PERMFILE138814 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.~"~ III I III II I IIIIII III Doc Date:12/11/2001 sss • SECS 1'I`$,0 Wildlife Monitoring During the permit term 1981-87, approximately 250 acres of mature mountain shrub vegetation was crushed in an effort to improve the quality and quantity of forage avail- able to big game animals for winter use. A dozer was walked across the area in the winter, when the shrubs were dormant and brittle, breaking them down. The result was an opening of the area allowing greater access by big game animals. It was assumed that grass and forb production would increase along with increased sprouting of woody species, thus making more browse available to big game during the winter and spring months. The attached permit table 4.6-1 is updated to evaluate big game use on the various treatment areas associated with the crushing study. No significant correlation between animal use and vegetation treatment was concluded based on 8 years of data collection. Snow depth played an important role in wildlife use during some years. Based on pellet group sampling, one could infer that elk slightly preferred undisturbed and reclaim areas to crushed areas, while mule deer preferred crushed areas to either undisturbed or reclaim areas. Deer use was higher immediately after crushing was accomplished. This would be expected as mature crushed browse would be more immediately available and still possess a high nutrition quality for utilization by deer. • The proximity of several crushed plots to the active mining area may have influenced wildlife use to some extent as snow melts faster on areas subject to dust drift. Addi- tionally, elevation differences and subsequent snow accumulation differences may have influenced wildlife use on various treatment areas. Overall, the data results are inconsistent and difficult to interpret, leading to the conclu- sion that crushing of brush has little impact on wildlife distribution and utilization, at least at Trapper Mine. It is proposed that Trapper discontinue pellet group sampling on crushed areas and on other treatments as adequate data has been collected throughout the mine's life. Future sampling may occur in association with a study proposal sub- mitted by Colorado State University and funded by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to monitor deer and elk populations associated with a prescribed burn conducted by Trapper Mine in 1989. In addition to pellet group sampling, aerial surveys have been conducted by Trapper Mine to monitor deer and elk numbers during critical winter months. Aerial flights for population determination have been performed throughout the permitted mining area before and during mining and reclamation activities. Table 1 provides yearly aerial esti- mates of elk numbers. During the census period 1973-76 (pre-mining), the elk popula- tionwas estimated to be 148 individuals during a 4-month census period (estimate based on an average for three years). Aerials performed during active mining and reclamation (1982-87) have shown a large increase in the number of elk within the survey area, aver- aging 325 individuals far the same four-month period. This is a postmine increase of • 220% compared to premine estimates. When interpreting 1986-87 data only, it is esti- mated that 56% of the elk sighted were identified in the western 1!3 of the survey area, most of which is reclaimed land.