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• 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 effidency. This orientation protocol follows that which is indicated on Fgure V-1. <br />Depending on logistics, timing, and access points to the target sampling area, the field crew would <br />occasionally layout a set of points along coordinates in one direction and then sample them in reverse <br />order. However, orientation protocol was always maintained (i.e. in the direction of the next point to be <br />physically sampled). If the boundary of an area was encountered before reaching the full length of a <br />transect, the transect orientation was turned 90° in the appropriate direction so the transect could be <br />completed. In this manner, boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing' <br />ott the boundaries. Production quadrats were always oriented 9Cf to the right (clockwise) of the ground <br />cover transect and placed one meter from the starting point so as to avoid any trampled vegetation. <br />At the scoping meeting of June 26'" with the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, it was <br />agreed based on preliminary information of the study area to sample the various plant communities <br />types as follows. Historic yield data would be sufficient for the irrigated hayland. However, to corroborate <br />historic data and to determine the approximate plant composition, a minimal level of 10 ground cover <br />• transects and production quadrats would be collected from uncut fringe areas of this type. Similarly, <br />historic yield data would be collected for the orchard areas along with a determination oT density (total <br />count) of frud trees. Qualitative information would be sufficient for the underslory within the orchard <br />areas. The pasture type would receive full quantftative evaluation to designated levels of statistical <br />adequacy for both ground cover and production. Because of extensive past disturbance, weed <br />populations, variation in physiognomic character, differences in management (or lack thereof), and lack of <br />native vegetation, the derelict type would be sampled for ground cover only (to adequacy) along with a <br />count of tress over 15 feet in height, by species. In addition, the derelict type would be evaluated <br />qualitatively. The riparian /wetland plant community would only be described qualitatively due to its <br />limited distribution within the study area (1.0 acre), and lack of conflict with proposed disturbances. <br />Fnally, the residential /industrial facility type would be evaluated qualitatively owing to the lack of native <br />vegetation (or any vegetation in many arcumstances) as a result of disturbance over the past century. <br />2.3 Determination of Ground Cover <br />Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology as <br />illustrated on Fgure V-1. As indicated in this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes new state-of-the-art <br />instrumentation it has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect <br />of 10 meters length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of <br />~s®Ne ~~ Aca®amoaQO, tNC. Page 8 Exhibit 5 -Bowie Baseline Vegetation Survey <br />