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2. Upland sagebrush - Artemisia tridentate v. tridentata (Basin big <br />sagebrush) dominated comminities occurring on well-drained slopes <br />having soils usually deeper than 15" (Thatcher, 1957) where <br />decreased iroisture conditions limit other vegetation types. <br /> <br />3. Aspen - A mixed brush subtype with Popu'lus tremuloides (quaking <br />aspen) stands occurring at the higher elevations generally in <br />proximity to draws where soils are well-developed and soil tmisture <br />oomlitions are goad. <br />The mixed brush type/aspen subtype and upland sagebrush vegetation <br />types on areas that may potentially be disturbed by m;n;nq and ancillary <br />operations (i.e., affected area) were randomly sampled (as described <br />in detail below) to gather production, cover, frequency and shrub <br />height data for the 1979 growing season. Shrub density data were <br />gathered during the 1980 growing season iri an effort to comply with <br />proposed Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board regulations which had not <br />required these data at the time of initial sample design. The aspen <br />subtype comrnmity was randomly sampled to acquire tree density and <br />dominance (basal area) data. Age data were collected for aspen and <br />selected shrub species at several locations throughout the study area. <br />Additional shrub height and diameter data were recorded on transects <br />randonsy located throughout the mixed brush, upland sagebrush and aspen <br />subtype communities. <br />Reference or control plots, approximately 5 acres in size, were situated <br />in the mixed brush type/aspen subtype and upland sagebrush vegetation <br />types away fns areas of potential disturbance. The federal (OSM) <br />and proposed Colorado (CNII.RB) Permanent Regulatory Programs and Wyoming <br />DEQ ~Uideline ir2 ('March, 1979) specify that reference areas must be at <br />least 2 acres in size. The reference sites Caere selected on the basis <br />of containing vegetation species, soils, and topographic aspects <br />generally characteristic of the tcao major vegetation comminities sampled. <br />The reference areas were sampled in a systematic manner to gather <br />comparison vegetative production, cover, frequency and shrub height data <br />l~ <br />-4- <br />