2008-12-11_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (36)

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Two lifeforms were documented during the sampling of the Staging Area. These included graminoids and forbs. Seven plant species were identified during cover sampling at this location. Total vegetation cover of the Staging Area was 32.00 percent, lowest of the three areas sampled at the Lone Pine Gulch Surface Facilities Area. Based on cover sampling, graminoids contributed 25.33 percent mean cover and forbs accounted for 6.67 percent mean cover. There were two co-dominant vascular plant species at the Staging Area. Bromus inermis and Agropyron intermedium (intermediate wheatgrass) both contributed 8.00 percent of the mean cover. Four additional species provided significant cover. These species were; the forb Achillea lanulosa, contributing 6.00 percent cover, Agropyron spicatum (bluebunch wheatgrass) providing 4.00 percent cover, Agropyron trachycaulum with 3.33 percent cover, and Agropyron smithii with 2.00 percent cover. Vegetative litter (prior years growth, dead wood, and other biologic organic material) comprised an average 30.67 percent ground cover. Bare soil comprised 24.67 percent of the cover encountered, and the rock component accounted for 12.67 percent, highest of the areas sampled at the Lone Pine Gulch Surface Facilities Area. Water Tank Site The Water Tank Site comprises approximately one acre of gently sloping terrace above the main West Elk Mine site. Topography slopes northward and soils are generally sandy loams. The Water Tank Site was revegetated after construction in 1994 and has remained relatively undisturbed since. Surface runoff is through sheet flow which is filtered by silt fence. Three lifeforms were documented during the sampling of the Water Tank Site. These included graminoids, forbs, and woody shrubs. Fifteen plant species were identified during cover sampling at this location. Total vegetation cover of the Water Tank Site was 48.40 percent. Based on cover sampling, graminoids contributed 57 percent of the total cover, forbs accounted for 42- percent of the total cover, and -woody shrubs provided less than one percent cover of the total cover. Plant species encountered at the Water Tank Site are identified in Table 1. 'Table 2 presents cover information for the Water Tank Site. -Arop)?ion--smithii-was the dominant vascular plant species encountered at the Water Tank Site, contributing 12.80 percent mean cover. Three species shared sub-dominant positions at the site, the prostrate forb Polygonum douglasii provided 11.60 percent cover, Bromus inermis contributed 7.80 percent of the mean cover, and Achillea lanulosa contributed 6.80 percent cover. Four additional species provided significant cover. These species were; Agropyron trachycaulum (2.00%), Agropyron intermedium (1.80% cover), Poa pratensis (1.80%), and Capsella bursa pastoris (shepherds purse) (1.40%). -5-