2017-06-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010089A (2)

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The results obtained from the June 2010 sampling of the Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture are found in Appendix 2.04.10A, and the results obtained from the June 2011 Sampling of this same property are found in Appendix 2.04.1 OB. Application of the historical record approach as a revegetation success standard for this vegetation and land use type yields the following results: Desirable plant production in 2009 averaged 6,909.7 pounds of air-dry forage per acre; in 2010 it was 5,998.9 pounds of air-dry forage per acre, and in 2011 averaged.6,587 pounds of desirable air-dry forage per acre The average desirable air-dry forage production from the three monitoring periods was 6,498.5 pounds of desirable air-dry forage per acre. Ninety percent of this value equals 5,848.7 pounds of desirable air-dry forage per acre. Thus, at the time of final bond release the desirable forage production revegetation success standard for the Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture type will be 5,848.7 pounds of desirable air-dry forage per acre. Shrub Density The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Table 2.04.10-5. The average shrub density was determined to equal 5.20 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 210.4 shrubs per acre. Fourwing Saltbush, Rubber Rabbitbrush and Smooth Sumac were the only shrubs encountered. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled on the NH Reclamation predisturbance area are shown on Map 2.04.10-1. Examination of the sample adequacy calculations in Table 2.04.10-2, reveals the number of samples required to describe the shrub density on this area at the 90 percent confidence interval was 307.2 transects. BIG SAGEBRUSH This vegetation type is the second largest plant community type found within the NHN permit area. This area covers an area approximately 65.46 acres in size and accounts for nearly 20.30 percent of the permit area. The largest single area of Big Sagebrush is located to the north of Meehan Draw on the Meehan and Glasier Property. There is also a significant area of this plant community type located on the Garvey Property east of the Second Park Lateral Irrigation Ditch and to the north of the old NH reclamation. In nearly all instances, the Big Sagebrush plant community type located within the NHN permit area has been significantly altered by past livestock grazing and winter feeding practices. The large tract of Big Sagebrush on the north side of Meehan Draw and to the south of the Glasier property line has been extensively used as a winter livestock feeding ground as evidenced by the piles of red plastic baling twine that occur throughout this area. Similarly, the existing stands of Big Sagebrush on the Garvey Property and Section 2.04. 10 Page 15 of 36 June 2016 (TR -14)