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The reference areas were sampled for herbaceous cover, herbaceous productivity and woody <br />plant density. Species diversity was determined utilizing herbaceous cover data from the <br />premising inventory of the sagebrush and mountain shrub communities. The reference areas <br />are approximately seven acres in size. <br />Statistical tests were performed on the vegetative data from the reference areas to prove that <br />they were comparable to the premised area. The parameters compared were herbaceous cover <br />and herbaceous production. <br />Sample size adequacy tests were performed on both the premise and reference area data to <br />insure that representative cover and production data had been obtained at the 80% level of <br />confidence. <br />Where necessary, the mean, variance and number of observations for the premise and <br />reference area data were used to perform t-tests on the cover and production data to insure <br />that there were no significant difference, at the 90% level of- confidence, between the sets of <br />cover data and production data. <br />A copy of the transect data summaries for cover, production and woody plant density can be <br />found in Exhibit 10, Vegetation Information. <br />As shown on Table 1, Herbaceous Cover of the Mountain Shrub Type -Premise and <br />Reference Area; Table 2, Herbaceous Production of the Mountain Shrub Type -Premise and <br />Reference Area; Table 3, Herbaceous Cover of the Sagebrush Type -Premise and Reference <br />Area; and Table 4, Herbaceous Production of the Sagebrush Type -Premise and Reference <br />Area, the reference area is statistically comparable to the premise areas for the parameters of <br />cover and production. <br />During the summer of 1980, when the reference areas were chosen, the final mine plan had <br />not been completed and, the sagebrush reference area was inadvertently located within the <br />area to be mined. <br />Since the reference area is to remain undisturbed during the life of the mining- operation to <br />insure that reclamation success criteria can be measured after final reclamation, another <br />suitable sagebrush reference area was chosen. <br />For demonstration of revegetation success, vegetation cover, herbaceous production, and <br />woody plant density will be sampled to statistical adequacy, and compared to the approved <br />standard. The Division has completed a comprehensive bond release guideline that provides a <br />good overview of recommended sampling approaches, statistical adequacy formulas and <br />statistical tests. Colowyo will follow the procedures recommended in the guideline or utilize <br />other procedures that are as affective as the Division's recommendations. Before Colowyo <br />begins a vegetation sampling program for bond release, we will meet with the Division to <br />discuss and confirm sampling approaches and statistical testing. <br />4.15-10 Revision Date: 10/3/06 <br />Revision No: MR-83 <br />