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. highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme <br />northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks <br />(Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger tributary draws. <br />Elevations at Yoast range from 6,800 to over 7,900 feet. Terrain varies from rolling <br />rangeland and agricultural fields in the north, to high ridges and steep slopes in the central and <br />south parts of the permit azea. Most of the azea is drained by Grassy Creek, which runs along the <br />southeast side of the permit area. A small part of the area drains to Sage Creek, which borders <br />the southwest side of the permit area. Mining at Yoast began in 1996. To date, activity has been <br />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 are aspen stands in moist areas <br />along wide drainage bottoms, and on north- and east-facing slopes. Bottomland is limited to <br />narrow bands along larger drainages and around stock reservoirs. Improved pasture (CRP lands) <br />and agricultural fields are found along the haul road corridor. . <br />• <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 2 February 2001. The 89.5 mil survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Be1147; Olatha Spray Service, Olatha, CO.) by systematically flying <br />each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started on the east side of the <br />area at 0900 h and completed in the west at 1540 h, with a one hour break to allow for refueling. <br />Two TWC biologists and the helicopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife <br />during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian <br />predators, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were <br />also recorded for each observation. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Three sharp-tailed grouse leks were discovered in the Yoast area during baseline studies <br />• in 1993. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) has designated the leks as follows: <br />2001 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />