49 acres will be masticated and seeded with an high elevation pollinator mix to increase flowering plant species, and increase forbs for wildlife and stabilize soils.

1. Decrease the probability of a wildfire near Kolob Reservoir which serves as water storage for Washington County (Washington County is the fifth largest county in Utah, and St George is the 8th fastest growing city in the USA, just saying). 2. Increase amount of flowing plants by 10%. 3. Protect and enhance habitat for non-game species including California Condor by creating open space and helping make ranching profitable to avoid subdivision of the land.

1. Fire Risk Management Fire is a significant threat in this area due to the dense stands of sub alpine fire, with considerable amounts of dead standing and down material. Left untreated, the area is primed for a large, intense wildfire. Continuing to implement treatments will mitigate this threat. High-intensity fires would not only impact wildlife but also threaten older-age ponderosa pine forests and private structures. With the current fuel loads and the extensive fuel buildup across the Virgin River and Kolob drainage and neighboring areas, a wildfire could quickly escalate into a catastrophic event, endangering private homes, the livestock industry in southwest Utah, and watersheds like the Virgin River. This fire would have long-term negative effects on wildlife and fish populations that depend on clean water and healthy riparian areas. 3. Erosion Control and Soil Health Sheet and rill erosion are contributing to sedimentation from late-phase II pinyon-juniper sites, which lack adequate understory. By applying mastication treatments, mulch will cover the bare soil while seeds are being established. This process will reduce soil erosion, limit moisture loss, and increase the soil's moisture retention capacity. Early results from treatment areas where seeds have been successfully established show promising improvements in soil health and vegetation growth (see photos for details). 4. Vegetational Diversity and Ecosystem Resilience This project aims to enhance and maintain a diverse suite of vegetational communities. A healthy landscape supports a variety of vegetational states within an ecological site, which benefits a broad range of wildlife species and human activities. Diverse landscapes are also more resistant and resilient to disturbances. Allowing the landscape to transition further into dominant PJ woodlands would reduce its resilience, making it harder for the ecosystem to recover from disturbances. This project aims to reverse that trend by promoting habitat diversity and ecosystem health. 5. Benefits to Mule Deer and Elk This project will have both direct and indirect positive impacts on high-interest game species, particularly mule deer and elk. Mule deer frequently use this area as a staging ground during migration, helping them enter winter range in better condition. This project will allow mule deer to spend less time on sensitive winter ranges. Elk also use this area from fall to spring unless weather forces them to lower elevations. According to consultations with wildlife biologists, having these animals remain in the treatment area longer is beneficial, as it provides an opportunity for better management compared to when they move into Zion National Park, where management is more difficult. The area's importance to big game populations is critical to maintaining sustainable wildlife populations. 6. California Condor Habitat Enhancement The California Condor, a species of greatest resource concern, has been documented in the area, particularly around Kolob Reservoir (15 miles west). The open space created by this project will increase the visibility of condors as they search for carrion. The expected increase in herbivore use will likely result in more carcasses being available to condors. According to Hawk Watch, which monitors condor populations in Zion, any improvements for ungulates will also benefit condors. By improving habitat for these large herbivores, this project will contribute to the recovery of condor populations. 7. Importance of Mesic Lands for Wildlife Private mesic lands and surrounding rangelands play a crucial role in the health of wildlife populations. Research indicates that 60-80% of wildlife depend on mesic habitats, such as wetlands and riparian areas (Thomas et al. 1979, Patten 1998, Belsky et al. 1999, Peck and Lovvorn 2001). Sustainable wildlife conservation cannot be achieved without engaging private landowners. This project, which works directly with private landowners, is vital for the long-term health of local wildlife populations. 8. Critical Migration Corridor and Bird Habitat This area has been identified as a critical migration corridor for mule deer, underscoring the importance of this project in maintaining habitat integrity. Additionally, the project falls within an identified Bird Habitat Conservation Area (BHCA) focused on riparian habitats, which are essential for bird species like Abert's Towhee, Lucy's Warbler, Bell's Vireo, Gray Vireo, and various waterfowl species. By improving upland conditions, this project will benefit lowland riparian habitats and provide critical resources for these bird species. 9. Native Fish Conservation Native fish in the Virgin River, including the Virgin Spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis mollispinis), Desert Sucker (Catostomus clarkii), Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus), and Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), are of special concern. The Virgin Spinedace and Flannelmouth Sucker are both significantly reduced from their original habitats and are managed under conservation agreements. Improvements in water quality and riparian vegetation will benefit these species both on-site and downstream. Protecting these fish species from extinction is critical, especially for those already listed under the ESA and those at risk of listing. 10. Development Threats and Landowner Sustainability Development pressures in this area are at an all-time high, which poses a threat to the ecology of the watershed. If landowners cannot remain profitable through sustainable land use, they may be forced to sell their property for development, further increasing the risk of recreational development in sensitive areas. Supporting landowners in maintaining profitable and sustainable operations is essential for preserving the landscape and its ecological health.

1. Utah Forest Action Plan Goal: Restore healthy and resilient trees and forests across Utah. 2. Utah Mule Deer Statewide Plan (2025) Goal: Enhance crucial mule deer habitats, focusing on fawning, wintering, and migration areas. Relevance: The project falls within crucial mule deer migration and transitional habitats. It supports the plan's objective to work with landowners and agencies to manage livestock and enhance mule deer ranges. Support: The restoration efforts and improved grazing practices will directly benefit mule deer populations by providing high-quality forage and habitat in both summer and winter ranges. 3. Deer Herd Unit Management Plan, Deer Herd #29, Zion Goal: Manage mule deer habitats on both private and public lands. Relevance: Your project is situated within this Deer Herd Unit and addresses critical habitat needs, particularly by reducing pinyon-juniper expansion into sagebrush habitats. Support: The project supports long-term habitat protection and improved habitat restoration (e.g., lop & scatter, bullhog treatments), key strategies in this plan. 4. Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan Goal: Enhance elk populations and their habitats, including summer ranges and calving areas. Relevance: The project will improve elk habitats by increasing forage production, addressing fire risks, and restoring critical elk habitat areas. Support: The project aligns with the plan's focus on habitat restoration, controlled burning, and logging to improve calving habitat and forest health. 5. Zion National Park, Virgin River Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment Goal: Protect water quality and the natural function of riparian areas along the Virgin River. Relevance: This project will improve upland conditions to reduce livestock pressure on riparian areas, ultimately benefiting water quality and riparian habitats critical to the Virgin River's ecological health. Support: By addressing land and water management in the surrounding area, the project will support goals of enhancing water quantity and ecological processes. 6. TMDL for Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the North Fork Virgin River Watershed Goal: Address E. coli pollution sources, particularly from livestock and wildlife. Relevance: By improving grazing distribution and upland conditions, this project will reduce the concentration of livestock in riparian areas, helping address the E. coli contamination issue in the Virgin River. Support: The project aligns with efforts to improve water quality and mitigate human health hazards in the watershed. 7. Virgin River Watershed Management Plan Goal: Address key concerns such as water flow, endangered species, and recreation. Relevance: By improving upland habitat and addressing wildfire risks, the project will support the overall health of the Virgin River watershed and its wildlife. Support: The project aligns with the plan's goal of maintaining healthy ecosystems and improving water quality, particularly for threatened species. 8. USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Strategic Plan Goal: Address habitat threats for priority species. Relevance: The project addresses critical habitat restoration needs for several species of concern, including the California condor and native fish. Support: By improving habitat for ungulates and restoring riparian areas, the project benefits both terrestrial and aquatic species in the watershed. 9. Utah Catastrophic Wildfire Reduction Strategy Goal: Reduce wildfire risks through the management of invasive species. Relevance: The project's efforts to reduce pinyon-juniper encroachment and treat fire-prone areas directly align with the state's wildfire reduction strategy. Support: The project helps reduce fire hazards and protect key wildlife habitats. 10. Intermountain West Joint Venture Habitat Conservation Strategy Goal: Support sagebrush habitat conservation and remove encroaching conifers. Relevance: Your project's focus on removing pinyon-juniper and restoring sagebrush habitats aligns with regional conservation goals for sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Support: The project contributes to large-scale habitat restoration efforts across the Intermountain West. 11. Utah Wildlife Action Plan Goal: Address threats to key habitats and species, such as Gamble Oak and Mountain Shrub. Relevance: The project addresses fire risks and restores important shrub habitats that are critical for wildlife species in the region. Support: By reducing fire risk and improving habitat diversity, the project supports broader conservation goals outlined in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan. 12. State of Utah Resource Management Plan Goal: Conserve, restore, and improve habitat for mule deer and other wildlife. Relevance: Your project will directly contribute to the conservation of valuable wildlife habitats, especially for mule deer, by removing pinyon-juniper encroachment and improving habitat conditions. Support: This project will help achieve state goals to improve habitat quality across 500,000 acres of crucial mule deer range. 13. Washington County Resource Management Plan Goal: Manage vegetative treatments for maximum forage yield and rangeland health. Relevance: The project supports these goals by promoting healthy rangelands and improving forage production for both wildlife and livestock. Support: The project enhances rangeland health, benefiting both landowners and wildlife.

Water Resources Protection Springs and Wetlands: The project will help protect springs and wetlands from the adverse impacts of high-severity wildfires. A wildfire could: Decrease water infiltration into soils, leading to erosion. Increase sedimentation and decrease the ability of the landscape to absorb and store water. Lower spring flows and reduce water quality. By mitigating the fire threat, this project helps preserve water resources and supports the ecological health of the area. Wildlife and Habitat Protection Critical Habitat for Mule Deer and Elk: The project directly supports habitat restoration for mule deer and elk, both of which rely on lowland sagebrush and mountain brush habitats. The 2015-2025 Utah Wildlife Action Plan identifies inappropriate fire frequency and intensity as a major threat to these key habitats. By reducing the wildfire threat, this project helps safeguard the habitat these species depend on. Sagebrush and Mountain Brush: These habitat types are crucial for wildlife, particularly for migration corridors and winter ranges. This project will reduce fire risks in these areas, protecting critical sagebrush-steppe and mountain brush habitats. Broader Benefits Ecosystem Resilience: The reduction of wildfire risk ensures the area can better withstand future disturbances and maintain a stable ecosystem. The focus on maintaining diverse vegetation and fuel breaks promotes long-term habitat stability for wildlife, helping maintain healthy populations of mule deer, elk, and other species. Long-Term Sustainability: By reducing the fire risk and enhancing the ability of the land to recover from disturbances, this project will contribute to the sustainability of the region's ecosystems, water resources, and wildlife populations over the long term. Conclusion This project is not only a fire risk reduction initiative but also a proactive conservation effort that addresses several ecological threats. By reducing wildfire severity and promoting habitat health, it will benefit both human communities and wildlife populations in the area, ensuring the long-term resilience of both natural and managed landscapes.

Hydrological Benefits Increased Stream Flows: Reducing pinyon and juniper trees will lead to increased and prolonged stream flows. As these trees consume large amounts of water, their removal will allow more water to remain in the system, ultimately benefiting the local watershed. Soil Moisture and Spring Flow: Several studies highlight the positive effects of pinyon/juniper removal on water retention. Kormas et al. (study on drainage areas) found that juniper-dominated catchments lose more water to evapotranspiration and experience earlier snowmelt, whereas sagebrush steppe vegetation retains water more effectively. Deboodt et al. (2008) showed that juniper trees can use up to 30 gallons of water per day, and by removing junipers, late-season spring flow increased by 225%, groundwater levels were higher, and soil moisture availability increased by an average of 41 days. Baker et al. (1984) found a 157% increase in stream flow following pinyon/juniper treatment over 147 hectares. Roundy et al. (2014) observed that mechanical treatments to remove pinyon and juniper extended the time that soil water remained available, with up to 18 additional days of soil moisture availability. Snowpack and Moisture Retention: Research by Roth et al. (2017) indicates that the snowpack is deeper and lasts longer in open areas compared to areas with dense juniper coverage. In low and mid-elevation sites, snow remained for 4-26 days longer, improving the water availability later into the season. Soil and Vegetation Benefits: Young et al. (2013) also found that removing juniper trees improved soil moisture availability and encouraged more favorable soil climates for desired vegetation, ultimately leading to better water retention. Water Quality Improvement Erosion Control and Reduced Sedimentation: The reduction of pinyon and juniper trees, followed by mulching and seed establishment, will stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. This will result in fewer sediments flowing into the North Fork Virgin River, improving water quality. Reduction in E. coli Levels: By removing livestock from riparian areas and providing alternative forage sources in upland areas, the project will help reduce livestock-related contamination of the water, especially in terms of E. coli. The data gathered during the two growing seasons when livestock are excluded will help identify the specific sources of E. coli, improving future management and mitigation strategies. Improved Infiltration and Water Quality: Numerous studies show that increasing soil infiltration rates and reducing overland flow enhances both water quantity and quality. This project will likely see similar improvements in soil water infiltration, reducing the likelihood of sediment and contaminants entering water systems. Long-Term Ecological and Hydrological Outcomes Increased Snowpack and Extended Snow Duration: As observed in previous studies, tree removal promotes the accumulation and retention of snow, which gradually melts, providing a more stable source of water during the growing season. This results in improved water availability during the late spring and summer months when water is most needed. Enhanced Vegetation Growth: With the reduction in pinyon/juniper encroachment, native grasses, shrubs, and other beneficial vegetation will have a better opportunity to grow. These plants help to retain soil moisture, increase groundwater recharge, and further improve the water cycle by limiting evaporation and promoting water infiltration. Conclusion By reducing pinyon/juniper cover in this area, the project is expected to yield substantial hydrological and water quality improvements. These outcomes include enhanced stream flows, increased soil moisture retention, prolonged snowpack, and reduced erosion and sedimentation. Based on existing research, these benefits are anticipated to have lasting positive effects on the local watershed, wildlife habitats, and overall ecosystem health.

It's reassuring to know that this project will meet the necessary standards and specifications from both the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). By following the NRCS guidelines, the project will be implemented in a way that ensures the protection and enhancement of both environmental and cultural resources. The adherence to NRCS standards means that all necessary environmental and cultural evaluations and clearances will be conducted, addressing potential concerns and ensuring compliance with regulations. This will help minimize any risks or impacts to sensitive habitats, wildlife species, and cultural resources within the project area. The involvement of site managers who will author, oversee, and inspect the project further ensures that it is properly implemented and maintained. Their oversight will be critical in ensuring the success of the treatment measures and the long-term sustainability of the project outcomes. Additionally, using State of Utah contracting allows for clear lines of accountability and enables local expertise to guide the project's execution. With these safeguards in place, it is clear that this project will be both beneficial to the land and wildlife, as well as compliant with all necessary regulations and standards.

The seeding of a diversified mix of grasses and forbs will be done before mastication in early fall, ensuring that the soil is primed for seed establishment during the cooler and more optimal growing season. Sourcing the seed from the Great Basin Research Center (GBRC) is a good choice, as their selections are tailored to the local environment and should perform well in the long-term.

Area will be monitor area forester through photo plots.

Washington County Water Conservancy District, Washington County Fire Warden

No grazing for 2 growing seasons. Properties are summer residences, wildlife and aesthetics are top properties.

Wildlife Habitat and Hunting Opportunities: Deer and Elk Herds: The Zion unit's wildlife is vital for both hunting and wildlife viewing, making it a significant asset for the state of Utah. With around 15,000 mule deer and a notable population of elk, the area supports one of the premier general-season deer hunting units in the state. These hunting opportunities are critical for sustaining the local economy and maintaining rural community incomes tied to hunting and wildlife-based tourism. Turkeys: The presence of turkeys further supports both hunting and recreational wildlife viewing. Youth hunting opportunities with reduced hunting pressure contribute to wildlife management goals and community engagement with conservation. Economic Impact of Hunting and Wildlife Viewing: By improving and maintaining wildlife habitat, the project supports tourism and recreational activities that directly benefit local economies. Hunting, wildlife viewing, and associated tourism create job opportunities, encourage spending in rural communities, and help maintain cultural and environmental ties to the land. Recreational Use and Viewscape: High-Use Non-Consumptive Recreation: The area is a popular site for non-consumptive recreational activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, camping, and photography. By maintaining a diverse range of vegetative states, the project supports the area's natural beauty, ensuring that the viewscape remains pristine and visually appealing for recreational users. This is important for sustaining the long-term popularity of the area among tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Landscape Resilience: Managing for a diverse landscape helps to protect the viewscape and ensures that the area's visual and ecological integrity is preserved for future generations. This is particularly important for areas with high recreational visitation, where the natural scenery is a key part of the overall experience. This project is a win-win for both wildlife and local communities. It strengthens the economy through tourism and wildlife-based recreation, while also improving the health and resilience of the landscape, protecting water quality, and enhancing habitat for a variety of species. By fostering collaboration between landowners, agencies, and stakeholders, the project provides a comprehensive approach to land and wildlife management that supports the needs of both people and wildlife in the region.