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scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated • <br />stands of fir (Abies spp.) aze found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural <br />fields are in the north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland <br />habitat occurs along major creeks (Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger <br />tributary draws. <br />Elevations at Yoast range from 6,800 to over 7,900 feet ASL. Terrain varies from rolling <br />rangeland and agricultural fields in the north, to high ridges and steep slopes in the central and <br />southern parts of the permit area. Most of the area is drained by Grassy Creek, which runs along <br />the southeast side of the permit area. A small part of the area drains to Sage Creek, which <br />borders the southwest side of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the most prevalent habitat on the permit azea. Big sagebrush <br />(Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurs as scattered patches on high flats and ridge tops. Aspen <br />stands are present in moist areas along wide drainage bottoms, and on north- and east-facing <br />slopes. Bottomland is limited to narrow bands along larger drainages and around stock <br />reservoirs. Idled pastures (CRP lands) and agricultural fields aze found along the haul road • <br />corridor. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 3 February 2005. The 89.5 mil survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Be1147; Olathe Spray Service, Olathe, CO) by systematically flying <br />all drainages and adjoining slopes in the azea. The survey was started in the northeast region of <br />the survey area at 0810 h and completed in the west at 1515 h. <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 /> <br />2005 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />