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3.0 RESULTS <br />Tables 2 through 4 and Charts 1 through 4 provide a summary of the sampling efforts described <br />above. The woody plant density variable is measured against a technical standard, therefore the variable <br />was not measured within the Sagebrush Reference Area. Tabular compilations of raw data and summaries <br />presented in Appendix A on Tables 5 through 16. Photographs of the evaluated areas are also presented <br />in Appendix A. <br />3.1 Phase III Bond Release Block <br />3.1.1 Phase III Bond Release Block - 2016 <br />A total of 39 plant species were observed within the Phase III Bond Release Block evaluated during <br />2016 (Table 6). Ground cover within the unit (Table 2 and Chart 1) consisted of 52.9% live vegetation, <br />8.0% rock, 22.7% litter, and bare ground exposure of 16.4%. Desirable perennial cover across the unit <br />averaged 35.0%, and annual and biennial cover averaged 7.2% cover. Noxious weed cover averaged <br />10.8% and consisted primarily of cheatgrass (Anisantha tectorum). The dominant taxa were basin big <br />sagebrush (Seriphidium tridentatum subsp. tridentata), cheatgrass, northern sweetvetch (Hedysarum <br />boreale), and sweetclover (Melilotus ofcinalis) with 13.0%, 9.2%, 6.0, and 4.3% average cover, <br />respectively. Total herbaceous production averaged 784 pounds per acre across the Phase III Bond Release <br />Block (Table 3 and Chart 3). Desirable perennial production averaged 375 pounds per acre. The woody <br />plant density of the unit was measured at an average of 1,733 stems per acre (Table 4 and Chart 4). <br />3.1.2 Phase III Bond Release Block - 2017 <br />A total of 56 plant species were observed within the Phase III Bond Release Block evaluated during <br />2017 (Table 6). Ground cover within the unit (Table 2 and Chart 1) consisted of 40.3% live vegetation, <br />5.5% rock, 37.9% litter, and bare ground exposure of 16.3%. Desirable perennial cover across the unit <br />averaged 34.7%, and annual and biennial cover averaged 3.1% cover. Noxious weed cover averaged <br />2.6% and consisted primarily of cheatgrass. The dominant taxa were basin big sagebrush, western <br />wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), northern sweetvetch, and rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus <br />nauseousus) with 11.3%, 6.5%, 3.1%, and 2.8% average cover, respectively. Total herbaceous production <br />averaged 767 pounds per acre across the Phase III Bond Release Block (Table 3 and Chart 3). Desirable <br />perennial production averaged 622 pounds per acre. The woody plant density of the unit was measured <br />at an average of 2,825 stems per acre (Table 4 and Chart 4). <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. 11 Munger Canyon Mine - 2016 & 2017 <br />Revegetation Phase III Bond Release Report <br />