2011-06-02_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2010089 (12)

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• • • those areas to the south of the proposed equipment corridor which adjoins and area inside the existing NH2 Mine Permit Area, the existing NH2 Mine Permit Vegetation Map was utilized. Since this map does not include any vegetation mapping one half mile beyond the existing permit boundary, these areas were mapped using the above - mentioned aerial photography. The existing NH2 Vegetation Map was used for all vegetation boundaries within the existing NH2 permit area, with the exception that the current disturbance limits as shown on the October 2008 aerial photography added. The Vegetation Guideline recommends that "vegetation type delineation should be based on existing, visually dominant species . . ." However, for this site this suggestion, does not always apply. For example, as is documented in the existing NH2 Mine Permit and in the Land Use section of this permit application, there is a considerable amount of overlap between vegetation types and land use patterns. In the areas mapped as Dryland and Irrigated Pasture, there are often localized areas with identical visually dominant species but which pertain to different land use categories. Thus, while there is normally a high deal of correlation between different assemblages of the same plants into vegetation types and land use, in some instances, similar assemblages of plants are mapped as different vegetation types and land uses depending on how they were being managed. Sample Adequacy. A statistical summary of all of the data collected to characterize the plant cover, production, and shrub density is presented in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations. This comparison documents that a sufficient number of samples were collected to describe the parameters of "total plant cover" and perennial herbaceous production, excluding noxious weeds at the 90 percent confidence interval or until the required minimum number of samples had been collected. As allowed in the Vegetation Guideline and as directed in consultation meetings with the DRMS, sampling for production stopped after 50 transects had been sampled. Transect Locations. The field locations of all of the cover, production and shrub density transect sampled in this evaluation are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The specific details corresponding to each vegetation community or reference area sampled is discussed in connection with the discussion pertaining to each site. Nil RECLAMATION MAJOR PREDISTURBANCE AREA VEGETATION TYPES This vegetation type is found in the southern most portion of the proposed mine area and includes lands disturbed by mining between about 1978 and 1993 when reclamation was completed. All of these reclaimed lands were regraded to approximate original contour (AOC) and salvaged topsoil was respread over the regarded spoil. This is the largest plant community Section 2.04.10 Page 9 April 2011