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• Beck (1977) pointed out that BOo of sage grouse <br /> in North Fark occupied 7 areas comprising less than <br /> 7$ of the total area. Hence the considerable concern <br /> about winter range in North Park. The lease area and <br /> environs was excluded from key winter range designation, <br /> presumably because of greater snow accumulation there. <br /> Beck (1977) presented observations pertinent to <br /> sage grouse management in North Park: "Protection of <br /> sagebrush surrounding a lek for 3.2 km distance would <br /> have had little benefit for wintering sage grouse in <br /> North Park." "Protection of sagebrush around leks <br /> alone would not satisfy seasonal needs of sage grouse <br /> in North Park." <br /> He (Beck 1977) concluded: It is obvious that <br /> perpetuation and enhancement of sage grouse populations <br /> entail the identification, protection and possible <br /> improvement of all seasonal habitats." <br />• To summarize the value of the lease area in <br /> meeting the seasonal requirements of sage grouse, <br /> in its present condition the lease area provides: <br /> 1) typical to marginal nesting habitat, 2) inadequate <br /> brooding habitat, 3) inadequate winter habitat, and <br /> 4) no leks. The Perdiz lek, south of the lease area, <br /> probably constitutes a "satellite" lek, whereby males <br /> which begin to strut earlier on the Denmark-Raven <br /> lek complex in typical years, move toward Perdiz in <br /> response to hen movements, as the weather ameliorates <br /> and snow recedes. It may have been found in 1978 <br /> only because it did not exist prior to that time, <br /> and may not be used every year. Pronghorn lek, a <br /> similar lek to the west of the lease area was <br /> abandoned in 1980. <br /> With respect to the above, mining activities <br /> are not expected to significantly affect the sage <br /> grouse population. However, considerable opportunity <br />• for enhancement exists. <br />-9- <br />