RANDOLPH — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has awarded a $2.3 million construction contract for the replacement of range and shoreline fencing in the Upper Bear River Watershed Landscape Restoration Area. The project is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and will affect areas surrounding the Bear River in Utah’s Rich and Summit counties and Wyoming’s Uinta County.
“We are excited to see our efforts to advance this watershed restoration coming to fruition,” said West Desert District Manager Mike Gates. “This project highlights core aspects of the BLM mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
Upper Bear River. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management
In partnership with Sageland Collaborative, a citizen science initiative, the BLM Salt Lake Field Office identified approximately 42 miles of range fencing in the Upper Bear River area that did not meet BLM standards for wildlife passage. About $580,000 will be allocated for modifying or replacing these fences, ensuring continued effective management of grazing in the area.
Additionally, over $1.7 million will be used to reconstruct 24 fences with durable steel pipe materials designed to keep animals out. This upgrade aims to improve the durability of existing structures, making them less prone to damage from snow load and reducing the need for constant maintenance.
Currently, traditional wire fences require annual maintenance and inspections to ensure livestock grazing is excluded from sensitive areas along the banks of the Bear River. The reconstruction of these structures will help protect crucial riparian and Bonneville Cutthroat trout habitats.
The Upper Bear River Restoration Landscape’s waters are a primary input for the Great Salt Lake, which is experiencing significant drying and shrinking. The BLM is employing various methods to restore and enhance the health and resiliency of the Upper Bear River watershed, which will help provide clean water, habitat for fish and wildlife, and recreational opportunities. The uplands in this area also serve as key habitats for big game and contain the largest, most contiguous intact sagebrush and sage-grouse habitat in Utah.
As streams and wetland areas improve, they will restore the natural storage and release of water in the flood plain. The public will also benefit from enhancements at the Little Creek campground (located approximately three miles west of Randolph) and Birch Creek Reservoir (located approximately 10 miles west of Woodruff), improving user experiences and recreational access.
This funding is part of the BLM’s $161 million investment in ecosystem restoration and resilience on public lands, derived from the Department’s restoration and resilience framework. The construction contract for the Upper Bear River project was awarded to Global Engineering Services of Midvale, Utah.