December 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

01/08/2025 12:06:06 PM Page 21 to 24 of 100 6 of 38 sheets 21 the question. Isn't that a lot more than what you did?1 Yes, I said that early on.2 A. No, you said earlier that they did 2 percent and3 Q. you did 4 to 5 percent of the site.4 Again, I will try to explain the difference.5 A. They used 30,000 square feet of 113 acres, that was6 their study area. We had a very defined study area7 because we had an up to date site plan. So we used a8 defined study area based on the approximate 27 acres9 being disturbed. We randomized the selection, not in10 the field, that selection was randomized using GIS data11 before we went to the field. That's how you ensure12 randomization. We're not looking at the woods which13 indicates bias.14 Let's go back to the size issue. You're saying15 Q. that, when you said you did 4 to 5 percent it was of the16 27 acres and their 2 percent was of the whole 113 acres,17 is that the idea of what you're saying?18 Correct.19 A. Okay.20 Q. So in reality they actually tested far more21 forest than you did, but your percent of the area of22 disturbance is higher than their percent of the whole23 property, is that what you're saying?24 What I was saying, I'm sorry, and by the way I25 A. 22 misstated, I apologize. I had so many numbers in my1 head I misstated the numbers.2 You're the scientist, you tell us?3 Q. They actually studied about 0.6 percent and we4 A. did about 2.2 percent. The difference being if you take5 a 10,000 square foot, plot clearly within the 10,0006 square feet, you have a better chance, so I identified7 all the trees within the 10,000 square feet, just a8 bigger plot. So on the specific 10,000 square feet you9 might get more detailed information about the10 speciation. But from a statistical study standpoint,11 you pick your plots randomizing them. Randomizing them12 makes them more accurate in any statistical analysis --13 Mr. DeFeo, I really don't mean to interrupt you.14 Q. You said this many times. I have some questions I'd15 like to get to. All right.16 Now, what do you mean by, randomized? What does17 that actually mean. You keep using the phrase,18 randomized, the selection is randomized. Who did the19 selection of your spot checking, your 10 by 10 squares?20 Who selected those sites.21 I will explain it again.22 A. No, no, it's a simple question. Who selected the23 Q. sites?24 And I have explained it and I'm

of your spot checking, your 10 by 10 squares?20 Who selected those sites.21 I will explain it again.22 A. No, no, it's a simple question. Who selected the23 Q. sites?24 And I have explained it and I'm going to explain25 A. 23 it again. I answered your question before and I'll1 answer it again.2 Mr. DeFeo, you haven't answered that question at3 Q. all. It's a simple question. Who selected the sites4 that we're looking at on the screen?5 I will answer your question again. We selected6 A. that working with Davies, they were charged, find me a7 randomized study plot. They use a GIS methodology which8 means you don't go to the forest first, you use9 satellite imagery, you use a GIS randomized plot system,10 so it random -- the computer helps pick the plots11 randomly. Randomizing means I have no bias, so when you12 see a particular circle we just pick a circle. It's13 sort of like, I don't know, if you're dividing something14 up amongst friends and you have a bunch of numbers in a15 hat and you close your eyes and pick a number out of the16 hat, it's randomized. You have a random chance equally17 of any one of those circles being picked. That is what18 randomizing means.19 So you closed your eyes and like pin the tail on20 Q. the donkey you just point your finger and all of a21 sudden all of those spots ended up on the exact area of22 disturbance. Is that what you're calling randomized?23 No, I'll try and explain it again.24 A. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I think he said the25 24 computer randomized it.1 MR. AFRAN: No, he didn't say that. He said2 we use GIS.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: He just said the computer4 randomized.5 MR. AFRAN: No, he didn't say that. They6 used GIS to do a randomized identification. That's not7 what he said.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: With a computer.9 MR. AFRAN: Did the computer pick the sites10 or did the people you work with pick the sites? Let's11 start with that.12 COMMISSIONER KLEIN: The dots? The number13 of dots, not the circle. The number of dots you're14 talking about. 1-40, 50 whatever it is?15 THE WITNESS: The computer picks those.16 COMMISSIONER KLEIN: And you told it to pick17 it within the yellow shape?18 THE WITNESS: Right.19 COMMISSIONER KLEIN: Okay. Thank you. Got20 that so far.21 THE WITNESS: That's what makes it22 randomizing.23 COMMISSIONER KLEIN: Who picked the black24 circles? I'm trying to get to it. He started a half an25