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approximately 1.7 acres of mixed grassland, mountain shrub and pinyon juniper vegetation <br />on a northwest facing slope with sandy to sandy loam soils. <br />Sample locations within the proposed reference area were randomly determined by use of a <br />50'x50' grid representing the reclaimed site. Sample points within the proposed reference <br />area were then selected using a random numbers table generated from algorithms contained <br />in Microsoft Excel® software. Sample sites were located in the field through compass <br />triangulation, GPS, and pacing from known landmarks. The Appendix figure illustrates the <br />sample locations. <br />2.2 FIELD SAMPLING <br />2.2.1 Timing <br />Field investigation of the reclaimed areas was undertaken during the period between June 11 <br />and 13, 2014. This time period coincided with anthesis and maximum presence of the <br />majority of plant species found in the proposed reference area at the mine site and adjacent <br />reclaimed areas. <br />2.2.2 Total Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point -intercept method. An ocular point <br />frame (ESCO Associates) was used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision <br />and observer accuracy. Cover transects were 25 meters in length, with two sample data <br />points collected at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of the transect <br />centerline, 1.5m apart. This provided a total of 50 primary cover data per vegetation cover <br />transect. To establish vegetation cover value in percent, total primary hits per species were <br />multiplied by a factor to two (2) to generate total cove of 100 percent. Transect direction was <br />established randomly through the use of computer generated random directions (0-360°). <br />While transects were randomly oriented, care was taken, given the relatively small size of the <br />proposed reference area, that no overlap of transects occurred. <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) served as a sample <br />unit. Data points recorded the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below the <br />instrument), soil (bare ground), rock, litter, or cryptogamic crust. Subsequent "hits" on <br />vegetation (prior to interception of the ground) were also recorded. Cover data were recorded <br />and reported by individual plant species. The first interception was used to calculate total <br />vegetation cover values. Additional interceptions were used to calculate relative cover of <br />individual plant species and lifeforms. The quantitative cover data also provided the basis for <br />calculation of species composition and relative importance. <br />2.2.3 Total Herbaceous Production <br />Total herbaceous production was estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous <br />production plot was located and randomly oriented at the origin of each cover transect. <br />Oakridge Energy, Inc. Carbon Junction Mine Page 2 <br />2014 Proposed Dryland Reference Area Report <br />