This project will work to enhance and facilitate the connection of two sagebrush growth opportunity areas that are connected by a wet meadow irrigated pasture habitat on the sweetwater ranch in lyon…

This project will work to enhance and facilitate the connection of two sagebrush growth opportunity areas that are connected by a wet meadow irrigated pasture habitat on the sweetwater ranch in lyon county, nevada. This project will control the encroachment of at least 60 acres of light to medium density pinyon-juniper. The project area will continue along a previous project area (2016 227 acres of pinyon-juniper removal) to completely remove conifers along the southern area of the sweetwater ranch. This removal of light-moderate density conifers will benefit the BI-state sage grouse breeding, nesting, and brooding habitat as well as remove resource ( water, soil nutrients) competitors of sagebrush and other sagebrush-steppe vegetation species and provide additional habitat corridors for mule deer. Pinyon-juniper stands will be treated with the cut, LOP, and scatter method. This method of treatment will help to increase residual vegetation on the property and provide necessary nesting and hiding cover to BI-state sage grouse and other sagebrush obligate species. The smith valley conservation district (SVCD) will facilitate the implementation of the treatment and contribute on the ground management to crews. A crew leader will be assigned to the project that will be responsible for on the ground project supervision, use of equipment and all other field related activities as well as providing reports to the project manager of daily and weekly accomplishments. SVCD will provide any necessary supplies (chainsaws, brush cutters, hand tools, etc.) and safety equipment needed for the field crews and replace existing equipment as IT expires. SVCD will provide management for the project which includes the timely development and submittal of all required reporting documents and any required updates. SVCD district manager will provide general oversight of the program to include the review of all financial documents and work contracts and will be the main point of contact.