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Peabody Twentyrnile Coal Company 2004 Fish Creek AVF Riparian Vegetation Monitoring individual transect data was combined for analysis. The number of paces for each community type was divided by the total number of paces and multiplied by 100 to yield a percent value for each community (Table 2). Evaluation of individual and composite transect information over time enables us to determine what, if any, trends in vegetation composition and distribution are occurring. Results Six main vegetation community types and 17 subtypes were identified during monitoring activities. Four of the six are upland xeric to mesic pasture community types. A summary of community types, sub-types, and their associated properties is contained in Table 1: Community Type Summary. An analysis of community composition is presented in Table 2: Transect Summary Data. Raw data for individual transects is presented in Table 3: Community Type Composition by Transect Number. Comparisons between the 2003 and 2004 monitoring observations are presented in Table 4: 2003 and 2004 Relative Percent Community Composition by Transect, Figure 1: 2003 and 2004 Relative Percent Community Composition by Transect, and Figure 2: 2003 and 2004 Community Composition along all Fish Creek Transects. Discussion The Fish Creek AVF currently exists in a modified condition and is supporting intensive livestock grazing operations. The vegetation in the study area is indicative of improved pastureland. The dominance of introduced pasture grasses such as smooth brome and redtop demonstrates that this area has a history of agricultural land use and modification. The active stream channel is deeply incised with steep, actively eroding banks generally devoid of any vegetation. The green-line of the channel is typically defined by upland vegetation. Trampling from livestock has denuded stream banks and mudflats that would otherwise support a dense growth of hydric vegetation. These conditions are typical of riparian corridors where livestock are not excluded from the active channel. Vegetation communities with hydric or riparian qualities comprise approximately 12 percent of the study area. Within the study area subsidence is expected to have one of three general impacts: Habitat Management, Inc. Page 3 10/S/2004