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3.0 RESULTS <br />3.1 Bond Release Block Summary <br />A total of 49 plant species were observed within the Phase II Bond Release Block area evaluated <br />in 2017 (Map 1). Species consisted of 17 grass taxa, 25 forbs, no sub -shrubs, 3 shrubs, and 3 noxious <br />weeds. Table A-1 in Appendix A indicates all taxa observed during fieldwork. Ground cover in the Phase <br />II Bond Release Block area (Table 1 and Charts 1 & 2) consisted of 48.83% live vegetation, 3.29% rock, <br />20.06% litter, and bare ground exposure of 27.82%. Perennial cover across the unit averaged 30.19% <br />and annual & biennial cover averaged 11.68%. Cheatgrass cover averaged 6.32% while other noxious <br />cover averaged 0.64%. Dominant taxa were thickspike wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum), Japanese <br />brome (Bromus japonicus), and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) with 10.47%, 8.47%, and <br />6.83% average cover, respectively (Table 1). <br />3.2 Reference Areas <br />3.2.1 Mountain Shrub Reference Area <br />The Mountain Shrub Reference Area is comprised of approximately 18 acres of gently to moderately <br />sloping vegetation that has a predominately northwesterly aspect (mesic) and easterly aspect (xeric). <br />This reference area is located on a ridge west of the West Pit area (Map 1) <br />A total of 40 plant taxa were observed in the Mountain Shrub Reference Area in 2017 (Appendix A, <br />Table A-1). Ground cover in this unit (Table 1 and Charts 1 & 2) consisted of 64.40% live vegetation, <br />1.45% rock, 28.50% litter, and bare ground exposure of 5.65%. Perennial cover across the unit <br />averaged 58.15% and annual & biennial cover averaged 5.90%. Cheatgrass cover averaged 0.25% while <br />other noxious species cover averaged 0.10%. Dominant taxa were Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), <br />roundleaf snowberry (Symphoricarpus rotundifolius), and Gambel oak (Quercus gambellii) with 13.30%, <br />11.90%, and 9.10% average cover, respectively (Table 1). <br />3.2.2 Sagebrush Reference Area <br />10 <br />