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DISCUSSION <br />Climatic Conditions <br />The year preceding 2010 sampling was characterized by well below average moisture from late summer <br />of 2009 to early spring of 2010. This dry sequence was ended by a two month 'spike' of precipitation in <br />April and May 2010 (Figures C -4a and 4b). When compared to other years in which monitoring has <br />occurred back to 1987, the cumulative 12 months total precipitation prior to sampling ranked 2010 as the <br />second lowest for the 25 years of record (Figure C -5b). By contrast, total precipitation for the previous six <br />months was slightly above average for the period of record back to 1987 (Figure C -6b). The cumulative <br />four month precipitation values back to 1987 (Figure C -7b) show that 2010 was also slightly above the <br />26 -year average as well. With regard to temperature, cumulative January through June 2010 warmth <br />was well below average, the fifth coldest in the past 26 years (Figure C -8). <br />The year preceding 2011 sampling was characterized by a very wet fall and winter (precipitation in <br />December of 2010 totaled a record 2.98 inches), continuing in early spring with a very wet April and May <br />(Figure C -2). June precipitation was below average with a return to above average precipitation in July. <br />The abundant cold- season precipitation created above average snowpack levels for the region. These <br />wet months combined with a wet summer left precipitation total for the 12 months preceding sampling <br />well above average (Figure C -4b). In general, 2011 August to July was the wettest and coolest observed <br />in the last 26 years. <br />Sample Adequacy Calculations <br />Sample adequacy of total first -hit vegetation cover was achieved in each of the reference areas as well as <br />BRB PSCM -1 (see below and Table C -4). Summaries of the allowable herbaceous calculations (Tables <br />G -1, G -2, and G -3) for each area are as follows: <br />2010 Assessment of BRB PSCM -1 for Compliance with Phase Ill Performance Standards <br />COVER - PERFORMANCE STANDARD BASED ON REFERENCE AREA MEANS <br />Calculation of 90 percent of the cover performance standard appropriate for 2010 sampling based on <br />reference area means is demonstrated below. <br />Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable First -Hit Herbaceous Cover *(12.8 %) X 2 = 25.6% <br />Sagebrush Reference Area Allowable First -Hit Herbaceous Cover *(44.7 %) X 2 = 89.4% <br />18 <br />