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3.0 RESULTS <br />As indicated in Section 1.0, two unique plant communities were identified within the proposed <br />project area (excepting a small acreage of previously disturbed area). Floristic surveys of both the <br />vegetation study area and corresponding reference areas resulted in the identification of 16 species of <br />grass or grasslike plants, 32 species of forbs, and 16 species of woody plants for a total of 64 taxa (see <br />Table Vl). None of these were determined to be sensitive, however, one species is a designated noxious <br />weed (Scotch thistle, Onopo~dum acanthium). Given the site-specific quantitative and qualitative <br />investigations, detailed descriptions for each identified unit are presented in the following subsections. <br />3.1 Mixed Shrubland -WRDA <br />This community type comprises 13.9 acres (28.2%) of the vegetation study area) as indicated on <br /> <br />Map V1. As indicated on Table V1, a total of 38 plant species were documented from this community <br />type, one of which is classified as a noxious weed. No sensitive species were observed within this area. <br />Plates Vl through V3'provide photographic documentation of this community at the time of sampling. . <br />3.1.1 Ground Cover <br />Review of Tables V2 and V4 and Chart Vi indicates that the average vegetation cover of this mixed <br />Shrubland community was 38.29%. Litter and rock provided an average of 33.12% and 10.18% of the <br />ground cover, respectively, while bare ground exposure averaged 18.41%. The three dominant plant <br />species were Gambel's oak, snowberry and prairie peppenveed (Lepidium densiilo~um) with 11.9%, <br />7.5%, and 3.1°!0 of the ground cover, respectively. Perennial plants (excluding noxious weeds) <br />contributed 82% of the total plant cover (31.35% average cover) while annual species and noxious weeds <br />contributed 18.1% and 0% of the composition, respectively. Perusal of Table V3 indicates that a total of <br />seven species contributed at least 3% relative cover or composition (3% is the typical lower limit for plant <br />diversity bond release evaluations at the mine). Five of those species were shrubs and the remaining two <br />taxa were annual forbs. <br /> <br />CEDAR CREEx ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 8 Exhibit 5 -Bowie WRDA vegetation Survey <br />