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included in seed mixes. Roughening along contours also effectively limits erosional losses of topsoil by wind and water. In non-compacted soils, seedbed roughening is accomplished with the use of a harrow or offset disk. In compacted subsoils a ripper tooth or chisel plow is used to rip the surface soil material. Furrows are made perpendicular or tangential to the angle of slope. Furrowing is accomplished in an informal manner so that straight, uniform lines are not produced on the slope. Roughening is accomplished following earth moving or soil replacement operations. Roughening of surfaces when carried out in advance of seeding enhances soil moisture retention. Before seeding, weeds should be eliminated from the site. Methods for eliminating weeds include tillage or chemical fallow. V.D.4.e Seeding Operations. Seed is preferably applied by drill seeding. However, many conditions preclude drill seeding and broadcast seeding is often required. These conditions include steep sites where drill equipment is ineffective or unsafe to operate, areas where extensive surface roughening is desirable, or small sites which do not warrant mobilization of a contractor with a drill. Sites that are on south orwest-facing slopes are treated by roughening and broadcasting to increase opportunities for moisture retention to improve the density and vigor of the established stand. Smooth and level areas that were previously occupied by grasslands are preferably drill seeded. Seed is applied based on the pure live seed (PLS) amounts shown on Tables V-10 and V-11. A rangeland drill is generally used for drill seeding operations. The drill should be equipped with agitators to facilitate seed flow and attachments for seeds with chaffy or hairy coats (cracked corn or rice hulls can also be used to prevent lodging of these seeds in boxes without special attachments). On small areas, a broadcast seeder is used. Broadcast sites are lightly harrowed when possible following seeding to provide a light soil cover. On steep slopes, it is desirable to coordinate the timing of dozer tracking or other means of roughening such that seed is sown onto a fresh surtace. This will allow precipitationto naturally coverthe seed with soil without additional smoothing by harrowing. V.D.4.f Planting Time. The best time for planting seed in the Intermountain Region is mid to late autumn (mid-October- mid-December). Dormant fall seeding takes advantage of the relatively moist spring. Spring seeding (March -early June) is also acceptable but somewhat less desirable since moist conditions during this time of year could lead to soil compaction or delays beyond the optimum planting time. Broadcast seeding can also be performed during the winter in cases where harrowing will not be performed or on situations where the soil surface is friable enough to allow seeds to be coverage. V.D.4.g Evaluation and Follow-up. Each revegetated area is regularly evaluated in order to determine species and plot success. Specific recommendations are developed from the yearly ExhibitE-Reclamation Plan Rio BlancoSpecialUsePermit#81.1 September2000 V-25 .~_.