MINUTES Kane County Resource Committee 76 North Main Street Kanab, Utah 84741 August 18, 2021

Resource Interagency Meeting 9:00 AM Call to Order Byard Kershaw Prayer Rob Van Dyke Pledge of Allegiance Mike Noel

Attendees: David Vincelette, NEPA Planner, North Kaibab Ranger District Rob VanDyke, KC Attorney Shae Owens, PLPCO, Mike Herder, District Manager, BLM AZ Strip District Kelly Stowell, KC Resource Committee Byard Kershaw, KC Resource Committee Taylor Glover, KC Public Lands Director Clayton Cutler, KC Public Lands Coordinator Wendy Allan, KC Administrative Assistant Chris Werhli, Powell District Ranger, Dixie National Forest Kevin Wright, Forest Supervisor, Dixie National Forest Bart Battista, KC Resource Committee Mike Noel, KC Resource Committee Spencer Rollo, KC Fire Warden Derrick Starley, KC Assitant Fire Warden Whit Bunting, BLM Kanab Field Office Randy Beckstrand, BLM Kanab Field OFfice Matt Jenkins, Kaibab North Rim

Congressional Updates (None) Agency Updates

Chris Werhli, Dixie National Forest: DNF, Dept. of Natural Resource and Hogle Zoo have partnered and are releasing oriole toads in an enclosure on the left fork of Kanab Creek. They are still committed to the Robinson Canyon motorized access. The FS is waiting for a proposal/ proposed action to move forward with NEPA. He needs to know where the trail will run, the number of miles, the width, and mitigation. Chris will work with the county on that. Taylor has

Interagency Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2021-Pending

been in communication with the mine to try to determine if they plan to move. The FS received funding for the Deer Springs project and they are working on contracts for a mastication project.

Kevin Wright, Dixie National Forest: DNF is currently out of fire restrictions. The lower portion of Spruces campground is complete. They will now start work on the upper portion. They have put in a proposal with the Great American Outdoors act to do work on the Duck Creek Campground (2023 funding). The new infrastructure bill has a lot of money for fires and fuels mitigation and landscape scale treatments. Mike Noel indicated the sewer system in Duck Creek should be completed by fall. Deer Hollow needs some shoulder pull offs in the area. Iron County has committed 50K to the project. Kelly indicated that there is 750M coming to Utah through the Economic Development Administration. He indicated that a good portion of that is for tourism and outdoor recreation.

David Vincelette, Kaibab National Forest: See attachment.

Randy Beckstrand, BLM Kanab Field Office: The East Zion initiative is moving forward with ZNF as a joint agency lead. The county will also supply a project lead. This is specifically in reference to the trail system in the Poverty Flats area. East Mesa Trail head that leads out to Observation Point has had an explosion in use. The NPS and BLM met with some private individuals and came up with a short term plan of signage for day use and some road maintenance by the county. They are also working to get some port-a-potties in the area. They will work towards a long term fix that will include NEPA and moving the trail head slightly north. North Coyote Buttes permitting system is now on www.rec.gov . Full implementation is scheduled for next February. All affected parties need to meet together to determine the geo- fencing polygons.

Whit Bunting, BLM Kanab Field Office: They are in talks with the county (Commissioner Gant and Camille) to move the North Coyote Buttes walk-in lottery to an online lottery. It would be the same concept/principle. The applicant would need to be in the parameters of the geo-fence to apply and permits would still be picked up in person. BLM lost case with SUWA over the Bull Valley Gorge Bridge. The judge found the BLM to be arbitrary and capricious. They suspect they will have to go back and do NEPA. The BLM sent the county a letter requesting additional information on the Skutumpah Road. Taylor had not seen the letter. Trail Canyon Management Plan is almost completed. They are in the draft 3 stage for Trail Canyon. They will complete the route evaluation for the Paunsagant TMP at the end of this month. They still have not heard anything regarding the boundary changes to the GSENM. Any project that has been proposed in that area is on hold. They have started the cultural part of another phase of the Yellow Jacket Pine Hollow project to the west of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. The South Fork Indian Canyon project will improve the infrastructure, trail, railing and site to mitigate the graffiti. They are moving forward as usual with Alton Coal.

Mike Herder, BLM AZ Strip: He encouraged participation from the county on the Wave issue. They are working with Coconino County to gather entities together to establish the geo-fence for

Interagency Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2021-Pending

the daily lottery. They are working on an integrated vegetation project called East Kanab Creek on the North West edge of the Pine Hollow fire. It is close to 10,000 acres consisting primarily of mastication and lop and scatter. The goal is to refresh the old chaining areas and improve wildlife habitat. That document in currently in the 30 day public comment period. Emergency stabilization rehab work continues on the Pine Hollow fire. Portions of the Arizona trail is now open on the BLM side. They have two applications for meteorological testing equipment. (MET towers). Those are located in Clayhole Valley south of Colorado City and are testing to see if wind farms are feasible in the area.

Shae Owens, PLPCO: Five Counties and Six Counties AOG hosted several staffers from back east on a tour of Utah. They learned about PILT, dead timber and forest health, wild horses, and livestock use of federal lands. They also learned about stewardship projects, tourism, national parks, monuments, and reclamation projects.

RS2477 is still under Judge Waddoups. SUWA was allowed intervener status on the issue of scope as a matter of right. It is suspected that SUWA will ask for a retrial. Rob Van Dyke, Kane County Attorney, stated that there has not been a final argument on the bellwether trial. It is scheduled for two full days of oral argument in September. Rob talked about the SUWA Bull Valley Gorge lawsuit. He said the county is trying to determine if they need to intervene in that lawsuit. He stressed that the county is considering not giving notice when maintenance repair needs to be done. Bart asked how this would affect utility easements and Title 5 easements. Whit said that the rules are different for easements and as long as you stay within the permitted area there should be no problems.

Matt Jenkins, Kaibab North Rim (via phone): They had a staff visit from Congressman O’Halleran’s office, County Supervisor, Lena Fowler and business stakeholders centered on the challenges related to visitation, seasonality of North Rim and impacts of the Mangum Fire. There are many individuals that in support of extending the season. They are working on an infrastructure project, through the American Outdoors Act, to include replacing the failing water supply line, replacing and upgrading the sewage collection, rehabilitating the utility systems and rehabilitating the electrical power. If these are approved, scoping would be in 2022 with a tentative start date in 2023. They will host the Kanab Symphony in September. There is some concern about the Mexican spotted owl habitat and the possibility of the symphony interfering with their breeding season. Scoping meeting for the resurfacing of Hwy 67 from the north entrance to the lodge, approx.14 miles. This is expected to take place in 2023. The Bison reduction project is moving forward. The park received over 45,000 applications for the lethal removal. They have narrowed that down to 12 people. The superintendent’s office on the south rim is working on updating federal contiguous hiring rules. That would allow for more flexibility to hire locally; specifically targeting tribal members with the Southern Paiute, Navajo and Hopi tribes.

Interagency Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2021-Pending

Local Updates Spencer Rollo, Kane County Fire Warden: The state and unincorporated county is still in stage one fire restrictions. There have been approximately 70 fires this season. He mentioned how difficult it is to work with new landowners. East Zion and the lower North Fork area project are on hold until they can convince the new landowners to allow them to cut trees. They are currently working to support private projects. East Zion is their focus area.

Mike Noel, KC Resource Committee/KCWCS: The reservoir is currently at 60% capacity which is 4% higher than last year. Wells in Johnson Canyon have not dropped. Mike stated that any diversion or well installed south of the diversion point does not have any impact on Kanab City Water culinary water or Best Friends. New construction east of Kanab is being supplied by the KCWCD. Based on meter usage they have enough for about 2000 more connections in that area. The water for that area comes out of the wells from Johnson Canyon. They still own 4000-acre feet of water in the Lake Powell Pipeline project. Cove Reservoir, on Cedar Mountain, is moving forward. The notice of intent for the EIS will go on the federal register soon.

Bart Battista, KC Resource Committee/Best Friends: Best Friends hosted the Utah Symphony last week. They are developing a CWPP with the fire warden. They are working to create more defensible space. They have been coordinating with the county commissioners on a cell tower at Red Knolls.

Taylor Glover, KC Public Lands Director: He stated that the county has hired Jones and DeMille to manage the NEPA process for the East Zion project. He explained the creation of the Public Lands Department. Kane County is involved in the North Lake Powell Accord project, headed up by Senator Lyman, trying to make the north end of Lake Powell more accessible. The county has received more grant money to put towards the bank stabilization of Cottonwood Road. Whit cautioned them to approach it under bank stabilization. Clayton is updating the resource management plan.

Kelly Stowell, KC Resource Committee: There has been a lot of interest in the film industry.

Clayton Cutler, KC Public Lands Coordinator: He is working on implementing some changes to the county resource plan.

Meeting dismissed at 10:45 am.

______Byard Kershaw – Resource Vice-Chair Wendy Allan - Assistant

Interagency Meeting Minutes – August 18, 2021-Pending

Attachment #1

Kaibab National Forest (KNF) - North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD) Update to Kane County 08/18/2021

Washington Office - July 26, 2021: USDA Forest Service (FS) has a new Chief; Randy Moore the 20th Chief of the FS. Chief Moore’s priority is safety for employees, and due to the surge of COVID cases from the Delta variant, most FS Facilities remain closed to the public. FS Offices can have 25% employee occupancy with mask mandate in place. New Southwestern Regional Forester: Michiko Martin brings more than 30 years of federal government career experience to the Southwestern Region. She leads more than 2,000 employees and oversee 20.6 million acres of national forests in grasslands in Arizona and New Mexico (Region 3). Fire Restrictions: Currently fire conditions are “moderate” on the North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD); the public is reminded to take precautionary measures due to the drought and dry conditions. Per Smokey Bear’s recommendations, the use of established fire pits (along with water and a shovel) is highly encouraged. More Info at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/kaibab/fire. Fredonia – NKRD Office Status and Fuelwood Permits: Per FS mandate offices cannot be at more than 25% occupancy; however, field work and telework (along with surface/hand sanitizer and washing of hands) are being applied curb potential exposure. Offices will open dependent upon surrounding community risk levels; the Fredonia office continues to serve the community through virtual services and mailing out Firewood permits. The KNF-NKRD is offering a 10-cord permit for free; firewood gathering ends November 30th of this year and will not be offered again until next May. You can purchase an additional 10 cords for $20: Link to KNF website for more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fseprd496954 Post Mangum Fire Road Closure Order: Closure order is in effect for portions of FS roads 461, 462 and 22, and will remain in effect until major repairs of road debris flows and washouts can be removed/repaired. Roads will remain closed until the monsoon season ends, probably October. Signage warning of closure and possible flash floods have been installed along roads that lead to these closed areas. The purpose of this Order is to provide for the public’s health and safety during hazardous road conditions resulting from wet weather and the Mangum Fire. See the FS website for closure orders/maps, & more details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts- notices/?aid=64024 North end of AZ National Scenic Trail under a Closure Order: Due to risk to the public through some of the burn area the FS issued a closure order for the northern end of the Arizona National Scenic Trail on October 20, 2020. The closure order to remain in effect for 2 years, or until conditions are mitigated. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd831601.pdf Currently, the FS and AZ Trail Association is evaluating a proposal to re-route portions of the trail through some of these areas. NEPA to follow…

Projects in the Works: Status of Kaibab National Forest Projects is available on-line through the Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) website: https://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/forest-level.php?110307 The current SOPA Report contains a list of proposed actions that will begin or are currently undergoing environmental analysis and documentation. Mangum Fire Emergency Actions and Rehabilitation Project: Due to the threat of a lawsuit by CBC regarding the proposed action, the FS has elevated the road-side hazard tree removal project to an Environmental Assessment (EA). Completion of the EA should be within the next 6 months. The same proposed activities will be covered, including the removal/mitigation of hazard trees along FS Roads and fence-lines within moderate-to-severe burned areas of the Mangum Fire. NKRD crews have laid out 20 miles of 200-foot buffers for roadside hazard trees in severe burn areas of the Mangum fire burn scar, anticipating roadside hazard tree abatement/treatments. Scoping and comment period for the EA will be combined into one 30-day period this fall-winter.

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Kaibab National Forest (KNF) - North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD) Update to Kane County 08/18/2021

Projects in the Works (cont’d): Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project (BC): The Forest Service is planning a field trip with stakeholders (which had to be postponed due to COVID and variant D cases). The new date of the field trip will most likely be sometime in October. In the meantime, the NKRD will complete edits to the Final EA and Draft DN-FONSI which will undergo a 45-day “Objection period,” after which a decision will be rendered. https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44236 House Rock Wildlife Area (HRWA) Bison Management Project: Public scoping of the proposed activities by Arizona Game and Fish Department should be starting soon. Proposed activities would involve the construction of a new wildlife water in the northwest portion of the HRWA, and rebuild/re-establish, construct, and install approximately 12 miles of existing and new pasture fence-line (including associated road cattle-guards) within the HRWA. https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58903 Planning Stages - Mangum Fire Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): Still in NFMA stages as internal data gathering continues. A Regional FS strike team evaluate the severe burn through an on-the-ground field survey about two weeks ago; this will aid restoration assessment and steer future salvage and re- forestation and re-vegetation/re-planting efforts as part of the EIS. NKRD has established an Inter- Disciplinary Team (IDT) made up of resource staff, and a Project Initiation Letter (PIL) is drafted for the initial stages of development of a Proposed Action (PA). Collaboration with stakeholders will begin when a Draft PA has been developed based on requirements established in the KNF Land and Resource Management Plan (which contains the laws, rules, and regulations that sets restoration parameters for such projects). Once collaboration on the final PA has been completed, public scoping for the EIS will begin.

Implementation of Projects – (New & On-Going): Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project: Two burn blocks are being planned for FY-21 and early FY- 22 (this fall) pending wetter conditions. Link to EA: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/109549_FSPLT3_5314654.pdf The Forest Service continues to develop a monitoring plan that will utilize some LiDAR (i.e., Light Detection and Ranging) imaging to measure change and provide detailed GIS mapping of treatment areas/units. An Implementation Guide is being drafted and will be utilized for burnt block/treatment unit reviews, to ensure that design/mitigation measures are adhered to for the protection of sensitive resource areas. This includes some new tools like the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping for detailed location information on sensitive resources, which can aid in monitoring efforts and/or avoidance. https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54226

Jacob-Ryan Vegetation Management Project: Jacob Ryan Vegetation Management Project (J-R) NEPA was completed in January 2012 (9.5 years ago) and litigated for a year; implementation started in June 2013. The thinning project is ongoing; two local mills [Reidhead Forest Mgt. LLC (RFM) of Fredonia, AZ; and K&D Forest Products of Panguitch, UT] continue with mechanical thinning / timber harvesting. NKRD timber crew has prepped the next timber sale area (i.e., J-R North), a 650-acre green sale near Jacob lake area. The NKRD is also preforming a section 18 NEPA review, to drop out / redraw J-R treatment areas that were severely or moderately burned by the Mangum Fire that occurred last June- July. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/home/?cid=STELPRDB5357654

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