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VEGETATION SAMPLING METHODS: CARBON JUNCTION MINE <br />SAMPLING DESIGN <br />Prior to initiation of fieldwork, the permit document and applicable maps were reviewed <br />to evaluate topography, plant communities, soils, and reclaimed and reference area <br />parcels. <br />Map 5-8 from the permit document was used to locate the reclaimed areas for sampling. <br />An aerial photograph of the reference area from Google Earth® was used to locate sample <br />points within the reference area. <br />From Map 5-8 it was determined that the reclaimed areas were in seven distinct <br />reclaimed locations within the former mine; 1) the North Pit, the North Road, 2) the <br />Permanently Reclaimed Spoils Area (PRSA), 3) former Topsoil Stockpile #2, 4) the area <br />including former Topsoil Stockpile #8, 5) Sediment Pond #1 and Collection Ditches, and <br />the Equipment Area, 6) the South Pit Drill Pad, and 7) the Sediment Pond #2 area. The <br />reclaimed sites and their areal extent were entered into a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet. <br />The area of each reclaimed site was calculated as a percentage of the total area reclaimed. <br />By selecting an initial number of total samples, locations for sample points by <br />representative areal extent were assigned. <br />Sample locations within the areas to be sampled were randomly determined by use of a <br />grid covering the given parcel. Sample points were then selected using a random <br />numbers table generated from algorithms contained in Microsoft Excel® software. <br />Sample points were located in the field through compass triangulation and pacing from <br />known landmarks. <br />FIELD SAMPLING <br />Timing <br />Field investigation of the reclaimed areas was undertaken during the period between June <br />14 and 17, 2015 and June 13 and 17, 2016. These time periods coincided with anthesis <br />and maximum presence of the majority of plant species found in the reclaimed and <br />reference areas. <br />Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point -intercept method. An ocular <br />point frame (ESCO Associates) was used to minimize instrument error and maximize <br />precision and observer accuracy. Cover transects were 25 meters in length, with two <br />sample data points collected at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of <br />the transect centerline, 1.5m apart. This provided a total of 50 primary cover data <br />observations per vegetation cover transect. To establish vegetation cover value in <br />percent, total primary hits per species were multiplied by a factor of two (2) to generate <br />total cover of 100 percent. Transect direction was established randomly through the use <br />of computer generated random directions (0-360°) for the reclaimed areas. Given the <br />Carbon Junction Mine Phase III Bond Release Application June 2016 Page 4 <br />