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the beltline was blocked by buildings at the two conveyor <br />transfer stations -TS-1 and TS-2. Dalton (1984) recommended <br />that at least 60% to 70% of the total conveyor be adequately <br />elevated for big game passage or the mine should have a <br />sufficient number of strategically placed crossing <br />structures as an alternative. The Deserado Mine conveyor <br />system successfully utilized both methods of animal passage. <br />Dalton (1984) found that mule deer would avoid crossing <br />under coal conveyor systems that had less than 50 cm <br />clearance. He recommended from his study that mule deer and <br />other species of similar stature need a minimum clearance of <br />1.0 meter. He also suggested that a minimum 3.0 meters be <br />required for elk and moose passage. Measurements taken <br />beneath the belt line ranged from 0.76 meters to 0.89 <br />meters, with an average clearance of 0.81 meters. <br />Table 1. Overpass Structure Usage Data. <br />Species Total No. Percent of Percent of <br /> Tracks Total Tracks Total Tracks <br /> Per Species Counted <br />Elk 173 22.9 7.1 <br />Mule Deer 156 12.1 6.4 <br />Antelope 13 3.3 0.5 <br />Table 2. Underpass Structure Usage Data. <br />Species Total No. Percent of Total Percent of Total <br /> Passages Tracks Per Species Tracks Counted <br />Elk 341 45.2 14.0 <br />Mule Deer 306 23.8 12.5 <br />Antelope 183 48.5 7.5 <br />Table 3. Passage Beneath Conveyor Beltline Structure With <br /> 0.8 Meter Average Clearance. <br />Species Total No. Percent of Total Percent of Total <br /> Passages Tracks Per Species Tracks Counted <br />Elk 240 31.8 9.9 <br />Mule Deer 826 64.1 33.9 <br />Antelope 192 49.5 7.9 <br />