Juniper Control
Western juniper, although a native species, is currently widely invasive throughout the Intermountain West. Historically, juniper occurred in fire-proof areas of the landscape growing in old growth stands or as juniper savannah. Some possible reasons for the expansion of juniper include a wet, mild climate that supported vigorous growth of western juniper, livestock grazing that reduced fine fuels and vegetative competition with juniper, rising carbon dioxide levels increasing woody species growth, and changes in fire return intervals. This expansion is concerning because of increased soil erosion, reduced stream flows, reduced forage production, altered wildlife habitat, and changes in plant communities.
In the Buffalo-Skedaddle PMU, juniper is affecting the northern and western edge of sage-grouse habitat. Juniper removal remains one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve Greater Sage-grouse habitat, and partners across the PMU are working together to treat juniper at a landscape scale.
In 2020, a juniper removal project covering 3,750 acres of BLM land was completed near Little Blacks Mountain lek in coordination with the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The following year, the BLM treated 3,956 acres of Phase I juniper just south of Blacks Mountain, expanding the juniper free area around two active leks.
In October 2022, the first “half phase 1” juniper NEPA planning process was completed, and the Working Group hit the ground running. "Half Phase 1" juniper are smaller trees have no adverse effect on cultural resources when cut, so the treatment areas require a less intensive cultural resource survey that is quicker and easier to accomplish than what would be required for a regular Phase 1 juniper treatment. The Group had a workday in Grasshopper Valley, where juniper trees were small and sparse, to eliminate juniper as a threat to the lek in this area. Over 300 acres were treated in just a few hours. Great Basin Institute crews were able to complete the Grasshopper Valley treatment area and part of the Humphrey Allotment, treating a total of 2,900 acres of half phase 1 juniper before snow and poor access curbed the effort for the season.