2009-06-24_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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For bond release sampling with belts, sufficient samples must be collected to insure adequacy of the effort (to facilitate valid testing) in accordance with one of the three methods under either Rule 4.15.11 (2), or Rule 4.15.11 (3). Depending on the selected protocol, care must be taken to collect at least the minimum number of samples indicated (15, 30, 40, or 75, depending on the procedure utilized). The second method, total enumeration, may be employed for monitoring when the size of a unit is less than approximately one to two acres in size. Total enumeration shall be the typical method utilized for bond release purposes unless shrub patches are too large (e.g., greater than 10 to 15 acres) to practically utilize this technique (in which case belts will be utilized). This method involves total counts of woody plant populations as opposed to estimates of mean densities through statistical sampling. Implementation of the total count technique would involve circumscribing the boundaries of a target polygon with hip chain thread or similar visible designation. Once a unit is circumscribed in this manner, a team of two or more biologists walking shoulder-to-shoulder traverse the plot enumerating each plant by species. The person farthest inside the line of observers trails hip chain thread, or other means, to mark their path to prevent missing or double counting specimens on subsequent passes. The distance between observers should be 15 to 20 feet or less depending on the height of grasses and the presence of low growing taxa such as rose or snowberry. Each internal observer should also "zigzag" as the team progresses, occasionally turning to view the area just passed to ensure visual coverage of the entire survey path. Constant communication among crew members precludes double counting or missing of plants located along the margins of observed paths. Results from total enumeration efforts can be compared directly with success criteria without statistical testing. Determination of Seedling Emergence At each emergent density sample point (revegetation monitoring only), five one-square foot quadrats should be blindly tossed to the ground and the number of emergents rooted within the perimeter of each shall be recorded accordingly into one of five classes: perennial grass, perennial forb, shrub, annual grass, or annual forb. Where possible recognizable taxa may be recorded by species. Efforts with 1- 2 perennial emergents per ft2 are considered to be fair, 2-3 perennial emergents per ft2 are considered to be good, while 3-4 perennial emergents per ft2 are considered very good. Five or more perennial emergents per ft2 are considered to be excellent. Sample Adequacy Determination Sampling within each monitored unit shall be conducted to a minimum of 5, 15 or 20 samples as necessary. Sampling within each unit under consideration for bond release shall start with a minimum of 15 (reference area) or 20 samples (revegetated area) and continue until a statistically adequate sample (if necessary) has been obtained in accordance with Section 4.15.11 (2) (a). From initial sampling efforts, sample means and standard deviations for total non-overlapping vegetation ground cover, production, and woody plant density will be calculated. For bond release applications, the typical procedure is that sampling continues until an adequate sample, nmi,,, has been collected in 4.15-32 Revision Dater 3/14/08 Revision No.: TR-72