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• INTRODUCTION <br />Wildlife baseline studies were completed at the Yoast Mine site in 1993. In 1999, <br />Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to conduct wildlife <br />monitoring at the Yoast Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey for big game, 2) <br />monitoring known sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasiane[lus) leks, and 3) checking <br />golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. Presented below are descriptions of the study area, <br />survey methods, and results. <br />Questions or comments concerning the information contained in this report should be <br />directed to the attention of Mr. Roy Karo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal <br />Company, P.O. Box 670, Hayden, CO 81639, telephone (970) 276-3707. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Yoast property is approximately eight miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado; the mine permit area is about 3.25 miZ. In 1993, the big game survey azea included <br />the permit area and its one-mile perimeter, and a '/<-mile buffer on either side of the haul road <br />• corridor (approximately 21.4 miZ). In 1994, the survey area was enlarged to gather additional <br />data. The expanded area covered approximately 84.5 miZ and included the Seneca II, Yoast, <br />and Seneca II-W Mines; that same area was surveyed in 1995. An additional one-mile strip <br />was added along the northwest edge of the area in 1996 thus, increasing the big game survey <br />area to approximately 89.5 miZ (Exhibit 1). That area was also surveyed each year from 1997 <br />through 1999. Monitoring of game bird leks and golden eagle nests was limited to known <br />sites near the permit area. <br />The big game survey area is in [he brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, <br />south of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6100 feet in the north to over <br />8300 feet ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush <br />characterize the topography and vegetation of the expanded area. Aspen (Populus <br />tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper <br />reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of fir (Abies spp.) are found at the highest elevations. <br />Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme northwest, and <br />• <br />1999 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 1 <br />