2012-04-02_REPORT - C1994082 (7)

Home Browse Search

1.8, 10.7, 37.2 and 11.6 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 29.3 species per 100 sq. m. Production (Table A -11) Total herbaceous production in 2011 was 503.2 pounds per acre. Of this, 303.3 pounds were native perennial cool season grasses, 139.2 were native perennial forbs and 51.7 pounds were introduced annual grasses. Two other lifeforms were present at less than 6 pounds per acre. DISCUSSION Climatic Conditions The year preceding 2011 sampling was characterized by a very wet fall and winter (precipitation in December of 2010 totaled a record 2.98 inches), continuing in early spring with a very wet April and May (Figure C -2). June precipitation was below average with a return to above average precipitation in July. The abundant cold- season precipitation created above average snowpack levels for the region. These wet months combined with a wet summer led to a precipitation totals for both the twelve and six months preceding sampling that were the highest in the past 26 years (Figures C -7b and C -8b). The wetness was combined with very cool conditions; in terms of degree days, 2011 was the wettest and coolest observed in the last 26 years (Figure C -10). Cover Calculation of 90 percent of the cover performance standard appropriate for 2011 sampling is demonstrated below. (Seneca IIW (Seneca IIW 43.9% (Seneca IIW (Seneca IIW =32.2% Mine) Aspen Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 91.3% Mine) Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = Mine) Sagebrush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 30.1% Mine) Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' 90 percent of the Cover Standard = 0.90 [0.244(91.3 %) + 0.489(43.9 %) + 0.24(30.1%) + 0.027(32.2 %)] = 46.6% ' Herbaceous cover adjusted by subtracting noxious weeds and annual/biennial plant cover in excess of 10% of the remainder. 10