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

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these two ecological sites is reported to average 600 and 300 pounds of forage per acre, respectively. This comparison suggests that the Big Sagebrush vegetation type is producing approximately between 20.6 and 41.1 percent of its ecological potential. This comparison documents the relatively poor ecological condition of this vegetation type. The locations of the 50 production transects sampled on the Big Sagebrush vegetation type are shown on Map 2.04.10-1. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2.04.10-2, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 187.7 transects. Shrub Density The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Table 2.04.10-8. The average shrub density was determined to equal 56.53 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 2,287.8 shrubs per acre. Basin Big Sagebrush, Rubber Rabbitbrush and Fourwing Saltbush were the most commonly encountered shrubs. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled on the main block for this reclaimed site 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 40.0 transects. IRRIGATED PASTURE This vegetation type is found on those areas which are actively irrigated and are found down slope of the existing irrigation ditches. The Irrigated Pasture is vegetation type is the third largest plant community type found within the NHN permit area (Map 2.04.10-1). This area covers an area approximately 59.68 acres in size and accounts for nearly 18.52 percent of the proposed permit area. Plant Cover The results obtained from the sampling of the 40 plant cover transects on the Irrigated Pasture predisturbance area are presented in Table 2.04.10-9. Total plant cover on this site averaged 70.63 percent and litter cover averaged 32.32 percent. Seeded perennial grasses were the dominant plant life form encountered on this site, contributing 39.38 percent of the total plant cover and 55.61 percent of the total relative cover found on this site. Perennial forbs contributed 27.83 percent of the total plant cover and 39.40 percent of the Section 2.04. 10 Page 17 of 36 June 2016 (TR -14)