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<br />• <br />resulting in temperatures which may be as much as 10 degrees colder than the <br />temperature on the mesas. The mesas can also be quite warm in the winter when a <br />combination of an intense temperature inversion and strong downslope winds occur <br />together. Fountain may be rather chilly while the mesa tops, only a few feet <br />higher, are unusually comfortable, although quite windy. <br />The wind is probably the greatest limiting factor to the establishment of new <br />• <br />C1 <br />J <br />vegetation on the mesa tops. The wind is desiccating and quite strong, a <br />combination which is not favorable. Mulches have been used on other nearby gravel <br />pits but have had little success because it blows away. The most effective means <br />to control this adverse combination of factors is to leave the surface rather <br />rough. Furrowing should be on a more or less north and south direction so the wind <br />will be forced to blow across the furrows rather than down them. This will result <br />in the capture of maximum moisture between the furrows as well as a reduction in <br />the erosive effects of the wind on the soils. A cover crop such as winter wheat <br />might also be planted along with the desirable species, but such a planting should <br />be not more than a few pounds per acre or severe moisture competition may affect <br />the success of the long term vegetation. <br />page 2 of 2 Ekhibit K <br />