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During aerial surveys, most mule deer have typically been observed in three distinct • portions of the survey azea: the northwest (north and west of Seneca II-W), extreme northeast, and extreme south central. Most deer have been associated with mountain brush habitats, but those in the south central portion of the survey area were often on steep, exposedfrelatively baze, south facing slopes. In 2005, the majority (77%) of mule deer observed were found within mountain brush habitat along slopes, while most remaining deer (21%) were observed in sagebrush habitats. Deer in mountain brush were found both in the northwest (north and west of Seneca II-W) portion of the survey azea and directly south of the Yoast Mine. Deer in sagebrush habitats were mainly in the northwest portion of the survey area. Forty-seven pronghorn (Anlilocapra americana)-were also documented during the survey, including one in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Section 28, T6N, R87W, and a herd of 46 animals in Sections 20 and 21. That species was last recorded within the survey area in 1994, when a herd of 36 was seen just northeast of the Yoast permit area. Additional animals recorded during the 2005 survey included: 10 coyotes (Canis latrans), 9 golden eagles, 2sage-grouse, and 1 American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). • Seneca II Mine and One-Mile Perimeter Observations obtained from the 17.5 mil area that includes the Seneca II mine permit azea and its perimeter are listed in Appendix I, and illustrated on Exhibit 1. During the 2005 aerial survey, 39 elk herds (456 individuals) were observed in the Seneca II area. Seven herds (132 individuals) were on the mine permit area, and 32 herds (324.individuals) were in the perimeter. Elk density in the Seneca II area was 26.1 animals/mil, which was the highest density recorded to date and 140% higher than that of the expanded survey area. Elk densities in the Seneca II area ranged from 2.9 to 20.9 elk/miZ during 1994-2004. The observed trend in density generally followed that of the expanded azea (Figure 1). However, during eight of the twelve survey periods (1994, 1995, and 2000-2005), elk density in the vicinity of Seneca II has been higher than that of expanded survey azea. During 2005, 81 % of the elk observed were in mountain brush habitat, 14% were in reclaimed grassland, and most of the remaining elk were in sagebrush-grassland (Appendix I). • Previously, elk have only been recorded in reclaimed grassland at the Seneca II Mine during the 2005 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 7