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highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme • northwest, and 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 II-W permit area, elevations range from 7,000 to over 7,700 feet ASL. The terrain is highest on the east side of the permit area. Much of the area slopes down to the west toward Hubberson 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 also exist, primarily on the east side. Bottomland is very limited on the permit area. MF.THnT)C BIG GAME One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemronus), was conducted on 16 February 2000. The 89.5 mi' survey area was • searched from a helicopter (Hughes 500; 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 0945 h and completed in the west at 1350 h. One PRES biologist and the helicopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian predators, raptors, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were also recorded for each sighting. UPLAND GAME BIRDS Searches for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse leks on the Seneca II-W permit area were conducted on 26 and 27 April. On those mornings, a biologist looked for displaying grouse while slowly driving around the permit area. Frequent stops were made at vantage points to scan and listen for birds. • 2000 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2