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Sage Creek Mine February 2009 <br />• and endangered species and special concern species were conducted within 1.0 mile. Areas of <br />proposed surface disturbing activities included potential portal locations along the mine entrance <br />face in Section 34 T6N:R87W and Sections 2, 3, and 11 T5N:R87W, as well as a transportation <br />corridor in Sections 13, 23 -25, and 36 T5N:R87W and Sections 31 and 32 T5N:R86W. <br />3.0 METHODS <br />Survey methods were consistent with the procedures and schedules required by CDOW (CDOW <br />2008) and the recommendations included in the Colorado Regulatory Requirements under the <br />CDRMS guidelines for fish and wildlife issues. <br />Baseline wildlife monitoring specifically for the Sage Creek Mine was conducted in April and June <br />2008 and January 2009 by qualified biologists, but past surveys for the overlapping Seneca II and <br />Yoast Mines have been conducted nearly every year for all targeted species /taxa since 1996. The <br />supervising biologist (William Vetter) has worked with operating and reclaimed surface coal mines <br />in five states for more than 10 years. Local experience for other staff involved in the studies <br />ranged from 2 to 13 years. Personnel used binoculars and spotting scopes to make observations <br />• and standard field guides and references (Stebbins 1966, Clark and Stromberg 1987, Peterson <br />1990, and Stokes and Stokes 1996) to identify animals and their sign. Species' habitat <br />requirements and availability were considered during all surveys and observations. <br />3.1 Habitat Assessment <br />No formal vegetation delineations were conducted on the Sage Creek Mine study area by ICF <br />Jones & Stokes biologists, but a collection of detailed vegetative data (including an inventory of <br />threatened or endangered plant species) was performed in a separate baseline vegetation <br />assessment. However, in the course of targeted surveys conducted by ICF Jones & Stokes <br />biologists, wildlife habitats within the study area and appropriate survey perimeters were assessed <br />and noted in the field and described only in the general characteristics of each habitat type. All <br />aforementioned survey areas were also evaluated for the presence of any unusual or high value <br />wildlife habitat features. <br />3.2 Big Game Winter Aerial Surveys <br />One big game survey was conducted in late January 2009 specifically for the Sage Creek Mine <br />• study area, and aerial surveys targeting elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), <br />4 <br />