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fir (Abies spp.) were found at the highest elevations. Rolling rangeland and agricultural fields <br />were in the north-central, extreme northwest, and southeast portions of the area. Bottomland <br />habitat occurred along major creeks (Grassy Creek, Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger <br />tributary draws. <br />On the Seneca II permit area, elevations range from 6,750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. The <br />terrain steadily slopes upward from west to east across the permit area and steep slopes occur <br />along two drainages in the north-central and southeast corner of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush is the predominant native habitat on the permit area. Big sagebrush <br />(Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurs primarily in the southwest part of the permit area. The few <br />aspen stands on the area are limited to north- and east-facing draws at upper elevations. <br />Bottomland was limited to narrow bands along larger drainages. Reclaimed areas were <br />dominated by grasslands with some shrub-grasslands. <br />METHODS <br />BIG GAME <br />One aerial survey for big game, primarily elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer <br />(Odocoileus hemionus), was conducted on 13 March 2003. The 89.5 miz survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Bell 47 with Soloy conversion; Olatha Spray Service, Olatha, CO.) <br />by systematically flying each drainage and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey was started <br />on the northeast region of the survey area at 0720 h and completed in the west at 1405 h. <br />Two TWC biologists and the helicopter pilot looked for big game and other wildlife <br />during the survey. The locations of all animal sightings (including big game, mammalian <br />predators, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were <br />also recorded for each observation. <br />UPLAND GAME BIRDS <br />In 1995, a Columbian sharp-tailed grouse lek (Seneca #l; NE'/a NW'/4 Section 2, TSN, <br />R87W) was discovered in reclamation at the Seneca II Mine by mine personnel (R. Karo, <br />Environmental Coordinator). A second lek (Seneca #2) was found in reclamation in SW'/4 NW'/a <br />Section 12 during 1998. In 2002, TWC biologists discovered a third lek (Seneca #3, SE'/4 SE'/4 <br />2003 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />