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RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />No pronghorn were observed during the winter aerial big game surveys in January of 2009. <br />Pronghorn have been observed in the area during other wildlife surveys in the spring and summer <br />• seasons suggesting that there may be greater pronghorn use within the big game survey area over an <br />annual period than what was indicated by the January 2009 survey (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and <br />Wildlife Information). However, pronghorn are generally uncommon in the permit area overall due <br />to the elevation and vegetation cover types. <br />Upland Game Birds <br />All known Columbian sharp- tailed grouse and greater sage - grouse leks within one mile of the <br />permit area were monitored in 2008 to gather baseline data for the SCCC permit application. These <br />leks have been monitored annually since 1996 (or since they were first discovered) for the Seneca II <br />and Yoast Mines permit requirements. Surveys for any new grouse leks within one mile of the <br />permit area were also conducted in 2008. These efforts were concentrated in potential lek habitat <br />(level to rolling grasslands and sagebrush- grasslands), and sites where historical grouse <br />observations (including non - displaying grouse) had been documented in past years. For further <br />details on grouse survey methods see Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information. <br />Columbian sharp- tailed grouse — The entire permit area is designated by CDOW as Columbian <br />sharp- tailed grouse winter range and the majority of the permit area as production areas. The <br />PSCM surface disturbance area is designated by CDOW as winter range and production areas <br />(CDOW, 2008a) (Map 2.04.11 -M3, Wildlife Information - Grouse),. The following 10 Columbian <br />sharp- tailed grouse leks are known to occur within one mile of the permit area: <br />• Seneca 1, 2, 3, and 4; <br />• • Yoast Mine Road; <br />• Trousdale (includes Trousdale Satellite); <br />• Fifer; and <br />• Annan's Twentymile 1, 2, and 3. <br />Of these, nine leks occur within the actual SCCC permit area boundary. The Trousdale Satellite lek <br />is located outside the permit boundary. (Map 2.04.11 -M3, Wildlife Information - Grouse). All 10 <br />leks have been monitored annually since 1996 (or since they were first discovered) at both the <br />Seneca II and Yoast Mines. These leks were also monitored in the spring of 2008 to acquire <br />baseline data for preparing the permit. Table 2.04.11 -T1 presents count data on all 10 leks and <br />their historic activity through 2008 (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). <br />Four of the Columbian sharp- tailed grouse leks (Seneca 1, 2, 3, and 4) are located within the <br />reclaimed grasslands associated with the Seneca II Mine and five of the leks (Annan's 1, 2, 3; Fifer; <br />and Trousdale (plus Trousdale Satellite lek) exist within the CRP lands adjacent to the Yoast Mine. <br />The lek locations in the CRP habitat were relatively devoid of any vertical vegetative cover and the <br />grouse were widely scattered throughout the area. The remaining lek ( Yoast Mine Road) is located <br />in a sparse shrubland (primarily sagebrush) habitat (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife <br />Information). <br />• <br />PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -154 6/15/09 <br />