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MAPPING <br />• Prior to initiation of field work, the permit document, aerial photos, and applicable <br />maps were reviewed to evaluate topography, geology, soils, and large scale vegetation <br />communities. A map of the mine site at 1:2400 scale (1"=200') was used to delineate <br />the study area. On a gridded overlay of the map, a Cartesian coordinate grid (50x50 <br />feet) was established. Computer generated random numbers were used to establish a <br />pool of random x,y coordinates. Fifty random sample locations were established <br />within the study area for each vegetation community to be sampled. Sample sites were <br />located in the field through compass triangulation and pacing from known landmarks. <br />Transect orientation was randomly determined by a spinner. Figure 1 illustrates the <br />1996 sample point locations in each vegetation community. <br />Field Verification <br />A general mapping of the vegetation communities of the mine and surrounding azeas <br />(Map 42) on a large scale (1:24000) identifies the vegetation communities of the <br />Sylvester Gulch drainage. As the vegetation community boundaries were extrapolated <br />from 1975 and 1994 aerial photography, field verification of the presence and extent of <br />Sylvester Gulch vegetation communities within the study area was deemed appropriate. <br />Field observation revealed that while in general the location of vegetation communities <br />depicted on Map 42 was accurate, several corrections were appropriate within the study <br />• area. Field investigation revealed that no zeric mountain shrub or wet meadow <br />vegetation communities were present within the study area. Douglas fir communities <br />were not identified in the northwest quarter of Section 15, or along the eastern <br />boundary of Section 22. The width and aerial extent of the riparian community along <br />Sylvester Gulch is greatly exaggerated on Map 42. On-the-ground, the riparian <br />community is discontinuous and filiform in nature. It should also be noted that <br />vegetation community distinctions drawn on Map 42 and on Figure 1 belie the <br />intergradations and mosaics of the communities in the field. Community mapping <br />illustrates the prevailing dominant vegetation of the area for the purposes of sampling. <br />Figure 1 depicts the vegetation communities of the study azea and corrects the mapping <br />of Map 42 for the study area. <br />FIELD SAMPLING <br />Timing <br />Field investigation was undertaken July 16-19, 1996 (oakbrush), August IS-17, 1996 <br />(aspen) and August 18-19, 1996 (riparian). This time period coincided with maximum <br />biomass development of the majority of plant species and occurred during anthesis of <br />the majority of herbaceous flowering species. Sampling occurred prior to deciduous <br />species leaf abscission and prior to significant drying of graminoid and forb species. <br />_~ <br />