Laserfiche WebLink
• <br />Figure 1. Elk density on the expanded and Yoast Mine areas during winter aerial surveys <br />from 1994 through 2002. <br />20 <br />15 <br />d <br />d <br />10 <br />P <br />N <br />W <br />5 <br /> <br />C~ <br />1994 1995 1996 1997 1995 1999 2000 2001 2002 <br />Year <br />Expanded survey area; 84.5 min (1994-1995), 89.5 miZ (199rr2002). <br />Yoast survey area: 21.4 min (1994-2002). <br />elk/miZ could not be explained by snow depth, as snow fall was minimal during winter 1997- <br />1998. <br />Herds were widely distributed over the expanded area during each of the nine surveys. <br />However, herds were always conspicuously absent from the agricultural fields and grasslands <br />inthe northwest, north-central, and southeast parts of the area. Because there are no tall grasses <br />or shrubs in those habitats, the vegetation is typically covered by snow in winter. Consequently, <br />there is little readily available winter forage for big game in those portions of the survey area. <br />Yoast Mine and One-Mile Perimeter <br />Wildlife observations made on the Yoast permit area, one-mile perimeter, and haul road <br />corridor (2 L4 min) are listed in Appendix 1. Big game observations are illustrated on Exhibit 1. <br />. Eighteen elk herds (139 individuals) were observed in the Yoast area. Four herds (21 animals) <br />~f102 Yoast Mine l4`ildtitc Moniroong Pug1e 5 <br />