2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089A (7)

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samples required to describe this site with respect to total plant cover at the 90 percent confidence interval was determined to equal 3.9 transects. Production. The results of the 50 production transects on this area are summarized in Appendix Table 12.04.10 -13, Dryland Pasture - Production. The average forage production on this site averaged 9.78 g/1 /4m or 348.6 pounds of air -dry forage per acre. Perennial grasses contributed 6.40 g/1/4m or 65.44 percent and perennial forbs contributed 3.38 g/1 /4m or 34.56 percent of the total forage production on this area. The locations of the 50 production transects sampled for this vegetation type are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of production transects required to characterize this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 121.1. Since 50 transects were sampled in this vegetation type, which satisfies the maximum sample size of 50 transects as found in the Vegetation Guideline, it can be concluded that this area satisfies the sample adequacy requirements with respect to forage production. Shrub Density. The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects taken in this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -14, Dryland Pasture - Shrub Density. The average shrub density was determined to equal 1.67 shrubs per 100 m or 67.5 shrubs per acre. Rubber Rabbitbrush, Siberian Elm and Basin Big Sagebrush were the only woody plants encountered. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled on this site are shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map. Examination of the sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine 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 115.8 transects. Since the DRMS informed WFC that it was not necessary to sample adequacy with respect to shrub density sampling, it can be concluded that this area satisfies the sample adequacy requirements with respect to shrub density. INTENSIVELY MANAGED IRRIGATED PASTURE This vegetation type is only found on the western portions of the Garvey property. It is distinguished from irrigated pasture, in that these areas are intensively irrigated, with the water being changed twice a day and these areas routinely receive supplemental fertilizer, whereas the irrigation water s e the irrigated pasture is often not moved for days or weeks at a time and has no history of bein'OES1 This vegetation type is the fifth largest plant community type found within the proposed NHN Mine permit area (Map 2.04.10 -1 - Permit Area Vegetation Map). This vegetation type covers an area approximately 37.11 acres in size and accounts for nearly 11.52 percent of the proposed permit area. Section 2.04.10 Page 16 November 2011