Prior to the 2018 Neck Fire, the treatment area supported substantial populations of cliffrose and bitterbrush, providing critical browse and cover for wildlife. The site was highly valued for its habitat function, particularly for mule deer and other native species. The fire significantly reduced shrub cover and disrupted plant community structure. Through a combination of prior mechanical treatments and upcoming seeding--implemented by the private landowner under an NRCS contract--the project aims to restore key shrub species and reestablish native herbaceous vegetation. These efforts will improve habitat quality for wildlife while also enhancing forage conditions for livestock under a planned rotational grazing system. As stated in management plans we look to increase beneficial Early seral vegetation. This Site did have these characteristics Prior to the fire and sustained healthy ecological functions. Since the Fire this are experienced Cheat grass invasion. The area was treated with Imazapic (Plateau) herbicide in fall of 2024 to curb cheat grass invasion. With this seed drilling we plan to increase Forbs grasses and shrubs significantly. while decreasing the risk and reinvasion of cheat grass.

Prior to the 2018 Neck Fire, the treatment area supported abundant populations of cliffrose (Purshia stansburiana) and bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), making it a highly valued habitat for wildlife. The fire, combined with subsequent ecological stressors, significantly reduced native shrub cover. Restoration efforts--including previous treatments and upcoming drill seeding funded through an NRCS contract--are designed to enhance habitat quality for wildlife. These actions are also expected to improve forage availability, thereby increasing the ecological and economic benefits of livestock grazing on the site. Improving these sagebrush habitats by reducing annual grasses will improve wildlife habitat and livestock productivity, and improve watershed health.

NRCS has allocated funding to support restoration activities on the property, with the private landowner committed to improving the site's ecological condition. The shared objective is to restore desired plant communities, enhance habitat quality, and promote long-term landscape resilience. This partnership reflects a coordinated effort to transition the property toward a more functional and beneficial ecological state, balancing wildlife habitat needs with sustainable land use.

The project supports landscape resiliency and the protection of crucial wildlife habitat by implementing targeted restoration treatments. In coordination with federal land management agencies and private landowners, habitat improvement efforts will focus on reseeding burned areas, establishing fuel breaks, and converting cheatgrass-dominated zones to desirable perennial vegetation. These actions are specifically designed to protect mule deer winter range from future wildfire impacts, improve forage quality, and enhance overall ecological function. The collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to long-term habitat sustainability across jurisdictional boundaries. "Although mule deer occur in a wide variety of habitat types, there are many similarities in diet and habitat composition. Deer eat a wide variety of plants including browse, forbs and grasses. Deer are especially reliant on shrubs for forage during winter months." https://wildlife.utah.gov/. (2024, December 12). Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. https://wildlife.utah.gov/. https://wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/rac_minutes/2024-11-mule-deer-statewide-management-plan-2025-30.pdf "Mule deer do best in habitats that are in the early stages of plant succession. This relationship is described in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) publication on mule deer, which states: "Mule deer thrive in early successional habitats, where forbs, grassy plants and shrubs dominate." WAFWA. 2013. Understanding mule deer and winter feeding, fact sheet #2. Mule Deer Working Group, Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, USA.

The increasing prevalence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) has significantly elevated the risk of extreme wildfire events in the region. Recent fire activity has demonstrated this trend, with several incidents narrowly contained due to rapid and effective response by fire personnel. Without such intervention, these fires could have easily consumed hundreds to thousands of acres. Reducing the density of annual invasive grasses is critical to mitigating the likelihood of future large-scale, stand-replacing fire events. Such fires pose a severe threat to ecological integrity, potentially resulting in the loss of essential understory vegetation, degradation of wildlife habitat, and the proliferation of noxious weed species. Current Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) is classified as FR I, CC 2, indicating a moderate departure from the historic range of variability. Fire regimes have been moderately to extensively altered, primarily due to the expansion of annual grasses, and the risk of losing key ecosystem components is high. Absent this proposed restoration project, fuel loads and continuity may render future wildfires increasingly difficult to suppress, thereby heightening risks to firefighter and public safety, reducing suppression effectiveness, and accelerating natural resource degradation. This includes the potential loss of critical habitat for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana).

Implementation of this project is expected to significantly reduce surface runoff and flooding during high-intensity rainfall events by enhancing soil infiltration through the establishment of deep-rooted perennial grasses and shrubs. Previously the site exhibited limited understory vegetation and is dominated by dense annual grasses, resulting in extensive areas of exposed soil vulnerable to erosion. We have taken out a majority of the cheat grass and wish to replace it with desirable plants. By suppressing annual grass cover and promoting a diverse assemblage of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs, the Drill seeding will substantially increase vegetative ground cover. This herbaceous layer plays a critical role in minimizing overland flow, stabilizing soil structure, and reducing sediment loss. Furthermore, proactive treatment of areas with lower invasive grass densities will help prevent future degradation, reducing the likelihood of widespread erosion and hydrologic instability. These actions will contribute to long-term watershed health and improved ecosystem resilience

NRCS will require a two-year rest period from livestock grazing following seeding to allow for successful establishment of native vegetation. As part of the contract, the producer will install cross fencing prior to seeding to facilitate controlled access and protect treated areas during the rest phase. This infrastructure supports rotational grazing implementation post-rest and ensures compliance with NRCS Practice 645 standards.

The private land owner will seed the 320 acres of rangeland using a Drill from GIP (Grazing Improvement Program.) The seed will be provided by (GBRC) Great Basin Research Center Paid for By the private land owners Farm bill dollars from Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Private Landowner will also provide the tractor and labor to drill seed the project area. In the prior project, cheatgrass was controlled by aerial spraying using Imazapic (Plateau®) herbicide at 2.5 oz per acre in November 2024. The treatment worked great--only small amounts of cheatgrass were left clinging to the shadows of dead juniper from the previous fire. The surrounding BLM ground adjacent to the site has areas with over 30% cheatgrass cover this year (ocular estimate), which was typical of the private parcel before treatment. Needless to say, the herbicide application was effective. But for long-term success, the area needs a solid seed mix to establish competitive vegetation and hold the ground against inevitable reinvasion.

The site will be monitored using established photo trend plots to evaluate vegetation response following the two-year rest period from grazing. These plots will document plant height, canopy cover, and species composition at the end of each growing season. Monitoring results will be used to assess the effectiveness of seeding treatments and determine whether restoration objectives--such as understory establishment and structural diversity--have been met.

(NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Services- Funding and Planning and Coordination of project through Partner Biologist in conjunction of the landowner Private Landowners- Provide tractor to pull Drill seeder. Drill seed and fence property to protect seeding. Resting seeded portion for 2 years to insure success of seeding. (UDWR) Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources- Supply seed and a Partner Biologist to take trend pictures. (GIP) Grazing Improvement Program- Will provide the range land drill for the Private landowner to seed area.

Private lands involved in this project will be monitored for cheatgrass reinvasion and other noxious or invasive weed species. The landowner is encouraged to coordinate with NRCS and the county weed extension office for support in implementing effective weed control strategies. Grazing will resume two years after seeding, following the required rest period for vegetation establishment. At that time, the property will be incorporated into a rotational grazing system in conjunction with the landowner's existing BLM allotment. In the future we hope to expand this cheat grass removal to the surrounding property's BLM and Private parcels nearby could be revitalized.

Implementation of this project is anticipated to significantly enhance forage quality and availability across the treatment area, supporting both wildlife and livestock. By increasing the spatial distribution of palatable vegetation, the project will promote more uniform grazing patterns and reduce localized overuse, which can lead to soil degradation and vegetation loss. The area is a valued resource, for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Habitat improvements resulting from this project will benefit these game species by increasing forage diversity and cover, thereby supporting healthier populations. Additionally, enhanced habitat conditions will improve opportunities for wildlife viewing and hunting, to those who have Written Permission to access the property. Or those who use public BLM surrounding the property which are important cultural and economic activities for the local community and Iron County. These outcomes align with broader land stewardship goals and contribute to the long-term sustainability of multiple-use landscapes.