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On the Seneca II permit area, elevations range from 6750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. The <br />• terrain steadily slopes upward from west to east across the permit area; steep slopes occur along <br />two drainages in the north~entral part of the permit and in the southeast corner. Mining activity <br />is largely confined to the middle portion of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the predominant native habitat on the permit area. Sagebrush habitat <br />occurs primarily in the southwest part of the permit area. A few aspen stands occur on the area, <br />but are limited to north- and east-facing draws at upper elevations. Bottomland is limited to <br />narrow bands along larger drainages. Reclaimed areas are dominated by grassland with some <br />shrub-grassland. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME <br />Big game--elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)--were counted <br />during an aerial survey completed on 26 January 1996. The survey was coordinated with <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) personnel and coincided with CDOW's schedule for <br />surveying big game in the region. The same helicopter and pilot (High Country Helicopters, <br />Montrose, CO) used by state biologists were used during the survey. The 89.5-miz expanded <br />survey area was searched by systematically following each drainage and thoroughly covering <br />adjacent slopes before moving to the next drainage. The survey was started on the east side of <br />the area at 09:02h completed in the west at 15:OOh. <br />Two PRES biologists were in the helicopter with the pilot. The locations of all big game, <br />mammalian predators, and raptors sighted during the survey were plotted on 1:24000 topographic <br />maps. Habitat was also recorded for each sighting. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />A Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek was discovered in reclamation at the Seneca II Mine <br />in April 1995 by mine personnel (R. Karo, pers. comm.). In 1996, PRES monitored the lek on <br />23 and 25 April. Each day, a biologist drove to a point out of view of the lek before dawn. After <br />parking, the observer crawled along a berm to view the lek from approximately SOm away. <br />• Activity at the lek was monitored from first light until all birds had departed. <br />1996 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />