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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> • High use wintering areas <br /> Late fall and early spring areas <br /> The mule deer spring/summer range is typically occupied from May through September. Spring aerial <br /> counts varied from a high of 711 deer in 1995 to a low of 529 animals in 1996 in this habitat type. <br /> Mule deer winter range and mule deer high use wintering areas, which are the two areas found in the <br /> South Taylor/Lower Wilson permit revision area, are generally occupied from December through April. <br /> Aerial winter counts ranged from a low of 184 animals in 1994 to a high of 918 in 1997,with the majority <br /> of observations occurring in the sagebrush and mountain shrub habitats. <br /> Raptors <br /> Based on a four-year period of observation, thirteen raptor species have been observed in the previously <br /> approved and South Taylor/Lower Wilson permit areas (Monarch and Associates, 1998). In addition to <br /> these opportunistic sightings, intensive survey of raptor nesting activity was carried out over several <br /> periods between 1984 and 1997 (as reported in Monarch and Associates, Wildlife Baseline Studies 1998; <br /> and Monarch and Associates, Raptor Nesting Activity Report, 1998). Based on these studies, a total of 6 <br /> nests have been identified within the previously approved permit area. Five hawk nesting sites and three <br /> unknown nesting sites were identified in the South Taylor/Lower Wilson Permit Area(Table 2.04.11-14; <br /> Map 15B Sheet 1). <br /> Birds <br /> A total of ninety-two species of birds occur within the general project area. However, the diversity and <br /> density of these species within the various habitat types vary by season. Appendix A of the Wildlife <br /> Baseline Studies for the Colowyo Coal Company L.P. Properties in the Danforth Hills (Monarch and <br /> Associates, 1998)provides a list of these species, habitat, and number of birds/kilometer. <br /> Sage Grouse— Historically, sage grouse have occurred throughout northwestern Colorado. However, in <br /> the late 1980's and early 90's sage grouse populations have declined throughout the range. But, by 1996 <br /> the numbers of sage grouse within the general project area began to increase. Although populations are <br /> not as high as in the early 80's, the populations appear to be increasing. This increase may be related to <br /> both favorable weather conditions during the brood rearing season and vegetative manipulations within <br /> the general mine area. <br /> Sage grouse have been observed within the general project area during all seasons of the year, within the <br /> sagebrush, mountain shrub, and bottomland grassland habitat types. Studies conducted in more recent <br /> years resulted in the identification of the SG-1 and SG-2 leks located immediately adjacent to the South <br /> Taylor/Lower Wilson permit revision area (Map 15B Sheet 2), though reports from these studies have <br /> also made the case that these two proximate leks should be regarded as one (Monarch and Associates, <br /> 1998). Fieldwork conducted in subsequent years has also documented the occurrence of sage grouse hens <br /> with broods on ridges in the vicinity of SG-1 and SG-2 (Monarch and Associates, 2000). This would <br /> indicate that nesting is occurring within these areas. During the late summer broods have been observed <br /> in the mountain shrub communities northwest of the Permit Revision Area, between Morgan Gulch and <br /> the Wilson drainages. Although winter birds have been observed within the general area, it appears that <br /> better wintering areas occur north of the property in the Axial Basin. <br /> South Taylor/Lower Wilson—Rule 2,Page 63 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />