2006-06-02_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (5)

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West Elk Mine 1982 Dry Meadow Vegetation Community and Reference Area The dry meadow community occurs primarily on the top of the level terraces. The most extensive meadow is located on the uppermost terrace. The meadows and the azea selected for the meadow reference azea show evidence of discing, drilling and/or interseeding. Interpretation of aerial photographs indicate the lazge affected area meadow was probably modified by clear-cutting or bulldozing. As such, it should be recognized that these are artificially created communities. • The dry meadow azeas chazacteristically have very low shrub densities except on the mazgins of the communities where secondary growth and invasion by the oakbnxsh is evident. Dominant species of the dry meadows aze primarily cool season perennial grasses, specifically westem wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poe pratensis). Total vegetation cover for the affected azea dry meadow community was 40.7 percent. About 71 percent of that cover was contributed by western wheatgrass and smooth brome (Exhibit 32). Common forb species included morning-glory (Convolvulus arvensis), common houndstongue (Cynoglossum o~cinale), and curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa). Table 24 Summary: Vegetation Community ParameteB (1980.1996) Sam le Size Mean Std. Dev. Nmm Total Vegetation Cover Percent Affected Areas D Meadow f982 20 40.70 9.63 16 Oakbmsh 1980 25 46.24 10.58 14 Oakbrush 1995 15 82.00 5.15 1 Oakbrush 1996 15 80.67 4.25 1 As en 1996 15 63.07 3.69 1 Ri adan 1996 15 84.14 5.63 1 Reference Areas D Meadow 1982 20 46.85 8.7 10 Oakbrush 1980 25 58.64 14.33 16 Herbaceous Production ( Im Affected Areas D Meadow 1982 20 278.86 63.45 15 Oakbrush 1980 32 65.52 21.95 18 Oakbrush 1995 50 17.39 11.24 213 Oakbrush 1996 50 84.40 42.02 70 As n 1996 50 96.66 32.65 32 Ri avian 1996 50 90.02 51.29 91 Reference Areas D Meadow 1982 20 363.91 65.75 9 Oakbrush 1980 40 86.23 28.0 28 Wood Plant Densi Affected Areas Oakbrush 1980 #120m 25 156.8 35.71 14 Oakbrush 7995 #150m 15 106.68 25.9 21 Oakbrush 1996 #150m 35 193.69 44.38 15 As en 1996 #150m 21 122.43 20.55 8 Ri adan 1996 150m 26 123.42 36.36 25 Reference Areas Oakbrush 1980 35 106.7 28.2 19 Notes: 1. Sam le sizes were established b N~;~ or direction of CDMG. In the reference azea for the dry meadow community, the total vegetation cover was slightly higher at 46.8 percent (Exhibit 32). The dominant species were also western wheatgrass, smooth brome, 1.04-149 Revised November 1004 PRIO