The Price River and its tributaries provide critical resources and habitat to the human, plant, and animal communities of Southeastern Utah. The Upper Price River watershed - which includes the Beaver Creek drainage and Price River Meadows - is a vital piece of the hydrologic health of the Price River system. This project would extend and build on the goals of previous work in the area (including many past projects funded in part by WRI) to further enhance the resilience of this region to severe wildfire and ecosystem degradation. The three main prongs of this project are (1) Low Tech Process Based Restoration in Beaver Creek, (2) Forest Health Treatments in the Beaver Creek Drainage, and (3) Price River Meadows Restoration. These components were designed to complement each other and provide enhanced connectivity of resilient ecosystems within the Upper Price River watershed. The needs for each component are further described below. Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: The Beaver Creek drainage is an area of high wildfire risk, and contains steep areas of aspen stands with significant conifer encroachment. Many of the stands are considered to be in the late seral stage making them more prone to stand replacing wildfires. Aspen-dominant natural communities provide valuable forage for wildlife, including deer, elk and many species of birds. Pure aspen stands also represent a decreased wildfire risk compared to stands with a significant conifer component. Treating these areas by removing the conifer component with hand crews will reduce risk of severe wildfire, and provide aspen communities a greater chance of regenerating naturally. Price River Meadows Restoration: The Price River is one of Eastern Utah's most important water resources, providing for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses. The communities of Helper, Price, and Wellington, Utah all rely on the Price River to sustain them in Utah's harsh San Rafael Desert. As drought and resource development push the water resources of the Colorado River to their maximum the water quality of these resources becomes paramount. The Price River is currently listed on the EPA's 303(d) list of impaired bodies of water for a lack of Dissolved Oxygen, high total dissolved solids, as well as increased levels of Selenium, boron, and ammonium in its lower reaches. Planning, project implementation, and resource management have become important avenues to further improve water quality and the sustainability of these resources and the communities that rely on them. The Price River Meadows Stream Restoration Project represents an important opportunity to further these management objectives. Today the Price River through the project reach is designated as impaired due to a lack of dissolved oxygen possibly attributed to heavy sedimentation, high nutrient loading from grazing activities, and increased instream vegetation growth. Downstream from the project reach water quality is impaired due to excessive TDS loading contributed, in part, by excessive bank erosion from the Price River Meadows. Efforts to measure this bank erosion suggest a minimum of one foot of linear bank erosion per year. Altered flows due to upstream reservoirs have further exacerbated issues caused by grazing practices and bank erosion, reducing sediment transport capacity, and further reducing dissolved oxygen content, aquatic habitat, and water quality. Planning through the Price River Watershed Conservation District has been undertaken to address these concerns through the Price River Meadows Stream Restoration Project. Trout Unlimited has worked closely with the Conservation District, the landowner, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Department of Water Quality, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine a viable plan for stream restoration. These plans have been included in the Price River Watershed Plan, administered by the Conservation District. The local conservation workgroup including the San Rafael and Green River Conservation Districts, in concert with the Price River Conservation District, determined that Soil Health and Water Quality and Quantity were both resource concerns designated for potential management. This project has been identified as one that can further these management plans and protect against these resource concerns through stream restoration. Stream restoration, including bank stabilization, floodplain connectivity, and grazing management within the project reach will have significant benefits for the Price River and downstream water quality. Providing stream bank stabilization and floodplain connectivity will allow the Price River to function more naturally within the Price River Meadows. Currently, variable flows, sustained high flows for irrigation, and grazing use have caused bank erosion, stream widening, poor sediment transport, and minimal stream bank stability due to a lack of vegetation and natural stream function. Restoration construction will return the Price River to a more natural channel and floodplain. Floodplain connectivity, in particular, will spread water out and reduce the high energy flows that are causing significant erosion. Grazing management will allow for bank revegetation and allow for further stabilization of the river's natural progression. A reduction in stream bank erosion and stream channel widening will promote more natural sediment and nutrient transport, reducing instream vegetation and sedimentation while increasing dissolved oxygen. Additionally the 2021 Bear Canyon fire resulted in post-fire erosion and flooding, which has had severe impacts on downstream water infrastructure, road infrastructure and rural communities such as Helper, Price, and Wellington. Ecosystem function has been limited due to the entrenchment of streams, heavy sediment loading, and degraded water quality. In the sagebrush biome, wet habitats comprise less than two percent of the landscape, yet provide critical ecosystem resources. These habitats improve landscape-level resilience to wildfire, and support a diversity of forb species that in turn support a variety of wildlife species. The proposed project actions within the Price River wet meadows include bank stabilization, grazing management, and aquatic habitat construction, which will help to combat negative effects of post-fire ecosystem degradation and support future resilience of this vital ecosystem resource. Beaver Creek LTPBR: Beaver Creek is an important tributary of the Price River, and like many of the Price River tributaries, is exhibiting channel incision, a decrease of floodplain connectivity, and subsequent degradation of riparian health. Functional stream and wet meadow habitat is crucial for healthy plant and wildlife communities, particularly in low-moisture biomes like sage-dominant ecosystems. Investing in the health of Beaver Creek by addressing these concerns through the proposed actions (riparian fencing of sensitive areas, planting native vegetation in the riparian corridor, and construction of BDAs to increase floodplain connectivity over time) will serve to improve riparian health in Beaver Creek, which in turn contributes to the overall health of the Price River system. Pollinators: Aspen and riparian habitat types are some of the most forb diverse habitats of all habitat types and critically important to many pollinating species. For this project we added Monarch butterfly as directly benefitting, primarily the Price River Meadows portion of the project. Riparian corridors are important migratory routes for Monarchs and important nectar sources.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: O1: Restoring degraded forest ecosystems and enhancing overall forest health by reducing stand densities through conifer cutting, piling, and burning to promote resilient forest. O2: Reducing fuel loads and promoting fire-resilient vegetation (aspen) to mitigate the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires. O3: Protect infrastructure at risk in drainage. Price River Meadows: There are four major objectives associated with the Price River Meadows Stream Restoration Project. First, the reduction of stream bank erosion on a mile of the Price River and over 3,000 ft of cut banks. Second, an increase in riparian vegetation on a minimum of 20 acres of riparian and upland corridors. Third, an increase in dissolved oxygen (DO) content in the Price River through the project reach. And finally, an increase in aquatic habitat for native and sport fish in a mile of the price river. Stream bank erosion in the project reach has driven management planning throughout and will be critical to realizing all four of the goals outlined above. Reducing this erosion will contribute to downstream water quality, soil health, grazing capacity, and the other objectives of this project including aquatic habitat and dissolved oxygen content. A reduction in stream bank erosion will be realized using three specific best management practices, floodplain bench excavation, toe wood bank stabilization, and riparian fencing and grazing management. The first two include active steam restoration and construction. The excavation of floodplain benches, bank sloping, erosion control fabric installation, cobble armoring, and riparian plantings will provide for more floodplain connectivity allowing water to slow down, spread out, and reduce the energy causing stream bank erosion. This treatment will be performed on outside banks where heavy erosion is occurring, and little to no floodplain connectivity is present. A 6 to 10 ft wide floodplain bench will be excavated and backfilled with stream cobble, designed to create an inset floodplain. The outside bank beyond the floodplain bench will be sloped at a 3 to 1 angle. Erosion control fabric and willow stake plantings will be utilized on the sloped outside bank for further stabilization. In areas experiencing particularly high energy flows toe wood may be implemented to further protect and stabilize riverbanks. Please see the attached construction plans that outline areas of treatment for Phase 1 of this project. Stream bank erosion will be further realized through grazing management and a reductio in grazing use. An increase in riparian vegetation through more active grazing management will further stabilize banks and hold vulnerable soils. Grazing management through rotation and grazing timing will also provide more opportunities to increase grazing capacity and the quality of grazing for the landowner. High production lands currently being lost due to stream bank erosion will be protected by this bank stabilization. Please see the attached map outline riparian fencing plans. Note that the project reach is divided into two riparian pastures that may be grazed on a rotational basis, or at different times of the grazing season. An increase in dissolved oxygen and aquatic habitat will be realized primarily as a result of stream bank stabilization and an increase in riverine function. Improving riverine function will halt channel widening and shallowing which has caused poor sediment transport and increased instream vegetation. Natural sediment transport will increase the pore space between cobbles and gravels in the stream, increasing dissolved oxygen. Sediment transport and natural riverine function will increase pool depth, and run, glide, and riffle dimensions important for aquatic species such as native trout and sport fish. The installation of habitat such as boulder clusters where possible may further provide holding and rearing cover for these fish species. The timeline for realizing these goals is provided in a detailed Gant chart in the documents portion of this proposal. Road access construction, permitting, engineering finalization, and fence construction will commence in the spring and early summer of 2026. Phase One construction will be performed in the fall and winter of 2026. Additional engineering and planning for additional construction phases will be performed concurrently with construction and into the summer of 2027. It is expected that due to the proximity of the Railroad, professional engineering will be required to further stream restoration downstream of Phase One. The target date for construction of Phase Two will take place in the fall and winter of 2027. Evaluation of the successes of Phase One in 2027 and 2028 will drive further investment and construction throughout the Price River Meadows extending downstream to the Emma Park Road crossing. Beaver Creek LTPBR There are three primary objectives for continued restoration of Beaver Creek in the Price River drainage. The first is the reconnection of the floodplain in Beaver Creek to promote additional riparian vegetation growth and reduce erosion and stream entrenchment. The second is the encouragement of the expansion of beaver populations within Beaver Creek from current populations or through transportation of beavers into the drainage. And the third objective is an increase in aquatic habitat for fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: The beaver creek drainage is categorized as high risk for a catastrophic wildfire. Many of the forest stands are considered to be in the late seral stage which is conducive of stand replacing wildfires. This area is critical because it contains extensive cabin and infrastructure and is one of the few parts of the drainage that was not been affected by the 2021 Bear Fire. The high-risk areas need immediate fuel reduction treatments to prevent a catastrophic fire that is expected to cause similar, devastating erosion and sediment impacts as the 2021 Bear Fire. Price River Meadows: The Price River Meadows Stream Restoration project is located below the confluence of Lower Fish Creek and the White River, on the north side of Highway Six. The Meadows comprise a stretch of the Price River approximately 4 miles long between Colton Bridge (highway 6) and the Emma Park Road Bridge crossing. This first phase of restoration will take place in the first mile of stream, just below the Colton Bridge crossing. Restoration in this reach of the Price River has been a priority of local partners and Trout Unlimited for years. The opportunity for restoration and habitat improvement is high. Changes in landownership and continued momentum for water conservation and stream restoration in the Price River has continued for the past decade driving everything from river restoration and fish passage projects in Helper, Utah, to wet meadow restoration in the Emma Park high elevation meadows. Loca projects such as these combined with winter flow stabilization on the Price River flowing from Scofield Reservoir make this the opportune time to tackle stream restoration in the Price River Meadows. Furthermore, water quality concerns have persisted in the Price River particularly following the 2021 Bear Canyon Fire and heavy runoff in the spring of 2023. Listed on the EPA's 303(d) list for impaired bodies of water the lower Price River continues to experience water quality issues stemming from High Total Dissolved Solids while the project reach is impaired due to low Dissolved Oxygen content. Improving water quality is of paramount importance to local water users and communities in Utah's harsh southeast deserts; as drought persists and water resources fluctuate, the quality of these resources becomes more critical. This project will directly provide for additional resilience of these resources and the users that depend on them. Additional reasons to tackle restoration now include landowner willingness to provide walk in angling opportunities for public access if restoration is implemented. This stretch of the Price River in conjunction with restoration, access changes, and new stabilized winter flows could become a wonderful sport-fishery for local residents and provide economic opportunities for tourism from traveling anglers. Beaver Creek LTPBR: Beaver Creek in the Price River drainage represents a unique are of restoration potential and habitat expansion in a functioning tributary of the Price River. Because some reaches of Beaver Creek offer already high riparian function, improving overall drainage stability through LTPBR is a great opportunity to act on low hanging fruit restoration opportunities. As one of the few significant drainages in the Price River that was not impacted by the Bear Canyon Fire in 2021 Beaver Creek provides a haven of wildlife habitat, water quality, and stability for the Price River. Maintaining this stability and improving upon it offers a valuable restoration opportunity that provides realistic expansion of stream function, not simply the stabilization of poorly functioning watershed. Waiting for continued degradation to warrant larger expenditure and greater habitat improvement needs would be a mistake and poor investment strategy. . If no action is taken habitat degradation including a loss of riparian habitat and channel entrenchment could spread to areas currently functioning properly. Poor riparian habitat and stream function may also further decrease the capacity of Beaver Creek for grazing and agricultural use. It may reduce the drainage's resiliency to drought and intense wildfire; wildfires could further decrease stream function through flooding and heavy erosion. Restoration momentum exists and seizing upon current interests in the drainage as a whole is an important aspect of conservation as well as the technical ability and need.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: This project supports the following key strategy's outlined in the Utah forest action plan Strategy 1. is restore healthy and resilient trees and forests across Utah. Strategy 2. Reduce wildfire risk to communities, water resources, and other natural resource values). Strategy 3. Increase collaborative landscape scale projects across the State. Price River Meadows: - The Carbon County Resource Management Plan directly outlines several policies and practices in conjunction with the practices proposed by this project. Carbon County "supports land use practices which promote proper ground cover to prevent erosion. And encourages public land management agencies to restore damaged areas." The Carbon County RMP also supports the "encouragement of rangeland improvement projects, including livestock water developments." Spring developments and stream restoration will accomplish these goals and meet Carbon County policies. Carbon County "supports projects to increase water quality and or quantity in the county." And the county specifically details "the value of water quality for human health and safety as well as ecological health." - The Price River Watershed Coordinated Resource Management Plan outlines Total Maximum Daily Loading issues within the mainstem of the Price River including Total Dissolved Solid loadings and decreased dissolved oxygen loadings. One possible project to address TMDL exceedances within the watershed is outlined as follows, "improve riparian condition through grazing management and the establishment of wetland species." This project will promote riparian vegetation and wetland establishment through the implementation of best management practices. - The Utah Wildlife Action plan lists improper grazing or excessive grazing as a medium to high impact potential for many key habitats in the state including Lower Montane Mixed Conifer, Lowland Sagebrush, Mountain sagebrush, and many other habitats including riparian corridors such as those associated with the Project Reach along the Price River. This project will promote more conscientious grazing in the project reach. The Utah Wildlife Action Plan (2025--2035) highlights the importance of maintaining healthy forests and riparian corridors as critical habitats for wildlife, noting that "declines in forest health from wildfire, insects, disease, and invasive species reduce forage and cover for many species" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). It stresses that "restoring forested areas is essential because they supply many ecosystem services" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). Riparian areas are described as "disproportionately valuable ecosystems that support high biodiversity," yet they remain vulnerable to "degradation from grazing, development, and altered hydrology"; to address this, the plan recommends "stream restoration, bank stabilization, and floodplain reconnection to improve riparian function" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). Increasing riparian health, productivity of flora and fauna, and water quality is identified as "one of the key objectives in this plan" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). Erosion is also recognized as a primary threat, with the plan warning that "loss of perennial vegetation accelerates soil loss and sedimentation in streams." To counter these impacts, it encourages "revegetation, erosion control structures, and beaverassisted restoration to slow water and trap sediment" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). Finally, water quality is emphasized as a limiting factor, with threats including "nutrient loading, sedimentation, and reduced flows"; strategies such as "wetland restoration, riparian buffer establishment, and improved watershed management" are recommended to protect and enhance water quality (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025). Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. (2025). Utah Wildlife Action Plan, 2025--2035. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources. Retrieved from https://wildlife.utah.gov/wildlife-action-plan.html - The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan denotes that "when [mule deer] forage contains only limited amounts of water, access to drinking water becomes important. The special distribution of mule deer populations is often positively associated with the availability of water in arid regions of Western North America. Restoration best management practices (BMP's) proposed in this project would increase the drought resiliency and water quality of water sources for mule deer, an important factor in population resiliency as noted by the statewide management plan. Continued The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan (2025--2030) also points out that healthy streams and wetlands are just as important for mule deer as the open ranges we usually think of. It explains that "riparian restoration projects that improve stream function and water availability are essential to mule deer habitat in Utah" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2024). In other words, when water slows down and spreads out, it creates the kind of diverse vegetation and cover mule deer depend on. The plan also reminds us that "vegetation treatments that reduce erosion and stabilize soils contribute to healthier ranges and more sustainable mule deer populations" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2024). That's a simple but powerful idea: keeping soil in place means keeping food and shelter available. Finally, it stresses that "water developments and stream restoration projects should be prioritized in areas where natural water sources are limited" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2024). Taken together, these strategies show how closely mule deer survival is tied to the health of streams, soils, and the water that runs through them. This plan will improve Habitat for big and small game and Species of Least Concern (LC) Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. (2024). Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan, 2025--2030. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources. Retrieved from https://wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/rac_minutes/2024-11-mule-deer-statewide-management-plan-2025-30.pdf Beaver Creek LTPBR: In addition to management plans listed above: - The Utah Beaver Management Plan details habitat restoration Objective Two as promoting beaver-assisted restoration activities in areas where beaver activity can be expanded upon. Beavers in Beaver Creek provide the majority of the functioning watershed and riparian habitat. In short segments Beavers have created a healthy riparian forest, and provide for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. This project would directly work through Objective Two, incentivizing beaver-assisted restoration in areas of Beaver creek currently devoid of populations. "* Consider using beaver as a stream restoration tool * Beaver are a good tool that could be used to restore degraded riparian communities that could benefit many other wildlife species * Potential benefits of aspen/cottonwood restoration in improving beaver habitat." According to the Utah Beaver Management Plan (2010--2020), "beavers are a tool that is highly beneficial to riparian conditions through creation of deep pools and diversity in stream flow and connectivity" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2010). Their dam building activities "reduce erosion impacts by promoting diverse riparian flora and provide benefits to wildlife" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2010), including a broad list of species found in the Southeastern Region. The plan further notes that "other benefits include stabilization of banks, potential for meadow subbing, and reconnection to the floodplain" (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2010). Collectively, these processes strengthen hydrological function, increase habitat complexity, and improve resilience to both drought and flood events. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. (2010). Utah Beaver Management Plan, 2010--2020. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources. Retrieved from https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/furbearer/beaver_plan_2010-2020.pdf

Price River Meadows Stream Restoration The lower price river canyon has seen severe wildfires and post fire flooding since the Bear Canyon fire swept through in 2021. Post fire flooding effects have had severe impacts on downstream water infrastructure, road infrastructure and rural communities such as Helper, Price, and Wellington, Utah. Ecosystem function has been limited due to these floods as well as streams are entrenched and channelized, heavy sediment loading causes habitat destruction, and water quality is degraded. The Price River Meadows Restoration project offers habitat improvements in an important haven of ecosystem function above the 2021 burn area where fish and wildlife may still find functionable habitat. Furthermore, healthy riparian vegetation and streams within a high elevation steppe environment such as the Price River Meadows are important fire breaks and zones of stability if a fire were to impact the Upper Price River Watershed. Forested tributaries that drain into this reach of the Price River and the White River, just upstream of the project area, are considered at high or moderate risk of wildfire by the Utah Wildfire Risk Explorer provided by the DNR. Proper river function for sediment transport and floodplain connectivity through the Price River Meadows would provide for habitat resiliency in the event of fires even upstream of the project reach. Floods as a result of fires within this drainage would be less severe and damaging through the Price River Meadows with adequate sediment transport capacity and floodplain connectivity. Without restoration, floods from post fire burns could be expected to cause additional heavy bank erosion, further entrenchment, and poor water quality downstream. Beaver Creek The area, according to Utah's Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal, is at a high risk of catastrophic wildfire in many parts of the drainage. Much of the drainage that has not been burned in recent wildfires is composed of late seral conifer stands that are verry conducive to wildfire. The Beaver Creek Drainage was not effected by the Bear Fire and is of particularly high risk and has cabins and infrastructure that would be effected negatively if a fire were to occur. The drainage was already significantly impacted by the 2021 Bear Fire (12,174 acres), which caused severe erosion and sediment input to the Price River. As well as increased establishment of invasive species, primarily musk thistle, post-fire. Due to the fire intensity there has been little to no forest recruitment in many areas, which is contributing to long-term erosion. The project is designed to reduce wildfire risk by removing fuels and improving wetland areas.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: Thinning the conifer component our of aspen stands would have a positive effect on overall health of the watershed. In a 2005 and 2006 study published in 'Ecosystems', measurements of snow water accumulation, snow ablation (melting), soil water content, snowpack sublimation, and evapotranspiration (ET) were measured in adjacent aspen and conifer stands. Peak snow water equivalent (SWE) averaged 34-44% higher in aspen in 2005 (average snowfall) and 2006 (above average snowfall), respectively, whereas snow ablation rates were greater in aspen stands (21 mm day) compared to conifer stands (11 mm day). When changes in soil water content (due to over-winter snowmelt) were combined with peak snow accumulation in 2006, aspen had greater potential (42-83%) water yield for runoff and groundwater recharge (LaMalfa and Ryle, 2008). Aspen treatments may have an important and critical role in water quality and quantity changes. Aspen forests are also considered a benefit to watershed conditions compared to conifer forest, with studies in Utah documenting higher snow water equivalents and greater potential water yield (Burke and Kasahara 2011, LaMalfa and Ryle 2008). Price River Meadows: Improvements to water quality have been the driving force in local planning and community interest for the Price River Meadows Restoration Project. The heavy sediment loading being provided to the Price River from the meadows due to poor stream hydrologic function and limited riparian vegetation has caused downstream water quality concerns and continued limitations to irrigation infrastructure. This project is designed to combat these water quality concerns, primarily through the stabilization of eroding stream banks and an increase in floodplain connectivity and stream function. The Best Management Practices employed in this project have been specifically chosen to further these goals. Riparian fencing and grazing timing and rotation management will significantly increase riparian vegetation and reduce the stress put on fine sediment banks by hoof shear and grazing use. More detailed grazing management will also reduce phosphorus and nitrogen inputs to the Price River. Construction of bankfull cobblestone benches that reduce outside shear stress on fine sediment banks during high flows and sustained irrigation flows will fortify these eroding banks while providing natural stream function during high flows and floods. The EPA's PLET tool provides an important potential estimate of these pollutant reductions through modeling. For the Price River Meadows Stream Restoration project through the use of Grazing Management, Stream Bank Stabilization, and Riparian Plantings BMP's show an estimated pollution reduction of .82 Effluent for Nitrogen, .8 Effluent for Phosphorus, and .8 Effluent for Sediment. Limiting factors for native fish and aquatic species through the project reach in the past has been limited due to low stream flows caused by muted flows from upstream water infrastructure particularly during winter months. However, Trout Unlimited in partnership with downstream water users and the state of Utah have worked hard on increasing winter flows to a minimum standard for native and sport fish sustainability. Due to these efforts this project represents an excellent effort to extend the impact of these flows by improving the stream and habitat that the water flows through. Beaver Creek LTPBR The Price River below Beaver Creek is currently listed on the EPA's 303d list of impaired bodies of water for low dissolved oxygen content. One factor that may be causing such dissolved oxygen levels and water quality impairments in the presence of sediment and the altering geomorphologic stream function that this sediment causes. Beaver Creek is one source of this fine sediment, and restoration efforts will further help reduce the erosion and transport of this sediment into the Price River. The best management practices employed in Beaver Creek will work to increase floodplain connectivity, slow water down, reduce erosion, and capture this sediment. Restoration efforts with Beaver Dam Analogs have been shown to improve the aquatic habitat and carrying capacity of water by creating pools, stream complexity, and additional riparian shade that cools water down. Cooler water temperatures favor important aquatic fish and insects and increases the durability of a stream against drought. Restoration efforts may also raise base flows in Beaver Creek itself. Beaver dam analogs have been shown to increase groundwater recharge and consequently, base flows in times of low flow and drought. Today Beaver Creek is considered a losing stream, with flows diminished closer to the Price River. Restoration efforts may increase these flows, particularly later in the year providing for drought resiliency and aquatic and terrestrial habitat improvement in areas currently devoid of significant late season flows. An increase in water in the later season will also increase the working capability of these lands, providing for stock water in areas lower in the stream where grazing is common.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: Because thinning work will be done by hand crews and not require heavy machinery, archaeological clearance is not needed for the forest health portion of this project. Price River Meadows and Beaver Creek LTPBR: Restoration efforts on the Price River are expected to require both state and federal stream alteration permits. These permits will be sought through the PGP 10 permitting process and the Nation Wide 27 permitting process as required for compliance with both the state of Utah and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Partners contributing to this proposal including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Trout Unlimited, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, have significant experience applying for and working under both state and federal stream alteration permits. The project scope will be surveyed and planned in detail with landowners and relevant partners to streamline permitting work and provide detailed plans as required by regulators. Cultural resource compliance for Nation Wide Permitting through the US Army Corps of Engineers may be required as well. State archeologists will be utilized to perform on-site cultural surveys and literary reviews as required. In the past, implementation of low-tech process-based restoration practices, such as beaver dam analogs have been required to apply for a temporary water right. If need be, the project manager will apply for this temporary water right. Several partners included in this project have a history of working with the Utah Division of Water Rights on similar projects and have performed temporary water right applications with regards to stream restoration before.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: In the polygons identified for aspen treatments, removal of conifer trees will be accomplished with hand crews. Utah Conservation Corps teams, FFSL seasonal in-house fuels crew, or another contract crew will complete the thinning. This will be done by felling desired conifer tree species in the treatment polygon areas with chainsaws, and piling woody debris to be burned when conditions allow. Price River Meadows: Restoration on this reach of the Price River is driven by bank stabilization needs at runoff flows and at high, unnatural, sustained flows for irrigation. For this reason three primary restoration methods are going to be employed to restore banks and prevent further erosion. Stabilizing banks and promoting proper riverine function will further promote sediment transport and natural channel function, causing additional lateral scour pools, aquatic habitat, and so forth. The three primary methods to be employed for stream restoration are detailed further below. First will be the construction of cobbled bankfull benches at the elevation of sustained irrigation flows. These benches will provide armored banks and an inset floodplain for water to slow down on during sustained irrigation flows that currently cause significant erosion over the course of the summer months. Restoration will include the excavation of benches on the banks experiencing heavy erosion. This excavation will be below the sustained irrigation flow level, then cobble will be backfilled onto these benches to the elevation of these flows to provide security from erosion and an inset floodplain for water to spread out on. The banks on the outside of the benches will be sloped, erosion control fabric will be installed, and riparian plantings and seedings will be performed. The second method for restoration and streambank stabilization will be the use of toe wood and root wads in areas experiencing particularly high velocity flows. These areas will have logs and roots installed on the outside bends at a bankfull bench level to provide protection and stabilization from these high flows and velocities. The third primary method of restoration that will be used is the use of riparian fencing and grazing management. The riparian corridor through the Price River Meadows will be fenced into two separate riparian pastures. These pastures will be rested for a minimum of two years following stream restoration construction to allow for natural vegetation growth and bank stabilization. Following this rest period grazing will be performed on a rotational or seasonal basis, allowing for only minimal periods of grazing in the fall. These changes in grazing management will have a significant impact on bank stabilization through riparian vegetation growth. Beaver Creek LTPBR: Primary stream restoration in the Beaver Creek drainage will include the construction of an estimated 50 Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA) in areas of Beaver Creek that have seen channelization, a loss of floodplain connectivity, and a reduction of riparian vegetation. BDA's offer significant benefits for restoration of streams of this size, further detailed below. - BDA's offer erosion control and sediment capture. These structures slow water down, decreasing the energy of high flows that cause excessive trenching and stream bank erosion. They also capture sediment and rebuild entrenched stream channels. - BDA's reconnect the stream with their extended floodplain. This means a stream will have access to their floodplain for energy dissipation and subirrigation for riparian vegetation growth. - Ponding caused by BDA's increase the groundwater recharge of flowing water, increasing late season flows. The ground surrounding BDA's and beaver ponds act like sponges, releasing their soaked-up water in the fall and during periods of drought. - Ponding also decreases water temperature. Deep water pools are cooler, and provide low temperature havens for fish such as trout.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: Aspen treatment areas will be documented with before and after treatment photos to allow for photo point monitoring in the future. Price River Meadows: Monitoring for successful stream restoration implementation will be performed in accordance with the objectives outlined previously in this project proposal. Primary monitoring will be done to determine the success of bank stabilization methods used and the degree of revegetation present following increased grazing management. The following activities will be performed to characterize the success of this project. - Photo points will be used to measure the success of revegetation throughout the project reach. Both ground photos, at specific locations, and areal imagery from drone flights will be used to characterize vegetation growth and density before and following project implementation. - Bank stabilization and outside bank erosion will be measured using drone flights and GPS Surveying before and after project implementation to determine the success of bank stabilization construction intent on reducing stream widening and outside bank erosion. Drone flights have been conducted and will be conducted after construction of new channel morphology. GPS points will be used following construction to measure any additional erosion not arrested through construction. - Two years after construction, given time for sediment transport and riverine function to return following stream restoration efforts, pool depths and cross-sectional surveys will be performed in the Project reach to determine the success of stream restoration for sediment transport, floodplain connectivity, and the creation of additional aquatic habitat. Beaver Creek LTPBR Low Tech Process Based Restoration work on Beaver Creek will be monitored primarily with photo-points and drone imagery over a period of at least 3 years. Additional on the ground monitoring will be performed to gauge the success of beaver reintroductions, or the movement of additional beavers from other portions of the stream. Temperature logging of before and after stream temperature data will be taken over the course of the spring, summer, and fall. Data from 2025 have been logged and successfully retrieved.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: Partners for the Forest Health portion of this project include private landowners, FFSL, and NRCS. Objectives for project work were determined through collaborative field visits, and alignment with goals of the local Conservation District and the Price River Watershed Plan. Price River Meadows: Local community partners have been integral in the planning of this project and in pursuing potential funding for its implementation. The local Conservation District has provided feedback and support for the project while including it as a priority project in the Price River Watershed Plan. They were also important partners in pursuing federal funding through the BOR's Bucket 2 Funding in 2024. This funding was awarded for the Price River Meadows Project, but has since been frozen. Conservation partners including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have spent time on the ground in the Price River Meadows, exploring current stream conditions, concerns, and potential projects that would help address these concerns. Current landowner interest in potentially providing walk-in access to this property for sport fishing have been integral in the continued partnership with the Utah DWR and potential use of their heavy equipment crew for construction. The Utah Department of Water Quality has provided past expertise and project experience to shape this project and the best management practices planned to meet the project goals. On the ground site visits have been critical in understanding concerns and outlining steps forward. Other partners include Utah Department of Ag and Food's Grazing Improvement Program, who have provided feedback regarding grazing management, riparian fencing, and potential funding. And Utah State University Eastern, who have helped survey the project reach using their drone technology in cooperation with their drone flight program, providing on the ground, real life experience for students outside of the classroom setting. Beaver Creek LTPBR A diverse group of partners have been supportive of the Price River Tributaries Restoration Project, providing insight and expertise regarding restoration planning, budgeting, and outreach. Utah DWR and US Fish and Wildlife Service have both provided great insight and helpful lessons learned from similar projects on the ground. The Price River Conservation District has offered guidance throughout the watershed on restoration opportunities and priorities. And Private landowners have been instrumental in providing support and interest in restoration activities.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: The long term goal is increasing landscape-level ecosystem connectivity, and watershed level resilience to wildfire, insect, disease, noxious weeds, and other ecological disturbance. This goal is shared by private landowners included in this proposal, and future management would include ongoing collaboration with them. Price River Meadows: This restoration project is the first step in a series of projects that will continue stream restoration efforts downstream from the Colton Bridge to the Emma Park Road Bridge. Planning for additional restoration will be based on monitoring, successes, and lessons learned through this first phase of the project. Additional restoration engineering will be performed by licensed engineers to meet requirements of drainage alterations and stream restoration within the railroad right of wat present downstream. Following restoration of the first reach of the Price River intensive grazing management will be utilized to further restoration efforts. For a minimum of two years following construction there will be no grazing within the newly fenced riparian pasture. Following these two years the riparian vegetation will be assessed. If deemed sufficient grazing will be performed on a limited seasonal basis, or rotational basis in the riparian pasture for a maximum of one month in the fall each year. Changes in grazing practices will benefit both the grazing capacity for late season grazing and riparian vegetation key to maintaining bank stability along the river. Further management will include current changes in winter flow regime and additional possibilities to increase baseflows in the Price River. Recent efforts by Trout Unlimited have resulted in a minimum flow of 3.5 cfs secured in Lower Fish Creek throughout the winter, combining with the white river to provide plentiful winter flows in the project reach for native trout and sportfish. Additional efforts by Trout Unlimited and the State of Utah have provided water conservation measures for downstream irrigators that have further increased this winter flow to 15 cfs, a significant habitat consideration for future native trout and sportfish interests in the project reach. Based on these changes in flows and an increase in sustainability for fish and wildlife in the Price River, now is an excellent time to act and increase habitat and stream function. Beaver Creek LTPBR Monitoring of restoration efforts in Beaver Creek will lead to additional restoration plans and an understanding of restoration needs. Primary monitoring will include vegetation monitoring for important riparian growth such as willows that will provide important habitat benefits for aquatic wildlife and opportunities for Beaver. Based upon monitoring results riparian fencing and changes in grazing management may be required to further reach project objectives and goals. Riparian fencing of a test reach is planned for the spring of 2026 and will show important differences in riparian health dependent upon grazing management changes.

Forest Health in Beaver Creek Drainage: Reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires is central to sustainable use of natural resources in the west. Forest health and fuels reduction treatments are a proactive approach to land management, addressing increasing wildfire risk associated with fuel loading. Price River Meadows: Water is the most important natural resource available in Southeast Utah. As drought and hydrologic conditions continue to limit these resources, the water quality of these resources becomes extremely important. This project will have significant effects on the water quality and riverine function of the Price River. A reduction in erosion, increased sediment transport, and increased floodplain connectivity will provide for these important water quality benefits. Downstream irrigation, municipalities, and industry will all benefit from these water quality benefits. Indian Head Ranch is a working cattle ranch that grazes thousands of head of cattle across the Price River drainage and the state of Utah. This project represents a small, but important portion of their property where water resources and grazing capacity overlap. Providing for grazing capacity, water quality, and watershed health is a priority of Indian Head Ranch and this project. Riparian fencing and seasonal and rotational grazing are an important phase of this restoration project. Riparian vegetation is key to both grazing capacity and water quality. This project will increase the opportunities for watershed and ecosystem function, while maintaining grazing opportunities for Indian Head Ranch. Beaver Creek LTPBR The Price River Tributaries Restoration Project can have a significant and durable impact on the natural resources and their uses within the project area. Stream restoration activities will increase riparian vegetation and vegetation diversity which will provide for more durable grazing opportunities. Stream restoration will also increase water quality and water quantity. Within the high desert ecosystem of Southeast Utah water is one of the most important natural resources for wildlife, human use, industrial use, and agricultural use. Increased durability of the watershed is an important factor in the long-term sustainability of the ecosystems and communities that rely on the Price River. Spring developments will increase the sustainability of stock water and big game water resources in the upland regions of Beaver Creek.