2012-03-07_PERMIT FILE - C2010088 (14)

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EXHIBIT 5 The locations of the 6 shrub density transects sampled on the Greasewood Predisturbance Area are shown on Map 3, Permit Area Vegetation Map. Examination of the sample adequacy calculations in Table 2.04.10 -2, Loadout 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 481.6 transects. DESCRIPTION OF MINOR PREDISTURBANCE AREA VEGETATION TYPES 114119141,11 KU Adjacent to Reed Wash, on the narrow floodplain benches and stream channel fringe which are subirrigated and/or flooded during peak runoff there are several areas dominated by riparian vegetation. The total area of the Riparian vegetation type as shown on Map 3, Permit Area Vegetation Map, is 10.01 acres and this type equals 4.80 percent of the proposed mine permit area. Very limited disturbance, consisting of the proposed railroad loop crossing is proposed for this area. The actual amount of disturbance planned for this area is currently unknown, but the disturbance to this vegetation type will certainly be less than 5 percent (10.42 acres) of the proposed Loadout Permit Area. As a result of this very small area, this type would technically correspond to the definition of a minor vegetation type as defined in the CDRMS Vegetation Guideline. In the pre - consultation meeting held on 11 May 2010, with Mr. Dan Mathews, he acknowledged that this vegetation type would correspond to a minor vegetation type as defined in the CDRMS Vegetation Guideline but requested that a minimum of at least five transects be sampled in these areas. The results of this limited sampling are presented below. Plant Cover. The results obtained from the sampling of the 7 plant cover transects on this area are presented in Table 2.04.10 -9, Riparian Predisturbance Area - Plant Cover. Total plant cover on this site averaged 46.14 percent and litter cover averaged 50.43 percent. Native perennial grasses were the dominant plant life form encountered on this site, contributing 34.14 percent of the total plant cover and 73.99 percent of the total relative cover found on this site. Annuals were the second most dominant plant life form, contributing 5.86 percent of the total plant cover and 12.69 percent of the total relative cover. Native shrubs contributed 3.14 percent of the total plant cover and 6.81 percent of the total relative cover. Noxious weeds contributed 3.00 percent of the total plant cover and 6.50 percent of the total relative cover found on this area. Reed Canarygrass, a native perennial grass was the dominant plant species encountered, contributing 37.15 percent of the total relative plant cover found on this site. The other dominant plants encountered were: Desert Saltgrass, Lambsquarters, Greasewood, Saltcedar and Nebraska Sedge which contributed: 30.65, 8.05, 6.81.6.50 and 5.26 percent, respectively, of the total relative cover on this area. 14