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weedy species are numerous. Typically, in the third year, a sampling program will be initiated. <br /> Reclaimed areas of adequate size for monitoring will be enclosed with four strand barbed wire <br /> fence conforming to BLM specifications in order to eliminate domestic livestock grazing. <br /> Reclaimed areas will remain fenced for a minimum of three complete growing seasons <br /> following final reclamation work. <br /> 5.1.1 Scope <br /> Reclaimed sites and control locations will be sampled each year during the growing season near <br /> the time of peak growth. Monitoring will include inventory measurements of the herbaceous <br /> biomass production, percent crown cover (herbaceous, shrub and tree), and species diversity or <br /> composition. At the time of the sampling, visual inspection for vegetation condition, vigor, <br /> reproduction and phenology will be made. Additional sampling may be required in control <br /> locations to evaluate early forb growth, i.e. during the May to June timeframe. <br /> 5.1.2 Objectives <br /> The objective of the revegetation program is not to recreate original plant communities, but <br /> rather to establish a vegetation type that is similar in structure and diversity, and is comparable <br /> to productivity of the pre-disturbance vegetation. Monitoring of revegetated areas, in <br /> conjunction with baseline studies and terrestrial vegetation, will determine if that objective is <br /> met. <br /> 5.1.3 Sampling Design <br /> Data is collected annually based upon the recommendations in the White River Field Office's <br /> Surface Reclamation Plan that focuses on the cover and species density of the core terrestrial <br /> indicators. The six core terrestrial indicators include: bare ground, vegetation composition, <br /> nonnative invasive plant species, vegetation height and proportion of soil surface in large <br /> intercanopy gaps. Revegetated sites are compared to a similar local undisturbed reference <br /> area. Different methods for data collection are utilized and may include biomass production <br /> analysis, transect construction for species diversity and cover, and site to site comparisons. All <br /> BLM approved methods can be found in Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and <br /> Savanna Ecosystems by Herrick et al., (2005)2 <br /> . <br /> 5.1.4 Method of Analysis <br /> Reference areas or representative control sites will be used for comparison to revegetated <br /> area. The particular reference area to be used for comparison will be dependent on what <br /> particular vegetation type occupied the revegetation area prior to disturbance. Reference <br /> areas will be at least 500 meters from the plant site and selected per the following criteria: <br /> Z Herrick, J.E., Van Zee, J.W., Haystad, K.M., Burkett, L.M., and Whitford, W.G., 2005, Monitoring manual for <br /> grassland shrubland,and savanna ecosystems.Volume 2: Design,supplementary methods,and interpretation <br /> Daub&Associates, Inc. Page 18 Natural Soda LLC 2022 EMP <br />