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Yoast Mine and One-Mile Perimeter <br />• Wildlife observations obtained on the Yoast permit area, one-mile perimeter, and haul <br />road corridor are listed in Appendix I. Big game observations are illustrated on Exhibit 1. <br />During the 2006 aerial survey, 14 elk herds (56 individuals) were seen in the Yoast area. Five <br />herds (21 animals) were within the permit area and nine were in the perimeter. <br />During 2006 surveys, elk density in the Yoast area averaged 2.6 animals/miZ, 55% lower <br />than that within the expanded azea. In all but one yeaz (1998), elk densities in the Yoast area <br />were either equal to or lower than those in the expanded survey area (Figure 1). Elk are usually <br />scarce on the large areas of improved pastures and agricultural fields north and east of the Yoast <br />permit area. Elk likely avoid these azeas when deep snow makes forage less accessible. This <br />contributes to the overall lower densities typically observed in the Yoast area. Other portions of <br />the Yoast survey area generally support elk at densities comparable to those on the expanded <br />survey area. <br />Elk densities in the Yoast area ranged from 1.6 to 15.7 elk/mi2 from 1994 through 2006. <br />From 1994 through 1999, density trends generally followed those of the expanded azea (Figure <br />1). From 1999 through 2002, densities increased from a low of 1.6 elk/mi2 to a high of 6.5 <br />• elk/mi2; densities in the expanded area remained fairly constant during that period. Since 2003, <br />elk densities in the Yoast area have generally tracked with the expanded area. <br />Most elk (84%) observed in the Yoast area during 2006 surveys were associated with <br />mountain brush habitat (Appendix I). All others were in sagebrush-grassland (16%) habitats. <br />During all previous surveys, the majority of elk were also associated with mountain brush. <br />Other animals observed in the Yoast azea during the aerial survey included 25 sharp- <br />tailed grouse, two golden eagles, and one coyote. No mule deer were seen within the Yoast area <br />in 2006. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />Grouse were observed at four of the six known sharp-tailed grouse leks in the Yoast azea <br />during the 2006 survey. Counts of 15 and 11 grouse were obtained from the Annan's 1 and <br />Annan's 21eks, respectively. Although no grouse were reported at the original site of the <br />Trousdale lek, ten males were at the alternate site. One grouse was flushed from the Fifer lek, <br /> <br />2006 Yoas[ Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 8 <br />