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

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Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 3.9 transects. Production. The results obtained from the sampling of 51 production transects on this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -22, Irrigated Pasture Reference Area - Production. Average total perennial herbaceous forage production on this site equaled 83.98 g/1 /4 m or 2,993.9 pounds of air dry forage per acre. Perennial grasses and grasslikes contributed 76.94 g/1/4 m or 91.62 percent of the herbaceous forage produced on this area. Perennial forbs, contributed 7.04 g/1 /4 m or 8.38 percent of the herbaceous forage production on this area. The locations of the 51 production transects sampled for this site are shown on Map 2.04.10 -3 - Irrigated Pasture Reference Vegetation Area. The sample adequacy calculations in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -2, New Horizon North Mine Area - Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90 percent confidence interval was 52.9 transects. Shrub Density. The shrub density counts obtained from the 15 belt transects sampled in this area are summarized in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -23, Irrigated Pasture Reference Area - Shrub Density. The average shrub density was determined to equal 0.33 shrubs per one hundred square meters or 13.5 shrubs per acre. Russian Olive was the only woody species encountered. The locations of the 15 shrub density transects sampled in the Irrigated Pasture Reference Area are shown on Map 2.04.10 -3, Irrigated Pasture Reference Area. 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 792.4 transects. DRYLAND PASTURE REFERENCE AREA The Dryland Pasture Reference Area is the currently approved reference area for the Dryland Pasture vegetation type for the existing NH2 Mine Permit Area and is located immediately to the west of the existing Hopkins Field Airport, operated by Montrose County approximately four miles to the south of the New Horizon Mine office. This site was sampled in anticipation that the existing vegetation characteristics of this site would be similar to those associated with the Dryland Pasture predisturbance area associated with the proposed NHN Mine permit area. Plant Cover. The results obtained from the sampling of the 18 plant cover transects on the Dryland Pasture Reference Area are presented in Appendix Table 2.04.10 -24, Dryland Pasture Reference Area - Plant Cover. Total plant cover on this site averaged 16.39 percent and litter averaged 24.83 percent (Appendix Table 2.04.10 -24, Dryland Pasture Reference Area - Plant Cover). Section 2.04.10 Page 23 November 2011