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• At this time, a strategy for enhancement of <br />sage grouse populations in the vicinity of the lease <br />area would require attention to: 1) maintaining the <br />Perdiz lek, if possible, 2) enhancement of nesting <br />areas, and 3) enhancement of brooding habitat. <br />The latter two objectives can be achieved by <br />encouraging: "an abundance and density of (orbs and <br />densities of sagebrush ranging from 1 - 200 (Peterson 1970); <br />and "the attainment of an open stand of sagebrush with <br />a scattering of other shrubs and understory of perennial <br />grasses and (orbs (Klebenow 1969). These objectives <br />can be best achieved on the lease area by 1) careful <br />attention to reclamation, and 2) regulation of livestock <br />numbers. <br />It is not believed that mining activities will <br />adversely affect the Perdiz lek beyond the disturbance <br />which already exists. The lek straddles an oil well <br />• access road, and is a short distance from a diesel-powered <br />oil rig. The lek should be maintained if possible. If <br />it is deemed advisable, the feasibility of moving a lek <br />has been demonstrated by Eng et al. (1979). <br />b) Raptors <br />Suitable nesting habitat for raptors does not <br />exist on the area. However several species hunt over <br />the lease area or migrate through. Species typical of <br />these habitat types include turkey vulture (Cathartes <br />aura), northern harrier (Circus cyaneusJ, rough-legged <br />hawk (Buteo Zagopus), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) <br />Swainson's hawk (Buteo smainsoni), golden eagle (Aquila <br />chrysaetos), prairie falcon (Falco mezicanus) and kestrel <br />(Falco sparverius). Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) <br />and short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) probably occur as <br />well. Populations of these species can be enhanced by <br />attention to reclamation. <br />l J <br />-10- <br />