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substrates. After the pipeline is laid and the trench backfilled with overburden, the live topsoil would be replaced over the area. Handling of topsoil would be kept to a minimum to reduce compaction, which can lead to erosion and can reduce the effectiveness of natural revegetation. Supplemental revegetation seedings may be used within the Sage Grouse Treatment Area to enhance the establishment of species found to be desirable to sage grouse. Such species could include dryland alfalfa, sainfoin, small burnet, and possibly others, and these forbs would be planted in conjunction with less competitive grasses. Seeding would be done using broadcast seeding at appropriate rates to optimize the establishment of seeded species among natural revegetation. Within the pipeline corridor, the ultimate goal would be to establish, within 5 years, a persistent 10 percent ground cover of desirable forbs, more or less evenly distributed across American Soda's right-of-way width and length within the Sage Grouse Treatment Area. Small, dense seeds, such as alfalfa and other legumes, and seeds of markedly different textures would need to be broadcast separately to minimize separation in the seeder and, consequently, irregular distribution of seed. Seeded areas would then be harrowed to optimize seed/soil contact. Revegetation efforts may also include the introduction of mountain big sagebrush within the Sage Grouse Treatment Area pipeline corridor to provide cover for sage grouse. [f seeded, sagebrush would need to be applied separately and in geographically separate portions of the pipeline corridor in order to minimize competition from more aggressive species and thereby optimize its establishment. Tubelings or other containerized seedlings of desirable sagebrush accessions may also be used to create small-scale sagebrush gardens in the pipeline corridor that would act as seed sources in the future. Within the pipeline corridor, the ultimate goal would be to establish, within 10 years, sagebrush canopies and/or stem densities equivalent to 5 percent canopy cover at maturity more or Tess evenly distributed across American Soda's right-of-way width and length within the Sage Grouse Treatment Area. To allow for future access and maintenance of the pipeline, sagebrush would not be planted directly over the pipeline trench. The details of any sagebrush reintroduction program would be determined in consultation with the CDOW and any affected landowner. On privately held portions of the pipeline corridor within the Sage Grouse Treatment Area, the use of sagebrush and forbs for revegetation will be implemented only to the extent that it is consistent with the requirements of the private landowners, as discussed above. Habitat improvement using the previously described methods within the entire Sage Crouse Treatment Area would be expected to result in approximately 120 acres of improved habitat for sage grouse nesting and brood rearing. Use of these methods within only the BLM portion of the Sage Grouse Treatment Area would result in approximately 34 acres of improved habitat for sage grouse nesting and Wildlife Mitigation Plan 2_4 Yankee Gulch Sodium Mineral Project Amencan Soda, L.L.P.