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<~ <br />skiing, sledding, 6) herding of sheep and cattle, and 8) access [o private pro- <br />perty. <br />The active mining is of course the most continuous and intense use on the mine <br />plan area. Its primary impact [o wildlife however, seems to be physical dis- <br />placement as a result of surface disturbance. Both elk and deer continue to fre- <br />quent [he area and often bed within yards of active haul roads or other mining <br />activities. During the winters of 1978-1979 and 1979-1980, between 50 and 150 <br />head of elk were observed daily in the immediate vicinity of the active mining. <br />Mine employees have developed a very patron attitude towards [he animals and <br />avoid or censure their harassment in any form. Although deliberate harassment of <br />wildlife by employees has never been observed at Trapper Mine, it will be admin- <br />istratively censured should i[ happen in the future. <br />Occasional snowmobiling, cross country skiing, sledding and other winter recrea- <br />tional uses of the proposed mine plan area can potentially conflict with big game <br />winter use. However, all accesses to the proposed mine plan area are controlled <br />to the extent practicable. Gates are chained and padlocked so that general <br />public access is not allowed. Winter recreation use of the area is quite light <br />and largely restricted to the northeast portion of the proposed permit area which <br />normally receives little winter use by big game. If access privileges are abused <br />and big game are deliberately harassed, access to the area by the offenders will <br />be curtailed. <br />Herding of sheep and cattle takes place early each spring during [he late criti- <br />cal overwintering period for big game as they are readjusting to green forage. <br />The activities proposed by this permit application do no[ contribute to [his man- <br />agement practice. <br />Access [o private or leased property is allowed across Che proposed mine plan <br />area for a small number of local farmers and ranchers. This use is generally <br />prevented during periods critical to big game because of inclement weather <br />resulting in poor road conditions. The activities proposed by [his permit appli- <br />cation do no[ contribute [o this practice. <br />4-151 <br />