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Saeegrouse L(itisation <br />• I. Oneoine Miti¢ation Offsettine Current Loss of <br />SaeeQrouse Habitat Due to Minine. <br />Prior to 1976 due to the prior landowners' grazing practices, the rangeland both <br />within the permit area and surrounding areas was in an overgrazed condition. <br />After 1976 the following changes in the management of the land, then owned by <br />Colowyo, took place which indirectly increased the sagegrouse nesting and brood <br />rearing capacity of the overall area. This increased carrying capacity of the <br />sagegrouse habitat provides the mitigation for any displaced sagegrouse population <br />during mining. <br />1. From 1976 until 1979 all livestock grazing was stopped in order to allow the <br />range to rest and to return to a more productive state. The immediate benefit to <br />sagegrouse was the increased production of herbaceous vegetation which, along <br />with insects, is an important component to the sagegrouse brood population diet. <br />A secondary benefit was the end of any nest trampling and end of disturbance and <br />heavy grazing around watering areas due to livestock grazing. <br />2. During 1976 a fence was constructed around the Federal coal lease which <br />eliminated all further livestock grazing in this area. Since 1976 to the present, <br />• sagegrouse have continued to benefit as described as # 1 above. <br />3. All other areas outside of the lease fence (approximately 6,000 acres) have been <br />grazed since ] 979 at 60% of carrying capacity. This rate would allow <br />• <br />2.05-69 <br />