2008-10-03_REPORT - C1981010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 transect locations were field located at a sub-meter accuracy. Once the boundaries of the reclaimed area were identified, then using a specially prepared computer program which generates random coordinates, the potential transect locations were identified. These coordinates were then entered into the GPS unit and using the navigate feature, the transect location starting points were marked in the field. At each transect location starting point, the transect direction was determined by selecting a random direction based on the degrees of the compass (1 to 3590). Once the transect bearing was determined, then the 50- meter tape was laid out across the site. All transects were kept within the reclaimed sample unit boundaries. In situations where the transect placement resulted in the transect alignment crossing a sample unit boundary, the transect line was backed up for that portion of the transect which crossed the boundary line 180 degrees. Where the 50-meter tape could not be placed within a narrow reclaimed area due to boundary constraints, then the transect line was changed approximately 90 degrees at the point where the boundary line was crossed to ensure that the entire transect alignment was within the area which needed to be sampled. Plant Cover. Plant cover was evaluated by sampling along an outstretched - 50-meter transect tape. Along the outstretched tape, a total of ten previously identified and randomly selected intervals were selected as the sample locations for sampling. At each designated sample point, an inclined metal ten-point frame, one meter in height was positioned perpendicular to the tape and a sharpened metal rod was dropped. Each sampling station was sampled at ten-centimeter intervals along the ten-point frame. Even random sample intervals were sampled on the right- hand side of the tape and odd numbers were sampled on the left-hand side of the tape. is 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, bare ground or cryptograms. Plant material produced in the 2008 growing season and which was still attached to the plant was considered as living plant material and all plant material produced prior to the current growing season, or which had fallen from the plant prior to sampling was considered to be litter. The 100 data points collected along each transect were then summarized into a single datum for purposes of statistical analysis. Absolute and relative plant cover, species diversity, and plant life forms were determined based upon the observations collected in sampling the plant cover. As outlined in the Trapper Mine Permit, annual and biennial plant cover in excess of ten percent of the total vegetative cover was excluded from the calculations of "allowable cover." All noxious weeds listed on the Moffat County Noxious Weed List were also excluded from calculating "allowable cover" and "perennial plant cover." Litter in excess of the acceptable standard, cryptograms and rock were excluded in calculating the values of "allowable cover." The Trapper reclaimed rangelands cover success standard is based on "allowable cover" and "perennial cover." For Range Site A, which includes Rangeland Reclamation Block AD&H- AB, the "allowable cover" standard is 52 % with at least 33 % of the cover coming from "perennial plant cover" which includes herbaceous and shrubby vegetation and up to a maximum of 19 % litter. The "allowable cover" standard at Trapper includes perennial plant cover (minus the cover from listed noxious perennial weeds), and up to 10% annual plant cover and litter cover up to the maximum allowed per Range Site (Range Site A is 19 % litter).