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• <br />CONCLUSIONS <br />At the proposed New Horizon North Mine permit area, intensive vegetation studies were <br />conducted on six potential predisturbance vegetation types. As summarized in Table 2.04.10 -2, <br />Sample Adequacy Calculations, a significant number of samples relative to total plant cover <br />were collected on each of these six predisturbance vegetation types to adequately describe these <br />sites. Sample adequacy was achieved for total plant cover sampling at the 90 percent confidence <br />interval on the Reclamation, Big Sagebrush, Irrigated Pasture, Dryland Pasture, Intensively <br />Managed Irrigated Pasture and Wetland predisturbance vegetation types and on the Irrigated <br />Pasture and Dryland Pasture Reference Areas. Therefore, it can be concluded that these sites <br />were adequately sampled for the parameter of total plant cover. <br />With respect to forage production, it was determined that sample adequacy was achieved for <br />forage production on the sampling of the Irrigated Pasture and Intensively Managed Irrigated <br />Pasture predisturbance sites to adequately describe these areas at the 90 percent confidence <br />interval. On all other areas sampled, a maximum of 50 samples was collected for forage <br />production. Therefore, it can be concluded that adequate production sampling was conducted on <br />these areas. <br />With respect to potential threatened or endangered plant species, it was determined after a <br />careful literature review and intensive field investigations, that the unique habitat types <br />associated with these species are lacking for this area. In addition, since all of these lands have <br />had the natural vegetation significantly altered by agricultural conversion practices, intensive <br />long term grazing and winter feeding activities, it would be essentially impossible for any of <br />these species to occur on this area. In summary, none of these species were encountered and it is <br />highly unlikely, if not impossible for them to be found on this site. <br />With respect to potential revegetation success standards, it was determined that the existing <br />approved Irrigated Pasture Reference Area and Dryland Pasture Reference Area will be adequate <br />for all of the proposed disturbance associated with the Reclamation, Big Sagebrush, Irrigated <br />Pasture, and Dryland Pasture vegetation types that will potentially be affected by mining With <br />respect to the Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture vegetation type, a "historic record" <br />approach will be used to determine the ultimate revegetation success standard for this vegetation <br />type. <br />Section 2.04.10 <br />Page 35 <br />April 2011 <br />