2020-03-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 2 PERMITS separate seed hoppers: 1) small flowable seeds, 2) fluffy seeds, and 3) flowable large seed. (Filler material will also need to be added to these different hopper mixes, as appropriate, to facilitate the correct metering.) The trillion seeder firms the seedbed with the front row of cultipacker wheels, dribbles the seed immediately following, and then "imprints" the seed to the correct depth with the rear set of cultipacker wheels. Where the ground is uneven due to soil clods, rocks, or woody debris, proper seeding will require slower travel speeds. If the seedbed is too uneven or "cloddy", it will need to be broken and modestly smoothed by discing, harrowing, or chiseling to the point where equipment such as the trillion will work effectively. Otherwise, most of the seed will not be imprinted to the proper depth and the risk of a seeding failure would be substantially elevated. Research into the use of these techniques, especially with "brillion" style seeders in Wyoming and Idaho has indicated substantially elevated probabilities for success of sagebrush establishment at, or greater than, the desired densities. Other procedural recommendations based on recent successes in Wyoming and Idaho include: 1) proper seedbed preparation [standard agronomic practices]; 2) placement of sagebrush seed at a very shallow depth (<5mm); 3) planting substantially elevated quantities of seed in comparison to past conventions [at least 80 - 100 seeds/ft' has been recommended by Agricultural Research Service studies in Wyoming]; 4) planting seeds into a firm seedbed with only a light covering of soil; 5) planting with direct -haul topsoil (as opposed to stockpiled) whenever possible; 6) planting into soils with textures of silty - loam to sandy -loam where possible; 7) use of few -flowered Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. pauciflora) seed in the Colowyo environs; 8) use of sagebrush seed collected from as close to the Axial Basin circumstances as possible; 9) planting mixes that exhibit significantly reduced quantities of grass seed; 10) supplement with additional grass seed (if necessary) two to three years after sagebrush seedlings have emerged; and 11) placement of grass, forb, and shrub seed in differing rows to reduce interspecific competition when practical. As previously indicated, sagebrush steppe revegetation will only be attempted on slopes exhibiting gradients of 10% or flatter. However, where large expanses of area suitable for this targeted community exist, there also exists potential for elevated erosion because of the length of slopes involved, and the dearth of expected grasses in the short-term. In these circumstances and at the discretion of the reclamation coordinator, the technique of "banding" may be implemented. Banding is defined as alternating "bands" of sagebrush steppe -targeted community with grassland - targeted community. Alternating bands of these two communities would occur along the contour so that erosional pathways that might begin in sagebrush steppe bands would then be intercepted by grassland bands down -gradient. Band width would be dependent on seeder equipment width and a defined number of passes to maintain field practicalities. For example, bands would need to be an even number of passes to facilitate travel in one direction, and then back. In such a manner, seeding equipment could be hooked and unhooked at one end of a reclamation unit without excessive travel. Similarly, field practicalities may dictate that 2, 4, or 6 passes are warranted with given seeding equipment before switching because of complications of attachment or other factors. If seeding equipment exhibits an 8 -foot width, then alternating bands would be approximately 16, 32, or 48 feet wide for the example 2, 4, or 6 pass scenario. None of these widths, or even greater widths, would be problematic from an ecological perspective. In addition, such banding would maximize "edge effect" for sage grouse populations. The aforementioned sagebrush steppe limitation to 10% or flatter slopes may be exceeded (up to Rule 2 Permits 2.05-35 Revision Date: 5/25/18 Revision No.: RN -07