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EXHIBIT J <br />VEGETATION INFORMATION <br />X1.1 INTRODUCTION <br />The vegetation in the vicinity of the proposed nahcolite solution mine has <br />been characterized by analyzing regional environmental data, and by <br />conducting on-site investigations. A vegetation map was prepared using <br />aerial photography (1:12,000), and verified by field visits. Vegetation <br />sampling and productivity were estimated using line-intercept transects and <br />quadrats. The transects were utilized to determine cover, relative density, <br />and relative dominanee. Species composition, frequency, and percent cover <br />was measured (for grass and fortis) using the methods described by Daubenmire <br />(1959). Shrub and tree density was estimated by counting the number of <br />plants in two circular plots. A one m2 plot was used for shrubs, and a 50 <br />m2 plot was used for counting trees. <br /> Studies were conducted on the project area by LGL Associates in 1980 and <br /> 1981, and by Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM) in 1983. <br />J.2 REGIONAL PERSPEC1fIVE <br />The major vegetation types in the project area (in order of extent) are <br />pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, mountain shrub, wasteland, saltbrush, grassland, <br />and greasewood (BLM 1983). Project area vegetation types are Big Sagebrush <br />Shrubland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Chained Pinyon-Juniper, Bald (barren <br />slopes), Greasewood-Sage Bottom, and Agricultural land. Pinyon-Juniper is <br />the most widespread type in the area. <br />J.3 VEGETATION OF THE: PROJECT AREA <br />Field inventories for vegetation in the project area resulted in the <br />delineation of two vegetation communities: Pinyon-Juniper Woodland and Big <br />Sagebrush Shrubland (Figure J-1). Pinyon-Juniper Woodland was the <br />predominant vegetation type, occurring on gentle slope's throughout the area <br />surveyed. Big Sagebrush Shrubland generally occurs in 5pa~law drainages, <br />J-1 <br />