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Samples were taken for the following parameters: <br />Cover <br />Production <br />Density <br />The following statistical tests were used to compare the quality of the vegetation cover and production of the <br />sagebrush affected area and corresponding reference area (OSM 1980): <br />Cover <br />Cover was measured by point- intercept techniques at one (1) meter intervals along a 50 meter transect. At each point <br />a metal pin was projected downward perpendicular to the transect and first hits on vegetation, litter, rock, or bare <br />ground were recorded. Second hits on vegetation were also recorded by species to provide a more complete <br />description of species composition within each community. Results obtained from a second hit data were only <br />described in terms of relative cover. <br />Prnduction <br />Herbaceous production was obtained at each random sampling site location by harvesting above ground herbaceous <br />growth. Harvested tissue within each quadrat (1x1 meter) was separated by major perennial and annual grass species, <br />annual and perennial forb species, grass like species, and half shrub species. Species with dry weight of less than one <br />(1) gram were noted as a "trace" and arbitrarily assigned a value of 0.3 grams. Harvested tissue was placed in paper <br />bags, oven -dried at 105° C for 24 hours, and weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram. <br />Shrub Densitv <br />Shrub densities were obtained along a 50 meter transect by counting all individuals rooted within one (1) meter of one <br />side of the transect. Seedlings less than five (5) inches in height of all shrubs were not counted, however, adult shrubs <br />possessing diminutive morphology were counted. <br />Cover data were summarized by determining mean cover, relative cover, and standard deviation for each species, life <br />form group, rock, litter, and bare ground within each vegetation type. Above ground standing biomass of herbaceous <br />species (production) was determined as the mean dry weight of all species at all plots within each type. <br />Production was expressed in grams per square meter and pounds /acre for each type. Shrub density was computed as a <br />mean number of plants per 50 square meters and per acre for all species. A summary of sample adequacy is presented <br />on Table 39, Summary of Sample Adequacy. A summary of cover, production and density data is presented in Table <br />40, Summary of Cover, Production, and Density Data for Reclaimed Type. <br />Threatened and Endangered Plant Species <br />The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) identifies the following as the only vegetation species in Moffat County <br />(07/13 search) listed as Threatened or Endangered (note that additional TES species information is provided in Exhibit <br />15a): <br />• Ute ladies- tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) <br />The USFWS, in a letter dated April 8, 1998, advised that Spiranthus deluvialis may be present in the area, however, <br />review of the USFWS IPaC mapping for Threatened and Endangered Species occurrence and habitat, indicates no <br />critical habitat for this species within the Mine Permit Area. Since no new surface disturbance is anticipated, mining - <br />related impacts to this species are unlikely. <br />TR14 -36 2.04 -34 Revised 06/23/14 <br />