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2.04.10 Vegetation Information <br />INTRODUCTION <br />A vegetation study was conducted at the McClane Canyon Mine in Garfield <br />County, Colorado, during the 1980 growing season. The objective of the study was to <br />quantitatively describe each vegetation type affected by mining activities and to locate a <br />reference area for each of these vegetation types as required for permitting under the <br />Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. <br />The project is in western Colorado approximately 15 miles north of Loma along <br />Colorado Highway 139 and south of Douglas Pass. The mine is located east of the <br />highway across East Salt Creek in a narrow canyon which drains to the west. Canyon <br />walls are steep, rising above the valley bottom (5,500 ft) to elevations in excess of 6,000 <br />ft. Numerous ephemeral drainages contribute to the water supply of the intermittent <br />valley stream. <br />VEGETATION MAPPING STUDIES <br />A plant ecologist conducted a reconnaissance of the entire project site and <br />selected mapping units based upon vegetation structure and species dominance. Color <br />and black and white photography was used to precisely delineate the boundaries of <br />each vegetation type upon a USGS base map at a scale of 1" = 400'. Extensive field <br />reconnaissance was again employed to verify the boundaries of the mapping units. This <br />phase of the study was completed in 1977. During 1980, the preciseness of each <br />vegetation mapping unit was again verified through field observation. <br />AFFECTED AREA SAMPLING DESIGN <br />Cover, production, and density sampling was confined to an area surrounding <br />existing and proposed disturbances. See Figure 4.5-1. All sample sites were located by <br />a random process. A grid system was conducted over a vegetation map of the areas <br />surrounding existing and proposed disturbances. Coordinates (x, y) were determined by <br />a random number generator and used to locate a set number of sample points within <br />each sample unit. Thus, the required number of sample points was generated. <br />Each sample point was located in the field through the aid of a compass, USGS <br />map, and pacing where necessary. Range cages were not used as there was no <br />potential for domestic livestock grazing. <br />PR -02 2.04-51 10/12 <br />