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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.04-59 Revision Date: 6/4/25 <br /> Revision No.: MR-264 <br /> <br />(3) Interspecific differences in utilization of browse species and intraspecific differences in <br />utilization under different conditions at various sites. <br /> <br />(4) Impacts of mining and habitat management measures to maintain total browse availability. <br /> <br />The techniques used to provide this information included intensive and extensive browse <br />utilization transects and pellet group plot counts. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Methodology <br /> <br />Eight intensive browse transects were established in fall 1974, and two extensive browse transects <br />were established in spring 1975. Three additional extensive transects were run in 1976. Both <br />intensive and extensive browse transects were used also as pellet group transects in addition to the <br />pellet group plot transects established in the habitat improvement areas in summer 1975 and 1976. <br /> <br />Each intensive transect was comprised of ten stations along a 1000 ft. transect line. Each station <br />consisted of a plant of the species which the transect was sampling. A major stem of that plant <br />with 10 to 20 young shoots was designated for measurement and identified by a metal tag. All <br />shoots above the metal tag were measured in centimeters and converted to inches. Measurements <br />were made in the fall (October) after the growing season had ended, but before the deer and elk <br />moved into the range, and again in the spring (late April - early May) after the deer and elk moved <br />off the range but prior to the start of the growing season. <br /> <br />Sampling consisted of measuring and recording the length of all the current year's growth above <br />the metal tag on the designated stem in the fall. The same shoot (stem) was measured again in the <br />spring. By comparing the fall and subsequent spring measurement the amount of growth consumed <br />during the winter was determined, expressed as percent utilization. comparison of fall <br />measurements and winter utilization values over a period of years indicate the average amount of <br />annual growth and use, respectively, and the trends (increase or decrease) in both parameters. <br /> <br />Data from the intensive browse transects are shown in Table 2.04.11-1, Intensive Browse <br />Transects. <br /> <br />Extensive browse transects were placed in known high-use areas on the site to supplement the <br />intensive transect data on deer and elk winter use. By sampling the known high-use areas over a <br />number of years, the browse utilization in these key wintering areas could be more accurately <br />estimated. Each extensive transect consisted of 50 stations. Since these were randomly selected <br />each spring, the same plants were usually not evaluated from year to year. <br /> <br />Data from the extensive browse transects are set forth in Table 2.04.11-2, Extensive Browse <br />Transects. <br />