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• The major species in the mixed sagebrush shrubland reference area were Rothrock <br />big sagebrush (14.5 percent mean cover; 90 percent frequency), bluebunch wheatgrass <br />(Agropyron spicatum) (2.2 percent mean cover; 100 percent frequency), and mountain big <br />sagebrush (3.3 percent mean cover; 30 percent frequency) (Table 5). Shrubs accounted <br />for 67 percent of the total cover. Most of the remaining cover was divided nearly <br />equally between perennial grasses and perennial forbs. Total vegetation cover was 24.4 <br />percent, litter and rock cover was 67.2 percent, and cover by bare soil was 8.4 percent. <br />Total production (excluding shrubs) in the mixed sagebrush reference area was <br />53.66 g/m2. The major herbaceous species contributing to the total were arrowleaf <br />balsamroot (13.92 g/m2) and bluebunch wheatgrass (10.48 g/m2) (fable 6). Production <br />was approximately evenly divided between perennial grasses and perennial forbs. Annual <br />forbs accounted for only a minor amount of the total production. <br />Total shrub density in the reference area was 33,920 shrubs per acre (Tobie 7). Of <br />This total, 96 percent (32,720) were Rothrock big sagebrush. Density for mountain big <br />sagebrush was 1,020 shrubs per hectare (413 per acre). The total shrub density in the <br />• reference area was approximately 8,400 individuals per hectare greater than the density <br />in the realigned tie across haul road affected area. This higher density is related to <br />Rothrock big sagebrush which was more prevalent on the reference area. <br />There were 44 species of vascular plants observed growing in the reference area <br />CTable 8). The species composition was comparable to that encountered in the realigned <br />portion of the tie across haul road affected area. The fact that more species were <br />observed along the realigned haul road study area is probably related to the size of the <br />two areas. The haul road study area is larger (approximately 9 acres) Than the reference <br />area (approximately 2 acres). No threatened or endangered species were encountered in <br />the reference area. <br />Cropland <br />The realignment of the tie across haul road will affect significantly more acres of <br />cropland Than the native vegetation discussed in these sections. This is consistent with <br />the original alignment and also due to the fact that a large amount of cropland occurs on <br />• either side of the general alignment. The new areas of cropland contained in the <br />realignment are in annual small grain production and are managed in a similar manner <br />