2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087 (49)

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• s = standard deviation (n -1); t = the t statistic (one - tailed, 90% confidence; n -1 degrees of freedom; if n >30, t = 1.282 for purposes of this study); d = acceptable amount of inherent variability to be identified between the sample mean and the true population mean (0.15 for purposes of this study); x = sample mean for shrub density data. After an adequate sample has been collected, an assessment of the largest combination of patches whose average woody plant density equals or exceeds 2,000 stems per acre will be made. The acreage included in this "optimized" grouping of high density shrub occurrences will be determined to assess the percent that these "sufficiently dense" patches comprise of the total BRB. Overall average density 200 stems per acre with at least 5% of the BRB area possessing ? 2,000 stems per acre. It is proposed that the formal judgement of the adequate stocking of woody plants on the Seneca II site be based on the following testable hypotheses: The density of full shrubs and trees in the `Background" areas of B RB -3 uill equal or exceed 90% of a standard of 200 stems per acre. The density of full shrubs and trees in the `Nigh" density areas of BRB -3 will equal or exceed 90% of a standard of 2, 000 stems per acre. BRB -4 and 5 will be sampled similar to BRB -3 in accordance with the procedures described for BRB -3. Adequacy will be pursued beyond only if hypothesis testing using the "reverse null hypothesis" fails to demonstrate revegetation success for both the "background" area standard and the "shrub concentration area" standard. • These hypotheses will be tested using methods set forth in Section 4.15.11 of the CDMG Coal Rules. Shrub data will be collected during both of the bond release testing years. PLANT SPECIES LISTING AND NOMENCLATURE A listing of plant species observed during the bond release process will be prepared from quantitative observations along with opportunistic observations made during time spent in each BRB and reference area. Separate lists will be made for each area and year of observation. Entries will include plant scientific binomial along with common names and will be organized by lifeform and provenance (native or introduced). Plant species nomenclature will follow the third edition of Colorado Flora: Western Slope (Weber 2002). This edition updated the names of many plant species. A table tided Species Presence for All Areas, will be provided that includes synonymy between older and newer plant nomenclature. Common names will follow Beetle (1970). REFERENCES CITED Beetle, A.A. 1970. Recommended Plant Names. Univ. Wyo. Agr. Expt. Stn. Res. journal 31, Laramie. ESCO Associates 13 -13 -11 TR40 * 08106 •