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Revegetated Area Sampling De~ien <br />• It is not anticipated that the sampling methods used during the baseline srudy will be repeated when <br />the operator deterrruttes whether revegetation has been successful. The following methods are <br />proposed. The methodology in coordination with DMG prior to the beginning of sampling. <br />Disturbed areaz are mapped az juniper woodland, mountain shrubland, or riparian. Comparison of <br />the General Facilities Map, (Map 2.05 - Ml) and the Regional Vegetation Map (Map 2.04-M8) <br />indicates how the disturbed areas correspond to the preceding natural communities. One deviation is <br />noted from the map. Because of their close similarity in slope and exposure, the disturbances at Bear <br />Creek and at Lower Hubbard Creek are both considered to have had a juniper woodland community. <br />Thus, the Lower Hubbard Creek area should be sampled and compared az a complete unit (with other <br />JW areas) to the juniper woodland reference area data. <br />The weighted average method outlined in Rule 3.15.7 (4)(b) will be utilized to compare the reference <br />areas sampling data and the revegetated areaz in evaluating cover and production. Thus, three <br />sampling units will be sampled when the reclaimed areas are trapped az both juniper woodland and <br />mountain shmbland. The reclaimed area will comprise a single unit, and each reference community <br />will also be a sample unit. Within each sample unit, sample placement will be either on a simple <br />random or a proportional allocation design. A minimum of 10 samples will be collected in each <br />reference area while at least 15 samples will be taken in the reclaimed area. Samples will be collected <br />in each sample unit until sample adequacy is reached. Sample locations will be drawn randomlyfrom <br />a gridded map of the areas to be samples and then located in the field through the use of a compass <br />and pacing. <br />oral Veeetative Cover. <br />• Total vegetative cover will be estimated using either an optical point frame or a mechanical point <br />frame. Point sitings will be located at regular intervals along a 25 meter (or smaller) transect stretched <br />in a random direction from the sample location. Because of the small sizes of the reclaimed areas, 25 <br />meter or smaller transects are recommended. Fifty data points will be sampled per ttansect, <br />comprising a single sample unit for the purposes of sample adequacy calculations. Cover will be <br />identified by species, or as rock, liner, or bare ground. For the purposes of estimating total vegetauve <br />cover, only fast hit data will be used. Only hiu 4 feet and lower will be collected in both the <br />reclaimed and reference area as allowed on page 7 of the DMG Vegetation Guidelines (Guidelines for <br />Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation Requiremenu of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation <br />Board for Coal Mtrting; October, 1988.). Sample adequacy calculations will be based on total <br />vegetative cover. Comparisons between reclaimed and reference areaz will be based on total non- <br />noxious, perennial cover. Noxious weed and annual species cover will not be included in the <br />comparison. <br />Species Diversity: <br />For a Phase III bond release request, multiple hit data (first, second, third...) will be used to evaluate <br />species diversity success. However, for the purposes of a Phase II bond release request, species <br />diversity will be evaluated using only fast-hit data since fast hits generally far exceed all other <br />vegetative hits combined (especially with a herbaceous dominated vegetation). The diversity u <br />checked in accordance with the Division's Bond Release Guidelines, to assess the progress of <br />revegetation to determine if sufficient number of species are being established. <br />Herbaceous Producttivi <br />- Production plots will be a ~ meter by lh meter in size unless otherwise agreed upon with DMG. All <br />current herbaceous production inside the production plots will be clipped, separated according to life <br />form, and bagged. The four life forms will include perennial grasses, perennial (orbs, annual species, <br />and noxious weeds. Production data will not be the basis of species diversity, and therefore sorting by <br />PR04 H-8 Revised May 2001 <br />