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• Eighty-three percent of the elk seen (564) were in mountain brush habitat. Rough breaks was the only other habitat the held a substantial percentage (15%) of the elk seen. A few herds were observed in grassland (6 elk), reclaimed grassland (5 elk), and fir (1 elk). In addition to elk, 12 herds of mule deer (67 animals) were seen during the survey. Seven coyotes (Canis latrans) were seen, including a pack of four that had surrounded a cow and two elk calves. Alone red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was spotted in the east central part of the area near the Seneca Mine permit boundary (Exhibit 1). Seven golden eagles and one bald eagle (Ha[iaeetus leucocephalus) were also seen. PRES has surveyed the expanded area three other times; in December 1994, and January 1995 and 1996. Results from the 1995 and 1997 surveys were very similar (Figure 1). In contrast, results from the 1994 and 1996 surveys were quite divergent. The very low density recorded during the December 1994 survey was probably a due to poor ground conditions (patchy snow cover) and the use of a fixed-wing aircraft for the survey. Both of those factors affected the observers' ability to detect animals and resulted in undercounting. Observed elk density on 26 • January 1996 was substantially greater than the densities recorded during any other survey. Snowfall from the onset of winter through January 1996 was considerably greater than other years. Excessive snow probably pushed more animals out of the higher elevations of the Williams Fork Mountains and north into the survey area in January 1996. During each of the four surveys completed since December 1994, herds were widely distributed over the entire survey area, but were conspicuously absent from the agricultural fields and grasslands in the north-central part of the area. Because there are no tall grasses or shtvbs in those habitats, the vegetation is typically covered by snow in winter. Consequently, there is very little winter forage for big game in that part of the survey area. Few herds have been seen on either the Seneca II or Seneca II-W permit areas during the surveys; more herds have been observed on Yoast. Seneca II Mine and 1-Mile Perimeter Observations made on the 17.5-mil area that includes the Seneca II Mine permit area and • its 1-mile perimeter are listed in Table 1. Thirty-one sightings of elk were made within that area; one herd (5 animals) was on the permit area and 30 herds (157 animals) were in the perimeter. 1997 Seneca Ii Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 4