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construction material laydown areas had not yet been established and initial construction activity distanced the animals from this area. This effect of non use over the first year seemed to change dramatically when native grass and shrub species started to appear along these revegetated disturbed sites. At that point, big game became attracted to these areas along the beltline and migration across the overland conveyor increased. Hoover (1984) concluded that the construction and mere presence of a U.S. Department of Energy belt conveyor project near Durango, Colorado was expected to result in some loss of habitat effectiveness. However, based on consultation with other mining projects and wildlife biologists, he stated that most deer and elk appear to adapt readily to day-to-day activities at mines and conveyors therewith. Greenwood and Dalton (1984) concluded in their Utah mine survey, that a few deer, at least temporarily, refused to pass under the conveyor. In regard to the impact of noise originating from conveyors, both authors studied a belt conveyor in Utah that produced 77 decibels (dB) at a distance of 1 meter. Dalton (1991) expressed the belief triat noise levels wouldn't be great enough to disturb elk or mule deer and that elk seem to adapt quickly to constant noise. Reed (1973), Colorado Division of Wildlife, conducted underpass studies on Mule Deer along I-70 interstate highway near Vail, Colorado. Track counts and time-lapse photography were used to determine passage beneath the interstate. He determined that underpasses should be at least 4.3 meters wide and high, of minimal length, and situated where crossing has been shown to occur or is likely, and should include barrier fencing that channels deer to the underpass and prevents their crossing over the highway surface. Reed also studied overpass structure ( one unused bridge near Vail, CO.) and again used a video time- lapse surveillance system. He concluded that deer were less reluctant to cross an overpass than an underpass generally. STUDY AREA The Deserado Mine which is an underground coal mine located 23 kilometers northeast of Rangely, Colorado, Rio Blanco County, in the northwest plateau area of Colorado,( 108 Degrees, 43 Minutes, 32 Seconds, West, Longitude, 40 Degrees, 10 Minutes, 9 Seconds, North, Latitude ). Topography consists of rolling, northern desert shrub habitat with intermittent juniper stands along ridge tops and mesas. The mine site elevation is 1,707 Meters above sea level with an average annual precipitation of 28.6 cm.