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1 1 1 h~ IJ OBJECTIVES VEGETATION STUDY PLAN The objectives of the vegetation study for the Lorencito coal project are to describe the vegetation that occurs on the permit area, provide data to be used in formulating a revegetation plan for the disturbed areas, and establish reference areas that are representative of the communities that will be affected by surface disturbance. This information is required by Rule 2.04.10 of the CDMG regulations. be done to a 1:4800 scale. Color aerial photos will be used as the base for this mapping. Preliminary sample plot locations will also be identified on the maps in the areas where surface disturbance will occur. Preliminary reference area locations (established in each community to be disturbed) will also be identified in areas that will not be affected by surface activities. The map will then be ground-frothed and the appropriate sample plot and reference area locations will be marked in the field. SAMPLING METHODOLOGY Vegetation of the permit area will be mapped and a description of each type occurring there will be provided. These types will be classified as to their relative abundance and significance. Threatened and endangered species and other important species will also be identified. The proposed development plans will be evaluated and quantification of the types affected by surface disturbance will be made. This will include the establishment of revegetation standards by gathering cover, production and species diversity data from both disturbed and reference areas located on the site. ' MAPPING A vegetation map delineating the various plant communities will be prepared for the entire permit area on a scale of 1:12,000 or 1:24,000. In the disturbed area, mapping will Quantitative sampling will be conducted in the surface disturbance azeas and the corresponding reference azeas. Cover, production, woody plant density, and species diversity will be measured using standard techniques described in the ~MG- Vegetation Guidelines. - - -- S At a minimum, ten (10) transects will be sampled in each disturbed community and reference area or sufficient transects to reach sample adequacy. it is anticipated that all sampled communities will fall into this category. The sample size will be increased as needed should larger communities be encountered. Transects will be located in homogeneous units and will be stratified among different areas of the same type. Cover Species cover will be determined by estimating the percent cover of each species. For tree and shrub species, the line intercept 18