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• sampled. These data were then utilized to evaluate the successfiilness of revegetation efforts with respect to cover, forage production, species diversity, and shmb density. Transact Locations. To ensm~e that all of the areas within the two Rangeland Reclamation Blocks, Cropland Reclamation Block and Cropland Reference areas evaluated had an equal chance of being sampled, each reclamation block was treated as a single sample unit and a totally randomized sampling effort was implemented Utilizrug the GPS unit, the extreme north, south, east and west boundaries of each site sampled were identified according to the 1927 Colorado State Plane Northam Zone (NAD 27) coordinate system. The interval used in the state plane coordinate system is based on foot increments. Given the typical real-time accuracy of this GPS unit of plus or minus 18 inches, all of the hansect locations were field located at a sub- meter acc;rnacy. Once the boundaries ofthe reclaimed area were identified, then a computer program which generates random coordinates was used to locate the potential lransect location points. These coordinates were then entered into the GPS unit and the transact location starting points were marked in the field. At each transact location starling point, the Irarlsect direction was detemvned by selecting a random direction based on the degrees of the compass (1 to 360°). Once the orientation of the trarrsect was detemuned, then the 50-meter tape was laid out across the site. All hansects were kept within the reclaimed sample unit boundaries. In situations where the trausect placement resulted in the trarlSeCt alignment crossing a sample unit boundary, the trar>,sect line was backed up for that portion of the transec:t which crossed the boundary line 180 degrees. Where the 50-meter tape could not be placed within a narrow reclaimed area due to boundary conshaints, then the irarrsect line was changed 90 degrees at the point where the boundary line was crossed to ensure that the entire trausec:t alignment was within the area to be sampled. • Plant Cover. Plant cover was evaluated by sampling along an outstretched 50-meter tnu>.sect tape. Along the outstretched tape, a total often previously identified and randomly selected intervals were selected as the sample locations for sampling. These ten points were then used as the sample locations for collecting plant cover. At each designated sample point, an inclined metalten-point fiarrre, one meter in height was positioned perpendicular to the tape and a sharpened metal rod was dropped. Each sampling point was sampled at ten- centimeterintervals along the ten-point frame. Even numbers where sampled on the right hand side of the tape and odd numbers were sampled on the left hand side of the tape. Each observation was recorded as to the specific plant species encountered as the rod was dropped. If no plant cover was encountered, then the observation was recorded as to the presence of plant litter, rock, or bare ground. Plant material produced in the 2004 growing season was considered as living plant material and all plant material produced prior to the current growing season was considered to be litter. The 100 data points collected along each transact were then s<urunvized into a single datum for purposes of statistical analysis. Absolute and relative plant cover, species diversity, and plant life forms were detemvned based upon the observations collected in sampling the plant cover. As outlined in the Trapper Mine Permit and the Division's Guidelines, annual and biennial plant cover in excess often percent of the total vegetative cover was excluded from the calculations of "allowable cover." As directed by Trapper, litter in excess of the acceptable standard, cryptograms and rock were excluded in calculating the values of "allowable cover." •