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

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• plants encountered were: Common Cattail, Spreading Bentgrass, Tall Fescue and Blackcreeper Sedge contributed 14.23, 12.03, 6.78 and 5.64 percent, respectively, of the total relative cover on this area. The locations of the 15 cover sampled in the Wetland predisturbance area are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 2.2 transects. Production. The results obtained from the sampling of 50 production transects on this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -19, Wetland - Production. This table shows that the average total herbaceous forage production on this site equaled 141.34 g /1/4 m or 5,037.4 pounds of air dry forage per acre. Perennial grasses and grasslikes contributed 128.63 g/1 /4 m or 91.01 percent of the herbaceous forage produced on this area. Perennial forbs, contributed 12.71 g/1 /4 m or 8.99 percent of the herbaceous forage production on this area. The locations of the 50 production transects sampled for this site are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 44.2 transects. Shrub Density. The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -20, Wetland - Shrub Density. The average shrub density was determined to equal 67.73 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 2,725.0 shrubs per acre. Sandbar Willow and Russian Olive were the only shrubs encountered. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled in the Wetland predisturbance area are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. Examination of the sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, reveals the number of samples required to describe the shrub density on this area at the 90 percent confidence interval was 388.7 transects. DESCRIPTION OF MINOR PREDISTURBANCE AREA VEGETATION TYPES ROADS Since the proposed NHN Mine permit area is based upon the boundaries of the west half of Section 25, included with this study area are paved and unpaved roads. The paved roads include Montrose County Road AA, located on the south side, Montrose County Road 26.00 located on the west side and Montrose County Road 26.50, located on the east side of the proposed mine area. Montrose County Road Z is located on the north side of the area and is a gravel road. Section 2.04.10 Page 18 April 2011