2018-01-31_PERMIT FILE - C2009087 (16)

Home Browse Search

RULE 2 - PERMITS Of the 10 known Columbian sharp- tailed grouse leks, eight were active and two were inactive • (Annan's Twentymile 2 and Yoast Road) in 2008. The Seneca 1 lek is in closest proximity to the proposed PSCM surface disturbance, within 0.3 miles. The Seneca 3 lek is within 0.5 miles and the Seneca 2 lek is within one mile of the proposed PSCM surface disturbance activities (Map 2.04.11 - M3, Wildlife Information - Grouse). Table 2.04.11 -T2 presents the estimated distance from the 10 lek locations to the PSCM disturbance area (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). The number of Columbian sharp- tailed grouse attending a lek site varied from year to year. Overall, the number of male grouse observed displaying at all known leks within the vicinity of the permit area increased from 1996 to 2000, and remained stable from 21004 to 2007. In 2008, the total number of displaying males was below the previous four year average with 75 combined males documented, but comparable to 2006 when only 73 males were recorded. The low counts in 2008 were likely due to the deep snow cover and drifts that remained throughout much of the area during the early spring survey period. No new leks were discovered on or within one mile of the PSCM permit area in 2008 (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Further information about individual leks is detailed below. Seneca Columbian sharp- tailed grouse Leks The Seneca 1 lek has been active for 14 consecutive years (1995 - 2008). The number of males attending the lek ranged from four individuals in 2008 up to 27 in 2001. The number of males attending the lek increased from 1997 through 2001 and was stable from 2002 to 2004. However, numbers have declined since 2004, with 2008 being the lowest total count recorded since observations began (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). • The Seneca 2 lek has been active for 11 consecutive years (1998 - 2008). A total of 18 males were documented at the lek in 2008. This lek has been active with 11 to 33 males in attendance annually over the last 10 years. Operations and reclamation of the Seneca II Mine were occurring over this decade. With the exception of the lower numbers observed in 1998 and 2006, peak male attendance at the lek has remained relatively stable throughout the monitoring period, averaging 22 males per year (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). The Seneca 3 lek has been active for seven consecutive years (2002- 2008). The location was not officially designated as a lek site until females were documented at the site in 2002. Males were observed in the general vicinity from 1998 through 2001. Since 2001, the male attendance has averaged 20.6 males with a peak count of 34 males in 2005. Sixteen grouse flushed from the site during surveys in 2008, but it was not possible to distinguish males from females (Exhibit 2.04.11 - E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). The Seneca 4 lek has been active for five consecutive years (2004 - 2008). Prior to 2008, the peak male attendance fluctuated from 6 to 13 individuals. The highest attendance recorded to date was in 2008, when 18 (undetermined sex) non - displaying individuals were documented at the lek site (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Mine personnel and ICF Jones & Stokes biologists documented displaying Columbian sharp- tailed grouse at one additional location within reclamation near the Seneca leks in the spring of 2007. Biologists recorded eight males displaying in the NE NW of Section 12 T5N R87W, slightly northeast of a mine road and approximately one - quarter mile from the Seneca 2 and Seneca 4 leks. PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -156 6/15/09