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2.0 METHODOLOGY FOR VEGETATION SAMPLING <br />2.1 Sample Site Selection / Location <br />The sample layout protocol for revegetation evaluations in 2013 largely followed Colorado Division <br />of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (CDRMS) approved procedures developed by Cedar Creek to provide <br />unbiased, representative, and cost - effective data for evaluation of revegetation. These procedures are <br />designed to better account for the heterogeneous expression of vegetation within the various reclaimed <br />areas while precluding bias in the sample site selection process. By design, the procedure is initiated <br />randomly, and thereafter, samples are located in a systematic manner, along grid coordinates spaced at <br />fixed distances (e.g. 100 ft., as demonstrated in Figure 1 and /or Map 1). In this manner, representation <br />from across the entire reclaimed area is forced rather than risking the chance that significant pockets (or <br />seedings) are entirely missed, or overemphasized as often happens with simple random sampling. <br />The systematic procedure for sample location in the reference and revegetated areas occurred in <br />the following stepwise manner. First, a fixed point of reference was selected for the unit to facilitate <br />location of the systematic grid in the field. Second, a systematic grid of appropriate dimensions was <br />selected to provide a reasonable number of coordinate intersections (e.g., 10) that could then be used <br />for the set of sample sites. Third, a scaled representation of the grid was overlain on a computer - <br />generated map of the target area extending along north /south and east /west lines. Fourth, the initial <br />placement of this grid was implemented by selection of two random numbers (an X and Y distance) used <br />for locating the first coordinate from the fixed point of reference, thereby making the effort unbiased. <br />Fifth, utilizing a mobile Garmin GPS unit, the sample points were located in the field. <br />Once a selected grid point was located in the field, ground cover sampling transects were always <br />oriented in the direction of the next site to be physically sampled to further limit any potential bias while <br />facilitating sampling efficiency. This orientation protocol is indicated on Figure 1. Depending on logistics, <br />timing, and access points to the target sampling area, the field crew would occasionally layout a set of <br />points along coordinates in one direction and then sample them in reverse order. However, orientation <br />protocol was always maintained (i.e. in the direction of the next point to be physically sampled). If the <br />boundary of the area was encountered before reaching the full length of a transect, the orientation of the <br />transect was turned 900 in the appropriate direction so the transect could be completed. In this manner, <br />boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 5 Munger Canyon - Loadout - 2013 <br />Revegetation Monitoring <br />