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• INTRODUCTION <br />In winter 2008, the Seneca Coal Company contracted ICF Jones & Stokes to conduct the annual <br />wildlife monitoring studies required for their Seneca II-West Mine in western Routt County, <br />Colorado. Those studies included 1) monitoring two known Columbian sharp-tailed grouse <br />(Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) leks and searching for new ones, and 2) monitoring all <br />known golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests in the area. Field personnel also watched for <br />sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) activity during spring surveys for grouse and eagles. Unlike the <br />previous years, no winter big game surveys were required for the Seneca II-West Mine in 2008, <br />as coal extraction has been completed and reclamation activities for the mine have commenced. <br />Descriptions of the study area, survey methods, and the 2008 results are presented below. <br />Questions or comments regarding this report should be directed to the attention of Mr. Roy Karo, <br />Environmental Coordinator, Seneca Coal Company, P.O. Box 670, Hayden, CO 81639; <br />telephone: (970) 276-5217. <br />• STUDY AREA <br />The Seneca II-West Mine is located approximately 7 miles south of Hayden, Routt County, <br />Colorado and encompasses nearly 6.1 square miles within the mine permit area. The wildlife <br />survey area includes all portions within a 0.5 mile perimeter surrounding the permit area and the <br />two existing access roads extending to the west in Sections 9, 16, and 21 T5N:R88W. <br />Elevations at the Seneca II-West Mine range from 6,780 to 8,338 feet above sea level. The <br />terrain generally slopes upward from west and northwest to east across the permit area, but also <br />includes several drainages that extend from the west as tributaries of Hubberson Gulch. Several <br />rocky ridgelines and moderately high, exposed rock walls are associated with the steeper slopes <br />and drainages. Most of the area is drained by tributaries of Hubberson Gulch and Dry Creek, <br />which flow along the western margin of the permit area, but a small portion also includes a few <br />minor drainages that flow to Sage Creek just beyond the northeast extent of the permit area. <br />Montane shrubland was the predominant native habitat among the higher elevations of the <br />undisturbed portions of the permit area. The shrubland habitats associated with the higher <br />. elevations throughout the majority of the permit area typically consisted of Gambel oak (Quercus <br />2008 Seneca II-West Mine Wildlife Monitoring Page I