve water quality, (4) conserve/increase quantity, diversity, and extent of native woody riparian vegetation, (5) decrease quantity and extent of invasive species such as tamarisk and Russian olive, (6) conserve/promote natural habitat-forming processes, such as lateral channel movement, channel evolution, promoting increases in streambed elevation and inputs of large woody debris and other physical structures in the channel, (7) promote beaver activity in North Cottonwood and Indian Creeks to extent practical, and (8) promote research and education of Indian Creek watershed riparian restoration projects to develop best practices for stream and riparian restoration in the Colorado Plateau region. By reaching these objectives we hope to increase riverscape resilience to drought, fire and climate change and improve riparian vegetation providing for livestock as well as wildlife such as wintering mule deer, turkeys, leopard frogs and garter snakes. We will also be able to inform the riparian restoration community about best practices on small headwater perennial/intermittent streams throughout the Colorado Plateau.

The locations of this project are dependent on multiple factors including land ownership and results from the priority area analysis in the project planning phase. Land owned by TNC and project partner SITLA are a priority because of ease of access and degraded geomorphic, aquatic, and riparian conditions. In conjunction with land constraints, tools such as the Riparian Condition Assessment Toolbox (RCAT) and the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) were used to narrow down specific reaches within TNC and SITLA land that offer the most opportunity for uplift from restoration action. These locations also overlap with current or potential habitat of a variety of wildlife species that would benefit from this restoration action. The timing of this project is crucial because of its multiphase nature and environmental factors such as drought and climate change. For monitoring to be effective, consistent work on phase 1 implementations is essential. Additionally, extreme climate fluctuations and increasing drought make it difficult to ignore the declines in stream and riparian quality throughout the Indian Creek watershed. To ensure the project's effectiveness amid climate change, immediate action is necessary to prevent further degradation of the system before restoration becomes unfeasible and too cost prohibitive. Ability to extend use of funding beyond one year would be highly beneficial in terms of field work preparation and monitoring and data analysis. A potential justification of an extended (multi-year) timeline is the need for adequate time for sourcing, coordination, and procurement of woody materials for the project. Depending on outside factors, woody material may be a limiting factor unless more time could be allocated to collecting and transporting it to the sites. Another justification for an extended timeline is having more time to capture longer term changes. Having three data capture events within a relatively short period of time makes it difficult to determine if restoration action is meeting the goals of the project. We are currently focusing LTPBR work on private and UT State Lands parcels with the goal to begin working on BLM lands when the Bears Ears National Monument management plan is finalized. At this time, the permitting process is frozen, but the BLM has expressed the desire to complete LTPBR work in the Indian Creek watershed in the future. TNC has engaged with the BLM for a 5-year cooperative agreement to complete LTPBR in the Indian Creek watershed with an estimated $1.3 million in funding to increase BLM capacity with an FTE and complete LTPBR projects on the ground.

The proposed project is closely related to the following management plans: RIVERSCAPE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION AND MONITORING PLAN: DUGOUT RANCH, UTAH 2021. The plan is intended to guide conservation, restoration and management of Dugout Ranch and Indian Creek watershed over the next 20-30 years and is developed as an adaptive management plan. The goals for the Indian Creek watershed conservation and restoration plan are closely related to the objectives of this proposed project. For more information refer to this attached document. BEAVER MANAGEMENT PLAN (2017 revision). The goal of the plan is to maintain healthy, functional beaver populations in ecological balance with available habitat, human needs, and associated species. Beaver relocation efforts in Indian Creek watershed will follow the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) beaver management plan, a statewide strategy that, among other measures, encourages relocating nuisance beavers instead of killing them. The latest iteration of the plan uses the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) (Macfarlane et al. 2017) to steer beaver relocation efforts. We ran the BRAT model for the Indian Creek watershed and the model outputs indicate that the restoration reaches can support dam-building beaver. UTAH STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MANAGING NOXIOUS WEEDS. The purpose of this plan is to strengthen, support, and coordinate private, county, state, and federal weed management efforts in Utah (Whitesides 2004). The strategic plan is designed to promote the implementation of comprehensive, economical, and ecologically based integrated weed management programs. The plan highlights the known and extensive impacts of invasive plants including the costs to society. In addition, the plan highlights that the "best weed management practices utilize a well-organized and cooperative program" such as the one proposed herein and addresses three key elements of the plan: B. Mapping and Monitoring, D. Control -Integrated Weed Management, and E. Restoration. UTAH MULE DEER STATEWIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2019) provides overall guidance and direction for managing Utah's mule deer populations. Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 700,000 acres of crucial range by 2026. This project addresses Habitat Objective 2 by improving sagebrush steppe and aspen habitat. Continue to support and provide leadership for the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, which emphasizes improving sagebrush-steppe, aspen, and riparian habitats throughout Utah. STATE OF UTAH RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN identifies the importance of the Watershed Restoration Initiative. The plan describes how restoration efforts can improve ecosystems by improving native plant populations, preventing the spread of noxious weeds, reducing risk of catastrophic wildfires and improving upland and aquatic wildlife habitats. This project follows the state fire management plan. The state supports the Watershed Restoration Initiative to encourage reduced wildfire acreage and suppression costs, reduced soil loss from erosion, reduced sedimentation and storage loss in reservoirs, improved water quality and yield, improved wildlife populations, increased forage, reduced risk of additional federal listing of species under the Endangered Species Act, improved agricultural production, and resistance to invasive plant species. This project follows the state's wildlife plan: 1) Expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. 2) Increase current populations or establish new populations of wildlife in all suitable habitats within the state as outlined in approved management plans. 3) Provide a diversity of high-quality hunting and viewing opportunities for wildlife species throughout the state. 4) Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025. 5) Conserve sensitive species to prevent them from becoming listed as threatened or endangered. 6) Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands. This project specifically addresses objective 4 by enhancing vegetation for wildlife and livestock. This project follows the state's fishery plan: 1) The state will seek to protect, conserve, and improve Utah's fish and aquatic wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. 2) The state supports ensuring the persistence of the diversity of native fish and aquatic wildlife in Utah while at the same time providing excellent opportunities for anglers and other recreationists. This proposed project follows the state's plan for T&E Species: 1) Work with stakeholders and partners to continue to implement recommendations from the Utah Wildlife Action Plan 2015--2025 to conserve sensitive species and their habitat. 2) Identify and minimize the threats to sensitive or federally listed species to ensure healthy and robust populations of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species that exist in Utah. 3) Restore 75,000 acres of critical habitat for sensitive species each year through the Watershed Restoration Initiative and by partnering with other governmental and nongovernmental entities. This proposed project improves habitat for Mexican Spotted owl. This project addresses the state's Water Quality and Hydrology plan: 1) Cooperate in the protection, restoration, enhancement and management of water resources in the State of Utah to the extent of each agency's authority, expertise, and resources. An important part of this project is the enhancement of the state's water resources. This project follows the state's wetlands plan: 1) The state supports the use of mechanical treatments, controlled burns, livestock grazing, and other tools to control invasive plants and other plant species that compromise wetland health, in accordance with best available practices. 2) The state will coordinate with groups responsible for protecting and managing wetlands, including public and private wildlife managers, regulatory agencies, and interested stakeholders. This project follows the state's riparian area management objectives: 1) Active management should be used to improve and enhance riparian resources to provide for appropriate physical, biological, and chemical function. 2) Prioritize and manage riparian areas to attain desired future conditions for riparian related resources (e.g. fishery habitat, water quality, wildlife and livestock forage, and soil stability). 3) Riparian areas and wetlands should be managed for the mutual and maximum benefit of wildlife, livestock and special status species. 4) The state supports the use of structural and non-structural improvements in unstable water courses to restore riparian areas properly functioning/desired future conditions. Floodplain and River Terrace: 1) Engage with federal land management agencies to support active management of healthy riparian areas on federal land. The state supports the removal of invasive species from riparian areas on public lands. This project addresses the state's Floodplain and River Terrace needs: 1) Restore floodplain connectivity for threatened and endangered species that rely on these locations in areas outside human habitation while preserving the health and safety of residents. 2) The state supports implementing active management and restoration projects on federal lands to restore sinuosity, vegetation, and floodplain function which mimic the natural hydrologic system in suitable areas. This project supports the state's Noxious Weeds plan: 1) Alongside treatment, the establishment of healthy ecosystems is the most effective way of preventing the spread of noxious weeds. 2) The state of Utah supports proactive management of noxious weeds. Effective management by federal, state, and private entities is vital to protect agriculture, rangelands, and private property. 3) The state supports the removal of noxious weeds from affected areas and rehabilitation of affected areas post treatment. Weed treatments and rehabilitation must occur on federal land as well, to prevent the spread of weeds from public to private and state land. Livestock and Grazing: 1) The state supports rapid removal of all invasive plant species and noxious weeds on both public and private lands. UTAH WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (2015-2025). The plan also provides strong, clear guidance for improving habitats and strengthening wildlife populations. Beavers are identified in many places in the WAP including under the Objective "Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity", for which a potential conservation action is to "Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape, where social and environmental factors permit (per Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool)." In addition, under the Objective "Channelization / Bank Alteration (direct, intentional)", a potential conservation action is to "Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape, where social and environmental factors permit (per Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool).". Threats to the following WAP species of greatest conservation need are being addressed by this project: Northern leopard frog, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, big free-tailed bat, spotted bat, Townsend's big-eared bat, and black-necked garter snake. Future phases of the project will also benefit mule deer, elk, band-tailed pigeon and ferruginous hawk. Threats to the following key habitats are also being addressed by this project: Desert grassland, Aquatic Scrub/Shrub, Aquatic Forested, Riverine, Emergent, and Open Water. UTAH'S WILD TURKEY MANAGEMENT PLAN. This plan presents management goals, objectives and strategies for the wild turkey in Utah. It identifies issues and concerns and specifies strategies to overcome them. Suitable habitat includes three key ingredients: trees, forbs and grass. Trees provide food, daytime loafing and escape cover, and most important--nighttime roost sites. Grasses and forbs provide food for adults and are especially important to poults as an environment in which they can efficiently forage for insects. The Rio Grande turkey is found in cottonwood river bottoms often associated with Gambel's oak and green leafy plants like Indian Creek watershed provides. Goal A, Objective 2. Increase wild turkey habitat, quality and quantity, by 40,000 acres statewide. Strategy d. Conduct habitat improvement projects in limiting habitat. Maintain and improve wild turkey populations. One of the strategies identified to reach this objective is to do habitat projects. This project will help to achieve this objective. THE SOUTHWESTERN WILLOW FLYCATCHER RECOVERY PLAN identifies the removal of exotic plants as important for the recovery of this species. This project would reduce the amount of exotic plants such as Russian olive and tamarisk. The Southeast Utah Riparian Partnership (SURP) prepared the COLORADO RIVER WOODY INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN in 2007. The main goal of the large group of partners is to support projects that control and/or remove tamarisk and Russian olive and to restore riparian lands in Southeast Utah.

Tamarisk and Russian olive can form dense, fire-prone thickets that develop into monospecific stands. Thus, removing tamarisk and Russian olive, an objective of this proposed project, reduces hazardous fuel loads that will reduce the possibility for future fire events. Studies have shown that expanded wet riparian areas that beaver dams and BDAs create provides a buffer that slows the spread of fire. This area has seen a dramatic increase in recreation, namely due to the world class rock climbing, in 2020 and 2021 which is only increasing the possible ignitions within the river corridors. 2020 overall was the highest recorded year for human started wildfires in the Utah which were frequently catastrophic to important ecosystems. Restoration work is more important now with increased recreation uses in North Cottonwood Creek and Indian Creek raising the potential for human caused fires, and with more frequent drought years making fuels drier for a longer portion of the year. Two important objectives of this restoration project are to 1) increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation and 2) promote and enhance beaver dam building activities to serve as fire breaks and help reduce size and fire activity. Uplands of the watershed range from sagebrush and grassland flats to pinyon and juniper woodland transitioning to ponderosa and mixed conifer at the higher elevations and sheltered locations. The sagebrush and grassland flats, having been influenced by grazing and fire exclusion, experienced moderate to high pinyon and Juniper encroachment. As a result, many vegetation manipulation projects have taken place over the years within this area. From the 1960's to the 1980's on BLM administered lands pinyon and juniper "seeding" treatments were routinely conducted in the Monticello field office. As a result of this work the potential for catastrophic fire within each of these areas has been greatly reduced. Capacity for water storage and reduced erosion has increased due to the influx of native grass, sage and forbs post treatment. In some cases, fire may be able to return to the system for natural maintenance when conditions are appropriate. Fire occurrence was not reduced because of these actions, but severity and subsequent ecosystem degradation are. This proposal, as being designed will set into motion actions which will ultimately restore the riparian corridors directly influenced by the aforementioned projects. Once completed, these efforts will reduce the potential for catastrophic fire effects when fires occur in the greater watershed each season.

CURRENT HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS: The middle reaches of Indian Creek, including the Dugout Ranch segment, sections of North Cottonwood Creek and sections of larger tributaries flow on an intermittent basis on average from Sept through June. The middle reaches also include reaches with perennial flow. Surface and subsurface flows support a wide riparian zone and both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitats. Sections of the stream channel are entrenched with limited overflow channels and reduced floodplain functionality. The upper reaches of Indian Creek and portions of North Cottonwood Creek have perennial stream flows. This project, over both the short and long term, addresses water quality and water quantity conditions. WATER QUALITY/QUANTITY BENEFITS OF BDA'S: The proposed project will use BDAs and PALS to essentially provide the same function as beaver dams; in that the structures will impound water, capture/settle/stabilize stream supplied sediment, increase water levels and corresponding water table, improve water quality and quantity, and aid in establishment of riparian vegetation on banks and adjacent floodplains. USU's ETAL lab's research and extensive literature review indicates that dam building by beaver has been shown to influence stream hydrology and water quality in several important ways, primarily by altering the amount, and timing of delivery of water and sediment (Naiman et al., 1988; Gurnell, 1998; Pollock et al., 2003). Ponding upstream of beaver dams slows water velocity encouraging deposition of fine sediment (Butler and Malanson, 1995; Pollock et al., 2007) in the pond itself and during high flows onto the adjacent floodplain. Beaver ponds can act as long-term sinks for both suspended and bedload sediment (Green and Westbrook, 2009). By increasing the water and sediment retention times within beaver ponds (or BDAs), many common excess nutrients and contaminants (e.g., bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus and herbicides) can be removed from the water column. This occurs through deposition, microbial decomposition, chemical transformation and filtering. Additionally, some contaminants adhere to clay-sized particles which are more likely to be trapped and stored behind beaver dams and deposited on the floodplain. Increasing the amount of water in the stream and adjacent riparian zone also has the added benefit of attenuation of bacteria and nutrients through hyporheic exchange and plant uptake (Schade et al., 2005; Tonina and Buffington, 2009). BDAs and additional beaver dams could also improve water quality conditions by improving streambank stability and floodplain functionality to better withstand potential large flood events due to climate change, therefore reducing potential erosion and sediment loading. Natural hydrologic streambank storage processes could be improved during high runoff periods, recharging streambanks and point bars. Stored water could be released during periods of low stream flows, decreasing high stream temperatures during the summer months. An increase in the number of pools and overall water depths may also contribute to decreased stream temperatures and improved water quality conditions. These changes in stream hydrology will benefit northern leopard frog by creating slow water on the margin of the creek and potentially increasing spots for emergent or subsurface aquatic vegetation, which will create breeding habitat. Allen's big-eared bats, which have been detected in Indian Creek watershed, would benefit from the creation of larger, slow pools will provide drinking opportunities and coupled with enhanced vegetation will provide invertebrate prey. Black-necked garter snakes would benefit from increased prey base (frogs/tadpoles). WATER QUALITY/QUANTITY BENEFITS OF NON-NATIVE VEGETATION REMOVAL: Removing tamarisk and other invasive plants would improve floodplain connectivity and functionality and streambank stability which would reduce sediment loading to the stream. High stream temperatures would be reduced by improved riparian conditions, improved bank storage, increased number of pools and increased pool depths, extended season of flow, which all contribute to improved water quality conditions. By reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the watershed, the potential for associated damage including reduced soil infiltration, increased erosion and loss of topsoil, long-term loss of soil productivity, and accelerated sediment loading to the system would be greatly reduced. This reduces the potential for degradation of water quality conditions. Improvement to riparian vegetation has the potential to enhance prey base for golden eagle and peregrine falcon (mammals for eagles and songbirds and mammals for peregrines).

The proposed project follows all permitting requirements. BDA work will be conducted on private lands that do not require NEPA. A temporary water right and stream alteration permit will be obtained from Utah Division of Water Rights prior to construction. The archeological surveys and consultation have been completed for SITLA lands, all permits and archeological work have been completed and approved.

MODELING: We ran and analyzed the outputs of the following geospatial modeling tools: Riparian Condition Assessment Toolbox (RCAT), and Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) to assess the current riparian conditions of the Indian Creek watershed and the feasibility of doing beaver/BDA related restoration. These model outputs were used to help identify: 1) an impetus for restoration, 2) potential limiting factors, 3) risks to human infrastructure associated with restoration and 4) sites where restoration would have the greatest gains to habitat improvement. INSTALLATION OF INSTREAM STRUCTURES: For the instream structure component of this project, we propose using a low-tech process-based restoration (LT-PBR) (https://ltpbr.restoration.usu.edu/manual) approach. Our restoration actions will include the installation of simple, hand-built, low-tech structures (BDAs and PALs) as well as machine-built structures constructed of natural materials that mimic their natural counterparts (i.e. beaver dams and large woody debris (see BDA figure for design specification). Where cobble substrate exists, machine-built structures will be post-less. Post-less structures will be a layer of juniper limbs oriented parallel to the channel, butt-ends up stream. This bottom layer will be covered with bed/bank substrate--a mix of materials sizes from cobbles to sand and mud--and mechanically worked ("scratched in") to integrate the materials. Successive layers of materials will be staggered upstream to create a long riffle slope. Limbs will be mechanically pushed into the banks and where available small to medium sized cottonwood trees will be hinge-felled on top of structures for additional stability. Based on previous work we estimate using approximately four large junipers per post-less BDA. As a result, one of the biggest efforts of this project will be to obtain enough junipers as building material. Many trees will have to be sourced off site and this work will be conducted by youth corps directed by the contractor who will be helping them onsite. These structures will slow water, capture sediment, and increase the channel complexity on which healthy aquatic and riparian-wetland ecosystems depend. BDAs should last until the pool behind the dam fills with sediment and is colonized by woody riparian vegetation (typically < 5 yr. depending on sediment sources and the flow regime). Maintenance of BDA structures is typically required annually unless beavers take over maintenance of structures. Maintenance usually consists of replacing posts and filling in holes in the dam crest with additional willow, pinion, or juniper or sediment and rocks. Post assisted log structures (PALS) are designed to mimic naturally occurring large woody debris in a stream and increase in-stream roughness and structural elements. PALS alter stream hydraulics (i.e., depth and velocity) and are placed within a stream to create a geomorphic response. In general, PALS rely on high flows to affect desired geomorphic changes. They also tend to use larger diameter materials, more characteristic of large woody debris commonly found naturally in a stream. PALs can be built with or without posts, they can be channel spanning, located in the middle of the channel, or be attached to a bank, like BDA construction. BDAs and PALS will be strategically placed to mimic the form and function of beaver dam complexes and large woody debris. Each structure will be designed with defined objectives for triggering and/or maintaining geomorphic and hydraulic processes leading to stream restoration. Based on lessons learned during previous efforts, we aim to achieve a density of between 20-40 structures per km. The exact number of structures will vary based on local conditions and logistic considerations. Because North Cottonwood and Indian creeks lack abundant woody material necessary for building a large number of structures we will source, and transport juniper associated with juniper removal projects to the restoration sites. Juniper and pinion will be used as it has been successfully used to build BDAs along numerous stream restoration projects in Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. Instream structures will be designed to promote localized bank erosion, capture sediment, aggrade the channel and reconnect the floodplain. NONNATIVE VEGETATION REMOVAL: We will remove small patches of nonnative vegetation at key locations along Indian and North Cottonwood creeks. If Russian olive and tamarisk represent the only shrub/tree in those respective areas, we will remove in stages and not all at once because while it is true that the project has potential to benefit Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the long term, complete removal of vegetation (even non-native) can be detrimental until native veg is established. Our Russian olive treatment will consist of cutting down all identified trees with a chainsaw and chemically treating the stumps with Glyphosate. After removal, Russian olive will be stacked and left to dry for the purpose of using it in restoration structures later. Our tamarisk treatment will consist of mechanical removal of tamarisk at or below the soil surface with a track excavator using a grapple attachment. After removal, tamarisk will be stacked and left to dry for the purpose of using it in restoration structures later. Once the piles have been removed, we will use various implements to plant native seed into the treatment area. The resulting removal of non-native vegetation will enhance Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat. NATIVE VEGETATION PLANTING & RESEEDING: Broadcast reseeding of vegetation removal areas will occur. Cottonwoods and willows will also be planted along the river in key locations. RE-TREATMENT OF REMOVAL AREAS: In years following mechanical removal hand crews and small equipment will be utilized to conduct cut stump treatments (using Garlon4) in areas not accessible to the excavator and foliar application of imazapyr (Arsenal) or similar herbicide to treat re-sprouts. Spraying will occur in the late summer or early fall when the herbicide will be most effective. This process of removal and reseeding requires multiple years to complete.

Monitoring will be used to determine whether our project objectives are being met and may inform alterations to the restoration actions if objectives are not being met. Monitoring will also yield information on the relative success of different restoration efforts, reasons for success or failure, and the cumulative impacts of different restoration actions over the watershed scale. RESTORATION EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: A protocol called Low Tech-Process Based Restoration (LT-PBR) version 2 (Document 1) developed by Utah State University's Riverscapes Assessment & Monitoring (RAM) Lab and partners will be used to monitor ecological and geomorphic change following installation of instream structures which includes ground-based structure-level observations and desktop analysis of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery. Field observations will include 1) presence versus absence; 2) structure condition; 3) geomorphic response; 4) natural beaver dams and accumulations of Large Woody Debris (LWD); 5) total number of structures through time; and 6) condition of beaver dams. For presence verses absence, the restoration structures will be evaluated for whether they are still there and are still as designed. Structure condition will be evaluated based on whether the structure is blown out, breached, moved or buried (more than three-fourths of crest height sediment accumulation). Geomorphic response will refer to the extent of erosion, deposition, and distribution of geomorphic features such as pool (scour or dam), cut banks, and uniform bed aggradation or degradation. Natural beaver dams and accumulations of LWD will be evaluated by asking; Is there additional accumulation of LWD on the structure? Has the structure been taken over by beavers? Total number of structures through time will include both restoration and natural structures. Lastly, condition of beaver dams will include intact, breached, or blown out and active or inactive. Our UAV/desktop analysis will consist of the creation of full coverage orthomosaic images and digital elevation models for each of the restoration reaches including pre-restoration, as built and after restoration is implemented and a high flow event has occurred. With these sets of images, we will assess geomorphic and floodplain changes associated with changes over time related to restoration actions (Figure 1, 2, 3). We will assess: valley bottom extent, changes to the surface water extent and channel width, changes to land cover (riparian, non-riparian, open water) (Figure 4), changes to the number of channels and length of channels (Figure 5), and changes in streambed elevation. We will also assess inundation extent and flow type (free flowing, ponded and overbank) (Figure 6, 7) and compare their extents through time(Figure 8). If present, we will assess the nature of flow overbank vs channelized flows. Assessing these changes in flow type through time enables us to track changes in geomorphic condition, riparian vegetation and lateral connectivity and determine if restoration action is meeting the project goals of increased water quantity/quality and riparian vegetation growth. All associated UAV images, geo-tagged photos, videos, and monitoring reports will be provided.

The project lead organization is The Nature Conservancy (TNC) The Dugout Ranch and Canyonlands Research Center (CRC) and several partners will contribute to the project, including: 1.Utah State University (USU) 2. Utah Division of Natural Resources (UDNR, DWR) 3. Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), 4. Bears Ears Partnership (BEP) which includes the Canyon Country Youth Corp (CCYC) and the Bears Ears Conservation Partnership (BECP), 6. Access Fund, and 7. Friends of Indian Creek. Each of the partners listed have been involved in the planning portion of this proposed project through attending planning meetings, follow up emails, Zoom/phone calls and working on the writing of the proposal. TNC and USU have been involved in the development of the Indian Creek restoration and monitoring plan (which can be found in the attached documents). TNC/CRC will engage educational institutions in research of the riparian and upland restoration practices and spearhead educational outreach through volunteer days, workshops, field days, and tours. The mission of the CRC, located at TNC's Dugout Ranch is to promote a sustainable future on the Colorado Plateau for people and nature through research, inspiration, and demonstration of evidence-based solutions to solve some of our most pressing ecological, social, and economic issues. The CRC is a consortium of academic institutions (including USU), land managers, and state and federal research agencies working together to bring the best available science and different knowledge systems to land management decisions. Collaboration and strategic partnerships have been fundamental to the success of the CRC and our accomplishments would not be possible without the active involvement of the U.S. Geological Survey, Utah State University, the Bureau of Land Management, Canyonlands National Park, Utah Division of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service. The CRC is dedicated to long-term research on the interactions between climate and land use in arid and semi-arid lands. This project offers opportunities for the CRC to engage agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions in the research of riparian and upland restoration practices in desert environs and help develop best practices for desert stream and watershed restoration. The CRC's facilities and location offer opportunities to educate practitioners through volunteer days, workshops, tours, and field days. USU personnel will be involved in restoration design, planning and implementation and will lead monitoring efforts of channel and habitat changes. Work will include restoration implementation on TNC owned lands, planning and archeological surveys have already been completed on SITLA parcels. Personnel from the UDWR, BLM and USFS have helped to write earlier drafts of this proposal. BEP has recently purchased the CCYC and will provide labor for implementation of projects. BEP/CCYC has a mission to promote Indigenous youth. The recreation community has expressed interest in this project. Access Fund, Friends of Indian Creek, and BEP all have active volunteer programs in Indian Creek and are interested in participating in work and volunteer days.

The proposed project is the second phase (Phase 2) of a multi-phased watershed habitat restoration effort where we will extend restoration activities to other portions of the Indian Creek watershed to help ensure that habitat is improved throughout. An objective of this project is to support existing beaver colonies and the establishment of beaver in additional locations. Beaver are anticipated to play a long-term role in the maintenance and functions of these structures to provide watershed health benefits. PHASE 3 of the project will include a continuation of phase 1 and 2 to work on private lands of TNC's Dugout Ranch and may be expanded to include priority treatment areas identified by the USFS, SITLA, and BLM during phase 1. Specifically, work on BLM, SITLA, and USFS lands will be aimed at improving overall watershed health by increasing native plant diversity, reducing hazardous fuels, improving upland and aquatic wildlife habitat conditions, increasing floodplain functionality, improving stream bank stability, improving soil productivity and reducing accelerated erosion. This may involve construction of erosion control structures, construction of BDA structures, vegetation treatments (Tamarisk, Russian Olive, Pinyon-Juniper). Monitoring and maintenance of phase I structures will be conducted along with expanded treatment areas on TNC's Dugout Ranch Areas selected for Phase 3 treatment on Private lands may be adjusted to integrate with selected treatment areas on USFS, BLM, and/or SITLA lands to maximize connectivity and efficiency of work. PHASE 4 of the project will include a continuation of phases 1-3 work on private lands of TNC's Dugout Ranch and will be expanded to include priority treatment areas identified by the USFS, SITLA, and BLM during previous phases. Monitoring and maintenance of phase I- 4 structures will be conducted along with expanded treatment areas on TNC's Dugout Ranch including ephemeral gullies and culvert outflows on the east and west side of County Road 107. Areas selected for Phase 5 treatment on Private lands may be adjusted to integrate with selected treatment areas on USFS, BLM, and/or SITLA lands to maximize connectivity and efficiency of work. Future management of the Indian Creek Watershed will continue to support the goals of this project. BLM, SITLA, and USFS plan to initiate restoration work on their lands within these watersheds over the next several years to improve watershed conditions including water quality, water quantity, wildlife habitats and soil productivity. Management of this area will be addressed in the upcoming amended Bears Ears National Monument Management Plan. Monitoring and maintenance of treatment areas and structures will be included in the additional phases of this project. It is the mission of TNC/ CRC to protect and restore the land and water of the Indian Creek Watershed. Future management will include restoration work on private land and working closely with BLM, SITLA, and USFS to promote restoration practices in the BENM management plan.

NATURAL RESOURCES: This project would provide more sustainable uses of natural resources due to improved watershed health. Both upland and aquatic wildlife habitats would be improved with increased forage for livestock and wildlife including mule deer, turkey and beaver, increased habitat diversity for native fish including Colorado river cutthroat (any other fish species), increased soil health and productivity, decreased erosion and sedimentation, and more habitat connectivity for all wildlife species. LIVESTOCK: The proposed project has the potential to improve forage for domestic livestock. Removing tamarisk and Russian olive combined with erosion control treatments will facilitate the re-establishment of perennial grasses, native forbs, and shrubs that have much higher forage value than tamarisk. Targeted revegetation and broadcast seeding will accelerate the recolonization of native grasses in selected areas where native grasses are sparse in habitat adjacent to treatment sites. Creating a diverse vegetative community allows for diverse diets and at times can create better winter foraging conditions for livestock. With the tamarisk cleared there is better access to the river for watering and can distribute livestock across the allotment and the riparian area more efficiently. RECREATION: Monocultures of tamarisk and Russian olive can impede access to the river and recreational activities. Thick tamarisk and Russian olive stands will be targeted for removal so that access to the river will be enhanced.