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2.3 Determination of Current Annual Herbaceous Production <br />At each sample site, current annual herbaceous production was collected from a 1/2 mZ quadrat <br />frame placed one meter and 90° to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transact to facilitate <br />avoidance of vegetation trampled by investigators during sample site location. From within each quadrat, <br />all above ground current annual vegetation, with the exception of woody species, within the vertical <br />boundaries of the frame were clipped and bagged separately. Categories of separation included: i) all <br />herbaceous species, and 2) noxious weeds. <br />All production samples were returned to the lab for drying and weighing. Drying occurred at SOSo C <br />until a stable weight was achieved (24 hours). Samples were then re-weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram. <br />Wet weights determined in the field were used to facilitate the collection of an adequate sample. <br />2.4 Determination of Woody Plant Density <br />Woody plant density within the grassland reclaimed area was determined by total count. Total <br />count was accomplished by forming a line of observers with about 15 feet of separation between each <br />member of the line. This line of observers then systematically walked the entire reclaimed area counting <br />each woody plant (shrubs and trees). Observers constantly communicated to avoid double counting or <br />missing specimens, and only woody plants to one side of each observer (right or left) were counted to <br />help assure an accurate count. In addition, the outside observer trailed hip-chain thread to delineate the <br />boundary of the area just surveyed. The inside observer would only record plants within the belt defined <br />by his or her path and the hip-chain thread from the previous survey belt. <br />Woody plant density within the riparian reclaimed area was determined by sampling large belt <br />quadrats. At each sample site in the reclaimed riparian area, a 2-meter wide by 50 meter long belt <br />transact was established in the direction of the next sampling point. Then within each belt, all woody <br />plants (shrubs and trees) were enumerated by species and age class. Determination of whether or not a <br />plant could be counted was dependent upon the location of its main stem or root collar where it exited <br />the ground surtace with regard to belt limits. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. Page 7 Blue Ribbon Mine - 2006 <br />Phase III Bond Release Evaluation <br />