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Expanded Survey Area <br />. All wildlife observations from the aerial survey are listed in Appendix I. Big game <br />observations are also illustrated on Exhibit 1. A total of 1,162 elk (13.0/mil) in 103 herds were <br />seen during the survey (Figure I). Six herds of mule deer (30 animals) were also observed <br />Additional animals recorded included seven coyotes (Canis Iatrans). Elk herds ranged in size <br />from 1 to 38 animals, and averaged 11.3 individuals. Elk were widely distributed tlu-oughout the <br />area, but were notably absent from the north central, southeast, and extreme northwest portions <br />of the expanded area (Exhibit 1). The predominant habitat types in those portions of the survey <br />area were agricultural fields, reclamation, and flat grasslands. <br />Figure 1. Elk density on the expanded and Seneca II Mine areas during winter aerial <br />surveys from 1994 through 2003. <br />25 <br />20 <br />,~' 15 <br />d <br />.. <br />R <br />., <br />Q <br />3 ]0 <br />ca <br />5 <br />0 <br />Year <br />Expanded survey area: 84.5 miZ (1994-1995), 89.5 mil (1996-2003). <br />Seneca II survey area: 17S mil (1994-2003). <br />Ninety-five percent (1107) of the elk observed were associated with mountain brush <br />habitat. The remaining elk (55) were observed in sagebrush-grassland habitat. <br />2003 Seneca [I Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 4 <br />1994 ]995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 <br />