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

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Shrub Density. The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -20, Wetland - Shrub Density. The average shrub density was determined to equal 67.73 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 2,725.0 shrubs per acre. Sandbar Willow and Russian Olive were the only shrubs encountered. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled in the Wetland predisturbance area 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 388.7 transects. DESCRIPTION OF MINOR PREDISTURBANCE AREA VEGETATION TYPES ROADS Since the proposed NHN Mine permit area is based upon the boundaries of the west half of Section 25, included with this study area are paved and unpaved roads. The paved roads include Montrose County Road AA, located on the south side, Montrose County Road 26.00 located on the west side and Montrose County Road 26.50, located on the east side of the proposed mine area. Montrose County Road Z is located on the north side of the area and is a gravel road. There are also two graveled roads within the proposed NHN Mine permit area. In the southwestern portion of the site, there is a graveled road, leading to the Garvey brick house and on the Glasier Property there is another graveled road which leads to the existing trailer house as well as a recently removed trailer house. Included within this designation are the surfaces of the county paved roads, the graveled surface of the roads, and those portions of the roads that are devoid of vegetation due to vehicular traffic The total area of the Roads vegetation type as shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map, is 8.21 acres and this type equals 2.55 percent of the proposed mine permit area. No mining disturbance is proposed for the existing paved and gravel roads, so the only disturbance to this vegetation type will be relative to the two existing ranch roads which occur within the proposed mine area. DISTURBED ROAD RIGHT OF WAY For those areas within the permit area located inside of the fenced right of way, of the existing county roads, there is an area which is disturbed, located from the edge of the road pavement or graveled shoulder to the inflection point where the road cut and fill slopes end. This entire area consists essentially of disturbed soil that has become revegetated through the natural processes of plant succession. The dominant plants growing on this vegetation type are Quackgrass and Smooth Bromegrass. Due to the relative barren conditions of many of these areas, there is a relative high abundance of weedy annuals and noxious weeds growing in these areas. The plant Section 2.04.10 Page 19 November 2011