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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 />adjacent to the Yoast haul road and north of the main permit area. There are as many as 10 known <br />lek sites in this area. In 2011 or 2012 CSTG activity was noted on the mine site. In 2013 and active <br />lek site was discovered on Yoast reclaimed lands and monitoring was begun at this site. The site <br />is located just north of the most southern block of BRB-l. This lek is referred to as the Yoast tree <br />plot lek. The affinity for reclaimed sites by CSTG is well documented in northwest Colorado and <br />this is consistent with observations at the nearby Seneca II/PSCM mine. CSTG have established <br />up to four active leks on Seneca II/PSCM mine reclaimed lands and these leks are monitored <br />annually. The 2013 counts for these four leks totaled 66 CSTG with the lowest lek count having <br />14 CSTG and the highest with 23 CSTG. Therefore there is a potential for additional CTSG <br />presence on Yoast reclaimed lands over time due to the large amount of similar and available <br />reclamation habitat and the proximity of active leks and CSTG activity surrounding the mine. <br />Please note that Colorado Parks and Wildlife monitoring is showing an increased upward trend in <br />CSTG numbers and reclaimed lands play a role in this trend. <br />Sandhill cranes have been monitored for a number of years through 2010. Birds have been present <br />in areas adjacent to the northeast portions of the mine and have been observed flying over the <br />mine. None have been documented as nesting on the Yoast mine site. <br />PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE <br />Upon final release of the Seneca Yoast Mine many features will be left as permanent infrastructure. <br />These features include access roads, light -use roads, culverts, a water well, power lines and a <br />substation, fenced shrub plots, sediment ponds, stock ponds, and miscellaneous boundary and <br />grazing fences. All of the features and structures to remain as permanent are documented with <br />rational and justification in Attachment 20-1 of the approved mine PAP, and are summarized <br />below. Map 2, Permanent Features, shows the locations of the approved permanent features and <br />structures to remain post mining. <br />ACCESS ROADS <br />SL-8 - 16 <br />