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Award Nomination for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation - USDI, OSMRE - 1990 September, 1990 Results As mentioned, the general consensus before mining operations commenced was that big game species would migrate away from mining activities and habitat would be lost until mining activities cease. Data collection and casual observations at Trapper indicates that this is not the case. Big game aerial surveys conducted during the critical winter months within Trapper Mine's permit area show that elk and mule deer populations have significantly increased following mining operations (Table 2 and 3). Premine aerial surveys (1973-76) indicated sampling population estimates of 147 elk and 81 mule deer for the winter survey period (December-March). Aerial surveys taken the same four months during the active mining and reclamation period (1982-86) indicated population estimates of 339 elk and 119 deer, an increase of 230% and 146%, respectively. The data indicate 56% of the elk sightings and 70% of the mule deer sightings were on the western one-third of the survey area, most of which is reclaimed land. Table 4 is provided to evaluate big game use on the various treatment areas associated with the crushing study. No significant correlation between animal use and vegetation treatment was concluded based on eight years of data collection. Snow depth played an important role in wildlife use during some years. Based on pellet group sampling, one could infer that elk slightly preferred undisturbed and reclaim areas to crushed areas, while mule deer preferred crushed areas to either undisturbed or reclaim areas. Deer use was higher immediately after crushing was accomplished. This would be expected as mature crushed browse would be more immediately available and still possess a high nutrition quality for utilization by deer. Prior to mining there were no pronghorn within our permit areas. Since 1984, resident pronghorn herds have become established on the mine site to the level that the DOW has designated Trapper within a big game hunting unit. Additionally, elk numbers have risen to a level that the Colorado Division of Wildlife traps approximately 100 animals each year for transplanting to other locations within the state. In addition to an increase in big game species and abundance, waterfowl, forbearers, and raptors are using the postmine reclaim areas and ponds to greater extent than premine habitat allowed. Data generally indicates that mature shrub transplant survival is >90% for the clumps established (post- 1985)with the greater topsoil depths and supplemental watering (Table 5). The shrub clumps established prior to 1985 ranged Crom 44-85% survival. Serviceberry and chokecherry live-overstory generally declines slowly over a three to four year period. Oak overstory is not evident by the second year. Snow- berrysprouting and live overstory remains fairly constant with an overall survivability of 75% for all pads. To date, Trapper has constructed 104 stock ponds for big game use. Big game animals are frequently sighted using these watering areas. It is expected that the large scale distribution of the ponds will keep usage of reclaimed areas spread evenly over the revegetated area, reducing impacts on revegetation activities. Conclusion The overall impact that Trapper's reclamation activity has had on big game animals is very much positive. Reclamation activity has provided a mosaic of plant community vegetation patterns that are beneficial to big game animals. Large concentrations of elk (up to 500 individuals) are commonly sited on reclaim areas. The combination of adequate hiding cover, water and highly-palatable vegetation make the reclaimed mine site a highly desirable location for wildlife inhabitation. WA/jb 9ry0 [EQ~A WARD 1 ]