2013-04-18_PERMIT FILE - C2009087A (3)

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RULE 2 - PERMITS Results from past surveys of the Seneca II and Yoast Mines indicate that ell; x�ere the most prevalent big game species in the area. BctxNccn 2000 and 2007. biologists recorded an averagc of 416 elk per year and an a\ erage of-44 herds per year in the combined big game Stowey areas for these mines. Total elk numbers \\ere hi�ohest in 2003 when 865 elk were observed and lo«est in 2006 when 185 elk «ere observed. herds ranged in size from two to 79 individuals (Exhibit 2,04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Elk density (the number of individuals per square mile) in the Seneca II and Yoast Mines bit game survey areas varied annually. Between 2000 and 2007. elk density ranged from 3.6 elk per square mile in 2006 to 16.9 In 2003. Similar variability has been noted over the entire surve)' period (1994 to 2007). In general_ more elk have been recorded in the Seneca II Mine area than in the Yoast Mine area. The largest concentrations of Rinter►ng elk have typically been recorded along moderately hiuh ridgelines and associated stands of mountain brush in the east and northeast portions of the PSCM bia game survey area. Feuer. but fairly regular observations of elk have also been documented \�ithin the higher- foothills at the southwest margin of the PSCM permit area (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1. Fish and Wildlife Information). A total of 435 elk in 88 herds were documented during the January 2009 PSCM big game survey. The number of elk per observation ranged from one to 36 animals and averaged 4.9 individuals. The overall density of 5.2 elk per mile for the PSCM big game survey area was slightly lower than the last completed survey for the Seneca II and Yoast Mines in 2007, and lower than the average density between 2000 and 2007 (8.1 elk per mile). The density of big game in the survey area may not be directly comparable to the previous study results due to the greater amount of marginal elk winter habitat (low- clevation (,rasslands) in the PSCM big game survev area Figure 2.04.11 -F1 shows the elk winter big game densities from 2000 to 2009 (Exhibit 2.04.11 -E1, Fish and Wildlife Information). Midterm Review 2.04 -151 Revision 04/2013