Handbook for reclamation of placer mined stream environments in western Montana

240 Pages·1991·14.8 MB·English

by  United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Montana Office

s
333.73153
M26hrp INTER-FLUVEINC.
1991
RSH8WS, HYtMOlOGT AM KSOUICE ENHAMCEMENT
HANDBOOK FOR RECLAMATION OF
PLACER MINED STREAM ENVIRONMENTS
WESTERN MONTANA
IN
STATE DOCUMENTS COLLECTION
JUL 1 1 200!
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620
25 N WILLSON. SUITE 5 • BOZEMAN MT 59715 • [phone]
1020 WASCO ST SUITE • HOOD RIVER OR 97031 • [phone]
— I
. P O BOX 28147 • LAKEWOOO CO 80228
MONTANASTATELIBRARY
3 0864 0015 5531 0
HANDBOOK FOR RECLAMATION OF
PLACER MINED STREAM ENVIRONMENTS
IN WESTERN MONTANA
Prepared for
US Environmental Protection Agency
Region Vm, Montana Office
Federal Building
301 South Park, Drawer 10096
MT
Helena, 59626-0096
[phone]
March 15, 1991
Submitted By
INTER-FLUVE, Inc
1020 Wasco St., Suite 1 25 N. Willson Ave., Suite 5 P. O. Box 28147
Hood River, OR 97031 Bozeman, MT 59715 Lakewood, CO 80228
[phone] [phone] [phone]
[phone] FAX [phone] FAX [phone] FAX
Digitized by the Internet Archive
2016
in
https://archive.org/details/handbookforrecla1991unit
This report was produced for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), under contract, by Inter-Fluve, Inc. Approval of this report for
publication by EPA does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the
view and policies of the EPA, nor does mention of trade names of
commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table Of Contents
i
List Of Tables v
List Of Figures vi
Acknowledgements v
ii
1.0 Executive Summary 1
2.0 Introduction 2
2.1 Objectives And Scope Of Report. 2
2.2 Handbook Organization 3
3.0 Placer Mining And Reclamation In Montana. 5
3.1 Geographical And Historical Context 5
3.2 State And Federal Oversight 7
3.2.1 Montana Department Of State Lands 7
3.2^ United States Forest Service 8
3.2.3 Bureau Of Land Management 9
3.2.4 County Conservation Districts 9
3.2.5 Montana Department Of Health And
Environmental Services 10
3.2.6 United States Environmental Protection Agency 11
3.2.7 Montana Bureau Of Mines And Geology 11
4.0 Planning For Stream Reclamation 12
.. .*.
5.0 Pre-mining Data Necessary For Effective Stream Reclamation 14
5.1 Introduction2.3 .14
5.2 Assessment Of Channel And Floodplain Condition For Prior
Disturbance 14
5.2.1 Recognition Of Undisturbed Sites. 14
5.2.2 Recognition Of Disturbed Sites 15
5.3 Methods Of Data Collection For Undisturbed Sites .16
5.3.1 Introduction .16
5.3.2 Basic Background Research Needs 17
5.3.2.1 Plan Map Of Site 17
5.3.2.2 Hydrologic Information 17
53 General Channel And Biological
.
Information 18
5.3.3.2.1
5.3.3 Field Data jL,19
5.3.3.1 Determination Of Valley Slope And
Channel Grade 19
5.3.3.2 Evaluation Of Channel Planform 19
Typical Channel Patterns In
Montana
19
i
5.3.3.2.2 Measurement Of Planform
Elements 20
Sinuosity 20
Meanders 22
5.33.23 Valley Cross-Section 22
533.2.4 Channel Geometry 25
Measurement Methods 25
Pool-Riffle Sequences 27
5.3.3.23 Survey Of Channel Substrate 27
Purpose 27
Methodology 30
533.2.6 Survey Of Active Floodplain And
Riparian Area 31
Floodplain Measurement
Methodology 32
Riparian Area Vegetative
Documentation 32
Streamside Cover 32
Distance From The Stream 34
5.3.3.3 Evaluation Of Fisheries And Wildlife 34
5.4 Methods Of Data Collection For Disturbed Sites 36
5.4.1 Introduction 36
.
5.4.2 Methodology 36
.
A
6.0 Utilizing Field Data To Develop Reclamation Plan 38
6.1 Introduction ! 38
6.2 Reclamation Design For Undisturbed Sites 38
6.2.1 Base Planning Maps 38
6.2.2 D6e.s2i3g.n4ation Of Mining Panels 39
6.2.3 Incorporating Field Data Into Reclamation Plan Map 42
6.223.1 Locating Stream Channel On Plan Map 42
2
6.2.3 Valley Slope 42
..,
6.233 Channel Grade 44
Channel Geometry 44
6.233 Channel Substrate Design 44
6.23.6 Vegetation 44
6.3 Reclamation Design Of Previously Disturbed Sites 47
6.3.1 Assessment Of Site Potential 48
6.3.2 Base Plan Map 48
6.3.3 Incorporating Data Into Reclamation Plan Maf 48
6.33.1 Designing Average Valley Grade 48
6.33.2 Designing Channel Grade 49
6.3.33 Location Of Reclaimed Channel 49
6.3.3.4 Designing Channel Geometry 51
6.3.3.4.1 Representative Reach Information
Available 51
6.3.3.4.2 Representative Reach Information
Unavailable 52
6.3.3.5 Designing Channel Substrate 55
6.3.3.6 Designing Floodplains 58
6.3.3.6.1 Representative Reach Information
Available 58
6.3.3.6.2 Representative Reach Information
Unavailable 60
63.3.8 Vegetative Plan 61
6.3.3.7 Designing Around Site Anomalies 62
7.0 Incorporation Of Reclamation Activities With Mining Operations 64
7.1 Introduction 64
7.2 Sequence Of Mining Operation 65
7.2.1 Review Of Operation And Reclamation Goals 65
And
7.2.2 Mobilization Set-up 65
7.2.3 Stream Relocation 66
7.2.4 Siting Of Excavations 66
7.23 Material Handling 67
7.2.6 Material Mixing 70
7.3 Reclamation Of Mining Panel 71
7.3.1 Bringing The Mining Panel To Rough Grade 71
7.3.2 Channel Construction 73
7.3.3 Channel Excavation 73
7.3.4 Backfilling Channel With Substrate 74
7.3.5 Woody Debris Placements 75
7.3.6 Placing Erosion Blanket For Bank Protection 75
7.3.7 Placing Rock Roughness Elements In Riffles 75
7.3.8 Maintaining Designed Channel Grade 78
7.3.9 Channel Bank Revegetation With Willow Plantings 78
7.3.10 Floodplain Rehabilitation ..79
7.3.11 Reclamation Monitoring .80
8.0 Costs Associated With Placer Mining And Reclamation 81
8.1 Introduction 81
8.2 Operator Costs Verses Contractor Costs.. 82
8.3 Establishing Bond Amounts .82
8.4 Pre-mining Reclamation Data Collection And Analysis
Costs 83
8.4.1 Professional Services ..83
8.4.2 Aerial Photographs 84
8.4.3 Field Measurement Tools 84
8.5 Reclamation Design/Permit Acquisition Costs 84
8.6 Mining And Reclamation Costs 85
8.6.1 Site Preparation Costs 86
iii
8.6.2 Rough Grade Costs 86
8.6.3 Finished Grade Costs 89
8.6.3.1 Streams 89
8.6.3.2 Ponds And Wetlands 91
8.7 Revegetation Costs 91
..
8.7.1 Introduction 91
8.7.2 Seed 92
8.7.3 Shrubs And Trees 92
8.7.4 Emergent Vegetation 93
8.7.5 Erosion Control Methods 93
8.8 Monitoring Costs 94
.
8.9 Maintenance And Operation Costs 95
8.10 Total Cost 96
8.11 Sources Of Cost Information 96
Summary
9.0 101
10.0 References Cited.. 102
11.0 Appendixes ..109
Appendix 1 110
Appendix 2 Ill
Appendix 3 112
Appendix 4 113
Appendix 5. 115
Appendix 6 117
Appendix 7
.....119
Appendix 8. 121
Appendix 9 122