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A 1:1200 scale (1"=143') map of the reclaimed mine site (Figure 1, Mine Facilities) was <br />used to delineate the sampling area within the former permit azea. Computer generated <br />random numbers were used to establish a pool of x,y coordinates for a Cartesian grid that <br />was overlain upon the reclaimed area. From these points sample sites were randomly <br />established. Twenty random sample locations were initially established for the reclaimed <br />area. Of these 20 locations, 15 were utilized to ensure representative sampling over the <br />entire reclaimed area. Sample sites were located in the field through pacing from known <br />landmazks on aerial photographs. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the sample point <br />locations. <br />Field Sampling <br />Vegetation Cover and Species Composition <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. A laser (ten) <br />point frame was used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision and observer <br />accuracy. Cover transects were 25 meters in length, with ten sample data points collected <br />at 5.0 meter intervals along the transect on both sides of the transect centerline, for a total <br />of 100 points per transect. Transect orientation was randomly determined by random <br />numbers generated (between 1 and 360). In no event were transects allowed to extend <br />within ten feet of revegetated area boundaries, to minimize impacts from "edge effect." <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect served as a sample unit. Data points recorded <br />the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (as determined by the laser point frame), soil (haze <br />ground), rock, or litter. 1'he data were summarized by computing mean cover, relative <br />cover (percent of total vegetation cover attributed to each species), and species <br />composition. Species composition information was computed from vegetation cover data <br />using a ratio of individual species cover to total vegetation cover. <br />Production <br />Biomass production data were obtained using a harvest method. All of the current yeaz's <br />growth included within aone-half squaze meter quadrat was clipped at both ends of each <br />transect. Succulents, noxious weeds, and cushion plants were not clipped. Clipped <br />biomass was placed in paper bags, and dried in Colorado State University's Rangeland <br />Ecosystem Science Laboratory forced air ovens for 24 hours at 105°C. Samples were <br />weighed on an appropriate scale to the neazest tenth of a gram and reported in g/mz and <br />lbs/acre. Clipped samples weighing less than 0.10 grams were reported as trace samples. <br />Average paper bag weight was subtracted from weighted samples. <br />Shrub Density <br />Shrub density data were collected using a belt transect approach. All shrubs lying within <br />one meter on one side of the 25 meter transect line (used for collecting cover data) were <br />counted on the basis of species. Stem count will be recorded by species and reported as <br />stems per acre. <br />3 <br />