CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office has approved the Bear Valley habitat restoration and hazardous fuels treatment project in Iron County. The project aims to decrease the risk of high-severity wildland fire, restore ecosystem function and improve sagebrush habitat in the area.
The project’s diverse landscape is composed of 2,299 acres of BLM-managed land, located northeast of Cedar City. Approximately 1,922 acres of the project area was previously treated in 1964-1965. However, additional treatments, such as mechanical, hand thinning, chemical and seeding, will be utilized to improve or maintain the project area.
“Implementation of this project will protect the Greater Sage-grouse habitat, mule deer habitat and landscape-level impacts to the viewshed from the Old Spanish Trail," said BLM Cedar City Field Manager Paul Briggs. “Other desired outcomes will include improved riparian habitat and stream conditions, as well as enhanced habitat for big game in the area."
Adjacent private landowners within the wildland-urban interface may choose to treat their property in conjunction with this fuels reduction project. The restoration is anticipated to begin as soon as this year, with additional project work being continued during the next three to five years, as funding allows.
This project will be achieved in cooperation with partners in Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative. For more information, please visit the project website at https://go.usa.gov/xzwMe.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
