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

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Following clipping, the harvested plant materials were dried in a drying oven at 105 degrees C for a period of 24 hours. Shrub Density Starting at each of the 15 transect locations described above for the cover sampling, the fifty - meter tape was laid out along a predetermined and randomly selected alignment. Woody stem density was determined using the center of the tape as a modified belt transect. The right-hand side of the transect was called Side A and the left-hand side of the tape was called Side B. Data collected from each side of the tape were added into a transect value which represents the number of shrubs sampled in the 100 m2 sample plot. These data are reported in the Results Section as to the number of shrubs per 100 m2 as well as the number of shrubs per acre. As described for plant cover in the Wetland Vegetation type, a modified 5 X 4 meter belt transect was used to sample shrub density, with the shrub density transects being 5 meters long, with 2 meters being sampled on either side of the transect tape. Woody plants having a single stem, such as Big Sagebrush, were considered to constitute one living plant. Plants having multiple stems, such as Sandbar Willow and other species were difficult to distinguish as to the boundaries of individual plants, so in these instances, plant density counts were made on the basis of stem counts. Statistical Analysis ofData As required by DRMS regulations, it is not necessary to achieve sample adequacy for vegetation monitoring provided that at least fifty transects have been sampled. As required by Rule 4.15.10, a minimum of 15 cover transects and 30 production transects were collected from each vegetation type sampled. As outlined on page 15 of the Vegetation Guideline, during a permit consultation meeting, DRMS, gave verbal approval for NHN to cease sampling after fifty production transects had been collected was given. Therefore, all of the data collected in this evaluation were analyzed for sample adequacy in order to determine whether the DRMS requirements for sample size had been satisfied. The existing DRMS regulations require that shrub density be sampled to sample adequacy and that a minimum of at least 30 shrub density transects be sampled on each site. However, on July 30, 2006, the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE) issued revised regulations regarding the issue of shrub density revegetation success standards, eliminating the need to sample shrub density. Thus, the requirement to sample shrub density has been deleted on the federal level and DRMS has applied to change their regulation accordingly, but to date, no approval has been issued for this requested change in the state program. Given this regulatory Section 2.04. 10 Page 8 of 36 June 2016 (TR -14)