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~_ subset of 15 points was selected as end points for cover transects by randomly selecting two (short litres) or more (long lines) points along each of the north-south gridlines. Transects extended from each end point along a randonily determined azimuth. The reference area was fenced in the spring of 1993. For the 1993 vegetation sampling, only the south half (-1.5 acres) of the reference area, which has been ungrazed, was sanrpled. The Division of Minerals and Geology had a ' representative in the field who concurred with this decision. It is intended that future sampling of this reference azea will entail the entire azea. i For tine reference azea sampling, a compass was spun to provide random direction and a random number generator (on a calculator) was used to select distance from an arbitrarily selected initial sampling location. The point at the distance and direction from the initial sampling location became the second sampling location. The procedure was repeated to select each subsequent sample location. Cover and production. Herbaceous production was determined by harvesting current year's herbaceous vegetation from 0.5-meter-squaze quadrats. Harvested material was separated by life form (grasses and forbs) and weighed for initial deternunation of sample adequacy. Samples were later oven dried and weighed again. Production data and sample adequacy given in this report are based on oven-dry weights. I For vegetation cover, a transect method has been adopted in lieu of the quadrat ~ method used in the original vegetation baseline inventory. This method is more in conformance with the Division's technical guideline for vegetation sampling. The Division approved this change. Vegetation cover transects were located in ~ conjunction with production quadrats. Transects were 5 meters long. Azimuths from the point of beginning of each transect were randomly deternined. An ~ "optical bar" was used to determine "hits" at 10-centimeter intervals. The optical bar is a franre holding ten specially designed non-magnifying scopes. The optical baz is mounted on a tripod and is used essentially like a point frame. The scopes are aimed vertically toward the ground. The intersection of the cross-hairs in each telescope defines a "point" or hit. Each hit is recorded as a vegetation species, rock, litter or bare ground. Each transect comprised 50 hits. Results Results of the 1993 vegetation sampling at the Meadows No. 1 mine are shown in the accorrrparrying tables. Sample adequacy was calculated for the reference area -2-