KANAB — Two vegetation improvement projects will begin on public and state lands in Kane and Garfield counties today.
The Bureau of Land Management-Utah and Color Country District, in conjunction with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands will coordinate the projects. Project areas include 1,732 acres west of Kanab, along the Hancock Road, and 2,227 acres located west of Hatch.
State and federal land managers collaborated on project design with objectives to improve watershed conditions, increase mule deer and sage grouse habitat and reduce hazardous fuels for community wildfire protection.
Identified areas will be seeded with a mix of native grasses and forbs, followed by removal of encroaching pinyon and juniper trees. Projects are scheduled to be completed by March 1, 2016.
“These projects are being supported and funded by Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, a variety of private, state and federal cooperators, including Mule Deer Foundation, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Safari Club International, Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources,” said BLM Natural Resource Specialist Shawn Peterson. “Coordinating resources helps us treat larger areas and maximizes rangeland health benefits, which may not be realized without our partners.”
While the projects are in progress, the agencies ask the public to adhere to safety signs surrounding the treatment area. For more information or to add an email address to the contact list, contact Nick Howell at 435-865-3026 or Paul Briggs at 435-865-3002.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
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