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established areas of reclamation. In 2006 elk were averaging 9.4 individuals per square mile while mule <br /> deer were averaging 1.92 individuals per square mile. Incidental observations by mine personnel and <br /> CDRMS inspectors indicate that elk and mule deer are common on reclamation through much of the year. <br /> Raptors including red-tailed hawks and golden eagles nest and hunt in the area and other raptors such as <br /> northern harriers and Swainson's hawks that prefer more grassland or grass shrubland habitat have been <br /> observed in reclaimed areas in past studies and monitoring. The reclaimed areas are trending towards a <br /> sagebrush grassland/shrubland habitat and species with an affinity to that habit type are present in these <br /> reclaimed areas. Golden eagle nests are located in sandstone cliffs west of Seneca II-W in Hubberson <br /> Gulch. During the length of the monitoring period there has been active nesting and breeding at these sites <br /> in most years. Golden eagles have been observed flying over the reclaimed areas. The continued presence <br /> of these birds and the successful breeding activity could in part be contributed by the reclaimed areas <br /> which offer good foraging opportunities related to the stature and nature of the herbaceous dominated <br /> reclaimed areas and related prey base. <br /> Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (CSTG) are of particular interest in Colorado. Monitoring efforts have <br /> been attuned to documenting presence and numbers, particularly at lek sites during the breeding season. <br /> Since 2002 monitoring has shown a steady increase in presence of these birds at Seneca II-W, especially in <br /> reclaimed areas. As an example, in 2002 there were 12 birds observed and in 2010 there were 57 birds <br /> documented. Several historic and new leks are present on the mine site both in native and reclaimed sites <br /> at Seneca II-W. CSTG have established up to four active leks on II W reclaimed lands and these leks are <br /> monitored annually. The affinity for reclaimed sites by CSTG is well documented in northwest Colorado <br /> and this is consistent with observations at Seneca II-W. The 2013 counts for the four leks totaled 66 <br /> CSTG with the lowest lek count having 14 CSTG and the highest with 23 CSTG. There is potential for <br /> additional CTSG presence due to the large amount of similar and available reclamation habitat and the <br /> proximity of active leks and CSTG activity surrounding the mine. Please note that Colorado Parks and <br /> Wildlife monitoring is showing an increased upward trend in CSTG numbers and reclaimed lands play a <br /> role in this trend. <br /> Sandhill cranes have been monitored for a number of years through 2010. Birds have been present in <br /> areas west of the mine and have been observed flying over the mine. None have been documented as <br /> nesting on the II-W mine site but in other mine sites outside of Seneca II-W they have been observed in <br /> this activity. <br /> PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE <br /> The Seneca II West Mine has approved the retention of various structures to become permanent features to <br /> the mine permit. The permanent structures can be located on Exhibit 20-2, Post Mine Topography and <br /> Drainage in the approved mine PAP, or included in this Bond Release Application as Map 3. Structures <br /> left as permanent features include the shop and surrounding area (approximately 2.3 acres), water well <br /> located at the shop, power lines and substation, all ten fenced shrub plots, sediment ponds, stock ponds, <br /> and miscellaneous fences. Detailed inventory of the structures retained are described below. <br /> 25 <br />