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• Z - ''q,, ~'.. Jim Herron -2- April 27, 1983 reference areas were equivalent at 95% confidence (alpha=2). All other communities (Greasewood, Shadscale, and Juniper) did not show equivalency between affected and reference areas. The suggestion is made that the permittee combine data for woody plant density from the Big Sagebrush reference and affected areas and determine whether this combination meets sample adequacy. A further comparison of woody plant density data from affected areas at Munger Canyon with comparable data from McClane Canyon (within communities, between sites) yielded no comparable equivalent means. This precludes combination of data from the same communities between sites. In summary, woody plant density sampling did not achieve sample adequacy for any community at Munger Canyon. Combination of data from reference and affected areas for the Big Sagebrush community may yield an adequate sample. Other community data may not be combined. Stipulation No. 12: The permittee should provide references that substantiate the assertion that "the existing woody plant density has been artificially elevated by Historic overgrazing." The permittee proposes the following woody plant density standards: Greasewood shrubland, 35U/acre; Big Sagebrush shrubland, 480/acre, and Juniper woodland, 1500/acre. Given the areas of disturbance of each community, I feel the Division would be able to accept the sliyhtly elevated standard (from the permittee's proposal) of 500 stems/acre for the Greasewood, Big Sagebrush, and Shadscale communities, and 1500 stems/acre for the Pinyon-Juniper cormunity. If these levels are acceptable to the permittee, the stipulation should be considered satisfied, with the provision of the above-mentioned references. Stipulation No. 13: The permittee has provided a satisfactory response to the stipulation. The Division would propose to modify the standards proposed in the following way. The permittee shall, at a minimum, reestablish the following numbers of life forms for each of the following communities. Within each community, no single species shall account for more than 40X of the relative vegetative cover.