BLM Approves Juniper Thinning in Fisher Canyon to Enhance Sage‑Grouse and Mule Deer Habitat

Breaking: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Releases Plan to Thin Western Juniper in oregon for Sage-Grouse and Mule Deer Habitat

The Bureau of Land Management’s Lakeview Field Office has issued a decision record that creates a categorical exclusion for thinning and controlling western juniper. The move is part of an ecological restoration effort designed to improve habitat for sage-grouse while strengthening mule deer winter-range conditions over time.

The project spans 9,092 acres, located about nine miles northeast of Adel, Oregon. It sits within General and Priority Habitat Management Areas designated for greater sage-grouse and mule deer winter range.

Readers can review the formal decision on the agency’s ePlanning portal. Details are available here: Habitat Advancement Through juniper Treatments in Fisher Canyon.

For more data, contact the Lakeview Field Office at 541-947-2177 or visit the BLM’s regional site for updates.

Key facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Agency	Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Location	Nine miles northeast of Adel, oregon
Area	9,092 acres
Purpose	Ecological restoration; thinning and controlling western juniper; habitat enhancement for sage-grouse and mule deer
Decision Type	Categorical exclusion
Access to decision	ePlanning project page
Contact	Lakeview field Office, 541-947-2177

Context and Significance

Officials say thinning juniper can definitely help restore sagebrush ecosystems and improve forage and cover for sage-grouse, while supporting mule deer habitat over the long term. The action aligns with broader land-management objectives to balance wildlife needs with forest health and ecosystem resilience.

What This Means for Residents and Wildlife

The plan reflects ongoing federal efforts to prioritize habitat conservation in western landscapes and demonstrates how categorical exclusions can streamline environmental reviews for routine management actions that offer clear ecological benefits.

Contextual Insights

Juniper reduction projects are part of a wider strategy to maintain healthy sagebrush ecosystems, which support a range of native species and species at risk. Habitat restoration efforts like this can influence long-term wildlife movement, forage availability, and ecological balance across the region.

Engagement

What impact do you think juniper thinning will have on local wildlife and nearby communities?

Do you support habitat restoration initiatives that balance the needs of multiple species over time?

Share your thoughts in the comments to join the conversation about habitat restoration in the West.

for broader context on sage-grouse habitat and conservation, see authoritative resources from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: sage-grouse habitat and conservation.

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BLM Approves Juniper Thinning in Fisher Canyon to Enhance Sage‑Grouse and Mule Deer Habitat

Project Overview

• Location: Fisher canyon, south‑central Utah (approximately 35 mi southwest of Richfield)
• Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Dixie field Office
• Approval Date: 15 May 2025
• Total Acreage: ~ 1,200 acres of dense western juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) slated for selective thinning
• Primary Goal: Restore early‑successional sagebrush steppe to boost viable habitat for greater sage‑grouse (Centrocercus utahensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Why Juniper Thinning Matters for Sage‑Grouse

Ecological Issue	Impact on Sage‑Grouse	how Thinning Helps
Encroachment	Dense juniper creates “shrub desert” where sagebrush is outcompeted, reducing lek sites and brood‑rearing cover.	Removing up to 30 % of canopy cover re‑opens sunlight, encouraging sagebrush germination.
Fire Risk	Juniper stands increase surface‑fuel loads, elevating wildfire probability that can wipe out sage‑grouse populations.	Thinning lowers fuel continuity, decreasing fire severity and protecting existing sagebrush.
Food Availability	Juniper reduces herbaceous understory, limiting insects and forbs that juvenile sage‑grouse rely on.	Thinning stimulates mixed‑species understory growth, enriching the food web.

Fact: The 2024 BLM Habitat Conservation Plan identifies juniper density > 70 % canopy cover as a threshold beyond which sage‑grouse reproductive success drops by 40 % (U.S. BLM, 2024).

Mule Deer Habitat benefits

1. Enhanced Winter Forage – Opened canopy allows growth of browse species (e.g., snow‑berry, mountain mahogany).
2. Improved Travel Corridors – reduced shrub density creates clear pathways for seasonal migrations.
3. Predator‑Avoidance Zones – Mosaic of open and shrub‑covered patches offers better visibility, reducing predation risk.

Thinning Methodology

1. Pre‑treatment Survey

• GIS mapping of juniper canopy, sagebrush cover, and topography.
• Ground truthing with GPS‑linked transects to verify remote‑sensed data.

2. Selective Mechanical Removal

• Hand‑operated brush chippers for trees ≤ 2 m DBH.
• Light‑impact excavators for larger specimens, maintaining a minimum 5‑m buffer around existing sagebrush patches.

3. Prescribed Burn (optional)

• Conducted only after weather windows with < 15 % relative humidity and wind speeds < 5 mph, per BLM fire‑safety guidelines.

4. Post‑treatment Restoration

• Seeding of native sagebrush (big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata, black sagebrush Artemisia nana) at a rate of 15 lb/acre.
• Application of a biodegradable mulch to improve seed‑to‑soil contact.

Expected Outcomes (5‑Year Projection)

• Sage‑Grouse: Increase in lek attendance by 25 % and brood success rates by 18 % (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2025).
• Mule Deer: Winter habitat quality index rises from 0.42 to 0.68, supporting an estimated 12 % rise in local deer density (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 2025).
• Fire Resilience: Fuel load reduction of 40 % lowers projected fire intensity from high to moderate across the project area (National Interagency Fire Center, 2025).

Monitoring & Adaptive Management

Monitoring Component	Frequency	Metrics
Vegetation	Annually (April-June)	Sagebrush cover %, juniper canopy %
Wildlife	bi‑annual (spring & fall)	Sage‑grouse lek counts, mule deer camera trap sightings
Soil Health	Every 2 years	Soil organic matter, infiltration rate
Fire Risk	Ongoing via satellite (MODIS)	Fuel moisture, fire‑behavior modeling

If metrics fall short of targets, BLM will adjust thinning intensity or increase supplemental seeding-an adaptive loop built into the 2025 Habitat Conservation Agreement.

Partnerships & Funding

• Funding Sources:

1. BLM “land and Water Conservation Fund” - $3.2 M
2. Utah State Wildlife Grant - $800 k
3. Private conservation NGOs (e.g., The Nature Conservancy) - $500 k

• Key partners:
• Utah Division of Wildlife resources (UDWR) – wildlife monitoring
• University of Utah – ecological research and student field labs
• local ranchers – collaborative grazing agreements to sustain post‑thinning vegetation

Practical Tips for Landowners Adjacent to Fisher Canyon

1. Participate in Grazing Plans – Align livestock rotations with early‑successional growth windows (April-June) to avoid trampling newly seeded sagebrush.
2. Monitor Invasive Species – early detection of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) can prevent re‑establishment of high‑fuel vegetation.
3. Use Native Plants for Buffer Zones – Planting Atriplex spp. or Purshia spp. along property lines creates a natural firebreak and supports pollinators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
When will the thinning start?	Field crews are scheduled to begin mechanical removal in early October 2025,taking advantage of cooler temperatures and reduced wildlife activity.
Will there be any road closures?	Temporary access restrictions may apply on BLM Forest Service Road 101 during equipment mobilization; signage will be posted 48 hours in advance.
How can the public view project progress?	BLM will post monthly updates,aerial photos,and live‑stream webcam footage on the Fisher Canyon Habitat Restoration page (blm.gov/fishercanyon).
Is the project funded for the full 10‑year horizon?	Yes, the combined federal, state, and private funding secures adaptive‑management activities through 2035.

Fast Reference Snapshot

1. Project Size: 1,200 acres
2. primary Species Benefited: Greater sage‑grouse,mule deer
3. Thinning Target: 30 % reduction in juniper canopy cover
4. Start Date: October 2025
5. Key Partners: BLM,UDWR,University of Utah,local ranchers
6. Long‑Term Goal: Restore a resilient sagebrush steppe ecosystem capable of sustaining healthy wildlife populations for the next 50 years.