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• serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands were <br />scattered throughout the area, but occurred mainly along the upper reaches of drainages. Isolated <br />stands of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) were found at the highest elevations. Rolling <br />rangeland and agricultural fields were present in the north-central, extreme northwest, and <br />southeast portions of the area. Bottomland habitat occurred along major creeks (Grassy Creek, <br />Sage Creek, Dry Creek) and their larger tributary draws. <br />Within the Seneca II permit area, elevations ranged from 6,750 to over 8,100 feet ASL. <br />The terrain steadily sloped upward from west to east across the area and steep slopes occurred <br />along two drainages in the north-central and southeast corner of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush was the predominant native habitat throughout most of the undisturbed <br />portions of the permit area, while big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurred primarily <br />in the southwest portion of the area. The few aspen stands were limited to north- and east-facing <br />draws at upper elevations. Bottomland was limited to narrow bands along larger drainages. <br />Reclaimed lands within the permit area were dominated by grasslands, but also harbored some <br />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 18 February 2007. The 89.5 mil survey area was <br />searched from a helicopter (Bell 47; Olathe Spray Service, Olathe, CO) by systematically flying <br />all drainages and adjoining slopes in the area. The survey commenced in the northeast region of <br />the survey area at 0840 h and completed in the west at 1440 h. <br />Two J&S biologists and the pilot searched for big game and other wildlife during the <br />survey. The locations of all relevant sightings (including big game, mammalian predators, <br />raptors, and grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were also <br />recorded for each observation. <br />• <br />2007 Seneca II Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />