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<br />• <br />• <br />has been used to establish pre-mine use within the proposed mine plan area and adjacem areas <br />according to vegetation type and will also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of forage improvement <br />techniques. Transect sampling may be done in the spring and fall to obtain summer and winter use <br />estimates. <br />In the first fall following treatment, sample plots may be randomly established on the treated rangeland <br />areas to measure big game use. Untreated adjacent areas may be evaluated for comparison. Com- <br />parisons may also be made to pre-mine baseline data. Methods as outlined in Appendix E, Pellet Group <br />Census, may be used in data collection and evaluation. These comparisons will allow a determination of <br />whether or not there has been a relative increase in use of improved areas as well as quantification of <br />that increase. <br />Revegetated Areas <br />Pellet group census techniques may also be used to analyze big game use of revegetated rangelands. <br />After the first growing season following the seeding of perennial species, and after fairly large blocks, 200 <br />to 300 acres in size, are seeded to perennials, transects may be established and monitored to evaluate <br />use of these areas. The use of revegetated areas may be compared to pre-mine use, use of browse <br />improvement (treated) areas, and use on control areas (undisturbed areas). The methods described in <br />Appendix E, Pellet Group Census, will be used. The same plots used to census pellet groups may be <br />inspected for evidence of excessive use by wildlife. <br />PR-3 <br />4-168 ~ ~;=~risio nt' >i.~ <br />~~~1~~ / / <br />