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• INTRODUCTION <br />1n 2002, the Seneca Coal Company contracted Thunderbird Wildlife Consulting, Inc. <br />(TWC), formerly Powder River Eagle Studies, to conduct wildlife monitoring at the Yoast Mine. <br />Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey for big game, 2) monitoring four known Columbian <br />sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) leks and searching for new ones, <br />and 3) checking golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. Field personnel also watched for <br />sandhilt crane (Gros canadensis) activity during spring. Descriptions of the study area, survey <br />methods, and results are presented below. <br />Questions or comments about this report should be directed to the attention of Mr. Roy <br />Kazo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company, P.O. Box 670, Hayden, CO 81639, <br />telephone (970) 276-5105. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Yoast mine is approximately eight miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County, <br />• Colorado; the mine permit azea encompasses about 3.3 miZ. In 1993, the big game survey area <br />included the permit area and its one-mile perimeter, and a'/4-mile buffer on either side of the haul <br />road corridor (approximately 21.4 miZ). In 1994, the survey area was enlazged to gather <br />additional data. The expanded azea covered approximately 84.5 miZ, and included the Yoast, <br />Seneca II, and Seneca II-W Mines and their perimeters. That same area was surveyed in 1995. <br />An additional one-mile strip was added along the northwest edge of the area in 1996, increasing <br />the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 miZ (Exhibit 1). That area was also surveyed <br />each year from 1997 through 2002. Surveys for game bird leks were limited to the Yoast permit <br />area and its one-mile perimeter. Golden eagle nest monitoring was restricted to sites on or near <br />the permit area. <br />The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, <br />south of the Yampa River. Elevations across the area range from 6,100 feet in the north, to over <br />8,300 feet in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush characterize <br />the topography and vegetation of the expanded area. The mountain brush community is <br />dominated by Gambel's oak (Quercus gambe/ii) and servicebeny (Amelanchier alnifolia). <br />Trembling aspen (Popadus n~emuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly <br />2002 Yoast Mine Wildide Monitoring Page I <br />