2010-12-08_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (14)

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2.9 percent cover (9 percent frequency). Cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum had 4.1 percent cover (22 percent frequency). Lichen cover was 2.3 percent (16 percent frequency) and moss cover was 2.3 percent (10 percent frequency). The remaining species generally contributed less than one percent cover to the mean total vegetative cover. Total herbaceous production (including shrubs) totaled 34.5 g /m2 or 308 pounds /acre (Table 2.04.10 -28). Herbaceous production without the shrub component totaled 15.4 g /m2 or 137 pounds /acre. The perennial shrub component contributed the highest value at 19.1 g/m (170 pounds /acre) followed by 0.9 g /m , respectively). In order to sample the perennial species at the peak of their production, many of the earlier maturing annual species were senescent or were already gone from the stand. Thus the annual grass production is likely higher than stated. Woody plant density measurements in 1999 differed from 1987 as suffruticose species were not measured consistent with Guidelines for Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation Requirements for Coal Mining. Succulents were also not included in the density calculations. Mean density for the type was 27.1 stems /50m2 or 2,149 stems /acre (Table 2.04.10 -29). Sagebrush dominated with an average density of 25.8 stems /50m2 or (2,067 stems /acre). Four -wing saltbush was the next dominant shrub with 1.3 stems /50m2 or (102 stems per acre). Pinon had 0.1 stems /50m2 or (5 stems /acre). Twelve species occurred in the cover samples. Five species had relative cover values of 1 percent or greater. Grasses (including annuals) comprised six of the species (see Table 2.04.10 -27). Three shrubs occurred in the cover samples, as did one lichen, one moss, one succulent and one tree. The sagebrush reference area is not being utilized for comparison to the amended area dryland pasture. The sagebrush reference area has been abandoned for a dryland pasture reference area near the Nucla airport which is typical of a dryland pasture in the area 6.14 Drvland Pasture Reference Area The original dryland pasture reference area was established in 1999 (in combination with the rangeland reference area) to more closely approximate land uses that will occur in the post mine phase where land is returned to dryland pasture. Previous to this area, the Sagebrush Reference Area north of the New Horizon 2 Mine was used for dryland pasture and rangeland. The new area was jointly observed by Dan Revised September 2010 (PR 06) 2.04.10 -88