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• 2.9 percent cover (9 percent frequency). Cheatgrass {Bromus tectorum) had 4.1 percent cover (22 <br />percent frequency). Lichen cover was 2.3 percent (16 percent frequency) and moss cover was <br />2.3 percent (10 percent frequency). The remaining species generally contributed less than one <br />percent cover to the mean total vegetative cover. Total herbaceous production (including shrubs) <br />totaled 34.5 g/m2 or 308 pounds/acre (Table 2.04.10-28). Herbaceous production without the <br />shrub component totaled 15.4 g/m2 or 137 pounds/acre. The perennial shrub component <br />contributed the highest value at 19.1 g/m (170 pounds/acre) followed by 0.9 g/m2, respectively). <br />In order to sample the perennial species at the peak of their production, many of the earlier <br />maturing annual species were senescent or were already gone from the stand. Thus the annual <br />grass production is likely higher than stated. <br />Woody plant density measurements in 1999 differed from 1987 as suffruticose species were not <br />measured consistent with Guidelines for Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation Requirements <br />for Coal Mining. Succulents were also not included in the density calculations. Mean density for <br />the type was 27.1 stems/50m2 or 2,149 stems/acre (Table 2.04.10-29). Sagebrush dominated <br />with an average density of 25.8 stems/50m2 or (2,067 stemslacre). Four-wing saltbush was the <br />next dominant shrub with 1.3 stems/SOm2 or (102 stems per acre). Pinon had 0.1 stems/50m2 or <br />• (5 stems/acre). <br />Twelve species occurred in the cover samples. Five species had relative cover values of 1 <br />percent or greater. Grasses (including annuals) comprised six of the species (see Table 2.04.10- <br />27). Three shrubs occurred in the cover samples, as did one lichen, one moss, one succulent and <br />one tree. <br />The sagebrush reference area is not being utilized for comparison to the amended area dryland <br />pasture. The sagebrush reference area is being substituted for a dryland pasture reference area <br />near the Nucla airport which is typical of a dryland pasture in the area. <br />Drvland Pasture Reference Area. There are two (2) dryland pasture reference areas. The first <br />refrence area, which we shall be call the 1999 Dryland Reference Area was established in 1999 to <br />more closely approximate land uses that will occur in the post mine phase where land is returned <br />to dryland pasture. It was jointly observed by Dan Matthews of the CDMG and Jim Irvine and was <br />deemed more appropriate for evaluating the reclaimed dryland pasture than the existing <br />• (REVISED 8/15/00) 2.04.10 - 7$ <br />