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nutritional forage resources throughout the year but especially in the spring and early summer as <br /> the elk and mule deer complete gestation and move to lactation cycles. Elk and mule deer numbers <br /> on the mine site during the period of monitoring for these species have shown year to year <br /> fluctuations as a result of regional trends, mining activities and climatic conditions. As mining <br /> activity moved to new areas and reclamation became established, big game moved back into <br /> reclaimed areas and adjacent native habitats. This has been especially true for elk as the <br /> herbaceous forage quality is compatible with their foraging preferences. The presence of big game <br /> on reclaimed areas is significant and requires 8 foot fencing to protect aspen and tall shrub planting <br /> sites. <br /> Review of annual monitoring reports shows that mule deer and elk numbers have had a steady <br /> increase over the 1994 through 2007 period. This has been in part due to improved survey methods <br /> later in the period. In the latter part of the monitoring years elk and mule deer were found <br /> increasingly in the established areas of reclamation. In 2006 elk were averaging 2.6 individuals <br /> per square mile while mule deer were averaging 1.92 individuals per square mile. Incidental <br /> observations by mine personnel and CDRMS inspectors indicate that elk and mule deer are <br /> 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 <br /> such as northern harriers and Swainson's hawks that prefer more grassland or grass shrubland <br /> habitat have been observed in reclaimed areas in past studies and monitoring. The reclaimed areas <br /> are trending towards a sagebrush grassland/shrubland habitat and species with an affinity to that <br /> habit type are present in these reclaimed areas. Golden eagle nests are located to the northwest of <br /> Permit area. Golden eagles have often been observed over the reclaimed areas. The continued <br /> presence of these birds and successful breeding activity in the immediate area could in part be <br /> contributed by the reclaimed areas which offer good foraging opportunities related to the stature <br /> and nature of the herbaceous dominated reclaimed areas and related prey base. <br /> Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (CSTG) are of particular interest in Colorado. Monitoring efforts <br /> have been attuned to documenting presence and numbers, particularly at lek sites during the <br /> breeding season. Monitoring has shown a steady increase in presence of these birds at leks <br /> SL-8 - 11 <br />