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As part of wildlife baseline studies conducted at the proposed Yoast Mine, an aerial <br />survey for big game has been performed annually in winter since 1993. In 1994, Peabody <br />Western Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. to conducted the aerial <br />survey. Presented below are descriptions of 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. Brian P. Dunfee, Environmental Affairs Department, Peabody <br />Western Coal Company, 1300 S. Yale, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, telephone (602) 774-5253; or Mr. <br />Chuck LaRue, Environmental Affairs Department, Peabody Western Coal Company, P. O. Box <br />625, Kayenta, AZ 86033, telephone (602) 677-5085. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Yoast property is approximately 8 miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado; the proposed mine permit area is about 3.25 miZ. In previous years, the big game <br />survey area included the permit area and its one-mile perimeter, and a 3/a-mile buffer on either <br />side of the haul road corridor (approximately 21.4 miZ). In 1994, the survey area was expanded <br />to gather regional data. <br />The expanded survey azea totaled approximately 84.5 miZ and extended from the Seneca <br />Mine on the east to the Seneca II-W Mine on the west; the proposed Yoast Mine permit area lies <br />between those two existing mines (Exhibit 1). The entire survey area is in the brushy foothills <br />of the Williams Fork Mountains, south of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range <br />from 6100 feet in the north to over 8300 feet above sea level in the south. Steep slopes and high <br />• ridges covered with mountain brush characterize the topography and vegetation of the expanded <br />area. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur <br />1995 Yoatt Mine Sile Big Gams Atrial Survey Page 1 <br />