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• southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks--Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. On the Seneca fI-W permit area, elevations range from 7000 to over 7,700 feet ASL. The terrain is highest on dte east side of the permit area. Much of the area slopes down to the west toward Hubbersoo Gulch; the north part of the area slopes northwest toward Dry Creek. Mining activity is largely confined to the southern two-thirds of the permit area. Mountain brush and sagebrush are the two most common native habitats on the permit area. A few aspen stands occur on the area, primarily on the east side. Bottomland is very limited on the permit area. naFTll~ns BIG GAME An aerial survey for big game [elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)], mammalian predators, and raptors was conducted on 24 February 1999. The 89.5-mi' survey area was searched from a helicopter (Western Slope Helicopters, Montrose, • CO) by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started on the east side of the area at 09:OSh completed in the west at 14:24h. Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all animal sightings were plotted on 1:24000 topographic maps. Habitat was also recorded for each sighting. UPLAND GAME BIRDS A search for sharp-tailed grouse leks on the Seneca II-W permit area was conducted on 28 April 1999. That day, a biologist looked for displaying grouse while slowly driving around the permit area. Frequent stops were made a vantage points to scan and listen for dancing birds. GOLDEN EAGLE NEST MONITORIlVG On 28 April, known golden eagle nests near the permit area were checked for activity. • A biologist observed the nests through a spotting scope from a vehicle parked at a vantage 1999 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2