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. INTRODUCTION <br />In 1998, 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 <br />for big game, 2) monitoring a known sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianel[us) lek and <br />searching for new leks, and 3) checking golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. Field <br />personnel also watched for sandhill crane (Gros canaderuis) activity in spring. Presented <br />below are descriptions of the study area, survey methods, and results. <br />Questions or comments wncerning the information contained in this report should be <br />directed to the attention of Mr. Roy Karo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal <br />Company, 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). I^ 1994, the <br />i survey area was enlarged to gather additional data. The expanded area covered approximately <br />84.5 miZ and included the Seneca II, Yoast, and Seneca II-W Mines; that same area was <br />surveyed in 1995. An additional one-mile strip was added along the northwest edge of the <br />area in 1996 thus, increasing the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 miZ (Exhibit 1). <br />That area was also surveyed in 1997 and 1998. Surveys for game bird leks were limited to the <br />Seneca Il 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, <br />south of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6100 feet in the north to over <br />8300 feet ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush <br />characterize the topography and vegetation of the expanded area. Aspen (Populus <br />tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper <br />reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of fir (Abies spp.) are found at the highest elevations. <br />Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme northwest, and <br />• <br />1998 Seneca II Mine Wildfire Moni[oting page I <br />