Laserfiche WebLink
4 - 54 <br />• 4.5 VEGETATION INVENTORY <br />4.5.1 INTRODUCTION <br />A vegetation study was conducted at the McClave Canyon Mine in Garfield County, <br />Colorado, during the 1980 growing season. The objective of the study was to quantitatively <br />describe each vegetation type affected by mining activities and to locate a reference area for <br />each of these vegetation types as required for permitting under the Colorado Surface Coal <br />Mining Reclamation Act. <br />The project is in western Colorado approximately 15 miles north of Loma along Colorado <br />Highway 139 and south of Douglas Pass. The mine is located east of the highway across East <br />Salt Creek in a narrow canyon which drains to the west. Canyon walls are steep, rising above <br />the valley bottom (5,500 ft) to elevations in excess of 6,000 ft. Numerous ephemeral drainages <br />contribute to the water supply of the intermittent valley stream. <br />4.5.2 VEGETATION MAPPING STUDIES <br />A plant ecologist conducted a reconnaissance of the entire project site and selected <br />• mapping units based upon vegetation structure and species dominance. Color and black and <br />white photography was used to precisely delineate the boundaries of each vegetation type upon <br />a USGS base map at a scale of 1" = 400'. Extensive field reconnaissance was again employed <br />to verify the boundaries of the mapping units. This phase of the study was completed in 1977. <br />During 1980, the preciseness of each vegetation mapping unit was again verified through field <br />observation. <br />4.5.3 AFFECTED AREA SAMPLING DESIGN <br />Cover, production, and density sampling was confined to an area surrounding existing and <br />proposed disturbances. See Figure 4.5.1. All sample sites were located by a random process. <br />A grid system was conducted over a vegetation map of the areas surrounding existing and <br />proposed disturbances. Coordinates (x, y) were determined by a random number generator and <br />used to locate a set number of sample points within each sample unit. Thus, the required <br />number of sample points was generated. <br />Each sample point was located in the fields through the aid of a compass, USGS map, and <br />. pacing where necessary. Range cages were not used as there was no potential for domestic <br />livestock grazing. <br />M~ Volume 1 4-2996 <br />