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u <br />INTRODUCTION <br />In 1998, Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to <br />conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II-W Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial <br />survey for big game, 2) searching for sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) leks, <br />and 3) checking golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. Presented below aze descriptions of <br />the study area, 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, Drawer D, Hayden, CO 8]639, telephone (970) 276-3707. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Seneca II-W Mine is approximately 7 miles south of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado; the mine permit area is about 3.8 mi=. Prior to 1994, the big game survey area <br />included the permit area; a 2-mile perimeter to the west, north and east of the mine; and a 3- <br />• mile perimeter to the south. That area totaled approximately 35 mil. In 1994, the survey area <br />was enlarged to gather additional information. The expanded survey area covered <br />approximately 84.5 mil and encompassed the Seneca II, Yoast, and Seneca II-W Mines; that <br />same area was surveyed in 1995. An additional one-mile strip was added along the northwest <br />edge of the area in 1996 thus, increasing the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 mil <br />(Exhibit 1). That azea was also surveyed in 1997 and 1998. Sharp-tailed grouse lek searches <br />were limited to the permit area; golden eagle nest monitoring was restricted to sites proximate <br />to the permit area. <br />The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, <br />• <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 />1998 Seneca n-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring <br />Page 1 <br />