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Once the first grid point was located in the field, ground cover sampling transacts were always <br />oriented in the direction of the next site to be physically sampled to further limit any potential bias while <br />facilitating sampling efficiency. This orientation protocol follows that which is indicated on Figure 1. <br />Depending on logistics, timing, and access points to the target sampling area, the field crew occasionally <br />laid out a set of points in one direction and then sampled them in reverse order. However, orientation <br />protowl was always maintained (i.e. in the direction of the next point to be physically sampled). If the <br />boundary of an area was encountered before reaching the full length of a transact, the orientation of the <br />transact was fumed 90° in the appropriate direction so the transact could be completed. In this manner, <br />boundary transacts were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. <br />Production quadrats were always oriented 90° to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transed and <br />placed one meter from the starting point so as to avoid any trampled vegetation. <br />2.2 Determination of Ground Cover <br />Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology as <br />illustrated on Fgure 1. As indicated in this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes new state-of-the-art <br />• instrumentation it has pioneered to fadlitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A Vansect <br />of 10 meters length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of <br />each systematically located sample point. At each one-meter interval along the transact, a "laser point <br />bar" was situated parallel to, and approximately 4.5 to 5.0 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set <br />of 10 readings was recorded as to hits on vegetation (by spades), litter, rock {>2mm), or bare soil. Hits <br />were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low~nergy specialized lasers <br />situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the <br />nanowly (0.020") focused beams (see Fgure 1). In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transact <br />were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. All vegetation including the shrub stratum in the <br />reference area was subject to sampling. This methodology and instrumentation facilitates the collection <br />of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible. <br />Due to the late summer sampling date and moderately heavy grazing impacts throughout the <br />reclaimed sagebrush /grassland area, confident determination of numerous intercepts on grasses (to <br />spades level) was not possible. Where this ooLtirred (approximately 10% of intercepts), the best <br />estimate as to the species intercepted was made based on sunounding plant material or other evidence. <br />~-Lasers utilized for this instrument are crate-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique elec[ro-magnetic <br />wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers. <br />~~ QaB~ RDCGCOO~6C, Inc. Page 7 NCIG -Coal Ridge t1 -Phase II Bond Release Evaluatlon <br />