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• higher elevations and north into the survey area. The elevated density in January 1998 of 14.2 <br />elk/mi2 could not be explained by snow depth, as snow fall was minimal during winter 1997- <br />1998. <br />Herds were widely distributed over the expanded area during each of the nine surveys. <br />However, herds were always conspicuously absent from the agricultural fields and grasslands in <br />the northwest, north-central, and southeast parts of the area. Because there are no tall grasses or <br />shrubs in those habitats, the vegetation is typically covered by snow in winter. Consequently, <br />there is little readily available winter forage for big game in those portions of the survey azea. <br />Seneca II-W Mine and Perimeter <br />Wildlife observations made within the 35 miZ area that includes the Seneca II-W Mine <br />permit area and its one-mile perimeter are listed in Appendix I. Big game observations are <br />illustrated on Exhibit 1. Fifry groups of elk (384 animals) were recorded within that area. Five <br />herds (54 animals) were on the permit area and 45 herds (330 animals) were in the perimeter. <br />• Elk density in the Seneca II-W area averaged 11 animals/miZ; 45% higher than on the expanded <br />survey azea. Other animals recorded in the Seneca II-W area included 34 mule deer, two coyotes, <br />and one sharp-tailed grouse. <br />Ninety-eight percent of the elk observed in the Seneca II-W area in 2002 were in <br />mountain brash habitat (Appendix I). The remaining two percent were in a stand of trembling <br />aspen. As in the expanded area, most elk seen in the Seneca II-W azea from 1994 through 2002 <br />were in mountain brush. <br />During five of the six surveys completed from 1994 through 1999, elk density in the <br />vicinity of Seneca II-W was slightly lower than the density recorded in the expanded area (Figure <br />1). Since 2000, elk densities in the Seneca II-W area have been notably higher than in the <br />expanded area. That reversal probably resulted from a shifr in wintering elk distributions during <br />the past three years from the eastern portions of the expanded survey area to the central and <br />western portions. <br />The southern portion of the Seneca II-W survey area occurs in the higher elevations <br />(7,500 to 8,500 feet) of the Williams Fork Mountains. Mountain brush habitats in the northern <br />• part of the survey area, where more elk are usually observed, are generally less than 7,500 feet. <br />2002 Seneca 11-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page ~ <br />