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1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 LJ 1 1 levels elk were tolerating. Measurements were taken within calving home ranges at distances where elk were regularly located. Two different decibal meters were used, a Bruel and Kjaer 2204 and a General Radio Model 1565-B. Measurements on blasts averaged 98 dBA at 1,000 feet, 95 dBA at 1,500 feet and ranged from 79-88 dBA at 2,000-2,500 feet. Measurements on haul trucks ranged from 60-84 dBA at 50 feet, 65-80 dBA at 200 feet, and 57-65 dBA at 700 feet (Table 22). The continued use of areas directly adjacent to mining activity shows how well elk have habituated and would indicate that any impacts are largely limited areas actually disturbed. Statistical analysis indicates that all of the above hypotheses must be accepted; no statistically significant differences could be found. None of the anticipated impacts could be docu- mented. It is important to note that over 1,100 acres have been disturbed by mining since the study began in January 1981; however, only 260 of these acres were covered by aspen. The relatively small amount of aspen habitat disturbed may partially explain v,hy little or no displacement from calving home ranges was documented. It is also important to realize that some displacement has probably occured in the past because over 4,000 acres, approximately 1,000 acres of which were aspen, have been disturbed since mining began in the area in the early 1960'5. This would indicate that availability of calving habitat is currently not a limiting factor to this elk population. The results of this study are very similar to those found by Kuck (1984) "Impacts of Phosphate Mining on Mule Deer, Elk and Moose in Southeast Idaho". There are a number of close similarities between the two studies that make them very comparable. These similarities include habitat type, home range size, fidelity, and habitat utilization and selection patterns, during the calving period. The Idaho study involved 4.5 years of extensive radio tele- metry work on deer, elk and moose, as well as pellet group count data. Kuck (1984) could find no evidence that deer, elk or moose were being displaced from areas adjacent to mines. In addition, an experiment was conducted in- volving the direct human disturbance and simulated mine noises upon transmit- tered deer and newly born elk calves. The study reports that home range size and habitat utilization patterns for deer subjected to these treatments were not significantly different from control deer. However, there were signifi- cant influences upon elk calves. Elk calves subjected to these treatments moved significantly greater distances and had much larger home range sizes -18-