It has been estimated that some 4,000,000 ha (Sampson and Burcham, 1954) of California range covered with unpalatable brush can be converted to grass. There are about 120,000 ha on public lands in the Folsom District. Topography is moderate to very steep; elevations are between 300 and 1,600 m. Precipitation as rain and snow ranges from 25 to 100 cm, occurring during the winter from October to April. Soils are shallow to deep (25-50 cm), often low in fertility; they vary from sandy loam to heavy red clay. Brush species include chamise Adenostoma fasiculatum , buckbrush, Ceanothus cuneatus, scrub oak, Quercus dumosa , manzanita Arctostaphlos sp., toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia, and yerba santa Eriodictyon californicum.
In converting brush to grass in central California, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) takes these steps: site selection, brush removal, seeding, spraying and management. Procedures and techniques practiced by the BLM are based to a great extent on results of research carried out by the California Division of Forestry, University of California, Forest Service, Agriculture Research Service and on BLM's own experience.