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interest is the use of the area by big game, upland game birds, and raptors. The Colorado Division of <br />• Wildlife (CDOW) has identified the general vicnity of the permit area as a production area and winter range <br />for mule deer and elk. The region has also been designated as general distribution areas for sage grouse <br />and sharp-tailed grouse. Raptors, including golden eagles, are also present in the area. Other important <br />species in the region include sandhi!! cranes. Wildlife studies and spades observed on the Senece II permit <br />area are detailed in Tab 11, Wildlife Survey, as well as the annual wildlife monitoring reports. <br />Elk use in the area, very common dudng the winter months and in the spdng during green-up of herbaceous <br />species, is year-round. Aedal censusing of big game has been concluded since the mid-1980s and results <br />an: presented in annual wildlife monitoring reports for the Seneca II Mine. Large herds of elk and lessor <br />numbers of mule deer are present on reclaimed areas dudng the winter months. Mule deer are also <br />common on the permit area throughout the year. EIk calving may oaxkr in area aspen stands, particularly in <br />larger aspen stands just off the permit area. <br />Upland game birds are not common on the permit area, with primarity sharp tail grouse being sighted. <br />Raptors, on the other hand, are faidy common over the area, with golden eagles being of particular interest. <br />Golden eagle nests are located north, west, and south of the permit area. These birds have been observed <br />hunting over recaimed lands. Other common raptors observed on reclaimed areas include red-tailed <br />hawks, marsh hawks, and turkey vultures. <br />• Thus, the Seneca II permit area provides a variety of habitat for many wildlife species common to <br />northwestern Colorado. Studies and observations indicate util'vation of the area by big game and other <br />wildlife species is common throughout the year. F~khibft i3-6 illustrates the continuum of available <br />vegetation communities and habitat types from the permit area disturbance boundary to one-half mile out <br />from this boundary. <br />Postminino Land Use <br />The revegetatton plan has been developed to achieve a primary postmining land use of I'rvestodk grazing <br />and a secondary use of wildlife habitat. It will also aid in landform stability and mitigate impacts to <br />vegetation resources. Furthermore, this plan is designed to meet DMG Rules and Regulations that state: <br />"All areas affected by surface coal mining operations shall be restored in a timely manner: (1) to conditions <br />that are capable of supporting the uses which they were capable of supporting before any mining; or (2) to <br />higher or better uses .. "(4.16.1(1),(2). While mitigation of impacts to vegetation resources will be facilitated <br />by application of best current technology, limitations are to be expelled because of the inherent lengthy <br />successional time frames and ecological characteristics associated with regional native vegetation. <br />Reaimed areas will be dominated intially with herbaceous vegetation that will benefit livestock grazing and <br />wildlife habitat. After careful consideration of wildlife habitat needs in the area, observations of wildlife use <br />on reclaimed areas, and how the postmine reclaimed landscape and plant communities would integrate wtth <br />• the undisturbed land forms, vegetation communities, and habitat surrounding the permit area, it is estimated <br />this should not result in significant impacts. Again, successional time frames and the required land form <br />stabilization practices play important roles in the type of vegetation initially established on the reclaimed <br />TR-37 13-3 Revised 04!05 <br />