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' .,,3:.a ^.^m.^.n.,s.t ^^ :w.,,.. ..v ...;, ..r...•<:MU`.a•,w_,... .•u:FaSNAC^,`ro.:.r.. <.^^•,.se'4K RULE 2 PERMITS., ,. <br /> • Woody plant density; and, <br /> • Presence/absence of rare,threatened, or endangered plant species or other important species. <br /> Introduction — The objective of this section is to describe general vegetation community types (floral <br /> assemblages) and their distribution within the South Taylor Study Area to facilitate extrapolation to, and <br /> an update of, the remainder of the permit revision area (6,050 acres). To support this objective, <br /> vegetation data are provided in sufficient detail to formulate a revegetation plan and facilitate <br /> development of performance standards responsive to Rule 4.15.7 for the disturbed area associated with <br /> the South Taylor Mine Area. The referenced "Study Area" is a specific delineation including the overall <br /> Permit Area that incorporates all disturbances plus a buffer to facilitate modest engineering flexibility and <br /> encompasses an area of 9,725 acres (Map 4). The total acreages and percentage of each vegetation type <br /> identified in the South Taylor Mining Area are presented in Table 2.04.10-7. The vegetation communities <br /> delineated are shown on Map 4. <br /> The vegetation inventory was conducted to: 1) determine the percent cover of vegetation canopy, rock, <br /> litter, and bare ground in major vegetation types; 2) determine the annual production of herbaceous <br /> species in major vegetation types; 3) estimate the density of woody species in major vegetation types; 4) <br /> determine carrying capacity; 5) compile a vegetation map of the study area; 6) compile a list of species <br /> observed within the study area; and 7) assess the presence or absence of threatened and/or endangered <br /> plant species within the study area; 8) obtain qualitative information concerning minor vegetation types. <br /> This inventory was conducted by Hamer & Associates, Inc. for Consolidation Coal Co. during the <br /> growing season of 1984 with a report of final results submitted in January, 1985 (see Exhibit 10, Item 5 <br /> for an original copy of this document). The following discussion is excerpted (and occasionally <br /> modified)from this document. <br /> Methodology — The following is a description of methodology used in determining and measuring <br /> vegetation communities within the South Taylor Study Area. <br /> Community Type Mapping- Vegetation types within the study area were delineated and mapped on 1" = <br /> 2,000'color aerial photographs and 1" =400'blue-line photomosaic base maps provided by Consolidation <br /> Coal Company. Differences in shading and texture were used as a guide in delineating vegetation types. <br /> The vegetation map was ground-truthed in the field during the course of other segments of the study. <br /> Vegetation types greater than two acres in size were mapped separately. <br /> Species List - A list of vascular plant species was compiled from species observed during the course of <br /> field work conducted in summer of 1984. Species observed were identified in the field with the use of <br /> floral keys by Harrington (1964), Hitchcock & Chase (1951), and Weber(1976). Notes were made as to <br /> the date of collection, location of collection, habitat, exposure, slope, elevation, soil, and collector. Dried <br /> specimens were verified by Dr. William Weber at the University of Colorado Herbarium. Specimens not <br /> readily identified in the field were collected in standard herbarium manner. Weedy species were <br /> determined using Thornton et al. (1974). The authorities for scientific names were obtained from Weber <br /> and Johnson(1979). Common names were taken from the USDA Forest Service(1976). <br /> Species considered threatened or endangered in Colorado and potentially occurring at the study area were <br /> determined by review of the USDA-USDI (1979) publication, An Illustrated Guide to the Threatened and <br /> Endangered Plant Species in the Rocky Mountain Region; the Federal Register listing of Threatened and <br /> Endangered Species (USDI 1980) and information contained with the Colorado Natural Heritage <br /> Inventory. <br /> Study Area Defined - The study area for the vegetation inventory was defined as those lands containing <br /> the surface disturbance areas,buffer areas, and adjacent reference areas consisting of approximately 9,725 <br /> South Taylor/Lower Wilson—Rule 2,Page 39 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />