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PSC collects "all hit" vegetation data, but uses "first hit" data for reclamation success <br />determination_ All hit vegetation data did achieve sample adequacy. However, <br />conversion to "first hit" cover resulted the "first hit" data not meeting the adequacy <br />calculations. The Division accepts PSC's sampling methodology_ <br />Sample adequacy was achieved for vegetative cover for the 2010 and 2011 sampling of <br />the BRB and sagebrush reference area. Due to a high variance in the vegetation sampling <br />results PSCM was unable to achieve sample adequacy for the 2010 and 2011 cover <br />sampling of the mountain brush reference area. PSC collected a minimum of 15 transects <br />were in the mountain brush reference area in 2010 and 2011. <br />Allowable vegetative cover measured on the BRB in 2010 was 54.9. The weighted and <br />factored vegetative cover value for the 2010 Sagebrush and Mountain Brush reference <br />areas was calculated as 32.8 percent. Vegetative cover on the reclaimed bond release <br />block was successful for 2010_ <br />Allowable vegetative cover measured on the BRB in 2011 was 55.8_ The weighted and <br />factored vegetative cover value for the 2011 Sagebrush and Mountain Brush reference <br />areas was calculated as 45.11 percent. Vegetative cover on the reclaimed bond release <br />block was successful for 2011. <br />Production <br />For the PSCM, reclamation productivity success will be considered successful when <br />annual herbaceous production on the BRB is 90 percent or greater than the annual <br />herbaceous production measured on the two reference areas_ Similar to the determination <br />of reclamation success for allowable vegetative cover, PSC utilizes a weighted average of <br />annual allowable herbaceous production for determination of productivity success. <br />Weighted values of the two reference areas are based on the percentage of the pre - <br />disturbance acreage composed of each vegetation community_ The mean allowable <br />herbaceous production of the Sagebrush reference area is multiplied by 17 %, while the <br />mean allowable vegetative cover of the mountain brush reference area is multiplied by <br />83 %. These two values are added together to determine the annual herbaceous production <br />standard. <br />Sample adequacy was not achieved for annual herbaceous production for the 2010 and <br />2011 sampling of the BRB, Mountain Brush reference area, and 2010 sampling of the <br />Sagebrush reference area. Sample adequacy was achieved for the 2011 total herbaceous <br />production of the Sagebrush reference area. PSC collected a minimum of 30 quadrats on <br />each of the respective sampling areas in 2010 and 2011. PSC excluded noxious weed <br />species and annual/biennial grass and forb species in excess of 10% relative cover from <br />the total annual herbaceous production to determine the annual allowable herbaceous <br />production value. This calculation is in agreement with the approved permit. <br />