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• southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks--Grassy Creek, <br />Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. <br />Elevations at Yoast range from 6,800 to over 7,900 feet ASL. Terrain varies from <br />rolling rangeland and agricultural fields at the north edge to high ridges and steep slopes in the <br />central and south parts of the permit area. Most of the area's drainage enters Grassy Creek, <br />which runs along the southeast side of the permit area. A small part of the area drains to Sage <br />Creek, which borders the southwest side of the permit area. Mining at Yoast was started in <br />1996. To date, activity has been limited to the north-central part of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the most prevalent habitat on the permit area. Sagebrush habitat <br />occurs as scattered patches on high flats and ridge tops. There area aspen stands in moist <br />areas along wide drainage bottoms or on north- and east-facing slopes. Bottomland is limited <br />to narrow bands along larger drainages and around stockponds. Improved pasture and <br />agricultural fields are found along the haul road corridor. <br />METHODS <br />• BIG GAME <br />An aerial survey for big game [elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus <br />hemionus)], mammalian predators, and raptors was conducted on 24 February 1999. The <br />89.5-miZ survey area was searched from a helicopter (Western Slope Helicopters, Montrose, <br />CO) by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was <br />started on the east side of the area at 09:OSh completed in the west at 14:24h. <br />Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all animal <br />sightings were plotted on 1:24000 topographic maps. Habitat was also recorded for each <br />sighting. <br />UPLAND GAME BIItDS <br />Three sharp-tailed grouse leks were discovered in the Yoast area during baseline <br />studies. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has designated the Ieks as follows: <br />Annan's 20-mile #1 (in NE'/a SEt/a Section 9, TSN, R87W); Annan's 20-mile #2 (in SE'/a <br />. SE'/a Section 5, TSN, R87W); and Annan's 20-mile #3 (in SE'/a NW'/a Section 9, TSN, <br />1999 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />