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

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EXHIBIT 5 The locations of the 7 cover transects sampled in the Irrigated Wetland Predisturbance Area are shown on Map 3, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2.04.10 -2, Loadout Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site with respect to plant cover at the 90 percent confidence interval was 65.1 transects. Production. The results obtained from the sampling of 7 production transects on this area are summarized in Table 2.04.10 -10, Riparian Predisturbance Area - Production. The average total herbaceous forage production equaled 41.51 g/1 /4 m2 or 1,479.4 pounds of air dry-dry forage per acre. Perennial grasses contributed 39.33 g/1 /4 m2 or 94.75 percent of the total herbaceous forage. Annual forbs, contributed 2.18 g/1 /4 m2 or 5.25 percent of the total herbaceous forage production. The locations of the 7 production transects sampled on this site are shown on Map 3, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2.04.10 -2, Loadout Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site in terms of total herbaceous forage production at the 90 percent confidence interval was 54.8 transects. Shrub Density. The shrub density counts obtained from the 7 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Table 2.04.10 -11, Riparian Predisturbance Area - Shrub Density. The average shrub density was determined to equal 7.86 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 318.1 shrubs per acre. Saltcedar and Greasewood were the only shrubs encountered in the shrub density transect sampling effort. The locations of the 7 shrub density transects sampled on the Riparian 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 116.3 transects. STREAM AND OPEN WATER Located within the stream channel of Reed Wash, is an area which corresponds to the Stream or Open Water Vegetation type. Since these areas consist of open water and are totally devoid of vegetation they are not sampled in the vegetation sampling effort. There is no vegetation found on these areas The total area of the Stream or Open Water vegetation type as shown on Map 3, Permit Area Vegetation Map, is 4.52 acres in size and this type equals 2.17 percent of the proposed loadout permit area. No disturbance is planned for the Stream area, since the crossing of the railroad look will consist of a bridge. In the pre- consultation meeting held with Mr. Dan Mathews, he acknowledged that this vegetation type actually corresponding more closely to a land use rather than an actual vegetation type and as such it would not be necessary to perform actual is vegetation sampling of this area. 15