From Deseret News archives:
State striving to 'rehabilitate' watersheds
Utah's efforts have been recognized by other states, which are now following its lead with similar restoration projects.
At first glance, the land here appears dry and unproductive. But state and federal officials, local cattle ranchers and conservationists say the dusty land is a top watershed area, and critical habitat for animals. They're working in several areas in the region to improve the land through a program known as the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative.
The projects range from tearing out swaths of juniper that have invaded sagebrush habitat to removing highly flammable and non-native cheat grass. This helps to stop soil erosion, create wildlife habitat, improve grazing conditions and ensure that runoff doesn't evaporate, said Reynolds.
It costs from $100 to $150 to rehabilitate an acre of land.
"You've got to do things now to ensure that our resources are available," he said.
During a tour this month of six rehabilitation sites near Vernon and the Rush Valley, Reynolds' work partner, A.J. Martinez, compared the projects to maintaining a house.
"If you don't maintain it, it will depreciate a lot," he said.
Maintenance and improvement were the goals five years ago, when the state first embarked on its initiative to improve watersheds.
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