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Dgta from the extensive transects which were biased towards key <br />• areas of use, show that the areas to the south and east of the mine <br />are key forage areas for the deer in the winter. These are <br />primarily large expanses of south and east-facing sagebrush-covered <br />slopes where there is less snow cover throughout the winter. <br />Traditionally, the most extensive use on the site has been during <br />the summer and fall months by cattle, deer, and elk. Over-grazing <br />at times by cattle in conjunction with high numbers of deer and elk <br />have resulted in reduced carrying capacity and a general decline in <br />the condition of the range over several years. <br />The reduced carrying capacity resulting from the overuse of the <br />range created an increase of pressure on the more healthy plants. <br />Certain more desirable species, such as bitterbrush, were over- <br />utilized throughout the year and offered little or no forage during <br />the critical winter months. In most instances, 8 to 10 inches of <br />snow totally covered the plants. <br />Colowyo initiated range management and habitat improvement <br />programs, and other mitigation measures in 1976 to offset the <br />• expected impacts of mining. A detailed discussion of the wildlife <br />mitigation plans is set forth in Section 2.05.6. <br />Aerial Counts (See CDM report for updated information) <br />Initial aerial transects were flown monthly throughout the winters <br />of 1974-1975 and 1975-1976, and one flight in 1977 to count elk and <br />deer as well as coyotes, bobcats, raptors, etc. The counts were <br />made to establish population trends, activity patterns, and <br />estimate numbers of animals wintering on the site. As shown on the <br />Big Game Use Information Map (Map 13), the study site was gridded <br />into five areas to allow for more detailed observations. The areas <br />were flown on an east-west pattern. Flight lines were normally <br />about one-half mile apart, which allowed observations to be made a <br />quarter of a mile on either side of the aircraft. All observations <br />were recorded on standard forms and included numbers of animals <br />location, habitat type, and when possible sex and age. <br />LJ <br />2.04.11-13 <br />