Laserfiche WebLink
DISCUSSION <br />Climatic Conditions <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 -7b). 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 wet <br />months combined with a wet summer left precipitation total for the 12 months preceding sampling well <br />above average (Figure C -8b). In general, 2011 was the wettest and coolest observed in the last 26 years. <br />Sample Adequacy Calculations <br />Sample adequacy of total all -hit vegetation cover was achieved in each of the reference areas as well as <br />BRB -1 (see below and Table C-4). Summaries of the allowable herbaceous calculations (Tables G- 1 -G -6) <br />for each area are as follows: <br />2011 Assessment of the BRB -1 for Compliance with Phase 111 Performance Standards <br />COVER - PERFORMANCE STANDARD BASED ON REFERENCE AREA MEANS <br />Calculation of 90 percent of the cover performance standard appropriate for 2011 sampling based on <br />reference area means is demonstrated below. <br />Aspen Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 91.3% <br />Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 43.9% <br />Sagebrush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 30.1% <br />Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 32.2% <br />Western Wheatgrass/ Alkali Sagebrush Reference Area Allowable All -Hit Herbaceous Cover' = 45.4% <br />' Herbaceous cover adjusted by subtracting noxious weeds and annual/biennial plant cover in excess of 10% of the remainder. <br />90 percent of the Cover Standard <br />= 0.90 [0.11(91.3 %) + 0.35(43.9 %) + 0.31(30.1 %) + 0.13(32.2 %) + 0.10(45.4 %)] <br />= 39.1% <br />19 <br />