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III IIII VIII IIII III 999 ~~,~, • ~ Doc Date:12/11/2001 SECTION 7.0 Miscellaneous 7.1 Vegetation Monitoring for Seeding Exclusion in 1984 Derringer Pit Topsoil Area (1994 Sampling Year) As required by the Division (TR-46), Trapper is submitting yearly vegetation sampling measurements for the no seed topsoil plot (56 ac) established in Dertinger Pit in 1989. The attached table 7-1 pro- vides alist of the plant species encountered, herbaceous canopy cover, herbaceous primary production and woody stem densities. Vegetation sampling was conducted in the same manner on the exclusion plots as on other reclaimed areas. Methods Herbaceous plant canopy cover, annual primary production, and woody stem densities were measured in 1994 on non-seeded plots (Dertinger Pit). Three permanent 100-meter transeds spaced 10 m apart were established in range sites A, B, and C. Herbaceous plant canopy cover and percent mulch cover were estimated by species using the point-hit technique (Optical Point Bar). Each 100-meter permanent line transect was estimated at each site and 10 observations recorded along each line transect at 10-meter intervals (total 100 contactsttransect). Annual herbaceous primary production was estimated by clipping plots (20 m interval) in each reclaim area (range sites A, B and C). One-quarter-meter squared plots were clipped (total), placed into a labeled paper sack, and brought to the laboratory for drying and weighing. Oven drying was pertortned at 50 degrees centigrade fora 24-hour period. • Woody stem density was calculated using belt transeds. All woody stems rooted within one meter of either side of the 100m transect line were counted and tallied by shrub species. Results Perennial vegetation on the seeding exclusion plot continues to increase significantly (Table 7-1). The herbaceous canopy cover provided by all plants was approximately 65 percent. Perennial plants repre- sented 36 percent of the total herbaceous cover compared to 23 percent in 1993. Litter cover was approximately 21 percent. Perennial herbaceous production in 1994 was 620 Ibs/ac, compared tc 635 Ibs/ac in 1993. This slight decrease was likely due to a drier than normal summer season. Five plant species (V11ood's Rose, Big Sagebrush, Serviceberry, Rubber Rabbitbrush, and Mountain Snowberry) were represented in the 1994 woody stem density inventory. The approximate woody stem density for the seeding exclusion area (RSA and RSB) was 317 stems per acre. The woody plant density decreased slightly from that reported in 1993. 7.2 Grazing of Reclaimed Lands No cattle grazing occurred on Trapper reclaimed lands during 1994, nor is grazing planned for 1995. 7.3 1994 Revegetation Seed Mixes Section 3.6.3.5 of Trappers Mining and Reclamation permit requires that the Division be notified of the seed mixes proposed to be used in 1995 (Tables 1-1 through 1-7). There are no changes on 1995 seed mix tables. All listed plant species are within constraints of the approved plant species lists.