2018-11-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981044A (3)

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Torriorthents rock outcrops complex and is very thin or undeveloped. The potential native vegetation associated with this vegetation community is Bluebunch wheatgrass, Western wheatgrass, Indian rice grass, Needle-and-thread, Buckwheat, Stemless golden wheat, Phlox, Big sagebrush, and Bitterbrush. The riparian community is located west of the Williams Fork River within the Big Bottom Valley. Typically the water table is close to the surface with phraetophytes dominating. This is evident in the number of Willow and Cottonwood trees in the area. Other species that can be found in this area include Basin Wildrye, Western and Streambank Wheatgrass, Squirrel Tail, Bluegrasses, Yarrow, Fleabane, Globemallow, Wild Buckwheat, Four-wing Salt Brush, and Big Sagebrush. The vegetation community disturbed by the overland conveyor is in the vicinity of the No. 5 portal and the road cuts for State Highway 13, as discussed previously in this section under Disturbed Area. Reclaimed Area A vegetation study was performed by Dr. Richard Hamer (Hamer And Associates, Inc.) on an old reclaimed surface mine during July and August 1983. The location of this old surface mine is shown on the Vegetation Map (Map 20). The purpose of the vegetation study was to generate cover and production data needed to initiate bond release. Since the RAG EC Tract substation was planned to be located on a small portion of this old surface mine site information collected was used for baseline purposes. The following discussion presents the methodology and results of the Hamer Vegetation Study. Vegetation species considered threatened or endangered in Colorado were determined by review of the capital USDA- USDI (1979) Publication and "Illustrated Guide to the Proposed Threatened and Endangered Plant Species in the Rocky Mountain Re ig on"", and the Federal Register Listings of Threatened or Endangered Species (USDI 1980). Threatened or endangered vegetation species whose known habitats occurred in the vicinity of the study area were determined and a check made for those similar habitats and species within the study area during the course of other fieldwork conducted for the inventory. No threatened or endangered species were found within the study area. Sample site locations were randomly selected in the office prior to conducting quantitative studies in the field. Random sampling locations were determined using existing topographic maps and a number linear grid scaled at approximately 50-foot intervals. Sampling sites were located in each vegetation type by obtaining X and Y coordinates from a random numbers table. The size and shape of the plot varied with the type of information desired. Production data were obtained by using a lxlmeter quadrat within all vegetation types. Cover data was obtained along a 50 meter point transect in all vegetation types. Shrub density data were obtained from a 1 x50 meter quadrat. Adequacy of sampling was determined periodically during field sampling utilizing the Sendecor and Cochran (1967) equation presented below. Nmin = is / (dx) Where: Nmin = minimum number of samples needed t = distribution value at a given confidence level s= sample variance d = 10% level of accuracy x = sample mean • An adequate sample for each parameter was obtained in each type by exceeding the Nm;n requirement of the Sendecor/Cochran equation with a minimum of 15 samples or a maximum of 60 samples. Permit Renewal RN08-05 2.04-33 01/15/09