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5. The D01: representative observed numerous dead gamefish (primarily <br />brown trout) in the Pur ga Loire 'r:iv er from a poinC downs u-eam of [he Ciruela <br />Canyon confluence. Cend fish were observed for a distance of. approsima[ely 2 <br />miles downstream. <br />6. On March 7, 1988, the DOW representative returned to the vicinity <br />of the mine. The representative observed the river upstream of the confluence <br />with~Ciruela Canyon and found one dead [rout. This [rout appeared to have <br />been dead for a longer period of time than the trout wliSch were examined below <br />Clio confluence, based on observations of the eyes of tl~e fish. No other dead <br />fish were observed upstream of the confluence on March 7, 1988. <br />7. Aquatic biomonitoring tests were run at F.PA laboratories on the <br />samples described in paragraph 4 above. She eftluent sample associated with <br />002 and Clio sample taken downs [ream of 002 were found to be acutely toxic, <br />that is, lethal to greater than SOY, of the test organisms. The upstream <br />sample did not exhibit toxicity in the biomonitoring tests. <br />8. On NarcF. 6, 1988, a representative of the Division inspected Clio <br />site and observed dead fish in the Purgatoire ,liver below the Ciruela Canyon <br />confluence and observed no dead fish in the river zbove the confluence. <br />9. On March 11, 1988, the Division representative again inspected <br />the site and observed that fish were still dying in the river below the <br />Ciruela Canyon confluence. The Division representative along with the DO F' <br />representative collected samples at discharge point 002, and in the river, <br />both upstream and downstream of [he confluence. <br />10. Aquatic biomonitoring tests were run on the samples collected on <br />19arch 11, 1988 and described in paragraph 9 above. The sample collected at <br />outfall 002 was found to be acutely toxic. The upstream sample showed r.o <br />[o xici.ty. <br />11. According to a letter from the company dated March 10, 1988, in <br />an effort to control the levels of suspended solids in the minewater <br />discharge, the company has been adding flocculants to the wastewater, for <br />several months, to aid in settling out of the suspended material prior to <br />discharge. <br />12. At least one of the flocculants used by the company is toxic to <br />trout at certain concentrations. For example, the flocculant Nalco 8852 is <br />lethal to 50% of rainbow trout in 96 hours a[ a concentration of 0.47 par [s <br />per million. The Division of Wildlife believes that brown trout would behave <br />similarly. <br />-2- <br />