Section 11-8-8-2-A-3-IV - Sampling ProceduresA. Random Sampling 1. To assure that the samples truly represent the vegetative characteristics of the whole release area, the permittee must use methods that will provide 1) a random selection of sampling sites, 2) a sampling technique unaffected by the sampler's preference, and 3) sufficient samples to represent the true mean of the vegetation characteristics.2. Sampling points shall be randomly located by using a grid overlay on a map of the release area and by choosing horizontal and vertical coordinates as described in Addendum A. Each sample point must fall within the release area boundaries and be within an area having the vegetative cover type being measured. Additionally, at least one sample point must be measured in each noncontiguous unit, if the release area does not consist of a single unit.B. Sampling Techniques 1. Ground cover shall be measured as the area covered by the combined aerial parts of the accepted plant species approved in the permit, and the litter that is produced naturally onsite, expressed as a percentage of the total area of measurement. Up to fifteen percent of the acceptable cover may be litter from acceptable plant species.2. A line-point transect shall be a series of 100 points spaced one foot apart along a straight line. The permittee shall establish a transect at each of the randomly selected sampling points. The direction of the transect shall also be determined randomly. This can be done as easily as spinning a pencil on a clipboard, or throwing the pencil up in the air and using the direction where it points.3. The permittee shall identify the species or type of ground cover at each one foot interval along the entire length of the transect (starting at one foot from the random point). The area of measurement shall be a line projected downward and perpendicular to the ground at each one foot interval (100 in total).4. Each transect must be entirely within a homogeneous area that accurately represents the vegetative cover type being measured. Samples must be taken in pure vegetation types and not in transition zones between adjacent types. Also, the sample sites must be located so they avoid the effects of neighboring vegetation types, roads, stream courses, ponds, etc.5. At each point along the transect, ground cover shall be classified by species as acceptable or unacceptable as follows, except that as long as there is sufficient cover to adequately control erosion, any volunteer species not on the state and Federal Noxious Weeds List (Addendum T) is acceptable: | Acceptable | Unacceptable |
| Vegetation approved in permit | Rock or bare ground |
| Dead vegetation or litter from acceptable species | Vegetation or litter from list in Addendum T |
6. All data gathered from the line-point transects shall be recorded in the format shown in Addendum C.C. Sample Adequacy Refer to Addenda G, I and K for sample adequacy.
11 Miss. Code. R. 8-8-2-A-3-IV