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• II. METHODS <br />TIMING <br />Field investigation was undertaken during the period August 19-22, 1997. This time <br />period coincided with anthesis and maximum development of the majority of plant <br />species found in both the native vegetation community (Osgood Sand Reference Area) <br />and the reclaimed areas at the mine site to be evaluated. The Keenesburg azea <br />experienced an extremely dry spring and early summer. Precipitation at the mine site <br />was 6.47 inches as of the end of July. This represents a 20 percent negative deviation <br />from the January-July average of 8.Q9 inches. As a result of the dry spring and <br />summer, plant development and anthesis was delayed. Sampling commenced after a <br />series of late summer rain showers invigorated the plants and resulted in a late and <br />rapid growth surge as well as an abbreviated anthesis. <br />SAMPLING DESIGN <br />Prior to initiation of field work, the permit document and applicable maps were <br />reviewed to evaluate topography, reclamation timing, seed mixes, revegetation <br />methods, and applicable revegetation standards. <br />• A map of the mine site at 1:2400 scale (1"=200') was used to delineate the 1985, <br />1986, and 1987 revegetated areas (Coors Site Plan; Vegetation Sampling Locations). <br />On a gridded overlay of the revegetation map, a Cartesian coordinate grid (100x100 <br />feet) was established. Computer generated random numbers were used to establish a <br />pool of x,y coordinates. Since the reclaimed areas for the three yeazs to be evaluated <br />were non-contiguous (i. e., they were separated by haul road corridors), each <br />revegetated azea was gridded separately. The acreage of each revegetated azea was <br />established. Fifteen random sample locations were established for each reclamation <br />year's revegetated area. Within each year's revegetation, sufficient samples were <br />established to represent each discontinuous area by proportional acreage. For example, <br />the 1986 revegetated area contains three parcels (west, central, and east). The parcels <br />represent ]8%(west), 50%(central), and 32%(east) of the total 1986 revegetated area. <br />Of ten total cover transects, two were taken in the west parcel, five in the central <br />parcel, and three in the east pazcel to achieve proportionate representation. Sample <br />sites were located in the field through compass triangulation and pacing from known <br />landmazks. Figure I illustrates the location of the 1985, 1986, and 1987 reclaimed <br />areas and sample point locations. <br />• <br />-2- <br />