REP39203

• Permit No: C1980005
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Name: SENECA II MINE 1999 WILDLIFE MONITORING
• Permit Index Doc Type: ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•
INTRODUCTION
In 1999, Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to
conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey
for big game, 2) monitoring two known sharp-tailed grouse (7}~mpanuchus phasiane[[us) leks
and searching for new ones, and 3) checking golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. Field
personnel also watched for sandhill crane (Gros canadensis) activity in spring. 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, P.O. Box 670, Hayden, CO 81639, telephone [phone].
STUDY AREA
The Seneca II Mine is approximately Dine miles southeast of Hayden, Routt County,
Colorado; the mine permit area is about 5.5 miZ. Prior to 1994, the big game survey area
• included the permit area and aone-mile perimeter (approximately 17.5 mi2). In 1994, the
survey area was enlarged to gather additional data. The expanded area covered approximately
84.5 mi' and included the Seneca II, Yoast, and Seneca II-W Mines; that same area was
surveyed in 1995. An additional one-mile strip was added along the northwest edge of the
area in 1996 thus, increasing the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 miz (Exhibit 1).
That area was also surveyed each year from 1997 through 1999. Surveys for game bird leks
were limited to the Seneca II permit area and its one-mile perimeter. Golden eagle nest
monitoring was restricted to sites on or near the permit area.
The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains,
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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 [he expanded area. Aspen (Populus
tremuloides) stands are scattered throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper
reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of fir (Abies spp.) are found at the highest elevations.
Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north-central, extreme northwest, and
1999 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Mooituring
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