The Book Cliffs working group was formed to identify ways of improving mule deer populations and condition in the book cliffs. The group also identified various ways of benefitting other wildlife in the area, including bison and elk. This project includes several components identified by the Book Cliffs working group to improve habitat conditions: Mastication/Bullhog The Winter Ridge area of the book cliffs is utilized by bison, elk, mule deer, wild horses, and livestock. Available forage appears to be a limiting factor for all of these, particularly on dry years. Wildlife tracker data from the area (see documents tab) indicates that bison especially tend to utilize the areas that are more open than the conifer covered ridge tops targeted for treatment here. This data also indicates that smaller openings within larger forested areas are also utilized. This suggests that a clear-cut is not necessary to provide benefit to these wildlife species. As such, this project will leave larger trees (over ~12 in diameter) standing to maintain some cover and value to species that prefer wooded areas. It is anticipated that collar data post-treatment will show higher utilization from wildlife, especially bison, in these treatment areas. This effect is seen on the small areas that were previously treated when comparing 1 year pre-treatment to 1 year post-treatment (See images under the "documents" button on the "Images/Documents" page. GPS collar data on mule deer show that this area is in a migration corridor. By removing trees and seeding diverse grasses and forbs, migrating deer may linger in the treatment area for longer. Providing additional high-quality forage for migrating deer should improve fat reserves and increase winter survival rates, as well as subsequent birth weights and survival of fawns born to those deer. This area was previously presented and funded, but the contractor we ended up with was unable to complete the work and funding wasn't carried over. I am proposing the work again, hoping we can finally get it done. Tebuthiuron Herbicide The Book Cliffs area is very limited in summer range, and much of the summer range is covered in sagebrush. While sagebrush is important for many species, it is not a primary food source for mule deer, elk, or bison during summers when those species are on these ranges. By treating selected areas with Tebuthiuron herbicide we will reduce sagebrush cover on these parcels, creating pockets where the existing grasses and forbs can thrive and provide increased forage for the many species utilizing these areas. Harrow Treatment and seeding Similar to the Tebuthiuron herbicide treatment above, the harrow treatment seeks to increase forage from grasses and forbs and reduce cover of sagebrush in areas where it is not utilized by game species in the summer. Unlike the tebuthiuron treatment, which only results in new growth of existing understory vegetation, the harrow treatment will seed additional desirable species intended to provide increased forage especially for mule deer. Invasive Tamarisk Treatment: Hire a youth conservation corp. to continue treatment of invasive tamarisk on our Willow Creek WMA. The remote location of the project and the difficulty in accessing the tamarisk has made the best option of treatment a chainsaw crew that will remove the tamarisk by hand. With the range improvements that have taken place in previous phases of the Willow Watershed Habitat improvements, it is important to keep momentum for treating tamarisk. Currently, about 10 of 40 acres of high density tamarisk have been treated along with 100 plus acres of low density tamarisk in the WMA. This component of the project is part of a B2E application that has not been funded yet. In-stream structures: The expected outcomes of the implementation of this plan include raising the water table, increasing sinuosity along Willow Creek, and increasing sedimentation throughout the subbasin through the installation of BDAs, PALS, and other form based riverscape restoration methods. Over the last 3 years, 120 structures have been installed in the Willow Creek WMA, with maintenance being performed as needed by contractors each season. To continue the work in the WMA, we anticipated referencing the Restoration Plan while maintaining old installations, and installing approximately 200 new BDAs in the Willow subbasin, specifically in the Willow Creek WMA. This aspect of the plan is expected to help rehabilitate the subbasin in concert with projects that are being implemented by other land managers who also have access to the Restoration Plan. This component of this proposal is part of a B2E grant application that has not yet been funded. Fencing One of the priorities identified by the Book Cliffs Working Group was the maintenance and reconstruction of fencing. Much of the fencing has been destroyed by horses, bison, and elk, and hasn't been maintained. Livestock grazing can't be rotated as intended without reconstruction of fencing.

Increase habitat for mule deer, elk, and bison in the Book Cliffs unit. Improve riparian and stream health in the Willow Creek WMA through the installation of in-stream structures and tamarisk removal. Improve fencing that has been severely damaged by wildlife to better control domestic livestock grazing.

Location Justification The DWR has been under pressure to do more to benefit mule deer, and the Book Cliffs population specifically. A Book Cliffs working group was formed to address issues related to mule deer and other game species in the Book Cliffs. Vegetation treatments, especially in summer ranges and in migration corridors were identified as a high priority. The harrow and tebuthiuron treatments are within mule deer summer range and are in the crucial mule deer habitat restoration priority areas identified in Figure 6 of the new Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan. Wildlife Tracker data shows that mule deer use a very narrow strip along the top of the Book Cliffs divide during the summer. The harrow location was chosen because of it's location on the divide, it's shrub component (primarily sagebrush and less serviceberry, oak, bitterbrush, mahogany, etc.), and the accessibility of equipment. The Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal identifies the Winter Ridge polygons as having a high wildfire hazard potential and a moderately low to moderate burn probability. The tebuthiuron and harrow areas have a moderate wildfire hazard potential and moderate to high burn probability. Trout Unlimited has funded a restoration plan for the Willow Creek watershed. While not completed yet, this plan highlights the meadow creek area as a priority for restoration. This project addresses various threats to key habitats described in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan. This project addresses invasive plant species in Aquatic-Scrub/Shrub habitats by removing tamarisk along Willow Creek. The stream work in Meadow Creek and Willow creek addresses channel downcutting, droughts, and invasive plant species in the Riverine habitat type. The upland treatments all address inappropriate fire frequency and intensity in mountain sagebrush habitats. The elk herd unit management plan for the Book Cliffs specifically mentions improving canyon bottoms and riparian areas for elk habitat. In addition, this plan mentions opening closed canopy pinyon and juniper woodlands to promote understory vegetation in mid-elevation areas. Timing Justification These projects have been under development and planning for many years. Contractor errors and funding issues have caused delays. Costs for all kinds of work are increasing and further delays will only make it more difficult to complete this work. Additional work in the area is ready to go but I'd like to get these done first, especially as an investment has already been made in getting clearances completed. Tamarisk has been treated in the Willow Creek WMA for the last few years. In FY23-FY24, low density tamarisk was treated on 150 acres of the WMA, along with ten acres of high-density tamarisk, leaving close to 30 acres of mature high-density tamarisk to be treated. This is a high-effort, multi-year removal that is anticipated to take about 4 more years. This treatment component will compliment the restoration projects taking place in the upper reaches of the WMA, including in-stream structures help to restore a higher water table, and exclosures that will help to establish mature native trees. Bison and Elk have severely damaged a major grazing allotment fence over the past decade, to the point the operator cannot keep up with maintenance. Controlling livestock use in these allotments is essential for proper forage use that adheres to a prescription agreed upon by the operator, BLM, SITLA, and UDWR.

The Utah Elk Statewide Management Plan has the following applicable objectives and strategies: Habitat Objective 2, strategy d -- Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve elk habitat with emphasis on calving habitat and winter ranges. Habitat Objective 2, strategy h -- Emphasize improvement of upper elevation winter ranges to encourage elk to winter at higher elevation than mule deer. The Utah DWR Elk Herd Management Plan for the Book Cliffs has the following relevant objectives: --Promote sustainable livestock grazing practices that minimize negative impacts to plant health and diversity, especially on summer ranges and on SITLA and DWR lands where DWR holds the grazing permit or controls livestock grazing --Open the closed canopy pinion--juniper forest lands at mid elevation zones throughout the Book Cliffs to enhance perennial understory vegetative maintenance --Enhance riparian system and canyon bottom vegetative communities through continued agricultural practices, prescriptive grazing and mechanical or chemical treatments --Continue emphasis on reducing greasewood and improving canyon bottoms and riparian communities --Develop projects to improve vegetative diversity and perennial understory health in closed canopy pinion and juniper forests --Continue to treat greasewood and tamarisk communities and reestablish native woody vegetative species in riparian habitat types and explore ways to bring water tables closer to the ground surface The Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan has the following applicable objectives and strategies: Habitat Objective 1, Strategy B, a -- Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and actively manage and protect crucial mule deer habitats including summer (especially fawning), winter, and migration areas Habitat Objective 2, Strategy A, e -- Initiate broad scale vegetative treatment projects to improve and restore mule deer habitat with emphasis on drought or fire damaged sagebrush winter ranges, ranges that have been taken over by invasive annual grass species, and ranges being diminished by encroachment of conifers into sagebrush or aspen habitats, ensuring that seed mixes contain sufficient forbs and browse species. The Utah DWR Deer Herd Management plan for the Book Cliffs has objectives to maintain and/or enhance forage production through range improvements and vegetative manipulation techniques. The Utah DWR Bison Herd Management plan for the Book Cliffs addresses concerns of competition between bison and livestock. This project will help mitigate conflict between bison and livestock by providing improved grazing opportunities for both. The Vernal RMP ROD directs that vegetation should be managed to attain an ecological stage that will benefit wildlife, livestock grazing, livestock use, and ensure high species diversity. The Vernal BLM Fire Management Plan for the Upper Book Cliffs aims to achieve a desired mix of seral stages for all major vegetative types. This project will help create diversity of vegetative types in the area. The Utah State Resource Management Plan has several applicable objectives and policies & guidelines: -- The State promotes fuel breaks, thinning, chaining, prescribed fire and the selection of fire-resistant vegetation in green-stripping and burned areas. --Support the use of mechanical or chemical means or fire to alter or perpetuate forests and increase herbaceous yield where timber harvest is impractical or demand does not exist." --Actively remove pinyon-juniper encroachment in other ecological sites due to its substantial consumption of water and its detrimental effect on sagebrush, other vegetation, and wildlife. --Protect existing wildlife habitat and improve 500,000 acres of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state by 2025. -- Improve vegetative health on public and private lands through active management of invasive plants and noxious weeds. -- The State will pursue opportunities to conduct and assist other partners with fuel reduction work including mechanical treatments and prescribed fire. -- The State will seek to protect, conserve, and improve Utah's fish and aquatic wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. -- Restore floodplain connectivity for threatened and endangered species that rely on these locations.... -- 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. -- Improve vegetative health on public and private lands through range improvements, prescribed fire, vegetation treatments, and active management of invasive plants and noxious weeds. -- The state of Utah supports proactive management of noxious weeds. -- The State of Utah supports adequate funding to combat the spread of noxious weeds. In addition, the state supports the removal of noxious weeds from affected areas and rehabilitation of effected areas post treatment. -- Active management should be used to improve and enhance riparian resources to provide for appropriate physical, biological, and chemical function. -- The State supports the removal of invasive species from riparian areas on public lands. -- 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. -- Expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat. -- Conserve, improve, and restore 500,000 acres of mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges. -- Produce and maintain the desired vegetation for wildlife and domestic livestock forage on public and private lands. Grand County Resource Management Plan has the following applicable objectives and policies: -- The County supports wildlife management that seeks an optimal balance between wildlife populations and human needs. -- Support the removal conifers as determined appropriate.... The Uintah County Resource Management Plan has the following applicable objectives: -- Encourage management of forest resources to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires -- Manage lands to maintain or increase forage allocation for livestock grazing. -- The county expects the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to participate in managing forage and grazing allotments in relation to wildlife populations. -- The county favors the best management practices that are jointly sponsored by cattlemen's, sportsmen's, and wildlife management groups such as chaining, logging, seeding, burning, and other direct soil and vegetation prescriptions that are demonstrated to restore forest and rangeland health, increase forage, and improve watersheds in grazing districts and allotments for the mutual benefit of domestic livestock and wildlife. -- Encourage the protection and preservation of water quality and fish habitat.... -- Support policies that help prevent the spread of invasive species or diseases that negatively affect fish populations -- Support efforts to protect water quality and the quality of the associated fisheries -- Support efforts to improve fish habitats.... -- Restore floodplain connectivity for wildlife that rely on these locations.... -- Encourage the restoration of floodplain connectivity for improved flood control in suitable areas -- Reduce or eliminate noxious weed infestations.... -- Manage noxious weeds to enhance wildlife habitat and farmland. -- Work cooperatively with other agencies and entities to reduce or eliminate noxious weed species and minimize or prevent the establishment of new infestations and new weed species. -- Employ a variety of (integrated) weed management techniques including prevention, biological controls, chemical controls, and mechanical controls. -- Conserve and protect riparian areas through application of best management practices. -- Support the eradication of invasive species, e.g., Phragmites, tamarisk, and Russian olive, which can degrade habitat value and impact groundwater levels. -- Support application of aquatic-approved herbicides to remove undesired vegetation -- Maintain or improve water quality to protect the health and well-being of county residents.... -- Support projects that improve water quality and increase quantity and dependability of water supply. Book Cliffs Working Group Action Plan has the following applicable objectives: -- Vegetation Treatments a. Identify additional areas to complete vegetation management projects with emphasis on projects with the potential of increasing forage on or near summer range. b. Complete a 10 year plan for vegetation improvements. c. Propose at least two vegetation improvement projects annually to the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative and Grazing Improvement Program. -- Bison 1. Distribution b. Complete vegetation and water developments to further distribute bison use. --Cattle Distribution and Usage f. Develop actions to address roadblocks preventing optimal grazing systems. Conservation Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming (2006) Objective 4: Secure and enhance watershed conditions Strategy 7: Improve habitat conditions for CRCT --Manage the entire watershed --Improve lake and stream habitat (including riparian management) Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout in the State of Utah (1997) --Enhance and/or restore habitat conditions in designated waters throughout the rage of CRCT. Actions may include bank stabilization and runoff control structures, road closure and restoration or road relocation, riparian fencing and sustainable grazing practices. --Maintain and restore where possible natural hydrologic characteristics such as flow quantity, timing and duration to maintain active channel and floodplain features. This project addresses various threats to wildlife species and habitats as described in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan as outlined below: --Droughts. This threat is identified for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Northern Leopard Frog, and several bat species. By improving stream conditions through the use of BDA's and other in-stream structures, we hope to provide more consistent water for fish throughout the year. Leopard frogs, specifically, will benefit from increased standing water and in flooded areas that have been created by BDA's. Bats will also benefit from increased standing water and improved riparian vegetation, both of which will increase the prey base and provide better foraging opportunities. Improved riparian conditions and flooded areas should provide better habitat for milkweed for Monarch butterfly. --Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional). This threat is identified for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Northern Leopard Frog, and for the Riverine habitat type. BDA's and in-stream structures can collect sediment to aggrade the channel, widen the inset flood-plain, and counteract the impact of channel downcutting. --Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Intensity. This threat is identified for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout and for the mountain sagebrush habitat type. By creating fire breaks along Winter Ridge, this project could help reduce the likelihood of a large-scale catastrophic fire that could severely impact cutthroat trout habitat in Meadow Creek and Willow Creek. --Increasing stream temperatures. This threat is identified for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. BDA's and other in-stream structures can create better pool habitat and potentially raise water tables in Meadow Creek and Willow creek, thereby providing areas of cooler water needed by cutthroat trout. The Utah Bat Conservation Plan (2008-2013) identifies open water as critical for bats as it provides drinking water, which they obtain by skimming the water surface. This requires a large area of open water. Localized ponding of the stream due to BDAs may help accomplish that. The plan also identifies surface water and the luxuriant vegetation surrounding water as important foraging sites because they favor insect abundance. By promoting better riparian habitat this project will provide better foraging for bat species in the area. Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan (2019-2069) - NL-S1: Identify high priority breeding areas for monarch conservation on natural lands throughout the West and promote protection, restoration, and/or enhancement in these areas. - NL-S2: Identify high priority migratory pathways and clustering locations and promote protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of these areas, including riparian corridors. UACD Policy & Positions (2022) -- The UACD and conservation districts advocate increased resources be made available for the purpose of controlling noxious weeds in counties and cooperative weed management areas. --The Utah Association of Conservation Districts support research, monitoring, and removal of woody invasives and re-vegetation where necessary by encouraging. UPCD, WRI, and other programs such as GIP, in funding tamarisk and other invasive species removal and re-vegetation projects.... Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Strategic Plan: --Objective R2: Maintain existing wildlife habitat and increase the quality of critical habitats and watersheds throughout the state. --Objective R4: Decrease risks to species and their habitats through integrated implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan, species recovery plans, conservation agreements and other management plans (species, AIS, disease, etc.). --Objective R5: Conduct management work to help prevent species of concern from being federally listed as threatened or endangered, and work to delist those species that are currently listed.

Dense pinyon and juniper canopy cover creates a high risk of stand-replacing wildfire. Thinning pinyon and juniper trees in the Winter Ridge area will provide a valuable fire-break that could slow or stop the spread of a wildfire in this area. The Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal identifies the Winter Ridge polygons as having a high wildfire hazard potential. Tamarisk is more likely to burn than native riparian vegetation. Removing this invasive species reduces the likelihood of a fire starting and spreading in the area. Infrastructure at risk if a wildfire were to begin include a natural gas compressor station on Winter Ridge, as well as other oil and gas well pad locations. Wildlife values at risk include Meadow Creek and Willow Creek, which are important habitat for Colorado River Cutthroat trout.

Bullhog: As conifers are removed in the mastication project, more snow will be able to reach the ground. In addition, competition for water is reduced, freeing up resources for the remaining shrubs and forbs. An increase in soil moisture is also likely. This could potentially translate into more water downstream in Meadow Creek. Removing trees could increase the solar and wind energy to the area, which could reduce the amount of water, but by leaving larger trees in place we hope to counteract this effect. Mulching operations will leave a large amount of woody debris scattered on the surface. This woody debris should reduce the impact on the soil from rain events, and can disrupt overland flow patterns, therefore reducing soil erosion and loss. By reducing the risk of large scale fire, which would result in soil erosion and impacts to water quality, this project will help protect water quality in the Willow Creek watershed. Tamarisk control: A single Tamarisk tree uses about the same amount of water as a single willow or cottonwood tree. However, as they tend to grow in dense stands, the amount of water consumed would be greater than a common stand of cottonwoods. With the elimination of Tamarisk from the willow creek area, we would expect that riparian and upland health would increase due to the water being utilized by native vegetation. We also expect water quality to increase as salinity would decrease and soil sedimentation would also decrease. In-stream structures: We anticipate the installation of in-stream structures to increase raise the water table in the vicinity of the structures over time. With the installation of structures, we also expect more water to be available later in the season.

Archaeology surveys have been completed on all areas. BLM is working on NEPA for the harrow project and will either have it complete before work begins, or the BLM portions will be excluded and the harrow implemented only on the SITLA portions. SITLA range improvement program forms have been submitted and approved. The fence construction will occur along the previously disturbed line and will not require arch surveys or NEPA. Stream Alteration Permits will be applied for as needed for in-stream structures.

Mastication: treatment areas will be aerially seeded prior to tree removal. Seeding rate is noted in the attached seed mix. Conifers will then be removed by a mechanical wheeled or tracked machine (bullhog). Tree removal will focus on smaller trees, creating a thinned effect in the pinyon juniper woodland. Larger trees (over 12 inches dbh) will not be removed, but will remain standing. Tebuthiuron application: herbicide will be applied by contracted aircraft at a rate of 2.5 lbs/acre. Harrow: areas will be treated with one pass of a chain harrow. Seed will be broadcast at the same time. Seeding rate is noted in the attached seed mix. Cut/stump of tamarisk: tamarisk will be cut low to the ground and treated with herbicide(such as Garlon 4 or triclopyr) within 15 minutes of cutting. In-stream structures: An experienced contractor will be hired to install structures, and perform maintenance on the previously constructed structures in Meadow Creek and Willow Creek. All treatments will be conducted in the fall of 2025. Fencing project will be awarded to a contractor and adhere to a wildlife friendly design using pipe construction that will minimize maintenance and maximize the life span.

Repeat photography will demonstrate the changes in vegetation. The DWR range trend crew has a transect that overlaps the bullhog portion of the project and will be able to measure vegetative change. It is anticipated that wildlife tracker data will be able to measure changes in wildlife use in some of the treatment areas, particularly the bullhog area as that will have the most drastic changes. Rapid Stream Riparian Assessment (RSRA) will be utilized to monitor the changes that have taken place in the Willow Creek WMA as a result of in-stream structures. UDWR/SITLA/Main Cyn Ranch will monitor the fence for any maintenance needs. Photos and RSRA reports will be uploaded to this project page as they become available.

These projects are part of a larger effort by many partners to improve mule deer and other wildlife habitat in the book cliffs. The Book Cliffs Working Group was developed to find solutions to decreased survival, reproduction, and body condition of Book Cliffs deer and elk populations. The working group established includes representatives from the DWR, BLM, SITLA, Ute Tribe, as well as private landowners/ranchers and wildlife conservation groups. The terrestrial treatment projects in this proposal have been presented and discussed in Book Cliffs working group meetings and gained support from the partners involved. DWR staff have met with private landowners and permittees to discuss grazing rest. Permittees have committed to use more intensive herding and monitoring to keep cattle off seeded areas for a period of two growing seasons. To restore the riparian area in the Willow Creek WMA and other areas of the Willow subbasin, a restoration plan has been drafted by Anabranch Solutions, funded by Trout Unlimited(TU). This plan was created with input from the Bureau of Land Management, UDWR, Trust Lands Administration, TU, and the Ute tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. In the plan there are approximately 10 years of projects described to improve riverscapes within the subbasin, with a focus on restoring and improving habitat for native aquatic, and terrestrial species. BLM wildlife staff is doing the NEPA for the harrow portion of the project.

Permittees have committed to use more intensive herding and monitoring to keep cattle off seeded areas for a period of two growing seasons. The book cliffs working group has discussed grazing conditions and strategies and is working on solutions to provide better grazing for both livestock and wildlife. A high priority for the group is to repair fences to improve the ability of the permittee to rotate among the different allotments. Another high priority is to find solutions to high numbers of wild and stray horses in the Book Cliffs. As an established herd area with little funding, it is difficult to manage horses in the area. Work is ongoing and the Book Cliffs working group is continuing to discuss appropriate steps and develop adaptive management actions. With the Willow subbasin Riverscape Restoration Plan, it is expected that projects will be implemented over the next ten years to improve riverscapes within the Willow subbasin.

Improving forage resources on winter ridge, moon ridge, steer ridge, and the divide will help protect and enhance livestock operations in the book cliffs and provide additional feed for livestock. Projects that improve forage for livestock also help contribute to a better working relationship between permitees/ranchers and government agencies. Enhancing wildlife habitat will protect and enhance wildlife populations, which are utilized for hunting, wildlife viewing, and shed antler gathering. In-stream structures in Meadow Creek and Willow Creek will enhance the existing Colorado River Cutthroat Trout fishery.