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C~ • • Plant Species List-Plant species occurring within [he sampling area will be observed and recorded. Revegetation success and bond liability release monitoring may be conducted after qualitative observation of revegetation determines that it is adequately established and developed. Tittung of this monitoring will be jointly agreed upon with the BLM. When monitoring is conducted. the parameter-appropriate monitoring method will be used to evaluate the revegetation success parameters applicable to the bond release area, When monitoring demonstrates that revegetation is capable of meeting or exceeding revegetation success criteria and such revegetated areas continue to grow normally in subsequent growing seasons. they will be considered to be permanently established, and it will not be necessary to further monitor such vegetation. If success criteria are not met, appropriate corrective action plans will be developed and implemented as necessary. Formal application will be made to the BLM for revegetation liability and bond release when monitoring demonsvates that applicable criteria and standards have been met. Total Plant Ground Cover will be measured using the first-hit, point-intercept monitoring method. First-hit. point-intercept sampling is the best method for measuring Total Plant Ground Cover. It has an advantage over stratified sampling because the Total Plant Ground Cover value always equals l00%. Stratified samples may exceed 100%, which makes measurement, data analyses and vegetation stand characterization more difficult with nominal information being added in most cases. For these reasons, errors in first-hit, point-intercept sampling are easier to identity and correct than other methods. Percentages of error in first-hit, point-intercept ground cover sampling normally run at 3% or less among observers. First-hit, point-intercept sampling may also be used efficiently in undisturbed vegetation communities if it becomes necessary to adjust Total Plant Ground Cover success standards to local project site-specific conditions. For these reasons, first-hit, point-intercept measurements are the preferred and least expensive method for evaluating Total Plant Ground Cover. Therefore, it is proposed that Total Plant Ground Cover be measured using the first-hit. point- intercept method when evaluating revegetation success. Single-hit, line-vansect, point-intercept (Bonham 1989) sampling will be conducted with aten- point sample frame. The frame may use a rod. optical sights or lasers to establish each sample hit. Transects normally range in length from 10 to 100 meters, depending upon the characteristics of the vegetation community being surveyed. Ten sample hits are recorded at ten equidistant locations along the vansect (Figure 151. A randomly placed, custom-sized grid will be used to locate vansect starting points within the area to be sampled. A randomly located grid eliminates sample bias. Using acustom-spaced grid ensures that the point-intercept transects are distributed evenly across the area to be sampled and that the entire area is adequately represented in the sample population. Point-intercept data will be recorded by plant species, rock, litter and bare ground. Litter will be considered all non-living plant material that is in contact with the ground surface. Rock will be recorded whenever particle size is larger than 2 mm, which is considered to be the minimum size panicle that is non-erodible by sheet flow runoff. Rock and litter will be considered effective ground cover for hydrologic modeling and design purposes. However, rock and litter will not count toward the Total Plant Ground Cover standard required for revegetation liability release. Only current or permanent living plant materials (e.g., stems of shrubs, etc.l will be included in the Total Plant Ground Cover data. Amcncan soda. L.L.P. 5- I6 Sail Conserva~wn. Plosion and Scd~men~ Convol. rtclamauon and Neve¢aauon Plan lJc~obcr '28. 1998 Nev~sed Apnl 9. 1999