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initially plotted on the map within the reclaimed area. Permit map "Exhibit KK-1"illustrates the <br />location of the transect sample start points. Sample locations were evaluated to ensure <br />representative sampling over the entire reclamation area. Sample sites were located in the <br />field by pacing from known landmarks. Transect orientation was determined from randomly <br />generated numbers between 1 and 360 degrees and transects were not permitted to overlap <br />or extend within 10 feet of revegetated area boundaries, to minimize impacts from "edge <br />effect". Transect length was 50 feet. At 10 foot intervals along the transect, 10 point-intercept <br />observations using the laser point frame were measured, resulting in 50 recorded hits per <br />transect (10 observations X 5 locations). <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect served as a sample unit. These data were <br />recorded and summarized by computing mean cover, relative cover (percent of total vegetation <br />cover attributed to each species), and species composition. Species composition information <br />was computed from vegetation cover data using a ratio of individual species cover to total live <br />vegetation. (see Table 2) <br />Production <br />Live herbaceous production was collected using a harvest method. All of the current year's <br />growth included within a 50 centimeter by 50 centimeter quadrat (quadrat area equal one- <br />quarter of a square meter) was clipped at both ends of the cover transect. Full shrubs, <br />succulents, noxious weeds, and cushion plants were not clipped. Production clippings were <br />separated by life form and placed in paper bags, then weighed wet (fresh) in the field to assure <br />sample adequacy (minus bag weight). Life form categories included perennial grasses, <br />perennial (orbs, annual and biennial species. Field biomass adequacy calculations determined <br />that a minimum of 35 samples was needed to achieve adequacy. Additional biomass quadrats <br />were harvested until adequacy was achieved. <br />Production standards are based on air-dry weight. Subsequent to the field data collection, <br />samples were dried at 110°F for a minimum of 72 hours to a constant weight, and then re- <br />weighed to determine dry biomass for each bag. Paper bag weight was subtracted from dry <br />biomass calculations (see Table 3). <br />Shrub Density <br />Shrub density data were collected using a belt transect approach. All shrubs occurring within <br />one meter on either side of the 50 foot cover transect line were counted on the basis of <br />s ecies, resulting in a 328 ftZ area evaluated for each transect, or total sampled area of 4920 <br />ft~. Stem count was recorded by species and reported as stems per acre. (see Table 2) <br />Sample Adequacy <br />Sample adequacy calculations were completed for vegetative cover and productivity. The <br />following formula, accepted by the CDMG, was used for these calculations: <br />