Laserfiche WebLink
2011 West Elk Mine Phase II and Phase III (first year) Bond ReleaseVegetation <br />Sampling for Reclaimed Drill Sites and Roads <br />Based on the vegetation sampling plan, we will undertake site visits, sampling, and <br />monitoring to obtain the level of bond release for which sites are eligible. The level and <br />amount of data collected at a given site is subject to the overall approval of the sampling <br />plan by MCC and CDRMS. <br />Those sites that are to be considered for Phase II bond release will need to be <br />quantitatively sampled (minimum 15 samples) to sample adequacy for total vegetation <br />cover and species composition (data collected as a function of total vegetation cover). <br />The sites selected for quantitative vegetation sampling will also have topsoil replacement <br />depths verified as required for Phase II bond release. Topographic characteristics (slope <br />direction, slope angle, length of reclaimed slope) of each of the sites sampled will be <br />collected for the sedimentology analysis required for Phase II bond release. <br />For those sites eligible for Phase III bond release (first year data collection), the full suite <br />of quantitative vegetation data will be collected to sample adequacy with a minimum of <br />15 samples per parameter; total vegetation cover, total herbaceous production, woody <br />plant density, and species composition. <br />Based on discussions with Janet Binns of CDRMS, the sites eligible for Phase III release <br />will have to comprise one sample set, that is, those sites will have to be sampled for all <br />final bond release parameters to sample adequacy (minimum of 15 samples for each <br />parameter). While the data from the Phase III eligible sites is anticipated to be included <br />with the data from Phase II eligible sites, sufficient samples must be taken for the Phase <br />III sites to "stand on their own" during the Phase III bond release application (anticipated <br />in 2012). <br />Quantitative Vegetation Sampling Methodology <br />Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetation cover will be estimated by the use of the point-intercept method. An ocular <br />point frame (ESCO Associates) will be used to minimize instrument error and maximize <br />precision and observer accuracy. Cover transects will be 25 meters in length, with two <br />sample data points collected at 1.0 meter intervals along the transect on opposite sides of <br />the transect centerline, 1.5m apart. Transect direction is to be established randomly. -In <br />no event will transects be allowed to extend within ten feet of the study area boundary to <br />minimize impacts from "edge effect." <br />For statistical purposes, each cover transect (comprising 50 data points) serves as a <br />sample unit. Data points will record the first vertical "hit" on vegetation (above or below <br />the instrument), bare ground, rock, or litter. Subsequent "hits" on vegetation will also be <br />recorded. Cover data are recorded and reported by individual plant species. The first