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<br />WILDLIFE/VEGETr1T10~'_ <br />-- - - - - <br />• A. tILDLIFE <br />1. Introduction <br />Field investigations were conducted on tfie study area adjacent to <br />the mine site, along the proposed conveyor route, and in Stevens Gulch, <br />on February 6th and Dtarch 6th, 1977. Some snow eras still present on the <br />level, and on north and east faciny slopes. The south and sonic west <br />facing slopes were bare or melting fast. <br />Several deer were seen irruriediately north of the mine site and fresh <br />tracks were seen at scattered locations south of the site. Plo fresh elk sign <br />was observed. Die to the mild weather, few deer or elk migrated into the <br />study area from high elevation during the 197E-77 winter. The deer present, <br />estimated at under 100, are considered residect animals. They were regularly <br />• seen in the habitats immediately above and below the mine site. along the <br />i upper portions of tfie proposed conveyor route and in the thick habitats <br />J along Stevens Gulch below the coal storage/parking area. <br />A pair of golden eagles was seen over the study area on both dates, <br />but it is not possible at this time to determine if they are the nesting <br />"eagles" on the study area reported by the local mine workers. <br />The district 4lildlife Conservation Officer, David Kenvin, accompanied <br />me during ttie Fe~ruary field investigations. [conferred with Colorado <br />J Division of Wildlife regional game biologist, Hal 3urdick, and district <br />J Wildlife Biologi ~t, Terry Reed, cf tiie 6ureiu of Land hlanau_e:;~ent in Llontrosc <br />on 7 February 1977. <br />2. 4lildlife Situation - present state <br />y • The field oSservations and data available from the Di~r'sion of :diidlife <br />J indicatE that thu study w•ca is an imDurtant r•,int~r range for both deer and <br />V-1 <br />