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• During the course of the fieldwork, a list of all plant species encountered (quantitative plus <br />incidental observations) was compiled for the reclamation area and the two reference areas. <br />These lists are summarized in Appendix 2, Species Presence for All Areas, which includes <br />current nomenclature and cross-references to older nomenclature. Note that all big sagebrush <br />plants encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum. Plants referred to here as Poa <br />secunda are the plants formerly known as big bluegrass (Poa ampla) that were included in the <br />seed mixes as such. The taxonomic treatment of Weber and Wittmann (1996) places Poa ampla <br />(as well as Poa sandbergii) with Poa secunda. Despite this merger, the distinctness of Poa <br />ampla is worth noting. <br />Photographic Record <br />Within each reclamation and reference area, representative color photographs were taken to <br />document the appearance of the vegetation in 2009 (Appendix 4). Within each reclaimed area <br />photograph, a placard identifies the particular area and sample. <br />Statistical Methods <br />Sampling was conducted at randomly located sites. Random map points for sampling locations <br />were generated randomly using ESRI ArcMap 9.3 software and Hawth's Analysis Tools for <br />ArcGIS (Beyer 2004). Garmin GPS60 units (accuracy to 3 m) and topographic maps were used in <br />the field to locate random points. Cover and woody plant density transects were randomly <br />oriented; production samples were located randomly behind the transect origin. At each <br />cover/woody plant density sampling location, the slope, expressed as a percent, and aspect of <br />the site, in degrees not corrected for magnetic declination, were determined and recorded, as <br />was the orientation of the transect. <br />Assessment of Reclamation Adequacy <br />GENERAL <br />Formal (statistical) hypothesis testing (see below) was undertaken for the Phase II Bond Release <br />Block (post-law, Permanent program lands). <br />SAMPLE ADEQUACY DETERMINATION <br />After fifteen (15) cover samples in a BRB or reference area, sample adequacy was evaluated <br />based on total live foliar cover by vascular plants using the following expression: <br />• 4