Within the project area wetland/riparian areas at spring sites are being trampled by livestock and wildlife, severely degrading them. These areas are very important for mesic plant habitat and both small and large animals for forage and water sources. During the last several years of drought these springs were impacted more than normal years and were further degraded.

1. Protect water sources while enabling the establishment of perennial hydric vegetation which will filter and hold water longer, extending the period when water is available. 2.Provide clean water to both wildlife and livestock as well as produce forage for wildlife inside of the livestock exclosures. 3. Increase size and functionality of existing wetlands beyond current limits. 4. Erect sturdy pole fencing around four springs and associated wet area.

Last year funding was received to do the project however the cost of helicopter work cost about $10,000.00 more than expected. We need that additional amount of funding to contract construction of the enclosures. These springs are located on top of Ferron Mountain about 15 miles west of the city of Ferron. The recent drought has made it apparent that we need to protect as many water sources and associated wetlands as possible. This project will benefit the deer and elk in the area by providing cleaner water for a longer period of time through the year. it will also increase availability of forbs and grasses for forage. There are Blue Grouse and many small songbirds in the area that will also benefit from the clean more abundant water and from the insects and forbs resulting from the protection areas. These springs and high elevation sites are great Boreal Toad habitat and once completed these protected areas could serve as transplant sites for the toads.

This project is directly supported by the WRI partnership itself because this project will be improving three ecosystem values which are a focus of the partnership: 1) watershed health and biological diversity, 2) water quality and yield, and 3) opportunities for sustainable uses of natural resources. The project is supported by the 1986 Manti-La Sal National Forest Management Plan under Management Goals in several sections. Wildlife & Fish: Maintain or improve habitat carrying capacity for elk or deer. 1) Maintain or improve wildlife habitat diversity. 2) Maintain or improve fisheries habitat. 3) Protect, maintain, and/or improve habitat for threatened or endangered and sensitive plants and animals. 4) Provide habitat for viable populations of the existing vertebrate and invertebrate species found on the Forest. Range: Maintain upward or stable trends in vegetation and soil condition. 1) Invest in range improvements where they will provide the greatest benefit. Soil & Water: Maintain satisfactory watershed conditions. 1) Provide favorable conditions of water flow (quality, quantity, and timing). 2) Improve deteriorated watershed conditions where feasible. 3) Provide sufficient water for multiple-use management by securing favorable flows of water, which is interpreted to include those flows necessary to maintain stable and efficient steam channels as required by the Organic Act of 1897, and provide for fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and livestock use as required by the Multiple Use Act of 1960. 4) Protect soil and water productivity so that neither will be significantly or permanently impaired. 5) Protect and enhance riparian areas including dependent resources. Forest Service Handbook 2509.22 ---Soil and Water Conservation Practices Handbook 3.34 - Livestock and Grazing: 2. Locate all livestock handling facilities outside of Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs). 3. Where RCAs are not meeting or moving towards desired conditions, plan and implement rangeland management practices that minimize the impacts. 5. Educate and involve the permittee in proper management of RCAs. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Strategic Plan. Goal A: Conserve, protect, enhance and manage Utah's wildlife. Obj. A-1: Maintain populations of harvestable wildlife species at species or drainage management plan objective levels through 2003. Obj. A-4: Maintain distribution and abundance of all other naturally occurring wildlife and native plant species through 2003. Goal B: Conserve, protect, enhance, and manage Utah's ecosystems. Obj. B-1: Increase the functioning of 10% of the currently impaired ecosystems. Obj. B-2: Prevent declining conditions in both impaired and currently functional ecosystems through. The Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan: Habitat Objective 1. Maintain elk habitat throughout the state by identifying and protecting existing crucial elk habitat and mitigating for losses due to human impacts. The Utah Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan: Habitat Goal: Conserve, improve, and restore mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. 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. Strategies: B. Habitat Management and Conservation 1) Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering, and migration areas. 2) Minimize impacts and recommend mitigation for losses of crucial habitat due to human impacts.

The protection of water sources will enable firefighters to use the water in firefighting strategies. Also, the wetlands will be enlarged which will act as better fire buffers and protect areas in and around the wetlands. If a fire does move through the area the wetlands will enable quicker re-establishment of desired plants.

Protecting these springs will directly influence the quantity and quality of water. Intact wetlands have been shown to act as a sponge and hold water longer which will help ensure plant survival. Healthy wetlands more effectively filter the water resulting in cleaner water for plants and animals. The influence of water will extend beyond current limits and the wetlands will increase in size.

This project will fall under NEPA previously completed to allow for livestock water development and it is also considered a Best Management Practice to protect a spring and its wetland. No disturbances to the wetlands are expected. All necessary cultural clearances will be conducted prior to implementation of this project.

The springs are in a remote area therefore the building materials have been flown to the site using a helicopter. Work crews will have to hike in or use horses to reach the work sites. The wooden pole fences will be constructed using hand tools to enclose the spring site. The extent of influence water will have is unknown so the enclosure will encompass extra area adjacent to the spring to allow for the water to spread into areas previously dry or disturbed soils. If water troughs are inside or close to the enclosure they will be moved away from the wetland to avoid cattle trailing along the new fences.

These enclosures will be monitored annually by the grazing permittees to determine maintenance needs. The Forest Range staff will also inspect the enclosures periodically to make sure maintenance is being completed. Photo points will be established to show changes to wetlands over time.

Utah Grazing Improvement Program assisted by funding over half of the helicopter work.

Once installed, the pole fences will be maintained by the grazing permittees until normal maintenance is no longer feasible then the fences should be replaced in whole by the Forest through help from other concerned organizations.

This project will improve livestock distribution across the top of Ferron Mountain which is a pasture in a much bigger grazing allotment. It will also support the elk and deer herds in the area along with many small mammal and bird species in the area by providing more stable and cleaner water sources.