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Coal Basin, and the west and south slopes of <br /> • Huntsman Ridge, which overlie the underground workings , <br /> provide good wildlife habitat , and the wildlife population <br /> is diverse . (SeeAfAppendices III-A-1 & 2) <br /> Of Coal Basin, the U . S . Forest Service <br /> reports : <br /> "Coal Creek Basin has provided very good wildlife <br /> habitat throughout the 1900s . Habitats have been <br /> diverse , with mountain grassland, aspen , conifer , and <br /> oak vegetation abundant and in good juxtaposition with <br /> each other . Some riparian and alpine vegetation also <br /> contribute to habitat diversity . While mining activity <br /> in the area over the past three decades has altered <br /> very little physical habitat , it has caused disturbance <br /> and displacement of some wildlife species which are <br /> particularly sensitive to human activities . Popula- <br /> tions of elk, turkey , goshawk and deer are probably <br /> lower now than they would be if active mining were not <br /> occuring . Little historical information, and no quantita- <br /> tive data on historical wildlife population sizes , <br /> • exist for Forest lands in the Coal Creek Basin. <br /> "In general, the Crystal River area has seen the elk <br /> population steadily increase over the past several <br /> decades . Deer populations increased dramatically in <br /> the 1950s through the mid-1960s , then declined , and are <br /> now increasing slowly . " <br /> Source : U . S . Forest Service <br /> "Past and Present <br /> Condition of Range and <br /> Wildlife Resources in <br /> Coal Basin. " <br /> During the era of the Colorado Fuel & Iron <br /> Co . operation, (1900-1909) , game were actively hunted in <br /> Coal Basin to provide meat for the mining camp . Mid-Continent , <br /> however , prohibits hunting . <br /> Wildlife common to the area include elk , <br /> . deer , black bear , mountain lion, longtail weasel , porcupine , <br /> 7 <br />