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<br />MUNGER CANYON <br /> <br />Stipulation #9: Requirement for resampling of Big Sagebrush productivity <br />during the 1983 growing season. MLRD was concerned taht the confidence level <br />achieved in the original survey was not adequate lapprox. 60% [alpha = 2]l. <br />WRD suggested combining data from the baseline affected and reference areas <br />since they are contiguous. Preliminary calculations indicated this was <br />acceptable and yielded a confidence level greater than 90% (alpha = 2). <br />WRD will submit a summary of the calculations and statistics to MLRD. <br />Response: The attached table includes the combined data from affected <br />and reference areas. Plot numbers 1 through 30 are from the reference <br />area, while numbers 31 through 50 are from the affected area. Using the <br />calculated mean of 44.6 g/m the variance of 504.8, a t value of 1.299 <br />12 tailed, 49 degrees of freedoml, and a d value of 0.1 in the formula <br />sZt' <br />n = ~f <br />min x d <br />the nmin calculated is 4.4. Thus, sample adequacy is attained. <br />Stipulation #10: Demonstration of 'representativeness' of abiotic factors in <br />baseline sampling year. WRD brought climatic data from Grand Junction, Colo- <br />rado, to demonstrate that the sampling year was slightly above normal in terms <br />of favorable precipitation. WRD will be resubmitting a written summary of <br />these findings. <br />Response: This demonstration was provided to MLRD 16 March 1983. <br />Stipulation #11: Requires the submittal of woody plant density data for <br />Greasewood, Shadscale, and Juniper communities. During discussions WRD <br />demonstrated that this information was present in the permit document in <br />Tables 4.8-31 and 4.8-34. MLRD will evaluate the data to determine if it <br />meets the requirements of the stipulation. <br />Response: As stated, MLRD is taking care of this question. <br />Stipulation #12: Justification for proposed woody plant density level success <br />criteria. MLRD is requesting a justification for the levels proposed. Optimally, <br />this justification will include citations from pertinent literature. WRD will <br />provide this discussion. <br />Response: As a basic statement regarding the proposed woody plant density <br />standards, we believe that the existing woody plant density has been <br />artificially elevated by historic overgrazing which suppressed herbaceous <br />competition and allowed more establishment of woody species than was the <br />case prior to the onset of overgrazing (references upon requestl. Because <br />of the widespread nature of overgrazing, iT is difficult to determine what <br />the level of woody plant density should be on a site, had overgrazing not <br />unbalanced the life-form composition. As a basic concept, if seems reason- <br />able that during the process of revegetation one should allow the ecosystem <br />-1- <br />