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Same occurrence and relative abundance within the Seneca II -W study area during the spring • <br />and late summer seasons. Additional ground searches for elk calving areas on or near the <br />Seneca II -W permit area were completed in June of 1979 and May of 1982. <br />Two triangular- shaped transects which sampled major vegetation types on the study area <br />were utilized as strip censuses. The census method, described by Erickson (1940), <br />involves sampling habitats by a walk survey through the selected habitat with records <br />being kept of animals flushed and the distance at which they were flushed. Strip censuses <br />were conducted on June 26 and August 16, 1974. <br />Locations of these strip census routes are shown on Exhibit 11-2. Strip census routes <br />were arranged to sample representative types of cover occurring on the study area. Strip <br />census S-1 traversed dense mixed brush along a northerly facing slope, then crossed an <br />area of scattered mixed brush and sagebrush, and ended after traversing a more open <br />area of forbs and grass. Strip census S-2, in the southern end of the study area, started <br />in aspen, crossed a mixed brush covered slope, and ended in a more open sagebrush-forb <br />area. <br />• <br />Since it was determined during the 1974 field studies that at least some elk summer on the <br />study area, qualitative walk-through transects were employed in June 1979 to determine if <br />any elk calving activity occurred on or near the study area. A total of six transects <br />(predominantly in aspen habitat) were walked during the period between June 10 and June <br />16. <br />The walk-through surveys were initiated by a wildlife biologist, dressed in camoflauged <br />clothing, who walked slowly along a transect and recorded all observations of elk and/or <br />elk sign, particularly, evidence of elk calving activity. Locations of the walk-through <br />survey transects are presented on Exhibit 11-2. <br />All aspen stands located within the current Seneca II -W permit area were thoroughly <br />searched on May 26, 1982 to ascertain if the area was utilized by elk for calving. <br />Searches were designed to record any direct observation of cow elk within the aspen <br />stands or observation of sign which would indicate current occupancy of the area by elk. <br />The location <br />of each aspen <br />stand <br />occurring <br />within the <br />current <br />Seneca II -W permit area <br />was depicted <br />upon Exhibit <br />10-1 <br />within the <br />vegetation <br />report <br />of this permit to mine <br />• <br />application. <br />8 <br />