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INTRODUCTION <br />As part of wildlife monitoring studies conducted at the Seneca Mine II-W, an aerial <br />survey for big game is performed annually in winter. In 1993, Peabody Western Coal Company <br />contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to conducted the aerial survey. Presented <br />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; or Roy Karo, Reclamation <br />Supervisor, Seneca Mine, Drawer D, 36600 Routt Co. Road 27, Hayden, CO 81639. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Seneca II-W Mine is approximately 7 miles south of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado. The mine permit area occupies slightly more than 2 miz. The Seneca II-W big game <br />survey area totalled approximately 35 miz, including the permit area; a 2-mile perimeter to the <br />west, north, and east of the mine; and a 3-mile perimeter to the south (Figure 1). <br />The survey area is in the brushy foothills on the north end of the Williams Fork <br />Mountains, south of the Yampa River. Elevation on the area ranges from 6500 feet ASL in the <br />north to over 8400 feet ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain <br />brush dominate the topography and vegetation of the survey area. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) <br />stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. <br />Isolated stands of fir are found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural <br />fields are limited to the extreme northwest portion of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along <br />major drainages--Sage Creek and Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. <br />7997 Scneca II-W Mine Big Gamc Aerul Survey Page 1 <br />