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serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). Trembling aspen (Populus lremuloides) stands aze <br />• scattered throughout the azea, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated <br />stands of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) aze found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland <br />and agricultural fields exist in the north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the <br />area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks (Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Bry Creek) and <br />their larger tributary draws. <br />On the Seneca II-W permit azea, 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 toward Hubberson Gulch; the north part of the area slopes northwest towazd 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 portion. <br />Bottomland is very limited on the permit area. <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />• (Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 25 January 2006. The 89.5 mil survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Be1147; Olathe Spray Service, Olathe, CO) by systematically flying <br />all drainages and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started in the northeast region of <br />the survey area at 0750 h and completed in the west at 1400 h. <br />Two J&S biologists and the pilot searched for big game and other wildlife during the <br />survey. The locations of all relevant sightings (including big game, mammalian predators, and <br />grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were also recorded for <br />each observation. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />In 2002, a Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek (Seneca II-W lek) was discovered on a <br />grassy knoll just south of the Seneca II-W haul road in NW'/< SE% Section 22, TSN, R88W. <br />Grouse had been observed at the site since 1998 but female attendance was only positively <br />identified in 2002. In 2004, J&S personnel observed three displaying males and one female at a <br />n <br />U <br />2006 Seneca II-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />