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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 />Elevations at Yoast ranged from 6,800 to over 7,900 feet ASL. Terrain varied from <br />rolling rangeland and agricultural fields in the north, to high ridges and steep slopes in the central <br />and southern parts of the permit area. Most of the area is drained by Grassy Creek, which runs <br />along the southeast side of the permit area. A small part of the area drains to Sage Creek, which <br />borders the southwest side of the permit area. <br />Mountain brush was the most prevalent habitat throughout most of the undisturbed <br />portions of the permit area. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitat occurred as scattered <br />patches on high flats and ridge tops, while stands of aspen were present in moist areas along wide <br />• drainage bottoms, and on north- and east-facing slopes. Bottomland was limited to narrow bands <br />along larger drainages and around stock reservoirs. Idled pastures (Conservation Reserve <br />Program lands) and agricultural fields flanked the haul road corridor. <br />ivrF rrunnc <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 was started 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, and <br />grouse) were plotted on 1:24,000 topographic maps. Habitat associations were also recorded for <br />each observation. <br /> <br />2007 Yoast Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page 2 <br />