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• Summarizing, vegetation studies in this report were obtained <br />from two growing seasons. MRC conducted the 1979 study while <br />Wyoming Fuel Company conducted the 1980 study. The same basic <br />estimation techniques were employed both years, and additional <br />parameters were estimated (woody plant density) during 1980 to <br />conform to Colorado Surface Mining Regulations. During 1980 Wyoming <br />Fuel Company selected another reference area for the alkali sage- <br />brush vegetation type. This new reference area has been approved <br />as noted in Attachment No. 1 of this report. <br />METHODOLOGY <br />Mapping <br />Black and white aerial photos were examined and areas of <br />similar landform and vegetation characteristics delineated. Each <br />of these areas was examined in the field and information collected <br />• on vegetation structure and general physiography of the vegetation <br />type. Boundaries of vegetation were trued in the field by trans- <br />ecting each vegetative type. Shrubs were used as basic indicators <br />of vegetative types. Inclusions of 3 acres were not mapped. The <br />resultant vegetation map is Figure 1F. <br />Sampling <br />General. Random sampling techniques were employed for the <br />1979 growing season and 1980 growing season. Starting point <br />locations for cover and production were determined in the office. <br />A grid system with an X and Y axes was established over the area <br />to be sampled. Numbers were taken from a table of random numbers. <br />Random numbers were generated until sufficient points were obtained <br />for each vegetation type in the study area. These points were then <br />located as close as possible in the field. A second set of 2-digit <br />random numbers were taken from a table of random numbers to <br />• <br />-2- <br />