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sample points. For the alkali sagebrush reference area, 50 cover line transects and 50 production quadrats were sampled. For the big sagebrush reference area, 25 cover line transects (the first 25 selected during randomization) and 70 production quadrats were sampled (20 additional points were randomized in the Field once statistical adequacy calculations indicated more samples would be required after the first 50 samples were completed). For the reclaimed area, a total of 27 cover and 60 production sample locations were randomly located for cover and production data collection and 182 sample points were located for shrub density sampling. Additional points were randomized as needed. Photographs were taken of the two reference areas and the reclaimed area to provide a visual aid of site conditions at the time of sampling and to illustrate existing current year's growth for 1996 (Appendix A). Noxious Weeds: The State of Colorado lists a number of plants as designated noxious weeds including the following species: • Canada thistle Cirsium arvense • Musk thistle Carduus nufans . Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium . Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare . Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula • Russian knapweed Centaurea repens • Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa • Spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa . Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris • Dalmation toadflax Linaria dalmatica • Whitetop Cardaria drabs • Field bindweed Cortvolvulus arvensis Of the above noxious weeds, Canada thistle is the only species occurring with any degree of frequency and in noticeable concentrations. Kerr Coal Company has taken measures to control this species on and adjacent to their reclaimed areas. SCHEDULE ' The stag date for field sampling was based on sampling during or as close as possible to peak herbaceous production. Field sampling ocwmed an July 19 and 20, 1996 for the low sagebrush reference area and on August 5 through 9, 1996 for the big sagebrush reference area 4