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species provided significant cover (>3% relative cover). Chrysothamnus nauseosus <br />contributed the second highest level of vegetation cover with 10.27 percent mean cover <br />and 19.19 percent relative cover. Agropyron smithii accounted for 10.93 percent mean <br />cover (17.42% relative cover), Agropyron intermedium contributed 8.00 percent mean <br />cover and 14.35 percent relative cover, Artemisia tridentata accounted for 6.00 percent <br />mean cover and 12.58 percent relative cover, and Bromus tectorum supplied 6.27 percent <br />mean and 7.74 percent relative cover. A significant cryptogamic crust was present <br />throughout the reclaimed azea, contributing two percent vegetation cover, notable in that <br />the lichen and moss components of the crust are so diminutive. <br />Vegetative litter (prior yeaz's growth, dead wood, and other biologic organic material) <br />comprised 26.93 percent ground cover within the reclaimed area. Bare soil accounted for <br />9.29 percent ground cover. Rock was encountered during sampling, and provided 4.93 <br />percent of the ground cover. <br />3.1.2 Species Composition <br />The total number of flowering plant species encountered during cover sampling within <br />the reclaimed azeas was fourteen (14). Graminoids accounted for seven species, fortis <br />three species, and woody plants, four species. Of the species encountered on the <br />reclaimed azeas, nine were native and five were introduced. Perennial species <br />outnumbered annual species by twelve to one. One species was biennial. Reclaimed area <br />species were all cool season. The woody species were all deciduous. <br />Of the species encountered in cover sampling in the reclaimed areas, six contributed more <br />than three percent relative cover. In decreasing relative cover the contributors were; <br />Astragalus titer (23.87%), Chrysothamnus nauseosus (19.19%), Agropyron smithii <br />(17.42%), Agropyron intermedium (14.35%), Artemisia tridentata (12.58%), and Bromus <br />tectorum (7.74%). <br />3.2 COMPARISON OF RECLAIMED AREA AND SUCCESS CRITERION <br />The collection of statistically adequate data for the parameter of total vegetation cover <br />allows for the statistical evaluation of compliance with the revegetation success criterion <br />of the mining and reclamation permit. <br />3.2.1 Total Vegetation Cover <br />Total vegetation cover of the reclaimed areas was measured at 57.47 percent. Since the <br />total vegetation cover of the reclaimed azea is greater than 90 percent of the revegetation <br />cover success standazd of 35 percent, no statistical evaluation was required. <br />Eastside Coal Comparry Eastside Mine Page 5 <br />2006Vegetation Sampling Report <br />