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2.04.10 Vegetation Information <br />reference area is due to the greater cover of Sauna wildrye which produces 96 percent <br />of the total production. See Tables 4.5-11 and 4.5-22. <br />The density of trees is lower in the reference area (81 per acre) than the affected <br />area (189 per acre). The reference area has a greater vanety of shrubs; however, total <br />shrub densities and lower shrub density in the reference area is due primarily to the <br />absence of mountain pepperweed. See Tables 4.5-23, 4.5.12, 4.5-24, and 4.5.13. <br />Species richness is lower in the reference area (index = 7.65) primarily because <br />of a lower number of forb species. Equitability of cover is also lower (index = 0.51) as <br />this community has two major dominants: Utah juniper and Sauna wildrye. See Table <br />4.5-6. The summary at the end of this section provides additional summary data for <br />samples parameters (cover, production, and density) of the affected and reference <br />areas. <br />SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS AND ADEQUACY <br />Table 4.5-25 provides data on the adequacy of cover, production, and density <br />(both shrub and tree) sampling for each affected and reference area and illustrates the <br />comparability of each reference area to the affected area vegetation type. A statistically <br />adequate number of samples was taken for cover, production, and density in all affected <br />and reference areas. Furthermore, all reference areas are statistically comparable with <br />respect to cover data. The Shadscale Shrubland reference area is also comparable for <br />production data. The slightly higher production of the Greasewood Shnbland and <br />Juniper Woodland reference areas results in their being slightly unrepresentative. <br />NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL PLAN <br />As identified earlier in this Section, one listed noxious weed in the permit was <br />identified during the base line vegetation survey, white top, Cardaria Draba. At the time <br />of this writing, both White Top and Canada Thistle have been identified in the disturbed <br />area. At the request of the Division, the Operator's efforts are being formalized with the <br />following weed control plan. <br />This weed control plan is concerned with the control of all varieties of noxious <br />weeds on the mine site. It was developed based on recommendations by Steve <br />Anthony of Garfield County. <br />Canada Thistle will be sprayed with Curtail, 2 quarts/acre mixed with a non-ionic <br />surfactant at 1 quart per 100 gallons of spray. It will not be applied when spray particles <br />PR -02 2.04-68 10/12 <br />