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.~ • • -- <br />,~,.~ . <br />yr- ., <br />catches the ground water and surface water drainage from this area <br />(discharge 002) was about 2200 mg/1 during 1982. Given these strong <br />similarities between the application's conclusions and the measured <br />values during 1982, it is reasonable to conclude that the mine's <br />contribution to dissolved solids in Trout Creek is as predicted and <br />results in an average annual increase in the TDS concentration of <br />Trout Creek of 12 mg/1. <br />IV. Crop Productivity Monitoring <br />As shown in Table 1, 1982 was not as good a year as 1981 in terms of <br />crop productivity. Weather conditions are the suspected reason for <br />the change since neither the water quality nor the agricultural <br />practices changed in any significant way. Still, yields in hay per <br />acre were above the lowest in the last five (5) years at four (4) of <br />the five (5) ranches. <br />V. Deer and Elk Monitoring Program 1980-1982 <br />Deer and elk monitoring on and adjacent to the Edna Mine area was <br />initiated in the fall of 1981 as stipulated by the MLRD. Emphasis <br />was placed on evaluating the importance of the Moffat area. The <br />purpose of the program is to determine (1) if deer and elk use <br />(seasonally) is higher on or off the permit area, (2) if the permit <br />area or any portion is important as winter range, (3) if the permit <br />area or portion thereof is important as a fawning and calving area, <br />(4) if the lands adjacent to the permit area are capable of <br />supporting more animals, and (5) if these uses change during the life <br />of the mine. <br />Since the monitoring program was initiated, monthly flights have been <br />made to observe deer and elk, during most of the year. These flights <br />were made primarily during the winter and late spring to observe <br />wintering and calving and fawning activities. Numbers of elk and <br />deer observed were broken into three categories: t4offat area, <br />remainder of the Edna permit area, and off the permit area. These <br />observations are shown on Tables 1 and 2: As shown by the data, deer <br />and elk use on the Moffat area decreases to near zero as winter <br />progresses and snows become deeper. Numbers of deer and elk observed <br />away from the Moffat area also become lower as winter progresses and <br />the snow depths increase. Animals observed are normally in small <br />groups and are located in areas where there is less snow and suitable <br />forage is available. These areas are normally on the south and east <br />facing exposures along Arrowhead Ridge, between the Trout and Middle <br />Creek drainages and west and north of 20 Mile Park. <br />Page 2 <br />