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• uvixv'liu~iivrv <br />In 1997, Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to <br />conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey for <br />big game, 2) monitoring asharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) lek, 3) checking golden <br />eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests, and 4) searching for sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) use and <br />nesting areas. 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. Roy I{aro, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company, <br />Drawer D, Hayden, CO 81639, telephone (970) 276-3707. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Seneca II Mine is approximately 9 miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado; the mine permit area is about 5.5 miz. Prior to 1994, the big game survey area <br />included the permit area and a 1-mile perimeter (approximately 17.5 miz). In 1994, the survey <br />• area was enlarged to gather additional data. The expanded area covered approximately 84.5 miz <br />and included the Seneca II, Yoast, and Seneca II-W Mines; that same area was surveyed in 1995. <br />An additional one-mile strip was added along the northwest edge of the area in 1996 thus, <br />increasing the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 miz (Exhibit 1). That same area was <br />surveyed in 1997. Surveys for game bird leks and sandhill crane use areas were limited to the <br />Seneca II permit area and its 1-mile perimeter. Golden eagle nest monitoring was restricted to <br />sites on or near the permit area. <br />The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, south <br />of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6100 feet in the north to over 8300 feet <br />ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush characterize the <br />topography and vegetation of the expanded area. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands are scattered <br />throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of <br />fir (Abies spp.) are found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are <br />in the north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat <br />occurs along major creeks--Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary <br />draws. <br />1997 Seneca !I Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 1 <br />