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Section 779.20 (c) Continued. <br />• to the Energy Mines No. 1 and 2 Mine Plan (Ptap 1) which shows no <br />disturbance within approximately cne half mile of this area. As <br />can be observed on the same map, the entire study area is classi- <br />fied as mule deer summer range. <br />Deer were often seen feeding alongside elk; therefore, competition <br />for forage is minimal. From the frequency of mule deer observa- <br />tions, it was estimated that deer populations in the Eckman Park <br />area during the summer vary between 20 and 30 animals. No fawning <br />areas were encountered within or adjacent to the proposed permit <br />area. <br />Mule deer populations appear to have remained relatively stable <br />from 1975 until 1979. An average summer population of seven deer <br />per square mile was reported for 1975 and in 1979 the approximate <br />density of mule deer was between 5 and 7 deer per square mile. <br />• The wintering population of 1 deer per square mile in 1975 was <br />essentially the same as that found during the winter and early <br />spring period of 1979. <br />Elk. The CROW has designated approximately one half of the stt•dy <br />area (eastern and southern portions) as critical winter range. <br />These areas could be more narrowly defined as mountain shrub <br />communities on south facing slopes (See Twentymile Park Deer and <br />Elk Habitat (Map 26) that are located running east and west, north <br />of Mine No. 1. <br />Aerial surveys resulted in numerous observations of elk. During the <br />first two months (See Twentymile Park February Elk Observations <br />(Map 18) and Twentymile Park March Elk Observations (Map 19)) elk <br />were in their typical winter range with most animals seen on steep <br />south pacing slopes as snow depths limited their movement else- <br />. where. The third month (See Twentymile Park April Elk Observations <br />779-162 <br />