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transect was turned 90° in the appropriate direction so the transect could be completed. In this manner, <br />boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. <br />Production quadrats were always oriented 900 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect and <br />placed one meter from the starting point so as to avoid any trampled vegetation. <br />2.2 Determination of Ground Cover <br />Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology as <br />illustrated on Figure 1. As indicated on this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation it <br />has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect of 10 meters <br />length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of each <br />systematically located sample point. At each one-meter interval along the transect, a "laser point bar" <br />was situated parallel to, and approximately 4.5 to 5.0 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set of <br />10 readings was taken specifically to record hits on vegetation (by species), litter, (including standing <br />dead), rock (>2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of <br />10 low-energy specialized lasers** situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the <br />variable intercepted by each of the narrowly focused (0.02 beams (Figure 1). In this manner, a total of <br />100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology <br />and instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover <br />data possible. Identification and nomenclature of plant species follows Colorado Flora: Western Slope <br />(Weber and Wittman, 1996). <br />2.3 Determination of Woody Plant Density <br />Two sampling methods are employed for monitoring woody plant density within the revegetated <br />units at Colowyo. The first method, belt transects, was employed throughout the revegetation evaluated <br />for Phase III bond release in 2008 and 2009. At each sample site in the Phase III area, a 2-meter wide <br />by 50-meter long belt transect was established parallel to the ground cover transect and in the direction <br />of the next sampling point (in a cardinal direction - see Figure 1). Then within each belt, all woody <br />plants (shrubs, trees, and succulents) were enumerated by species. Determination of whether or not a <br />** Lasers utilized for this instrument are state-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro-magnetic <br />wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 5 Colowyo Coal Company <br />2009 Phase III Bond Release Evaluation