Specialist Report for Aquatic Resources

for

Strawberry Peak Livestock Conversion

Roosevelt/Duchesne Ranger District

Prepared by: Ron Brunson – Fisheries Biologist Roosevelt/Duchesne Ranger District

Date: February 9, 2016

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Introduction This specialist report analyzes the potential effects of the proposed Strawberry Peak Livestock Conversion project on aquatic Forest management indicator species (MIS) and their habitat. Proposed Action The Roosevelt-Duchesne Ranger District proposes to convert the Strawberry Peak allotment from sheep to cattle on the Ashley National Forest. There would be one term grazing permit for the Strawberry Peak allotment. Permitted use would be for 145 cow/calf pairs with a grazing season of June 16 to October 15. A deferred rotation is being used and a grazing schedule was derived from the current AMP to accommodate the cattle grazing on the allotment. In the future, boundary fences may need to be constructed between the Beaver Allotment and Strawberry Peak along Forest Service Road 81 and 301 to keep livestock from drifting onto the Uinta-Wastach-Cache. Also, a fence between Strawberry Peak and Timber Canyon along the upper end of Shotgun Draw to keep livestock from drifting down into the shotgun draw unit on the Timber Canyon allotment. A total of 5 miles of fence may be built over time.

Affected Environment Timber Creek located in Timber Canyon and its’ tributary Shotgun Creek are relatively small first order streams and are the only perennial streams within the Strawberry Peak allotment. Forest Road 149 parallels Timber Creek from the mouth of the canyon to near the headwaters. Timber Creek provides habitat for a population of native Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT); a Forest Sensitive species. In the headwaters of Timber Canyon, the canyon bottom is vegetated with aspen and sage predominantly, with large dense willow stands, sedge and wiregrass communities within the riparian zone. The channel is moderately confined with a moderate gradient (2-4%) and cobbles and gravel as the dominant substrate. There are several large beaver pond complexes along Timber Creek and on Shotgun Creek. The banks of Timber Creek were estimated at 90% stable as observed during site visits conducted in 2011. Electrofishing surveys completed in 2011 and 2012 showed a healthy population of CRCT in Timber Creek consisting of multiple age classes ranging from 33 – 250 mm total length. Electrofishing in Shotgun Creek resulted in the collection of several smaller fish including young-of-year; indicating successful reproduction and recruitment. CRCT in Timber Creek are regularly monitored by the UDWR and the Forest. Timber Creek was treated with rotenone in 2008 to remove competing and predatory brown trout. Following the treatment, CRCT were re-established in Timber Creek through stocking. CRCT stocked into Timber Creek originated from fish salvaged from Timber Creek prior to treatment. Electrofishing surveys conducted over several years including 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 indicate the CRCT population is doing well, is increasing in density and is distributed throughout available habitat.

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Vegetation studies within in the Strawberry Peak allotment indicate stable and improving conditions for the watershed. Isolated sites impacted by trailing exist in watering and bedding grounds but are limited in size and scope. Management Indicator Species – Cutthroat Trout and Macroinvertebrates The National Forest Management Act requires that the Forest Service provide for the diversity of plant and animal communities based on the suitability and capability of the specific land area to meet overall multiple-use objectives. To help meet this statutory goal of diversity, the Forest Service published planning regulations in 1982 which provide that fish and wildlife habitat shall be managed to maintain viable populations of existing native and desired non-native vertebrate species in the planning area. These are primarily contained in 36 CFR219.19. Following are the key elements related to MIS to serve as proxies for fish and wildlife populations generally:

“Each alternative shall establish objectives for the maintenance and improvement of habitat for management indicator species…to the degree consistent with overall multiple use objectives of the alternative.” 36CFR 219.19(a) “In order to estimate the effects of each alternative on fish and wildlife populations, certain vertebrate and/or invertebrate species present in the area shall be identified and selected as management indicator species and the reasons for their selection will be stated. These species shall be selected because their population changes are believed to indicate the effects of management activities….” 36 CFR 219.19(a)(1) “Planning alternatives shall be stated and evaluated in terms of both amount and quality of habitat and of animal population trends of the management indicator species.” 36 CFR 219.19(a)(2) “Population trends of Management Indicator Species will be monitored and relationships to habitat changes determined. This monitoring will be done in cooperation with State fish and wildlife agencies, to the extent practicable.” 36 CFR 219.19(a)(6)

Section 219.26 also provides direction related to diversity:

“Forest planning shall provide for diversity of plant and animal communities and tree species consistent with the overall multiple-use objectives of the planning area. Such diversity should be considered throughout the planning process. Inventories shall include quantitative data making possible the evaluation of diversity in terms of its prior and present condition….” 36 CFR 219.26

Cutthroat trout and macroinvertebrates are used as Management Indicator Species for aquatic habitat on the Ashley National Forest and are discussed below (USDA Forest Service 2006). In addition, there are ten terrestrial species used as Management Indicator

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Species of terrestrial habitat. Refer to the Terrestrial Wildlife Specialist Report for a discussion on terrestrial Management Indicator Species. Cutthroat Trout Cutthroat trout are the only native trout in Utah. Like most members of the trout family, cutthroat trout require clear, cold water, naturally-fluctuating flows, and low levels of fine sediment, well-distributed pools, stable streambanks, and abundant stream cover. Cutthroat trout spawn after peak flows in spring or early summer in predominantly gravel substrate. Survival rates appear highest in areas where gravel size ranges from 14mm to 16mm or larger (Behnke, 1992). Adult cutthroat trout require adequate pool habitat with depths of 0.3m or greater, and cover consisting of boulders, logs, over hanging vegetation or undercut banks. Populations of CRCT on the Ashley National Forest are stable to increasing in number; primarily as a result of documentation of previously unknown populations through genetic analysis and the re-establishment of populations through stocking and habitat enhancement efforts of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Forest (Hirsch et al. 2013). The UDWR Northeastern Region regularly samples and monitors CRCT populations on the Ashley National Forest. In addition to monitoring, the UDWR and the Forest implement projects to enhance habitat for CRCT. In many streams, CRCT populations are threatened by competition with non-native fish species including brook trout and brown trout. A migration barrier was constructed in 2007 in the lower reach of Timber Creek to protect CRCT from the migration of brown trout upstream from the Strawberry River. CRCT were salvaged from Timber Creek and placed in Lake Canyon Lake as a brood source prior to a rotenone treatment in 2008 to remove the remaining fish population. Timber Creek was then re-stocked with salvaged adult CRCT and fingerlings spawned from original salvaged fish. Electrofishing surveys were conducted by UDWR in 2015 within three reaches along Timber Creek and one reach on Shotgun Creek to monitor fish populations. The reach furthest downstream is located near Water Hollow. The middle reach is located within the exclosure near Jackson Hollow and the upper reach is located near the Shotgun Creek confluence (Figure 1). Abundance was estimated using a two-pass removal method. The estimated density of adult fish was 237 fish/mile in the Water Hollow Reach, 1305 fish/mile in the Exclosure Reach and 407 fish/mile in the Shotgun Confluence Reach. Sampling within Shotgun Creek resulted in an estimated density of 1125 fish/mile. The occurrence of several age-classes, including young-of-year, indicates successful spawning and recruitment of the CRCT population in Timber Creek.

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Figure 1. Location of fish population monitoring sites and migration barrier.

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Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrates are also used by the Forest as MIS to indicate overall health of the aquatic ecosystem. Biotic Condition Indices (BCI), derived from macroinvertebrate samples, are used to evaluate stream potential based on macroinvertebrate community tolerance levels and certain water quality parameters. The species of macroinvertebrates listed in Table 2 were chosen as MIS for the following reasons:

1. The wide range of conditions they monitor. 2. Their relatively large size which facilitates identification. 3. Their limited mobility restricts them to a particular environment. 4. They have a lifespan of months or years which allows for response to impacts

over time.

Table 2. Macroinvertebrates chosen as MIS for the Forest, habitat requirements and description of habitat quality indication. Species Requirements/Description Mayfly Epeorus sp.

Requires good water quality and good instream habitat. Must have a resident population.

Stonefly Zapada sp.

Depends upon allochthanous leaf litter for nutrients. Relative numbers generally indicate riparian habitat quality or quantity.

Mayfly Ephemerella doddsi

Requires good water quality and good instream habitat. Relative numbers can indicate habitat quality.

Mayfly Ephemerella inermis

Moderately tolerant to sediment. Good red-flag species when their numbers increase.

Dipteran Chironomidae

Highly tolerant to multiple forms of pollution. Particularly tolerant to sedimentation. Often dominate the community when pollution is severe.

These species are but a sample of the species considered when aquatic macroinvertebrate samples are collected for evaluation of the aquatic ecosystem. The Forest has been collecting macroinvertebrate data on most major streams since 1987. Therefore baseline information is available. Current data is compared to baseline data to monitor changes in the habitat. The development of species/habitat relationships of fish and wildlife is identified as an objective in the Forest Plan with the associated guideline to maintain all streams for a biotic condition index (BCI) of 75 or above. Aquatic macroinvertebrates

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were sampled from Timber Creek in 2011. Timber Creek is within the same drainage and downstream from the proposed project area. Analysis of these samples resulted in a BCI of 92 which indicates good water quality and habitat conditions upstream.

Assumptions and Methodologies of Analysis Analysis for this proposed project includes site visits to the proposed project area and GIS map reviews. In addition to site visits conducted by fisheries personnel, a series of photo presentations documenting range conditions developed by the Forest’s vegetation monitoring team were also considered in the preparation of this document. Effects Analysis The east allotment boundary is located along the steep side slopes to the north and northwest of Shotgun Creek and along the ridgeline south of Shotgun Draw (figure 1). There are no allotment boundary fences and livestock (cattle more so than sheep) would likely migrate off of the allotment to seek water and forage within the riparian areas of Shotgun Draw and Timber Creek. Figure 1. Potential for drift of livestock from allotment to riparian areas along Shotgun Creek and Timber Creek.

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General: The Strawberry Allotment has been grazed by cattle on a trial basis since 2007. The continuation of livestock grazing under present management would result in localized areas of disturbance to riparian vegetation. Cattle, unlike sheep, congregate on riparian wetland habitats during hot weather for much of the day. Riparian and riparian wetland habitats are the coolest areas during hot weather and provide the most succulent forage for cattle. Localized areas of stream bank damage and soil compaction would also occur. These areas are small in scope in relation to the overall 12-mile length of stream in Shotgun Creek and Timber Creek. Site-specific problems that do occur have been corrected in the past and would continue to be corrected through monitoring of grazing and following an adaptive management strategy. There are short-term and long-term effects of livestock grazing on aquatic environments which provide habitat for fish, amphibians, macroinvertebrates and other aquatic animals. Generally, in grazed areas, stream channels contain more fine sediment, streambanks are more unstable, banks are less undercut, and summer temperatures are higher than is the case for streams in ungrazed areas (Platts 1991). Attributes of aquatic habitat affected by grazing include riparian vegetation, water quality, substrate composition, cover and stream bank stability. The potential effects to these attributes as a result of grazing are discussed below. Riparian Vegetation Livestock are attracted to riparian areas. Cattle tend to be more attracted to riparian areas than sheep. As a result, a higher proportion of negative grazing impacts tend to be found in riparian areas. This often results in localized excessive utilization of riparian vegetation. This affects cutthroat trout habitat in several ways including a reduction in stream channel shading, reduction in liter fall inputs, and increased fine sediment delivery to the stream channel. Streamside vegetation provides habitat for terrestrial insects, which are important food for cutthroat trout and other fish species (Saunders and Fausch 2009). This vegetation also directly provides organic material to the stream, which has been reported to supply about 50% of the stream’s nutrient energy supply (Platts 1991). Trout also feed on aquatic insects, many of which feed on dead leaves from riparian vegetation. This means that healthy riparian vegetation is critical not only to bind banks and maintain pools and riffles, but also to support terrestrial invertebrates and provide food for aquatic insects that feed trout. Water Quality – Temperature Cutthroat trout require cool water temperatures. Grazing directly along stream channels removes streamside vegetation and the amount of shade over the stream channel. This increased solar radiation reaching the water surface increase the water temperature. This is particularly important on small first and second order streams, such as Timber Creek and Shotgun Creek, where streamside vegetation shades a portion of the water surface. The larger the stream, the higher the streamside vegetation must be to effectively shade the stream channel.

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Substrate and Fine Sediment Livestock trailing across stream channels results in a direct source of sediment delivery to streams. Overgrazing or trampling adjacent to the stream channel and on banks reduces the ability of riparian vegetation to filter out fine sediments. This results in increased sediment reaching the stream channel. Cover The importance of cover for trout populations is well documented. Generally, trout abundance increases as cover increases and abundance decreases as cover decreases. Vegetation along stream channels not only provides cover but also buffers the stream from incoming sediments and other pollutants. Unmanaged or overgrazing results in removal of stream side vegetation and overhead stream cover. Steambank Stability Grazing directly on stream banks negatively impacts bank stability as a result of trampling, trailing across the stream channel, hoof slide, and streambank collapse (Platts 1991). Decreased bank stability results in a wider stream channel and increased fine sediment delivery to the stream channel which covers productive substrates and settles out in pools within cutthroat trout habitat. Direct and Indirect Effects Alternative 1 – Proposed Action (conversion from sheep to cattle grazing) The proposed action would convert the Strawberry Peak allotment from sheep to cattle on the Ashley National Forest. There would be one term grazing permit for the Strawberry Peak allotment. Permitted use would be for 145 cow/calf pairs with a grazing season of June 16 to October 15. A deferred rotation is being used and a grazing schedule was derived from the current AMP to accommodate the cattle grazing on the allotment. In the future, boundary fences may need to be constructed between the Beaver Allotment and Strawberry Peak along Forest Service Road 81 and 301 to keep livestock from drifting onto the Uinta-Wastach-Cache. Also, a fence between Strawberry Peak and Timber Canyon along the upper end of Shotgun Draw may need to be constructed to keep livestock from drifting down into the shotgun draw unit on the Timber Canyon allotment. A total of 5 miles of fence may be built over time. Direct effects to cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat from cattle grazing would occur in localized areas and would include the removal and trampling of riparian vegetation, soil compaction and de-stabilization of stream banks. Indirect effects to cutthroat trout from cattle grazing would be increased water temperatures, increased levels of fine sediment as a result of the removal and trampling of riparian and streamside vegetation. Soil compaction results in increased overland runoff carrying sediment to the stream channel. Unstable stream banks also contribute more sediment to the stream channel and results in the stream channel trending toward being wider and shallower.

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Increased sediment, increased solar radiation and warmer water temperatures affect macroinvertebrates assemblages. When sediment settles over substrates used by aquatic macroinvertebrates, such as gravels and rubble, the result is diminished numbers of aquatic macroinvertebrates which means less food for cutthroat trout. Because impacts to cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat would occur in relatively small and localized areas, and an adaptive management approach outlined in the Allotment Management Plan would monitor and correct any grazing problem areas, the conversion to cattle grazing on the Strawberry Peak allotment would not contribute to a negative trend for cutthroat trout or aquatic macroinvertebrates on the Ashley National Forest. In addition, the construction of up to five miles of allotment boundary fences in the future would result in beneficial effects to riparian areas by reducing the level of drift by cattle off of the allotment and down slope to riparian areas along Shotgun Creek and in the headwaters of Timber Creek. Alternative 2 – Continued Management (continue with sheep grazing) This alternative involves the continued grazing of sheep on the allotment. Sheep would be more likely than cattle to stay within the allotment boundary, on the steeper slopes and ridges and less likely to congregate in the riparian areas along Shotgun Creek and Timber Creek. Because sheep spend more time utilizing forage on steeper slopes and less time along the stream bottom than cattle, the continuation of sheep grazing on the allotment would result in fewer impacts to riparian areas along Shotgun Creek and in the headwaters of Timber Creek than that expected to occur if the allotment was converted to cattle grazing. Because impacts to cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat would occur in relatively small and localized areas, and an adaptive management approach outlined in the Allotment Management Plan would monitor and correct any grazing problem areas, the continued grazing of sheep on the Strawberry Peak allotment would not contribute to a negative trend for cutthroat trout or aquatic macroinvertebrates on the Ashley National Forest. Alternative 3 – No Action (No Grazing) This alternative would discontinue grazing on the Strawberry allotment. This would reduce the amount of sediment delivered to Timber Creek as a result of livestock grazing. Macroinvertebrate sampling below the allotment boundary in Timber Canyon Creek indicates good habitat and water quality conditions upstream under current grazing management. However in comparison to the other alternatives, it could be assumed the no grazing of domestic livestock alternative would pose the lowest potential for effects to cutthroat trout populations, aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages and aquatic habitat. Improved bank stability, increased riparian vegetative cover, and improve water quality would be expected as a result of discontinuing grazing on this allotment.

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Cumulative Effects The cumulative effects analysis area for cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrates includes the Timber Creek drainage from the headwaters within the Strawberry Peak allotment downstream to the confluence of Timber Creek with the Strawberry River. Other activities that overlap in time and space and have the potential to effect cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrates include dispersed camping, roads and ATV use. Dispersed camping has the potential to result in soil compaction, removal of vegetation, decreased bank stability and increased fine sediment delivery to the stream. Dispersed camping areas are often located near the stream channel. Horse use, associated with dispersed camping, has the potential to contribute to decreased bank stability and increased fine sediment delivery to cutthroat trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat. Forest Road 149 parallels Timber Creek from the mouth of the canyon to the confluence of Shotgun Creek near the headwaters. This road is a well-maintained graveled road that is also open to ATV travel. This road becomes a source of fine sediment to the stream during spring run-off and storm events. Combining either of the two action alternatives (continued sheep grazing or conversion to cattle grazing) with these activities would result in minimal cumulative effects to aquatic habitats. However, managing the grazing allotment under an adaptive management approach would identify problems areas and would allow changes or adjustments to grazing to improve problem areas. Because the conversion to cattle and continued grazing of the Strawberry Peak allotment is expected to result in minimal localized effects to aquatic habitat, combining grazing of this allotment with past, present and foreseeable actions is not expected to result in a reduction in cutthroat trout populations or impacts to aquatic macroinvertebrate populations. Once constructed, the allotment boundary drift fences would have a beneficial effect by reducing the occurrence and impact of cattle congregating in riparian areas off of the allotment. Additive cumulative effects are not anticipated as a result of the conversion from sheep to cattle grazing or the continued sheep grazing of the Strawberry Peak allotment. There would be no cumulative effects as a result of the No Action alternative. Determination The conversion from sheep to cattle grazing on the Strawberry Peak allotment has the potential to result in a minimal increase in sediment delivery to streams and aquatic habitats as a result of removal and trampling of riparian vegetation and decreased streambank stabilization within localized areas. Site visits and long-term vegetation trend monitoring of the allotment indicate stable and desired conditions in riparian areas. In addition, allotment boundary fences, if constructed, would reduce drift of cattle and impacts to riparian areas. This would reduce sediment delivery to streams and aquatic habitat. Therefore, the conversion from sheep to cattle grazing of the Strawberry Peak allotment following an adaptive management approach as outlined in the Allotment Management Plan will not affect the trend or impair the ability of the Forest to provide well-distributed habitat for cutthroat trout or aquatic macroinvertebrates.

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Credentials and Position on Interdisciplinary Team Ron Brunson – Fisheries Biologist – Roosevelt/Duchesne Ranger District

• B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Utah State University – 1995 • 1995 – 2005 Native Aquatic Biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife

Resources; experience with conservation biology, fisheries management and research.

• 2005 – Present – Fisheries Biologist for the Roosevelt/Duchesne Ranger District,

Ashley National Forest.

/s/ Ron Brunson February 9, 2016

Signature Date References Behnke, R.J. 1992. Native trout of western North America. American Fisheries

Society Monograph 6 CRCT Conservation Team. 2006. Conservation Strategy for Colorado River Cutthroat

trout (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus) in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Fort Collins. 24p.

Hirsch, C.L., M.R. Dare, and S.E. Albeke. 2013. Range-wide status of Colorado River

cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus): 2010. Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Conservation Team Report. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins.

Platts W. S. 1991. Livestock grazing. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 19:

389-423.

Saunders, W.C. and K.D. Fausch. 2009. A field test of effects of livestock grazing regimes on invertebrate food webs that support trout in central Rocky Mountain streams. Annual Report to U.S. Forest Service.

USDA Forest Service. 2006. Life histories and population analysis for management indicator species of the Ashley National Forest. March 2006