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• On the Seneca II permit area, elevations range from 6750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. The terrain steadily slopes upward from west to east across the permit area; steep slopes occur along two drainages in the north-central and southeast corner of the permit area. Mining activity is largely confined to the middle portion of the area. Mountain brush is the predominant native habitat on the permit area. Sagebrush habitat occurs primarily in the southwest part of the permit area. A few aspen stands occur on the area, but are limited to north- and east-facing draws at upper elevations. Bottomland is limited to narrow bands along larger drainages. Reclaimed areas are dominated by grassland with some shrub-grassland. BIG GAME Big game--elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)--were counted during an aerial survey completed on 30 January 1997. The survey was coordinated with • Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) personnel and coincided with CDOW's schedule for surveying big game in the region. The same helicopter and pilot (High Country Helicopters, Montrose, CO) used by state biologists were used during the survey. The 89.5-miz expanded survey area was searched by systematically following each drainage and thoroughly covering adjacent slopes before moving to the next drainage. The survey was started on the east side of the area at 10:52h completed in the west at 16:SOh. Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all big game, mammalian predators, and raptors sighted during the survey were plotted on 1:24000 topographic maps. Habitat was also recorded for each sighting. UPLAND GAME BIRDS A Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek was discovered th reclamation at the Seneca II Mine in April 1995 by mine personnel (R. Karo, pers. comm.). In 1997, PRES monitored the lek on 21 and 22 April. Each day, a biologist drove to a point near the lek and, while staying in the • vehicle, used binoculars and a spotting scope to count birds at the lek. 1997 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2