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<br />12 <br />Ci <br />Iron levels have risen significantly both upstream and downstream on Mine No. 2 in the post- <br />reclamation data. Downstream (Site 1002) data aze impacted by mine dewatering from the Foidel <br />Creek underground mine at the Fish Creek Borehole, so conclusions relating this increased iron <br />concentration aze difficult to sepazate from contributions associated with the underground mine's <br />dewatering discharges. PH levels have remained relatively consistent both upstream and <br />downstream, pre- and post mining, so the increased iron levels have not created an acid mine <br />dischazge condition. Manganese levels have increased both upstream and downstream of Mine No. 2 <br />in the post-mining data. However, these increased levels do not present a significant degree of <br />concern. <br />There aze no groundwater monitoring wells in the Mine No. 2 area that have been completed in the <br />Fish Creek aquifer. No groundwater inflows were encountered during the Mine No. 2 operations, so <br />no groundwater monitoring was conducted. <br />PHASE III <br />Vegetation data was collected in 1995 and 1996 for determination of vegetation success (4.15.7(5)). <br />Data collected in 1995 has previously been discussed in the Phase II success section of this findings <br />document. Data from 1996 reference area vegetative cover was measured at 40.2 %. Ninety percent <br />of 40.2 equals 36.18. This value does not include annual and biennial species,"undesirable forbs", or <br />noxious weeds. Vegetative cover in the East Block was measured in 1996 at 43.24 %. Vegetative <br />cover measured in the West Block in 1996 was 43.06 %. These values do not include annual and <br />biennial species,"undesirable forbs", or noxious weeds. Both the 1996 East and West Block <br />vegetative cover values exceed that of the 1996 pasture reference area. Both East and West Block <br />meet the cover standard for both 1995 and 1996. <br />Production data was collected in June 1995 and June 1996. Biomass was measured on the reference <br />area and the reclaimed Blocks as concurrently during the growing season as practicable. Production <br />was clipped within a'/< meter= quadrat, oven dried and weighed. Biomass values aze based upon <br />current yeaz's live vegetative growth as required by Rule 4.15.8(4)(b). The herbaceous production <br />measured on the pasture reference area in 1995 was 31.44 g/'/.M'- (1136 lbs./acre). Production on the <br />East Block in 1995 exceeded that of the reference area at 43.44 g/'/.M'- (1569 lbs./acre). Production <br />on the West Block in 1995 was measured at 29.26 g/'/.M'- (10571bs./acre). Production of the West <br />Block in 1995 is within ninety percent of the reference azea standazd with a 90% degree of confidence <br />(Rule 4.15.8(3)(a)). Production was measured in the pasture reference area on two occasions in 1996 <br />to coincide with the timing of sampling of each of the bond release blocks. Biomass measured from <br />June 5-6, 1996 coincides with sampling of the West Block, with a result of 23.15 g/'/<M- (836 <br />Ibs/acre). Reference area biomass measured during June 18, 1996 coincides with sampling <br />performed in the East Block, with a value of 30.18 g/'/.M'- (1090 Ibs./acre). Both bond release blocks <br />exceeded the production of the applicable sampling event of the reference area. The West Block <br />biomass measured 30.89 g/%M'- (1 116 Ibs./acre), while the East Block measured at 34.58 g/''/<M' <br />(124916s./acre). Productivity met the required standard for both bond release blocks for both 1995 <br />and 1996. <br />