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Ground cover will be evaluated along each transect by sampling two points (1.0 -meter apart) at 1.0 -m <br />intervals. Cover will be classified as vegetation, litter, or rock. Lack of cover will be classified as bare soil. <br />Vegetation will be further classified by species. Each transect will consist of 50 point samples. <br />Using a Cover -Point Optical Point Projection Device, each point sample will be determined by projecting the <br />ocular sight vertically downward to the sample location on the transect and recording all "hits" on vegetation. <br />The "hits" will be used to estimate total vegetative cover for each transect according to equation 2. <br />(2) % Total Veg. Cover = No. Hits on vegetation x 100 <br />Total Hits of Points <br />The mean vegetative cover for each of the two areas is the mean value for the ten transects. <br />The composition of plant species in each area will also be evaluated using the data acquired from the <br />vegetative cover transects. Data from the transects will be used in equation 3 to determine the relative cover of <br />each species detected: <br />(3) Relative Cover of Species X = % Cover of species x <br />% Total Veg CoverPoints <br />The percent total vegetative cover for each of the areas is the mean of the ten transects. <br />Diversity will be calculated by lumping the plants into groups of: cool season grasses, warm season grasses, <br />and forbs. Then comparing the number of species in each group to the standard. <br />Production comparisons will be made by clipping six 0.5 m2 piots located along each transect. The production <br />plots will be located along one side of the transect. Sample size adequacy will be determined by equation 1. <br />Data analysis will consist of comparing test plot production with reference area production. If this comparison <br />indicates production is insufficient, but close to the standard, a statistical analysis will be conducted to <br />determine if the vegetation is statistically acceptable. The statistical methods that will be used are described <br />below. <br />For the Northwest Fan Shaft Site and corresponding reference area, a systematic random sampling method <br />will be employed. Vegetative cover and diversity will be sampled using a minimum of 10 -meter long point - <br />intercept transects, and up to 25- meters. Production comparisons will be made by clipping two 0.5 m2 plots <br />located along one side of each transect. The shrub component will not be used to evaluate revegetation <br />success for the Northwest Fan Shaft Site since the post- mining land use is rangeland. In addition to the <br />statistical methods described below, other statistical tests, as approved by the Division, may be used to <br />determine if the vegetation is statistically acceptable. <br />2.05 -23 <br />MrK 6�0&14� <br />