Why does the Forest Service need to propose this activity at this time?

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF Supervisor s Office W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT Tel. (801) FAX (801) File Code: 2200/1950 Date: May 23, 2014 Dear Interested Party, Enclosed for your review and comment is the High Uintas Wilderness Domestic Sheep analysis scoping letter. The USDA Forest Service has prepared this scoping letter in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Ashley National Forest s 1986 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), the Wasatch-Cache National Forest s 2003 Revised Forest Plan, and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. The objective of this letter is to provide you with information about this project and to request your comments on the proposal. This scoping letter is being mailed to you because you have expressed an interest in receiving information on resource management related projects on the Ashley and/or Uinta-Wasatch- Cache National Forests. We encourage you to review the proposal and submit your comments on this project. Your comments are most helpful to the Forest Service when they include specific changes or ideas, including a supporting reason for an alternative or option that helps to address your comment. Your comments will be reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Team and both of us to determine whether there are unresolved conflicts, or significant issues, with our proposed action in accordance with Forest Service Handbook Direction. This process may lead to the development of alternatives to the proposed action depending upon whether issues are identified based upon the regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. Why does the Forest Service need to propose this activity at this time? In 2007, the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, now the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (UWCNF), along with other forests in the Region issued a number of decisions reissuing term grazing permits on range allotments using a provisional categorical exclusion (CE) authorized by Congress. In 2010, the United States Forest Service was sued for authorizing grazing on allotments using this CE authority. In December 2013, the United States District Court for the District Court of Idaho agreed to the Range CE settlement agreement. This agreement stipulated that the UWCNF would issue a scoping notice by May 2014 on five domestic sheep allotments. These were Gilbert Peak, Hessie Lake-Henry s Fork, Red Castle, East Fork Blacks Fork, and the Middle Fork Blacks Fork allotments.

2 In reviewing the management of these domestic sheep allotments it became apparent that the effects of grazing had to be considered for both the north and south slope of the Uinta Mountains because sheep trailed from the north slope of the Uinta Mountains to the south slope for the summer grazing season. Therefore, the analysis was then extended to include the Painter Basin, Tungsten, Oweep, Ottoson Basin, and Fall Creek sheep allotments on the Ashley National Forest, which are the domestic sheep allotments on the south slope of the Uinta Mountains. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of domestic sheep grazing in these allotments. What are key elements of the analysis? Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep The UWCNF and Ashley National Forest recognize that since the original decision was signed, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have been listed as an Intermountain Regional Forester s Sensitive Species and are known to spend time in the Henrys Fork and Uinta River Drainages. Parts of these drainages are included in the Gilbert Peak, Hessie Lake-Henrys Fork, and Painter Basin allotments. Understanding the risk of contact between bighorn and domestic sheep to mitigate potential disease transmission is believed to be an important issue that will need to be considered as the effects of domestic sheep grazing are analyzed. The Intermountain Region is conducting a domestic sheep/bighorn sheep risk of contact analysis at a regional scale that will help identify those areas in the Region where domestic sheep and bighorn sheep overlap, and where the risk of disease transmission is greatest. Population viability analysis will also be conducted for the areas covered by the forest plans. That information is expected to become available in Once that information becomes available, it may be used in the analysis to determine the potential effects of domestic sheep on bighorn sheep. Designated Wilderness The Wilderness Act of 1964 recognized that where domestic livestock grazing was established prior to September 3, 1964, it would be permitted to continue in designated wilderness areas subject reasonable regulations deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture. The effect of domestic sheep on wilderness values is another important issue that will be considered in this analysis. These and other issues identified through scoping may cause additional alternatives to be developed during the environmental analysis. Additional alternatives may include the closure of allotments, or change in class of livestock.

3 What is the Forest Service Proposing to Do? Based on current information the UWCNF and Ashley National Forests are proposing to authorize grazing on five allotments on the UWCNF and five allotments on the Ashley National Forest. Livestock grazing would be authorized using Forest Plan direction to meet or move toward the desired conditions identified in the Forest Plan. The forests are also proposing to continue to use the sheep driveway that allows for sheep that graze the listed Ashley NF allotments to move from winter ranges on private ground across the UWCNF to the Ashley NF. The allotments listed in Table 1 below and shown on the enclosed map (Map 2 are scheduled for environmental analysis in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Table 1 Allotments within the High Uintas Domestic Sheep analysis area with their associated forests, acres, livestock class and number and grazing season, National Forest Allotment Acres Livestock Number-Class Grazing Season Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Gilbert Peak 11, ewe/lamb 7/11 9/10 Hessie Lake-Henrys Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Fork 14, ewe/lamb 7/11 9/10 Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Red Castle 14, ewe/lamb July 6 Sept. 10 Uinta-Wasatch-Cache East Fork-Blacks Fork 25, ewe/lamb July 6 Sept. 10 Middle Fork-Blacks Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Fork Ashley Painter Basin 14,756 Ashley Tungsten 16,149 13, ewe/lamb 1,200 ewe/lamb or 1500 ewes without lambs 1,200 ewe/lamb or 1500 ewes without lambs July 11 Sept. 10 July 12 Sept 6 July 12 Sept 6 Ashley Oweep 16,686 1,400 ewe/lamb July 15 Sept 10 Ashley Ottoson 12,620 1,300 ewe/lamb or 1500 ewes without lambs July 15 Sept 10 Ashley Fall Creek 16,612 1,100 ewe/lamb July 1 Sept 30 Overview of the Project Area The project analysis area is located in Duchesne and Summit Counties, Utah on the Evanston- Mountain View and Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger Districts. The project area is located approximately 40 miles north-northwest of Duchesne, Utah, and about 42 miles west-southwest of Manila, Utah as displayed in Map 1, and encompasses approximately 157,000 acres.

4 The project analysis area includes allotments located in the High Uintas Wilderness on both the north and south facing slopes of the central ridgeline. The allotments include the Gilbert Peak, Hessie Lake Henry s Fork, Red Castle, East Fork Blacks Fork, and the Middle Fork Blacks Fork on the north facing slopes and the Falls Creek, Ottoson Basin, Oweep, Tungsten, and Painter Basin on the south facing slopes. These allotments are illustrated on Map 2 at the end of this document. The legal description for the area is found in Attachment 1. Map 1. Vicinity map of the High Uintas Domestic Sheep Analysis area found in northeast Utah and Southwest Wyoming, on the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests, 2013.

5 Map 2. Township range and section map of the High Uintas Domestic Sheep Analysis area found in northeast Utah and Southwest Wyoming, on the Ashley and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests, 2013.

6 Land and Resource Management Plan and Other Policy Direction This project is consistent with the Ashley s Land and Resource Management Plan and the Wasatch-Cache Forest Plan (Forest Plans). Ashley National Forest All sites being analyzed are located in Management Area (MA) i - High Uintas Wilderness. The goal of MA i is to administer the High Uintas Wilderness in accordance with the Utah Wilderness Act of The management emphasis for MA i for wildlife habitat management is by natural means only. The management emphasis for MA i for range is to allow livestock grazing and only to make improvements for the protection of the wilderness resource (p. IV-9). Wilderness Objective 3 focuses on management of wildlife, fish, range, and watershed resources in conformance with the Wilderness Act. Standards and guidelines specific to this project include reestablishing sensitive, threatened, or endangered native species and allowing livestock grazing so that wilderness resources are protected (pp. IV-25 and 26). A Forest Plan Goal for wildlife is to manage wildlife habitat to maintain or improve diversity and productivity (p. IV- 28), and Objective 3 for wildlife and fish is to manage the habitat of all Threatened and Endangered or sensitive plant and animal species to maintain or enhance their status (p. IV-30). The Ashley Forest Plan was amended in 1997 with the completion of the High Uintas Wilderness Management Plan. The amendment recognized that Livestock grazing is... an appropriate use of wilderness and is consistent with desired conditions of water, soils, wildlife and vegetation. It also recognized that The High Uintas Wilderness acts as a component to maintain indigenous species presently existing in the area. Visitors find clean water and air, and indigenous plant and animal species. The decision goes on to state: Grazing decisions will continue to be made in Allotment Management Plans or Annual Operating Plans where any adjustments in numbers of livestock permitted to graze or changes in management are appropriate. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests This project is within the Wasatch-Cache planning area and land management direction is found in the 2003 Wasatch-Cache National Forest Revised Forest Plan. The project supports the Forest-wide Goal 3 of Biodiversity & Viability and Forest-wide Goal 10 of Social/Economic Contributions. Goal 3 emphasizes sustained diversity of species at the genetic, population, community and ecosystem levels. The Forest emphasis is on maintaining vegetative communities within their historic range of variation that sustains habitats for viable populations of species (p ). Goal 10 recognizes the forest resource contribution to the social and economic well-being of local communities by promoting sustainable use of renewable natural resources and by participating in efforts to devise creative solutions for economic health (diversity and resiliency). This goal includes providing timber for commercial harvest, forage for livestock grazing, exploration and development opportunities for mineral resources, and Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

7 settings for recreation consistent with goals for watershed health, sustainable ecosystems, biodiversity and viability, and scenic/recreation opportunities (p.4-23wcnf). There are a number of sub-goals that are also applicable to the project. These sub-goals include: 3I. Maintain viability of species-at-risk (including endangered, threatened and sensitive species and unique communities); 3J. Manage Forest Service sensitive species to prevent them from being classified as threatened or endangered and where possible provide for delisting as sensitive (FSM 2670); and 10C. Manage livestock grazing levels and operations on suitable lands for sustainable forage use within properly functioning conditions. Applicable standards and guidelines include: (G21) - For projects that may affect Forest Service Sensitive species, develop conservation measures and strategies to maintain, improve and/or minimize impacts to species and their habitats. Short-term deviations may be allowed as long as the action maintains or improves the habitat in the long term; and (G23) - Avoid actions on the Forest that reduce the viability of any population of plant species classified as Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive or recommended sensitive. Use management actions to protect habitats of plant species at risk from adverse modification or destruction. For species that naturally occur in sites with some disturbance, maintain the appropriate level of disturbance. Management prescriptions in the project area include a mix of 1.2 (Wilderness Opportunity class II), 1.3 (Wilderness Opportunity class III), 1.5 (Proposed Wilderness), 3.1A (Aquatic Habitat Emphasis), 3.2d (Terrestrial Habitat Emphasis Developed), 4.1(Backcountry Non-Motorized Emphasis) and 5.1 (Maintaining/Restoring Forested Ecosystem Integrity). The project area is found in the Eastern Uintas Management Area. The Rangeland/Livestock Grazing Desired Future condition states: Bear River Area - From the Hayden Fork drainage to the east, if sheep permits for upper elevation allotments are voluntarily waived without a preference, permits will not be reissued and allotments will be closed to domestic livestock for purposes of future bighorn sheep habitat. (p.4-190, p.4-201). The Record of Decision of the Forest Plan states: Seven additional allotments totaling 17,600 capable acres are identified for closure in the event that permits are voluntarily waived without preference, to expand bighorn sheep habitat on the North Slope Uinta Mountains. These allotments were identified in appendix I of the FEIS of the Forest Plan. (Alternative 7 ROD-19). The identified allotments, their approximate acreage and livestock type are identified in Table 2 below.

8 Table 2 Allotment Details 1 Allotment Total Acres Livestock Type East Fork Blacks Fork 25,976 Sheep Gilbert Peak 12,468 Sheep Henrys Fork / Hessie Lake 13,932 Sheep Red Castle 12,293 Sheep 1 Note that the table only lists the allotments within the project area as presented in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest 2003 FEIS. Some allotments boundaries have been modified to improve livestock management and correct mapping issues. Specific to the High Uintas Wilderness on the Wasatch-Cache Planning Area, the following Forest Plan goals include: Allow natural processes to shape terrestrial and aquatic habitats; and Cooperate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in managing fish and wildlife (FSM ). Forest Plan Standards and guides specific to the wilderness include: MA (S) Reintroduction of species is considered appropriate only if species is indigenous and was extirpated by human induced events. Transplants are limited to indigenous species as determined by UDWR. (FSM a) Indigenous species, which are classified as threatened, endangered or sensitive receive priority for transplant. MA (G) Grazing of livestock established prior to September 1984 shall be permitted to continue, subject to regulations. Manage allotments to protect the wilderness resources (FSM ). MA (G) As wilderness AMPS are revised, include wilderness resource objectives. MA (G) Issue no new sheep and cattle grazing permits in areas currently unobligated. Forest Service Manual Direction Sensitive Species: Develop and implement management practices to ensure that species do not become threatened or endangered because of Forest Service actions Sensitive Species: Assist states in achieving their goals for conservation of endemic species Forest Supervisors: Coordinate forest programs with other federal agencies, states, and other groups and individuals concerned with the conservation of threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species District Rangers: Coordinate district activities with interested state and federal agencies, groups, and individuals concerned with the conservation of threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species.

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10 Enclosures The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.