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Normally, conditions optimum for biological imprinting occur in early summer, well after snowmelt but before drought conditions occur, and late summer or fall with the return of seasonal precipitation. The use of concentrating small groups of cattle for short time durations as biological imprinters provides several advantages over using mechanical imprinters in repairing rills and small gullies: 1) the rills and gullies are disrupted without the need to redisturb surrounding areas as is experienced with mechanical methods, thereby minimizing overall disturbance, 2) disruption of the rills and gullies, mulching, incorporating of seed, and fertilizing the affected area are accomplished as one task and, 3) inherent soil moisture conditions are used advantageously for seed germination and vegetative growth. Due to the short time duration and feed being provided to the cattle while placed on the areas needing rehabilitation, the implementation of this program should not be considered part of a grazing plan. Wildlife may be used opportunistically to achieve the same desired result. In this instance loosened hay bales are placed in the rills or gullies and seed may be spread on the surrounding area. When the wildlife feed on the hay bales, usually elk or deer, their hooving activities produce similar results. Design and construction of concentrated flow structures will follow standard engineering practices as detailed in "Surface Mining Water Diversion Design Manual", OSMRE, September 1982; "Applied Hydrology and Sedimentology for Disturbed Areas", Barfield, Warner and Haan, Oklahoma Technical Press, fourth printing, 1987; or other suitable, accepted design methods. Table 7.2 of "Applied Hydrology and Sedimentology for Disturbed Areas" contains a fairly comprehensive listing of sheet and concentrated flow erosion control measures, methods and materials, which may be used either singly or in combination, to control excessive erosion. P&M reserves the right to use these, or any other erosion control measures, methods or materials to correct a given erosion problem, at its discretion. The timing of implementation of reactive erosion control practices will depend on the severity of the erosion and soil moisture conditions. The time of the year in which erosion monitoring evaluations that identify a particular feature as being unacceptable are completed may also influence scheduling. Many of the corrective measures and methods require the use of heavy equipment and may only be completed when soil moisture or gzound conditions are favorable. Attention to heavy equipment requirements will minimize or avoid additional damage to the problem and adjacent areas. Erosion control measures or methods will not be implemented if the benefits do not outweigh any adverse impacts associated with implementation. Technical Revision 40 4.3-21 March 25, 2003