2011-11-08_PERMIT FILE - C1981041A (9)

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orientation of the transect will be turned 90° in the appropriate direction so the transect can be completed within the target unit. In this manner, boundary samples will be retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. Ground Cover Collection Ground cover data will be collected using the point- intercept method. A transect of not more than 10 meters length will be extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of each sample point. At each one -meter interval along the transect a "laser point bar" will be situated parallel to, and approximately 4.5 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set of 10 readings will be recorded as to hits on vegetation (by species), litter, rock ( >2mm), or bare soil. Hits will be determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low- energy lasers situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the vertically projected narrow focused beams. In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect will be recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. Production Data Collection Current annual herbaceous production data shall be collected from a Y2 m quadrat frame placed one meter and 90 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate avoidance of vegetation trampled by investigators during sample site location. From within each quadrat, all above ground current annual vegetation within the vertical boundaries of the frame will be clipped and bagged separately by life form as follows: Perennial Grasses, Annual Grasses, Sub - Shrubs; Perennial Forbs; Annual & Biennial Forbs and Noxious Weeds. Clipped biomass should be dried in a forced air over (105 ° C for 24 hours). Samples shall be weighed on an appropriate scale to the TR -60 14 -20 (Rev 03/11)