2010-12-27_REVISION - C1981019 (4)

Home Browse Search

order. However, orientation protocol was always maintained (i.e. in the direction of the next point to be physically sampled). If the boundary of the area was encountered before reaching the full length of a transect, the orientation of the transect was turned 90 in the appropriate direction so the transect could be completed. In this manner, boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. 2.2 Determination of Ground Cover Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point- intercept methodology as illustrated on Figure 1. As indicated on this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes state -of- the -art instrumentation it has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect of 10 meters length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of each systematically located sample point. At each one -meter interval along the transect, a "laser point bar" was situated parallel to, and approximately 4.5 to 5.0 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set of 10 readings was recorded as to hits on vegetation (by species), litter, standing dead, rock ( >2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low- energy specialized lasers ** situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the narrowly focused (0.02 (see Figure 1). In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology and instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible. Identification and nomenclature of plant species follows Weber and Wittman (1996) Colorado Flora: Western Slope. 2.3 Sample Adeauacv Determination Sampling within each unit (reference area or Phase II area) was conducted to a minimum of 50 samples for Phase II area sampling and 20 samples for the reference areas. From these preliminary efforts, sample means and standard deviations for total non - overlapping vegetation ground cover were calculated. For non - monitoring applications, the typical procedure is that sampling continues until an t � Lasers utilized for this instrument are state -of- the -art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro- magnetic wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low- energy lasers. CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 5 Colowyo Coal Company 2008 Phase II Evaluation (Updated Dec -10)