Laserfiche WebLink
(Amelanchier alnifolia). Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout <br />the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of fir (Abies <br />spp.) are found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields exist in the <br />north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs <br />along major creeks (Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger tributary draws. <br />On the Seneca II-W permit area, elevations range from 7,000 to over 7,700 feet ASL. <br />The terrain is highest on the east side of the permit area. Much of the area slopes down to the <br />west towazd Hubberson Gulch; the north part of the area slopes northwest toward Dry Creek. <br />Mountain brush and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) are the two most common native <br />habitats on the permit area. A few aspen stands also exist, primarily on the east side. <br />Bottomland is very limited on the permit area. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />• (Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 13 March 2003. The 89.5 miz survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Bell 47 with Soloy conversion; Olatha Spray Service, Olatha, CO.) <br />by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started in <br />the northeast region of the survey area at 0720 h and completed in the west at 1405 h. <br />Two TWC biologists and the helicopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife <br />during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian <br />predators, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were <br />also recorded for each observation. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />In 2002, a Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek (Seneca II-W lek) was found on a grassy <br />knoll just south of the Seneca II-W haul road in NW'/4 SE'/ Section 22, TSN, R88W. Grouse <br />had been observed at the site since 1998 but female attendance was only positively identified in <br />2002. The Seneca II-W tek was checked for activity on 3 May 2003 within about one hour of <br />• sunrise. During the survey, a biologist walked to a vantage point near the lek to count all birds <br />1A03 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring <br />Page 2 <br />Cm'YLyl#f3NsY NYX. S_ !i. Yat i.~V #-K *9 aE~4!S,.r4vCRA.MN ~. .. _.. .:.'.e9bksk~i'bYY9q[$i S5Y5ilID2~Ai:a iY_3fY -. -.3xs#E."Jt<2n%~yWY2Yili'n1^ffiK~~23a5>°`A. F~;~ <br />