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• southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along major creeks--Grassy Creek, METHODS Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. On the Seneca [I permit area, elevations range from 6750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. The terrain steadily slopes upward from west to east across the permit area; steep slopes occur along two drainages in the north-central and southeast corner of the permit area. Mining and reclamation activity is largely confined to the middle portion of the area. Mountain brush is the predominant native habitat on the permit area. Sagebrush habitat occurs primarily in the southwest part of the permit area. There are a few aspen stands on the area, but they are limited to north- and east-facing draws at upper elevations. Bottomland is limited to narrow bands along larger drainages. Reclaimed areas are dominated by grassland with some shrub-grassland. BIG GAME • An aerial survey for big game [elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemlorsus)J, mammalian predators, and raptors was conducted on 24 February 1999. The 89.5-mi' survey area was searched from a helicopter (Western Slope Helicopters, Montrose, CO) by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started on the east side of the area at 09:OSh completed in the west at 14:24h. Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all animal sightings were plotted on 1:24000 topographic maps. Habitat was also recorded for each sighting. UPLAND GAME BIItDS A Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek (Seneca!{1) was discovered in reclamation at the Seneca li Mine in April 1995 by mine personnel (R. Karo, pers. comm.). A second lek in reclamation, Seneca 1F2, was found in April 1998. The two leks are approximately 1.5 miles apart on the mine permit area (Exhibit I). PRES checked the Seneca >Y I and t/2 leks for activity within one hour of sunrise on 27 • and 29 April 1999; an incidental observation of birds at Seneca l!1 was made in the afternoon 1999 Seneca II Mmc Wildlife Moniioriiig Page 2