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MR-117 H-25 Revised June 2025 <br />Total Vegetation Cover <br /> <br />The use of the point-intercept or line point-intercept methodologies will be used to estimate <br />vegetation cover. If the point-intercept method is employed, an ocular frame (e.g. ESCO Associates <br />or other manufacturer) will be used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision and <br />observer accuracy. Cover transects will be 25 meters in length, with two sample data points collected <br />at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of the transect centerline, 1.5m apart. <br />Transect direction will be established randomly through the use of computer generated random <br />directions (0-360q). In no event will transects be allowed to extend within ten feet of reference area <br />or revegetated area boundaries to minimize impacts from "edge effect." <br /> <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) serves as a sample unit. Data <br />points recorded the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below the instrument), and any <br />cryptogamic crust. Subsequent "hits" on vegetation (prior to interception of the ground) will be <br />recorded. Cover data are recorded and reported by individual plant species. The first interception is <br />used to calculate total vegetation cover values. <br /> <br />Revegetation will be deemed successful for the success criterion of total vegetation cover if the value <br />of the sample mean from the reclaimed area is equal to or greater than 90 percent of the value of the <br />final revegetation success criterion for total vegetation cover (19.3%) with 90% statistical confidence. <br /> <br />2.9.2 METHOD FOR SAMPLING PRE-SMCRA, INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL <br /> RECLAIMED AREAS (CATEGORY B) <br /> <br />In pre-SMCRA reclaimed areas that have an industrial/commercial post-mining land use, <br />revegetation sampling to determine reclamation success will be necessary only where determined by <br />the surface landowner and where necessary for surface erosion control. These areas are identified in <br />Table TR-A. <br /> <br />The applicable revegetation standard for such areas will be a technical standard for total vegetation <br />cover adequate to control erosion as specified in Section 2.8.2. <br /> <br />Quantitative sampling will employ the applicable methods for timing, sample numbers/sample <br />adequacy, and statistical analysis as described in Methods for Sampling Post-SMCRA, Undeveloped <br />Land Reclaimed Areas Using a Reference Area. <br /> <br />Total Vegetation Cover <br /> <br />The use of the point-intercept or line point-intercept methodologies will be used to estimate <br />vegetation cover. If the point-intercept method is employed, an ocular frame (e.g. ESCO Associates <br />or other manufacturer) will be used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision and <br />observer accuracy. Cover transects will be 25 meters in length, with two sample data points collected <br />at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of the transect centerline, 1.5m apart. <br />Transect direction will be established randomly through the use of computer generated random <br />directions (0-360q). In no event will transects be allowed to extend within ten feet of reference area <br />or revegetated area boundaries to minimize impacts from "edge effect." <br /> <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) serves as a sample <br />unit. Data points recorded the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below the <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />