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Sampling Methods <br />Vegetation sampling will employ quantitative methods previously accepted by CDMG and <br />described in the Powderhorn Coal permit document. Sampling of the proposed disturbed <br />azea and reference azea(s) will employ the same methods. Timing of all sampling will be <br />consistent with plant anthesis and/or maximum biomass development. All transects will be <br />randomly located within the proposed disturbed area and existing or proposed reference <br />areas. On a gridded overlay of the mine map, a Cartesian coordinate grid will be <br />established. Computer generated random numbers will establish a pool of x,y coordinates, <br />corresponding to sample points. Transects will be randomly oriented in direction. <br />Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover will be estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. An ocular <br />point frame will be used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision and <br />observer accuracy. Transects will be 25 meters in length, with one sample data point <br />being collected at 0.5 meter intervals along the transect. For statistical purposes, each <br />cover transect (comprising 50 data points) will serve as a sample unit. Data points will <br />record the Srst vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below the instrument), rock, soil, <br />cryptogamic crust, or litter. Cover data will be recorded and reported by individual plant <br />species. The Srst interception will be used to calculate cover values. Additional <br />interceptions will be recorded separately on Geld sheets, and will be used to calculate <br />relative cover values. Cover data will also provide the basis for calculation of species <br />composition and diversity. <br />Herbaceous Production <br />Herbaceous production will be estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous <br />production plot will be randomly selected and located along each cover transect. If <br />necessary, additional plots will be randomly located. Herbaceous production plots will be <br />1.0 square meters in area. All current year above ground live herbaceous plant biomass <br />will be clipped within the 1.0 square meter quadrat. Herbaceous production will be <br />lifeforms; perennial and annual grasses, annual forbs, and <br />perennial forbs. Succulents, su~utescent, listed noxious weeds, and woody plants will <br />not be sampled. Production material will be dried until weights vary by no more than <br />O.lg. Production values will be reported in grams per square meter (to the nearest O.lg) <br />and pounds per acre. <br />Species Composition <br />Species composition will be calculated from quantitative vegetation cover data. Relative <br />cover data will be derived for the plant species present in the revegetated areas. The <br />-3- <br />