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INTRODUCTION <br />Wildlife baseline studies were completed at the Yoast Mine in 1993. In 2001, the Seneca <br />Coal Company contracted Thunderbird Wildlife Consulting, Inc. (TWC), formerly Powder River <br />Eagle Studies, to conduct wildlife monitoring at the Yoast Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter <br />aerial survey for big game, 2) monitoring four known Columbian sharp-tailed grouse <br />(Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) leks and searching for new ones. Field personnel also <br />watched for sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) activity in spring. Descriptions of the study area, <br />survey methods, and results are presented below. <br />Questions or comments about this report should be directed to the attention of Mr. Roy <br />Karo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company, P.O. Box 670, Hayden, CO'81639, <br />telephone (970) 276-5105. <br />STUDY AREA <br /> <br />The Yoast property is approximately eight miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado; the mine permit area encompasses about 3.25 mil. In 1993, the big game survey area <br />• included the permit area and its one-mile perimeter, and a'/<-mile buffer on either side of the haul <br />road comdor (approximately 21.4 mi2). In 1994, the survey area was enlazged to gather . <br />additional data. The expanded area covered approximately 84,5 mil, and included the Yoast, <br />Seneca II, and Seneca II-W Mines. That same area was surveyed in 1995. An additional one- <br />mile strip was added along the northwest edge of the area in 1996, increasing the big game <br />survey area to approximately 89.5 mil (Exhibit 1). That azea was also surveyed each year from <br />1997 through 2001. Surveys for game bird leks were limited to the Yoast permit azea and its <br />one-mile perimeter. <br />The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, <br />south of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6, I00 feet in the north, to over <br />8,300 feet in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush characterize <br />the topography and vegetation of the expanded area. The mountain brush community is <br />dominated by Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii) and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). <br />Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly <br />• occur along the upper reaches of drainages, Isolated stands of fir (Abies spp.) are found at the <br />2001 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 1 <br />