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Page 8 Purgatoire River Fish Kill Report 03/24/88 Trout numbers and Long Nosed Dace and Western White Suckers. Only the sample taken of the kill zone resulted in no Brown Trout taken, however, Western White Suckers in the 10"- 12" range were caught. Computer analysis of the electrofish samples were not available at the time of this narrative, but the results will be included as an addendum upon completion by Area 11 Aquatic Biologist, Jim Melby. Population estimates will be based on these figures. On March 15 I was contacted by Chris Jenkins, Channel 13 news correspondent, who arranged an interview and video on March 16. I also spoke to Larry Lopez of the Pueblo Chieftain and gave him an update on the investigation, possible population of 1000 Brown Trout per mile based on Melby's pre- liminary estimates, but again refused speculation on the cause of the kill. On March 16, I met Chris Jenkins, Channel 13 News, in Trinidad and went to the kill site. As with the earlier interview with Channel 11's George Rael, there were no comments or speculation as to the persons responsible for the kill. This was done to ensure proper treatment of the situation if and when legal proceedings were initiated. Both the interviews were videotaped by me and are available for review upon request. I have also included a copy of newspaper articles, of which I am aware, that pertain to the kill or investigation (i.e., Chieftain, Trinidad Chronicle). SUMMARY - CONCLUSIONS - RECOMMENDATIONS: I have attempted to develop a chronological narrative of events surrounding the fish kill. Although I have not received written results of the fish samples or water samples, preliminary indications through verbal communica- tion are that the water samples do indeed have a disastrous effect on trout. (I am confident that the floculant Nalco 8852 is the cause of the kill and was released by the Golden Eagle Mine into settling ponds and subsequently into Ciruela Canyon and the Purgatoire River. Again, however, we need the test results to confirm our suspicions). It is obvious that the Brown Trout population above Ciruela Canyon in the Purgatoire River is excellent, but immediately below the Ciruela effluent we were unable to observe or shock any live Brown Trout. However, as we left the section classified as the kill site we again obtained excellent population samples of Brown Trout and representative numbers and sizes of Western White Suckers and Long Nosed Dace. Throughout the investigation Wyoming Fuel Company has been cooperative and more specifically Senior Mine Engineer Tom Augustine and CORE representative John Bangeman have offered genial assistance. If it is determined that Wyoming Fuel Company was responsible for the kill there seem to be two alternatives for retribution. One possibility is monetary reimbursement at $35.00 per fish as predetermined by the Attorney