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Project Experience <br /> The following is a list of projects that NRM has worked on: <br /> USFWS Baseline Ecosystem Evaluation: the CMC NRM was tasked to <br /> reconstruct the baseline ecosystem status of the Leadville and 11-mile reach <br /> component of the Arkansas River. The baseline status that we were trying to <br /> reconstruct was during a time period prior to mining disturbance (pre 1880s). <br /> Very little written records were kept for that time period, so a myriad of data <br /> collection efforts had to be relied upon. These included 1) interviews with area <br /> residents who have knowledge of the history of the area, 2) review and <br /> evaluation of any literature sources, and 3) review and evaluation of historic <br /> photographs. Since written and photographic records were lacking, inferential <br /> methods were also used such as extrapolating the possible vegetative <br /> assemblage based upon soils conditions, or also be the comparable watershed <br /> (background comparison) method. The results of this effort are being used to <br /> determine suitable natural resource management goals required for the <br /> contaminated waste site cleanup designs <br /> California Gulch Watershed Site-Wide water quality investigation: for <br /> approximately 17 years, the US EPA has undergone significant efforts to <br /> construct watershed-scale remediation efforts within the California Gulch <br /> Superfund Site. Currently, the site is within the later stages of closure. Thus, to <br /> test the efficacy of the remediation efforts, the students have been tasked to <br /> monitor water quality conditions throughout the watershed. Sampling efforts <br /> were designed in order to characterize water quality and metals loading during <br /> snowmelt runoff, precipitation events, through synoptic evaluation, and through <br /> point/non-point source sampling. As part of this effort, the NRM has constructed <br /> a comprehensive data tracking database for a) all the samples, the associated <br /> water quality, site photos, site maps, and sample tracking and shipping <br /> information, and b) for the analytical data that corresponds to the collected <br /> samples. The database allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the watershed <br /> and is made available through the NRM web page. This enables the EPA, their <br /> contractors and other regulators to access the information on a real-time basis. <br /> This project is ongoing, with a start date of May, 2000. Point of <br /> Evans Gulch Watershed water quality investigation: this effort encompassed <br /> three components of a) an evaluation of existing analytical data gathered from <br /> previous synoptic and precipitation event surface water sampling efforts in order <br /> to identify all existing point and non-point sources of metals loading to the <br /> receiving drainages within the Evans Creek watershed system, b) to develop a <br /> comprehensive surface water and sediment sampling program in order to <br /> definitively delineate the point and non-point sources of pollution to the <br /> watershed, and c) to provide professional consultation regarding the rerouting of <br /> contaminated water conveyance systems, the design of settling basins, the <br /> placement of diversion canals and structures so as to eliminate the point and <br />