Pinyon-juniper densities have increased and competition between trees is strong. Tree stand densification has reduced available browse and forage, reducing carrying capacity. There is a need to reduce stand densities to improve stand health and improve age class diversity. There is a need to improve browse and forage conditions for mule deer. In a collaborative effort, UDWR and BLM have deployed radio collars on mule deer to provide insight on mule deer movement for identification of important habitats within limited winter and transitional range. This project will assist in the evaluation of the immediate impacts to wintering mule deer in relation to habitat restoration efforts. The implementation of this project will provide a unique opportunity to acquire movement data associated with treatments prior to, during, and after implementation. Currently, treatment areas do not provide much stop-over habitat value during migratory movements. By thinning treatment areas, this project aims to provide deer higher quality habitat on limited winter and transitional ranges. This project will also improve elk habitat and promote healthy pinyon jay habitat.

1) Reduce tree densities to improve forest health (reduce risk to insect and disease and improve tree vigor by reducing competition) 2) Reduce risk of stand replacing fire by reducing fuel loading and ladder fuels. 3) Improve age class/stand structure by opening growing areas for regeneration of younger age class. 4) Improve forage conditions for mule deer transition habitat. 5) Improve nut production for pinyon jay.

If area remains untreated, as tree densities increase, the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the project area will continue to increase. Untreated areas could burn as stand replacing events rather than low severity, low tree mortality events. Increased stand densities could also lead to reduced forest health. The risk of insect and disease would increase, leading to tree mortality.

This project is consistent with The Cedar Beaver Garfield Antimony Land Use Amendment (2004) for management of woodlands for commercial and noncommercial values. Wildlife and range objectives of improving habitat will be met with removal of PJ and increased production of forage. By reducing stand densities, this project meets objectives of the National Fire Plan (2000) and Healthy Forest Restoration Act (2003) for reducing hazardous fuels and improving forest health. Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management plan (2019) Habitat Goal: Conserve, improve, and restore mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. Panguitch lake Deer Herd Unit Management Plan (#28) 2015 The mid elevation upland site supports a pinyon-Utah juniper community and is generally considered to be in very poor condition for deer winter range. This community is prone to infilling from pinyon-juniper trees which can reduce understory shrub and herbaceous cover if not addressed. It is recommended that work to reduce the pinyon-juniper cover should continue in this plant community.

The potential for more extreme fires will intensify as densities of pinion and juniper increase. By reducing stand densities, the possibility for future larger-scale stand replacing fire events will be decreased. An extreme fire event could lead to a loss of crucial habitat/understory vegetation and the potential for a noxious weed infestation. Current FRCC is FR I, CC 2, with moderate departure from HRV. Following treatments FRCC with be FR I, CC 1.

PJ can have a major impact on hydrology. The distribution and quantity of water that reaches the soil and other vegetation can be altered by the presence of PJ through many different avenues such as PJ canopy interception of precipitation, evapotranspiration, transpiration, and competition with understory vegetation for nutrients and water (Thurow and Hester 2015). This competition with understory vegetation can increase the amount of bare soil, which can lead to an increase in runoff, soil loss and erosion (Thurow and Hester 2015). Erosion can lead to a reduction in soil productivity and can also increase non-point source water pollution, thus having the potential to affect water quality within a watershed over time (Thurow and Hester 2015). Reducing stand densities of PJ would increase ground cover (shrub, grass, and forbs) that would result in an increase in water quality. In the lop and scatter process much of the bare soil will be covered by limbs and woody debris which will aid in the establishment of vegetative cover, which will reduce water runoff and decrease soil erosion. Implementation of this project will also greatly increase water infiltration into the soil, recharging groundwater systems in the area. Recent research Roundy, et. al. (2014) has shown that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper increase time that soil water is available. Even four years after treatment, treated areas showed from 8.6 days to 18 days additional water availability at high elevation sites. Additional research by Young, et. al. (2013) also showed a relationship between tree removal and soil climates and wet days on these sites, which while providing more available moisture for desired vegetation could also provide moisture for weeds. Numerous studies have shown that increased infiltration rates and less overland flow improve both water quality and quantity.

This project follows the Fremont Habitat Improvement Project Environmental Assessment. All needed archaeological and wildlife clearances have been completed.

Stands will be hand thinned to approximately 15% of maximum stand density (Page, 2008). This will create an open stand where trees generally do not compete. A substantial amount of area will be available for understory grass/forb/shrub. Species preference will be to retain pinyon over juniper and to retain trees of best form. Larger pinyon above 10 inches diameter will be retained for cone production. Larger juniper (trees above 14 inches diameter) will be retained to reduce slash and maintain potential old growth. This will create an open stand with larger trees in clumps and smaller trees throughout with spacing between individual trees of approximately 20-30 feet. Spacing range is variable, that is, two or more trees can be left in clumps to meet desired trees per acre, however, the target trees per acre shall not be materially increased. Stump heights will not exceed 6 inches. Slash height will be lopped and scattered as to not exceed 24 inches. In addition, radio telemetry data from wintering mule deer will be used in the evaluation of this project. The data may be used to identify future treatments that may provide valuable stopover habitat during migratory movements.

Monitoring will include a walkthrough as well as established plots on a five-by-five chain (330 ft.) grid during and following treatment to monitor compliance and to certify objectives for proper tree selection, spacing, stump, and slash heights. Percent quality will be recorded on inspection forms and can be loaded into the reporting section of the WRI data base upon completion. In addition, this site will be monitored on 5 - 10-year intervals using stand exams and walk thru exams to determine stand densities and stand structure. When a determination is made that the existing tree cover has exceeded desired densities (25% SDI) a re-treatment will become necessary. At such a time both trees that have in-filled along with trees retained from the first thinning may be removed to reach desired densities. In addition, Radio telemetry data from wintering mule deer will be used in the evaluation of this project. The data may be used to identify future treatments that may provide valuable stopover habitat during migratory movements.

This project was posted on the Utah BLM Environmental Notification Bulletin Board. Persons, groups, and agencies consulted are as follows: State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, Livestock Permittees, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Paiute Tribe of Utah and the appropriate Band, Southwest Desert Adaptive Resource Management Local Working Group, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Utah Field Office, Utah State Historic Preservation Officer.

It is not anticipated that the area will need to be rested from livestock grazing as the area will not be seeded nor have any ground disturbance. This area will continue to be grazed as currently authorized.

Thinning of trees will reduce the risk of high severity stand replacing fire that would kill all trees and convert area to grass/forb or noxious weeds. Thinning will reduce risk of tree mortality due to insect and disease. Thinning stands will help ensure PJ remains on the landscape. Reducing PJ densities will also increase/improve understory vegetation which is slowing being lost due to PJ replacement of understory veg.