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• occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of fir (Abres spp.) are found at the <br />highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme <br />northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomiand habitat occurs along major creeks <br />(Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger tributary draws. <br />Elevations at Yoast range from 6,800 to over 7,900 feet. Terrain varies from rolling <br />rangeland and agricultural fields in the north, to high ridges and steep slopes in the central and <br />south parts of the permit area. Most of the area is drained by Grassy Creek, which runs along the <br />southeast side of the permit area. A small part of the area drains [o Sage Creek, which borders <br />the southwest side of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the most prevalent habitat on the permit area. Big sagebrush <br />(Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurs as scattered patches on high flats and ridge tops. Aspen <br />stands are present in moist areas along wide drainage bottoms, and on north- and east-facing <br />slopes. Bottomland is limited to narrow bands along larger drainages and around stock <br />reservoirs. Idled pastures (CRP lands) and agricultural fields aze found along the haul road <br />• corridor. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 7 February 2002. The 89.5 miZ survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Bell 47 with Soloy conversion; Olatha Spray Service, Olatha, CO.) <br />by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started <br />on the east side of the area at 0800 h and completed in the west at 1530 h. <br />Two TWC biologists and the he]icopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife <br />during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian <br />predators, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were <br />also recorded for each observation. <br /> <br />2D0? Yuast Mine Wlldlile Monitoring Puge 2 <br />