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2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling <br />Within the reclaimed area, total vegetation cover data by species were collected. <br />Technical Revision 5 and the 1996-1997 mid-term review to the mining and reclamation <br />permit revised the post-mining land uses and goals and reclamation success standards for <br />the Carbon Junction Mine. As the post-mining land uses include industrial and <br />commercial, recreation and residential, the sole criterion for revegetation success is total <br />vegetation cover equal or greater than 40 percent. The value of the revegetation standard <br />was based on the levels of vegetation cover deemed necessary to control erosion at the <br />site. The species comprising the reclamation seed mix for the mine (Table 1) were <br />largely derived from the herbaceous grass and forb species identified in the adjacent <br />vegetation communities during baseline vegetation inventories. <br />2.2.2.1 Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. An ocular point <br />frame (ESCO Associates) was used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision <br />and observer accuracy. Cover transects were 25 meters in length, with two sample data <br />points collected at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of the transect <br />centerline, 1.Sm apart. Transect direction was established randomly through use of <br />computer generated random compass directions. In no event were transects allowed to <br />extend within ten feet of the reclaimed area boundary to minimize impacts from "edge <br />effect." <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) served as a <br />sample unit. Data points recorded the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below <br />the instrument), cryptogams, bare ground, rock, or litter. Subsequent "hits" on vegetation <br />were also recorded. Cover data were recorded and reported by individual plant species. <br />The first interception was used to calculate total cover values. Additional interceptions <br />were used to calculate relative cover of individual plant species and lifeforms. The <br />quantitative cover data also provided the basis for analysis of species composition. <br />2.2.2.2 Species Composition <br />Species composition information was derived from quantitative vegetation cover data. <br />While not a revegetation success criterion for the Carbon Junction Mine, relative cover <br />information provides a basis for evaluation of the importance of each encountered plant <br />species and lifeform, for evaluation of the overall success of revegetation, and to <br />demonstrate establishment of aself-perpetuating stable vegetation community. <br />2.2.3 Sample Numbers/Sample Adequacy <br />For the purposes of this study, total vegetation cover sampling was undertaken to sample <br />adequacy in the reclaimed area. Fifteen samples were initially collected in the reclaimed <br />area, and the calculated minimum sample size was two (2). Parameter testing occurred at <br />Oakridge Energy Carbon Junction Mine Page 3 <br />2008 Vegetation Sampling Report <br />