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Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

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Tailings Pile Slope Stability<br />

Maintenance Yard<br />

comparison to reference reaches of RC-7, located adjacent to tailings pile 2, and at RC-5,<br />

located approximately one-half mile downstream of the Site. Macroinvertebrate counts<br />

were lower than reference reach counts from the Site to the mouth of Railroad Creek, but<br />

increased with distance from the Site. However, the presence of unique species of filter<br />

feeder aquatic insects in the affected reaches of Railroad Creek suggests that the dissolved<br />

metals are not the cause of the reduced macroinvertebrate populations. The reduction in<br />

benthic macroinvertebrates and fish populations ,adjacent to the site appears to be<br />

principally from physical effects of iron flocculent in the stream. In addition, bioassays<br />

completed by Ecology using Cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia), a sensitive filter feeder, and<br />

water from Railroad Creek above and below the tailings piles, RC-10 and RC-3 indicated<br />

no adverse effects.<br />

The fish populations at the RC-10 sampling station approximately three miles downstream<br />

of the Site are within the range of values collected at the control or reference sites. Young<br />

fish were observed at this station.<br />

Based on the results of slope stability analyses, the tailings' pile slopes facing Railroad<br />

Creek are relatively stable under static conditions. However, the tailings could .be released<br />

to Railroad Creek in the event of a moderate earthquake. Only the slopes steeper than<br />

approximately 34 degrees appear to be at risk. The maximum depth of a failure has been<br />

estimated to be 15 feet. The failure of a slope would likely result in the delivery of tailings<br />

material to Railroad Creek.<br />

The base of the tailings piles is at increased risk over time of erosion during storm events<br />

due to the continued breakdown and insufficient size of some of the riprap streambank<br />

protection. The erosion of the toes of the piles during a major storm event may result in the<br />

delivery of tailings materials to the creek.<br />

The surface soil within the maintenance yard area exceeds MTCA levels for arsenic,<br />

cadmium, copper, iron, lead, and total petroleum hydrocarbons.<br />

, . .The subsurface soil within the maintenance yard area exceeds current MTCA levels for<br />

total petroleum hydrocarbons only.<br />

Lagoon Soils<br />

The surface soil within the lagoon exceeds levels for total petroleum hydrocarbons; the<br />

subsurface soil exceed MTCA levels for cadmium, copper, lead, and total petroleum<br />

hydrocarbons.<br />

The following scope.of work has been identified by the Agencies as a data need which will require<br />

additional sampling and analysis:<br />

G:\WPDATA\OOS\REPORTSWOLDEN-2WXECUTIVE<br />

SUMMARY.doc<br />

17693-005019Vuly 28, <strong>1999</strong>;12:16 PM,DRAFT FMAL RI REPORT ES- 14<br />

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