REP38118

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 4/4/1997
• Doc Name: 1996 ARR 1996 WILDLIFE MONITORING
• Permit Index Doc Type: ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

i In 1996, Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to
conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II-W Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey
for big game and 2) mapping raptor nest sites and checking golden eagle nests. Presented below
are descriptions of the study area, survey methods, and results.
Questions or comments concerning the information contained in this report should be
directed to the attention of Mr. Roy Karo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company,
Drawer D, Hayden, CO 81639, telephone [phone].
STUDY AREA
The Seneca II-W Mine is approximately 7 miles south of Hayden, Routt County, Colorado;
the mine permit area is about 3.8 mil. Prior to 1994, the big game survey area included the
permit area; a 2-mile perimeter to the west, north and east of the mine; and a 3-mile perimeter
to the south. That survey area totaled approximately 35 miz. In 1994, the survey area was
expanded to gather additional data. The expanded survey azea totaled approximately 84.5 miz and
• extended from the Seneca II Mine on the east to the Seneca II-W Mine on the west. That same
area was surveyed in 1995. In 1996, an additional one-mile strip was surveyed along the
northwest edge of the area; thus, enlazging the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 miz
(Exhibit 1). Surveys for raptor nests were limited to the Seneca II-W permit area and its 1-mile
perimeter.
The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, south
of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6100 feet in the north to over 8300 feet
ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush characterize the
topography and vegetation of the expanded azea. Aspen (Populus tremu[oides) stands are scattered
throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of
fir are found at the 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 7000 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
1996 Seneca 11-W Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page l