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native areas. Total annual precipitation at the mine in calendar year 2010 to date was <br />8.18 inches, 23.1 percent below the ten year (2000-2010) average and 26.2 percent below <br />the overall average mean (11.08"). While precipitation in the autumn and early winter of <br />2009 was significantly below average, December 2009, February 2010 and May 2010 <br />precipitation levels far exceeded average, providing significant growing season moisture <br />for cool season species. <br />3.2.2 Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. An ocular point <br />frame (ESCO Associates) was used to minimize instrument error and maximize precision <br />and observer accuracy. Cover transects were 25 meters in length, with two sample data <br />points collected at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of the transect <br />centerline, 1.5m apart. Transect direction was established randomly through the use of <br />computer generated random directions (0-360°). In no event were transects allowed to <br />extend within ten feet of the study area boundary to minimize impacts from "edge effect." <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) served as a <br />sample unit. Data points recorded the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below the <br />instrument), soil (bare ground), rock, litter, or cryptogamic crust. Subsequent "hits" on <br />vegetation (prior to interception of the ground) were also recorded. Cover data were <br />recorded and reported by individual plant species. The first interception was used to <br />calculate total vegetation cover values. Additional interceptions were used to calculate <br />relative cover of individual plant species and lifeforms. The quantitative cover data also <br />provided the basis for calculation of species composition and relative importance. <br />3.2.3 Herbaceous Production <br />Herbaceous production was estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous production <br />plot was located and randomly oriented at the origin of each cover transect. Additional <br />production plots were randomly located. Herbaceous production plots were 0.50 meter2 <br />in area. All current year above ground live herbaceous plant biomass was clipped within <br />the 0.50 meter2 quadrat. Production material was air dried until weights varied by no <br />more than 0.1 g. Results are reported as grams per square meter. <br />3.2.4 Woody Plant Numbers <br />Woody plants do not form a significant component of the study area vegetation. <br />Sampling woody plant density through the use of parametric sampling techniques would <br />be inappropriate given the low numbers of woody plants. In order to quantify and <br />describe the woody plant component within the study area, a complete census of the <br />woody plants present within the study area vegetation community was undertaken. The <br />census counted all woody plants within the study area by species. <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC Page 4 <br />Historic Record Study Area Vegetation Sampling Report: 2010