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<br />INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE <br />This is the third year of nesting raptor studies conducted in response to permit conditions imposed <br />by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1995. These conditions were stipulated in response to <br />proposed underground mining in Sections 29, 30, 31, T. 5 N., R. 86 W. that would impact the <br />cliffs in this area to varying degrees due to subsidence and spalling. The FWS was wncerned that <br />suitable nesting habitat and possibly nests (both active and inactive) would be lost. As a result <br />successful nesting activity could be affected. As part of the permit conditions Cyprus Twenty mile <br />committed to two activities. First, the tympany would screen off existing nest sites in the cliff to <br />preclude raptors from using these sites the next spring and in following years. Secondly, raptor <br />nesting activity would be monitored for three years. The monitoring program would quantify <br />nesting activity by raptors in the azea and show if they are adversely affected by loss of nesting <br />habitat due to cliff spalling in those areas where subsidence occurred. <br />Monitoring during [he first year (1995) was conducted by Cypress Twentymile employees. <br />• In April 1996 and again in 1997 Monarch & Associates was contracted to survey the cliffs and <br />other suitable habitat in the azea for nesting activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate <br />raptor use of the cliffs above the area that was mined as well as other cliffs in the area to determine <br />if density and diversity of nesting raptors was affected by the mining operations. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The primary study area for both 1996 and 1997 is shown on Figure 1. In addition, an area along <br />lower Middle Creek that was monitored for nesting activity in 1997 as part of a proposed mine <br />expansion program is also shown. The purpose in including the additional area is to show all active <br />nest site locations on one figure so anyone reviewing the findings can gain a better feeling for nest <br />sites relative to the mine and other nest site locations. All cliffs and suitable nesting habitat within <br />the study areas were checked for nesting activity. The study areas included those cliffs where <br />spalling occurred as well as cliffs and other suitable habitat (trees) in the Foidel and Middle Creek <br />drainages that would be considered hunting territories for the birds. <br />n <br />LJ <br />