2013-04-10_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (82)

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RULE 2 PERMITS Planting and seeding methods will vary depending on degree of slopes, reapplied topsoil depth, new techniques, targeted community, etc.; however, the same planting sequence will be used in most cases. Seeding will occur during the Fall, immediately prior to the average first permanent snowfall event (typically mid to late October). If seeding cannot be completed prior to seasonally permanent snowfall, "mop -up" broadcast seeding may occur in the Spring as soon as ground conditions allow. Components of the proposed seedmixes that would normally be applied via drill seeder will be applied at double the seeding rate identified on the seed mix tables for these "mop -up" efforts and in cases where a drill seeder can't be used safely to apply the mixes. Following seedbed preparation, grassland targeted areas will be drill seeded with a heavy duty rangeland drill with depth bands using the perennial mixture as shown on Volume 15, Table 2.05 -7, Reclamation Seed Mixture - Grassland. At times, broadcast seeding may be required on steeper areas, wet areas, very rocky areas, or simply on areas that were missed by the drill seeding equipment. Broadcasting can be used in conjunction with the drill seeding equipment to broadcast a portion of this mix as indicated on Volume 15, Table 2.05 -7. A very light "tine harrow" or similar equipment may be dragged behind to facilitate a light cover of soil (-1/16 inch) over the broadcast seed. In this manner, the small seed for species such as fescue, yarrow, and sagebrush will be placed in a more optimal manner for emergence. This procedure (where the broadcaster is mounted on the seed drill) will facilitate a "one- pass" seeding procedure. The utilization of a Truax/Trillion /Brillion drill would also facilitate a one -pass option. Following seedbed preparation, sagebrush steppe targeted areas will be seeded with one of three scenarios using the perennial mixture as shown on Volume 15, Table 2.05 -9, Reclamation Seed Mixture — Sagebrush Steppe. The first scenario would be identical to grassland targeted areas whereby a heavy duty rangeland drill with depth bands would be used for taxa to be drill seeded along with a mounted broadcaster and light tine harrow (for those taxa indicated for broadcast seeding). This process would facilitate a "one- pass" seeding procedure. The second scenario would be separation of the drill seeding and broadcast equipment that would require a "two- pass" seeding procedure. The third scenario (preferred) would involve use of equipment such as a "Trillion" cultipacker type broadcast seeder (or dribbler) to plant the entire mix indicated on Volume 15, Table 2.05 -9 in a single pass. The trillion seeder has been developed specifically for "precision seed placement" by "combining the Truax seed box design with Brillion cultipacker rollers ". Use of this equipment means obtaining the seed mix with the seed blended in three separate categories for use in the three 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 /ft2 has been recommended by Agricultu,•al Research Service studies in Wyoming]; 4) planting seeds into a firm seedbed with only a light co --,ering of soil; 5) planting with dir ,-ct -haul topsoil (as opposed to stockpiled) whenever possible; 6) plan, ing irkto Collom — Rule 2, Page 117 Revision Date: 9/28/11 Revision No.: PR -03