﻿area censused included: the entire Kootenai River and its shorelines from 

 50 m (164 ft) below the proposed dam outlet to the upper end of the proposed 

 reservoir; the land that would be inundated by the dam at a forebay elevation 

 of 610m (2,000 ft); the land that would be affected by railroad relocation; 

 and all remaining land between U.S. Highway 2 and the Kootenai River (see 

 Appendix B) . The entire area was censused for three consecutive days during 

 each month of October 1980, and January, April, June, and August 1981, 

 following the instructions outlined in the baseline report (DNRC 1979, 

 appendix F) . 



Bald Eagle Survey 



The Kootenai River between Libby and Troy was surveyed for bald eagles on 

 January 7, 8, and 9, 1981 (1 count each day) following the methods of Meyer 

 (1979). Surveys were made from U.S. Highway 2. Bald eagles seen during 

 project area wildlife censuses and other monitoring field work also were 

 recorded . 



Harlequin Duck Special Studies 



In addition to surveys made during project area wildlife censuses, 

 special searches of the Kootenai Falls area for harlequin ducks were 

 conducted each study day in June and August. In June, emphasis was placed on 

 determining the total harlequin duck population and the number of pairs 

 present in the project area; in August, emphasis was placed on locating 

 broods . 



Bighorn Sheep Studies 



During the study period, several different methods were used to gather 

 information on bighorn sheep, as described below. 



Bighorn sheep were observed from strategic viewpoints along U.S. Highway 

 2 during each of the five survey field trips (table 1). In October and 

 January, the cliffs north of the Kootenai River between Libby and Troy were 

 surveyed with a spotting scope. Beginning in April, this method was modified 

 to include only the project area and the area within one mile (upstream) of 

 the project area. Researchers also followed a more controlled observation 

 schedule. These changes were suggested in the first annual report (DNRC 1981). 

 During each survey, the north bank of the river was searched for 10 minutes from 

 each of 10 observation points along U.S. Highway 2. Six such surveys were 

 performed in April, three in June, and three in August. Observations of 

 bighorn sheep made during these surveys, as well as those made in conjunction 

 with other field work, were recorded on maps and standard data sheets. 

 Observations of deer were also recorded. In April, the Sheppard Meadows 

 (DNRC 1981) were searched for tracks or other evidence of bighorn sheep use. 



Amphibian and Reptile Search 



During April, June, and August, at least four hours each month were spent 

 searching likely habitat in the project area for amphibians and reptiles. 



