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<br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1~ <br />1 <br />than control elk. Elk calves also showed some variations in habitat utiliza- <br />tion patterns. However, as pointed out in the Idaho study, the treatments <br />tested resulted in human harassment much more severe than encountered during <br />mining. In spite of the influence of these treatments on elk calves, there <br />was no resulting increase in mortality which was monitored through the first <br />winter. Results suggested that effects of disturbance during the calving <br />period may be less important than other factors. It is suggested that such <br />factors as nutritional plane of the mother may be more important. <br />In conclusion, our data indicates that mining and its associated forms of <br />surface disturbance (at CYCC and the surrounding surface coal mines) within <br />documented elk calving home ranges appears to have no measurable negative <br />impact upon the local elk population. Elk in this area do show a significant <br />degree of fidelity to general calving home ranges; however, reproduction, <br />calving home range size, fidelity to calving home ranges, and habitat utiliza- <br />tion patterns have apparently not been significantly chanyed by mining <br />activity. Blasting and other mines disturbance do not appear to have displaced <br />elk during the study. Impacts appear to be limited to areas actually <br />disturbed. The only impact mining in the study area appears to have is the <br />temporary loss of aspen habitats which are actually disturbed. In this study, <br />aspen and mountain shrub (cover) are selected by elk during the calving <br />period. As aspen habitats are changed to newly reclaimed lands, this obvi- <br />ously changes utilization of these areas. However, this change has had no <br />measured adverse impacts on the elk in the study area. Mined lands are <br />quickly reclaimed and although newly reclaimed lands provide less cover for <br />elk, they do provide excellent forage in greater abundance than found in aspen <br />habitats. These newly reclaimed lands, although not selected during calving, <br />are being used in proportion to their availability during this period. In <br />addition, reclaimed areas are being selected for during the fall months. This <br />probably results from the quality and abundance of forage on reclaimed sites <br />and the reduced thermal cover requirements of elk during this time of year. <br />-19- <br /> <br />