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• 2.9 percent cover (9 percent frequency). Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) had 4.1 percent cover <br />(22 percent frequency). Lichen cover was 2.3 percent (16 percent frequency) and moss cover <br />was 2.3 percent (10 percent frequency). The remaining species generally contributed less <br />than one percent cover to the mean total vegetative cover. Total herbaceous production <br />(including shrubs) totaled 34.5 g/m2 or 308 pounds/acre (Table 2.04.10-28). Herbaceous <br />production without the shrub component totaled 15.4 g/m2 or 137 pounds/acre. The perennial <br />shrub component contributed the highest value at 19.1 g/m (170 pounds/acre) followed by 0.9 <br />g/m2, respectively). In order to sample the perennial species at the peak of their production, <br />many of the earlier maturing annual species were senescent or were already gone from the <br />stand. Thus the annual grass production is likely higher than stated. <br />Woody plant density measurements in 1999 differed from 1987 as suffruticose species were <br />not measured consistent with Guidelines for Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation <br />Requirements for Coal Mining. Succulents were also not included in the density calculations. <br />Mean density for the type was 27.1 stems/50m2 or 2,149 stems/acre (Table 2.04.10-29). <br />Sagebrush dominated <br />with an average density of 25.8 stems/50m2 or (2,067 stems/acre). Four-wing saltbush was the <br />• next dominant shrub with 1.3 stems/50m2 or (102 stems per acre). Pinon had 0.1 stems/SOm2 <br />or (5 stems/acre). <br />Twelve species occurred in the cover samples. Five species had relative cover values of 1 <br />percent or greater. Grasses (including annuals) comprised six of the species (see Table <br />2.04.10-27). Three shrubs occurred in the cover samples, as did one lichen, one moss, one <br />succulent and one tree. <br />The sagebrush reference area is not being utilized for comparison to the amended area <br />dryland pasture. The sagebrush reference area is being substituted for a dryland pasture <br />reference area near the Nucla airport which is typical of a dryland pasture in the area. <br />Drvland Pasture Reference Area. The dryland pasture reference area was established in <br />1999 to more closely approximate land uses that will occur in the post mine phase where land <br />is returned to dryland pasture. It was jointly observed by Dan Matthews of the CDMG and Jim <br />Irvine and was deemed more appropriate for evaluating the reclaimed dryland pasture than the <br />• (REVISED 9/99) 2.04.10 - 85 <br />