1990-10-03_REPORT - C1980005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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INTRODUCTION Quantitative sampling of reclaimed areas on Peabody Coal Company's Seneca II Mine was undertaken in July 1989 by ESCO Associates to facilitate Peabody's continuing monitoring of the progress of these areas in relation to revegetation performance standards. Methods, sample areas, and sample sizes were those specified by Peabody. METHODS Reclamation Units and Sampling Locations Reclamation sampling units are shown on Map 1, "1989 Revegetation Monitoring and Sampling Map". The 1989 reclamation units include:Area A, Prelaw areas reclaimed prior to 1977; Area B, Wadge mining area reclaimed in 1977; Area C, Wadge mining areas reclaimed in 1980 • and 1982; Area D, Wadge grazing pasture including areas reclaimed in 1978 through 1985; Area E, Wolf Creek mining areas reclaimed in 1985 and 1986; Area F, Wolf Creek areas reclaimed in 1987; Area G, Wadge mining areas reclaimed in 1985 and 1986; and Area H, Wadge mining areas reclaimed in 1987. Within each reclamation unit identified by Peabody in their Scope of Work, the Peabody-specified number of samples were located randomly using numbered grid cells and random numbers taken from a random numbers table. These locations were placed as closely as possible in the field. Final location of production quadrats was accomplished by a blind throw; cover and density sample transects were located and oriented using a blind throw of a meter stick. Cover Sampling Cover data were collected using a point intercept method in which data are tabulated as interceptions of a point (optically projected using a Cover-point Model 3) with plant species, soil, litter, or rock. The sample, taken at a randomly selected location, consisted of 50 projected points spaced at 1 m intervals along a randomly oriented 50 m transect. Twenty such transects were completed in each of eight reclaimed areas ( Map 1). In addition, 15 cover transects were 1