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While the line -intercept method was utilized to collect vegetation baseline information <br />for the Southfield Mine, EFCI will utilize the more efficient point -intercept method to <br />determine vegetative cover. Vegetative diversity will be evaluated using cover data and <br />will determine woody plant density using a weighted average summarization of <br />transplant clump density and seeded area woody plant density (determined by belt <br />transect). Cover sampling will involve establishment of random, 50 meter transects and <br />use a standard 10 -point frame. Woody plant density (seeded areas) will be determined <br />using 50 x 1 meter belt transects along the cover sampling lines. For the Corley <br />Property, woody plants will not be considered in the diversity evaluation and woody <br />plant density will not be evaluated. <br />Original baseline vegetative cover data reflects measurement of basal vegetative cover <br />because extensive grazing had significantly altered natural vegetative growth patterns. <br />Both the reference and reclaimed areas have not been disturbed by grazing during the <br />interim period and will be subject to essentially the same post -reclamation management <br />program during the bond liability period. Therefore, post -reclamation monitoring will <br />involve measurement of total canopy cover. Determination of revegetation success will <br />involve a comparison of vegetative cover data for reclaimed and reference areas <br />utilizing the "t test" method (Larson 1980). Reference area data for the grassland <br />(Reference Plot A) and ponderosa/pinion/juniper woodland (Reference Plot B) <br />vegetation types will be combined using a weighted average approach. Consistent with <br />pre -disturbance vegetation boundaries, and disturbed area mapping, the weighting <br />factor will reflect 79.8 % grassland and 20.2 % ponderosa/pinion/juniper woodland <br />disturbed. If the absolute value of cover for reclaimed areas is greater than or equal to <br />the calculated 90 % confidence level for the reference area value, then the means <br />between the areas shall be determined statistically equivalent and vegetative cover will <br />meet regulatory standards. <br />Vegetative productivity of reclaimed areas will be evaluated by clipping one quarter <br />square meter circular quadrats along the sample transect. All plant species will be <br />clipped, dried, and weighted to determine total vegetative production. If the absolute <br />value of production from the reclaimed area is greater than or equal to the calculated 90 <br />% confidence level for the reference area value, then the corresponding means shall be <br />determined statistically equivalent and vegetative productivity for the reclaimed area <br />will be judged to be adequate to meet regulatory revegetation success standards. <br />Species diversity will be evaluated for revegetated areas utilizing data from vegetative <br />cover sampling. Species diversity shall be considered adequate when the four (4) <br />dominant species, based on plant cover, comprise no more than 80 % of the total <br />species composition. <br />Because woody plant occurrence in the loadout area is very limited, woody plant <br />sampling data for the loadout areas will be compared with revised woody plant counts <br />for the corresponding reference area will be compared with the revised woody plant <br />counts for the corresponding reference area as documented in the baseline vegetation <br />data. The revised woody plant count for the loadout area is 6.3 (2 trees and I shrub on <br />the 0.48 acre area) stems per acre. If the woody plant density (calculated on a stems per <br />acre basis using woody plant sampling data) for the loadout area is greater than or equal <br />to the 90 % confidence interval for corresponding revised woody plant density counts, <br />revegetation will be deemed adequate relative to woody plant density. <br />23 <br />