east facing sampled area
<br />The density of big sagebrush is approximately 6,000 individuals per acre. Other shrubs found within this community
<br />include Douglas and Rubber rabbi[ brush. The perennial forbs present within this sampled area include Common
<br />Yarrow, Globemallow, Daisy, Buckwheat, Milkvetch, Lupine, Phlox, and False Dandelion. Perennial grasses include
<br />Westem wheatgrass, June grass, Bluegrass, Squirrel tail, and Needle grass.
<br />Reclaimed Vegetation Type on North Facine Slope. The third type of vegetation community sampled is the reclaimed
<br />type. The reclaimed type is located east of Highway 13. The reclaimed area is characterized primarily by flat terrain,
<br />sloping slightly to the north-northwest. A steep, rather broad drainage cuts east to west through the sampled area. A
<br />10 to 45 percent slope characterizes this drainage. The reclaimed area varies in elevation from 6,275 feet to 6,350
<br />feet.
<br />Portions of the area exhibited an exposed rocky surface due to the lack of topsoil and consequently this area displayed
<br />lower vegetation cover and production.
<br />The reclaimed area is bounded on all sides by cultivated fields of annual grains. Some invasion of annual wheat and
<br />barley has occurred in the area. Similarly, more desirable perennial grasses (brdian rice grass, Westem wheatgrass,
<br />Needle-and-thread, and Slender wheatgrass), as well as a few shrubs (Big sagebrush, Rubber rabbit brush, Tamarisk,
<br />and narrow leaf cotton wood tree sealings) have invaded [he area.
<br />Only a few drill rows are still evident in the reclaimed area, except on the southwest (Xeric) aspect of the drainage
<br />dissecting the area. Consequently, this side of the drainage is comprised of a higher proportion of wheaty species
<br />including, annual grasses, tansy mustard species, russian thistle, and tumble mustard. In comparison, the North-
<br />eastern aspect of the drainage is much more productive and cicer milkvetch is very common in this area.
<br />Sagebrush community on south facing slope. The last vegetation community to be sampled was the sagebrush
<br />community found on asouth-facing slope. The sampled area within the vegetation community varies in elevation
<br />form 6,200 feet to 6,350 feet. The slopes throughout the sampled site were approximately 11H:1V, although short
<br />sections of steeper topography were observed. The soil found in the sampled site was rock river loam. Due to the
<br />relatively mild topography the soil is moderately deep.
<br />The density of big sagebrush was approximately 7,000 individuals per acre. Other shrubs found on the site included
<br />Douglas and Rubber rabbi[ brush. Perennial forbs present at the site included Rockress, Milkvetch, Daisy, Phlox, and
<br />Globemallow. Perennial grasses included Westem wheatgrass, Junegrass, Indian rice grass, Bluegrass, Squirrel tail,
<br />and Needle grass.
<br />Vegetation Sampline
<br />As stated earlier in this section the EC mining complex has been in existence for a number of years. This made it
<br />impossible to sample all areas prior to disturbance. Therefore, the undisturbed areas to be sampled must be chosen on
<br />the basis of their being representative of the currently disturbed area. However, these areas had to be chosen by
<br />qualitative methods, with the following variables influencing the selection process:
<br />• Vegetation community
<br />• Slope
<br />• Aspect
<br />• Soils
<br />• Elevation
<br />In order to accomplish the [ask of selecting representative sample areas [he following investigations were made;
<br />Permit Revision 04-34 2.04-29 Revised 7/2/04
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