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METHODS <br />• <br />Vegetation Mapping <br />Using aerial photo information and familiarity with the vegetation of the general area from <br />previous work in the field, seven distinguishable vegetation types were mapped for quantitative <br />sampling areas. Three of these seven (Improved Pasture, Mountain Brush, and Sagebrush) <br />made up 96% of the area and were deemed major and in need of quantitative documentation. <br />Mined and Reclaimed Land will likely be disturbed during development of surface facilities for <br />coal access (Map 3). An additional five vegetation and cropland types were mapped in the <br />broader study area outside of the quantitative sampling area. The mapping units in the <br />quantitative sampling areas were further examined in the field and minor adjustments made to <br />polygon boundaries during fieldwork. Vegetation mapping outside of the qualitative areas was <br />accomplished primarily using November 2007 stereo aerial photo coverage at the scale of <br />1:30,000. It was supplemented by long familiarity with ground conditions, as well as previous <br />baseline mapping for the Yoast and Seneca II Mines and other aerial image data including the <br />lidar -based image that comprises the central portion of Map 1. <br />• Quantitative Sampling <br />Quantitative sampling (cover and production) was conducted in the most extensive vegetation <br />types present in the disturbance areas (Maps 1 and 2). The acreages for vegetation types <br />located in the quantitative sampling area and the samples placed in each for characterization are <br />shown in the following table: <br />Affected Type <br />Acres <br /># Samples - <br />Cover* <br /># Samples - <br />Production* <br />Mountain Brush <br />52.3 <br />15 <br />30 <br />Sagebrush <br />188.6 <br />17 <br />30 <br />Improved Pasture / CRP <br />299.0 <br />16 <br />17 <br />Alkali Sagebrush / Western wheatgrass <br />1.4 <br />Qualitative description <br />Mesic Drainage / Riparian <br />10.9 <br />Qualitative description <br />Aspen <br />5.9 <br />Qualitative description <br />Mixed Conifer <br />2.4 <br />Qualitative description <br />*15 minimum samples or to adequacy <br />• <br />3 <br />