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• u~ i n~~~~. i wrv <br />Quantitative sampling of reclaimed areas at Seneca Coal Company's (SCC) Seneca II Mine <br />was undertaken in July 1997 by ESCO Associates to facilitate SCC's continuing monitoring of <br />the progress of these areas in relation to revegetation performance standards. Methods, <br />sample areas, and sample sizes were those specified by SCC. <br />METHODS <br />Reclamation Units and Sampling Locations <br />The reclamation units sampled at the Seneca II Mine in 1997 are shown on Map 1, "1997 <br />Vegetation Monitoring Locations". The reclamation area sampled in 1997 included the 1990 <br />Reclamation Unit. In addition, shrub density was assessed in the Wadge Pasture reclamation <br />unit, also shown on Map 1. The Seneca II Mountain Brush and Sagebrush Reference Areas <br />were also sampled. <br />Within each reclamation unit identified in the SCC Scope of Work, the SCC-specified number of <br />• samples were located randomly on maps produced by SCC using numbered grid cells and <br />random numbers generated by computer. The SCC-assigned numbers of samples for a given <br />parameter in a given area reflected previously experienced sample variability or the level of <br />precision required in a given area. The desire to have finer estimation of mean values in the <br />reference areas that provide control data necessitated larger sample sizes. <br />Grid cell size was 100 feet x 100 feet in reclaimed areas, and 50 feet x 50 feet in reference <br />areas. These grid cells were placed contiguously by computer in a Geographical Information <br />System (GIS) rendering of reclamation areas to be sampled. Random number locations <br />provided by computer were used to select grid cells, in the middle of which a sample point was <br />placed, and shown on the map plotted from computer memory. These sample points were <br />located as accurately as possible in the field. Final location of herbaceous production quadrats <br />was accomplished by a blind throw of the sampling hoop; cover and density sample transects <br />were located and oriented using a blind throw of a meter stick. <br />• <br />1 <br />