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Herbaceous production will be measured by a quadrat sampling method that meets the provisions <br />of DRMS Regulation 4.15.11(1)(b)(i). The observational unit will be a rectangular or circular plot <br />frame at least a/a square meter and large enough to encompass individual plants of the larger <br />species being sampled. Current year growth of herbaceous non -woody species will be clipped <br />within each quadrat. The sampled plant material will be bagged and taken to the laboratory for <br />drying and weighing. Samples will be oven -dried at 105 degrees C to a constant weight. <br />Sampling points for cover and herbaceous production will be located by using a random number <br />generating procedure to create up to 50 random coordinate pairs within each study area <br />(reclaimed sites and the reference area). A geographic positioning system (GPS) unitwill be used <br />to navigate to the sample points, in the order that the points were randomly generated. A stake <br />or quadrat frame will be thrown over the shoulder to determine the exact sample location. Cover <br />transects will be oriented along a random compass bearing from the point of origin. If production <br />sampling is done atthe same time as cover sampling, quadrats will be placed at the transect origin <br />on the left side of the transect. Cover will be calculated as percent total cover for each transect, <br />and the mean calculated for the study area. Production will be calculated by dividing dry weight <br />by the quadrat frame area in acres, and the mean dry weight per acre calculated. <br />4.5.2 Irrioated Pastureland Reference Area Characterization and Manaoement <br />With TR -58 a new reference area of 6.81 acres immediately south of the mine office was added <br />to evaluate Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland reclamation success. This reference area is shown <br />on Map 2.05.4(2)(e) -2. A detailed discussion of reference area characteristics and management <br />is presented below: <br />Reference Area Characterization <br />The Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland reference area is a typical irrigated pasture in the Nucla <br />area. The reference area is adjacent to the mine and contains many of the same soils which are <br />present inthe reclaimed area. Vegetation is almostentirely herbaceous species, mainly introduced <br />perennial pasture grasses planted for livestock forage. Flood irrigation results in uneven water <br />application, and as a result the species composition within the reference area varies with soil <br />moisture. On most of the reference area where soil moisture is moderate, at least 8 species of <br />upland perennial grasses are dominant, with Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, wheatgrasses, and <br />meadow fescue the most dominant (Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e) -5 shows production and cover <br />(Revised: PR -06) 2.05.4(2)(e) - 27 <br />