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• In 1996, Seneca Coal Company contracted Powder River Eagle Studies Inc. (PRES) to <br />conduct wildlife monitoring at the Seneca II Mine. Studies included: 1) a winter aerial survey for <br />big game, 2) monitoring asharp-tailed grouse (7ympanuchus phasianellus) lek, 3) mapping raptor <br />nest sites and checking golden eagle nests, and 4) searching for sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) <br />use and nesting areas. Presented below are descriptions of the study area, survey methods, and <br />results. <br />Questions or comments concerning the information contained in this report should be <br />directed to the attention of Mr. Roy Karo, Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company, <br />Drawer D, Hayden, CO 81639, telephone (970) 276-3707. <br />STUDY AREA <br />The Seneca II Mine is approximately 9 miles southeast of Hayden, Routt Counry, <br />Colorado; the mine permit area is about 5.5 mil. Prior to 1994, the big game survey area <br />included the permit area and a 1-mile perimeter (approximately 17.5 miz). In 1994, the survey <br />area was expanded to gather additional data. The expanded survey area totaled approximately <br />84.5 mil and extended from the Seneca II Mine on the east to the Seneca II-W Mine on the west. <br />That same area was surveyed in 1995. In 1996, an additional one-mile strip was surveyed along <br />the northwest edge of the area; thus, enlarging the big game survey area to approximately 89.5 <br />miz (Exhibit 1). Surveys for game bird leks, raptor nests, and sandhill crane use areas were <br />limited to the Seneca II permit area and its 1-mile perimeter. <br />The big game survey area is in the brushy foothills of the Williams Fork Mountains, south <br />of the Yampa River. Elevations over the area range from 6100 feet in the north to over 8300 feet <br />ASL in the south. Steep slopes and high ridges covered with mountain brush characterize the <br />topography and vegetation of the expanded area. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands are scattered <br />throughout the area, but mainly occur along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated stands of <br />fu are found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields are in the north- <br />central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurs along <br />major creeks--Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek--and their larger tributary draws. <br />LJ <br />1996 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 1 <br />