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2.0 SAMPLING METHODS <br />2.1 Community Tvoe Maooin <br />As indicated above, the adjacent permitted operations (and old mapping) included a portion of the <br />Collom vegetation study area. Field reconnaissance in association with this mapping has resulted in the <br />identification of eight distinct vegetation assemblages as follows: Sagebrush, Grassland, Mountain Brush, <br />Juniper Scrub, Aspen, Bottomland, Cropland, and Wetland. These assemblages include various subtypes <br />such as xeric or mesic expressions of each community, or as in the case of "Bottomland", an assemblage <br />of several types along with certain riparian characteristics. Delineation of these communities has <br />occurred (at least in a preliminary manner) on aerial imagery with a 4 to 5 foot pixel resolution. Actual <br />delineation was performed on ortho-corrected digitally expressed aerial photography using ArcView <br />software. Field verification /correction of delineations will occur during systematic field sampling efforts. <br />Efforts are presently occurring to obtain imagery with more refined resolution, but may not be successful <br />within time frames sufficient to facilitate permitting. <br />2.2 Sample Layout <br />The sample layout protocol for 2005 vegetation evaluations is a procedure designed to better <br />account for the heterogeneous expression of vegetation cover within the eight community types while <br />precluding bias in the sample site selection process. By design, the procedure is initiated randomly, and <br />thereafter, samples are located in a systematic manner, along grid coordinates spaced at fixed distances, <br />e.g. 500 ft. (see the lower left corner of Figure V-1). In this manner, "representation" from across each <br />community type is "forced" rather than risking the chance that significant pockets are entirely missed, or <br />overemphasized as often occurs with simple rendom sampling. <br />The procedure for sample location within the vegetation study area occurred as follows. First, a <br />systematic grid of appropriate dimensions (based on preliminary acreage calculations) was selected to <br />provide approximately 50 coordinate intersections that could be used for sample sites within each <br />community type or reference area based on draft vegetation mapping. Second, a scaled, computer <br />generated representation of the selected grid was overlain on a computer generated map of the area <br />utilizing north-south and east-west compass points which could be easily established in the field. Third, <br />utilizing GPS or hand held surveying compass and pacing techniques all sample points are located in the <br />field and sampled according to their actual expressed community type (i.e. inclusions or misidentified <br />polygons were sampled and correctly identified with regard to the on-the-ground community). Locations <br />of all sample sites used in 2005 sampling efforts will be indicated on study mapping. The more extensive <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, INC. Page 2 Collom Vegetation Methodology <br />