Laserfiche WebLink
H-2 <br />approximately 1,600 acres within the project area, which encompasses the <br />estimated 250 acres to be disturbed by the proposed solution mine. <br />Studies conducted in 1984 included a spring raptor survey and a spring <br />sage grouse survey. The methods used and the results of the LGL and VTN <br />studies are presented in this report. <br />H.2.1 Avifauna <br />Songbirds <br />Breeding bird surveys were conducted using the Emlen transect technique <br />(Emlen 1977). The Emlen technique involves the use of a transect or a <br />series of transects to count birds detected within a belt-shaped <br />transect. In the spring of 1981, 15 1 km long Emlen transects were <br />established in each of the habitat types: four transects were established <br />in sagebrush, four in pinyon-juniper, four in chained pinyon-juniper, and <br />three in the greasewood-sage bottom (only 3 km of this type was <br />available). The transects were surveyed (three replicates per transect) <br />within 3 hours after sunrise each day during the spring of 1981 (O'Meara <br />et al. 1981). Surveys were conducted on consecutive days, weather <br />permitting. In addition to the Emlen surveys, opportunistic observations <br />of songbirds were recorded. <br />The effective bounclary line of the Em1en transect was calculated in order <br />to determine at wF~at distance from the transect center the detection of <br />calling birds declir~ed so as to warrant the exclusion of birds beyond that <br />point in calculating population parameters. A 50 percent decrease in <br />detections from that. observed at the transect center served as the edge of <br />the effective transect width. The effective transect width was found to <br />be about 120 m wide (60 m on each side of the transect center). <br />• Variations in weather apparently caused considerable variability in <br />the number of bircls observed during each survey replication. Con- <br />THIS DOCUM ENT CGNTAINS TRADE SECRETS AND PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND _ ., <br />PROPRIETARY COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA AN DDdOOK <br />INFORMATION. PUF:SUANT TO LAW,THOSE PORTIONS MARKED"CONFIDENTIAL" <br />MAY NOT BE DISCLOSED, COPIED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. <br />