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I I I: I I I I I I I I I I 1 I 1 I I I metals (cadmium, mercury, selenium, copper, and zinc). Some of these metals are not directly related to the metals of concern from the mine clean up. Some metals were not consistently sampled and tested throughout the study. The objective of testing fish for metal content was not clear; it could have been to assess the bioaccumulation potential or to determine if growth or reproduction could be impaired. No report was developed in an attempt to interpret the fish tissue and whole body data. In the future a more structured and scientific fish study should be performed once the remedial actions are initiated to prevent untreated water from being released at the Summitville Mine. The study should be more quantitative in nature and have real long term objectives. A future study could address the following: 1) population studies, 2) age class analysis, 3) metal concentrations for bio-accumulation, 4) potential risks to humans ingesting fish, and 5) determine conditions when or if a put and take fishery is viable. One action that may have caused significant aquatic impacts to the Alamosa River is the draining of Terrace Reservoir in August 2003. It has been known for several years that the water being discharged from Terrace Reservoir does not meet water quality standards for copper. It has also been known that the sediments in Terrace Reservoir contain high concentrations of heavy metals and probably contribute to metal concentrations in the overlying water column. Based upon personal conversations with local residents and CDPHE representatives, the draining of Terrace Reservoir caused large amounts of sediments and water to be released downstream. It is very possible that high concentrations of heavy metals in the water were released that exceeded water quality standards and were toxic to aquatic organisms living downstream in the river. The reach downstream of Terrace Reservoir to Gunbarrel Road was identified as having stream channel and stream bank erosion problems. It is likely that this release may impact the already compromised physical integrity of the river. A plan should have been developed by Terrace Irrigation Company that would have monitored the effects of the water release downstream. The release of the reservoir water and sediments could have been managed and controlled based upon downstream observation and monitoring. This plan should have been developed by the reservoir owners, reviewed, and approved by the CDPHE Water Quality Control Division officials before discharging water. Perhaps a better public education program is needed to inform stakeholders about their environmental challenges in the watershed, and the risks and liabilities regarding direct environmental of impacts to the river. Future actions taken by the reservoir owners should consider this recommendation. The Summitville Mine CERCLA Project that was managed by CDPHE and EPA did not directly include Terrace Reservoir as part of the remediation or clean up area (i.e. not part of an offsite Operable Unit). The Summitville Mine Project considers the sediment and heavy metal loading impacts to Terrace Reservoir as a natural resource damage and therefore is not covered under CERCLA. Thus significant funding will not be available to remediate the environmental impacts to the reservoir. Almost all of the remedial alternatives to improve Terrace Reservoir (sediment excavation/disposal, capping) will be very expensive to implement by the watershed using Natural Resource Damage funds. Representatives from the watershed need to maintain an active interest in the Summitville Mine Clean Up operations, especially the levels of water treatrn~nt. This represents the only real viable control mechanism for water quality improvement in the reservoir. 9