This is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cultural resource survey project being contracted by the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI). The Deer Springs Fire burned approximately 11,766 acres of BLM administered land within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). This fire did not extend outside of GSENM boundaries; no lands under private, state, or other federal ownership were burned. The fire burned through dense pinyon juniper woodlands with pockets of Gambel oak and ponderosa pine at higher elevations. Emergency stabilization rehabilitation (ESR) treatments are planned for the burn area which include chaining and harrowing as part of reseeding efforts. These ESR efforts seek to rehabilitate wildlife and grazing habitat on burned GSENM lands. Prior to ESR treatments an archaeological survey is required in compliance with federal cultural resource laws. The archaeological survey associated with these ESR efforts total approximately 10,200 acres on BLM administered lands. In agreement with SHPO, the archaeological survey will be completed at 30-meter intervals with a transition to 15-meter transects if site density/characteristics dictate. This project requires “rolling consultation.” Please see additional information below regarding survey intervals and rolling consultation.
