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Granite Mining Environmental Impact Statement 

Fish and Aquatic Habitat 

Biological Assessment for Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests

Photo Above: A historic non-operational mill site located on the Lucky Strike mine claim. This is a lode 

and placer claim located in the Upper Clear Creek watershed along the headwaters of Lightning Creek. 

Allison Johnson

Tracii L.Hickman

Umatilla National Forest

North Fork John Day Ranger District

August 27, 2014

Updated September 15, 2015

Updated November 20, 2015
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Table of Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3

Project Area and Action Area ..........................................................................................................4

Proposed Action...............................................................................................................................7

Water Quality Best Management Practices/Protection Measures/Monitoring ..............................38

Status of the Species......................................................................................................................49

Environmental Baseline.................................................................................................................53

Analysis of Effects.........................................................................................................................61

Cumulative Effects.........................................................................................................................71

Critical Habitat...............................................................................................................................76

Determination of Effects................................................................................................................77

References......................................................................................................................................81

Appendix E Pacific Salmon and Bull Trout Critical Habitat and PCE’s.......................................... 83
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Introduction

This Biological Assessment (BA) documents the potential effects of the Granite Mining Project on

Middle Columbia River steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss, bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and their 

designated critical habitat (CH). These species are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species 

Act (Table 1). 

The Granite Mining BA was prepared in accordance with the following guidance and direction:

• Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended),

• 50 CFR § 402.12 (Interagency Cooperation, Biological Assessments),

• Endangered Species Consultation Handbook (USFWS and NMFS, March 1998),

• Streamlined Consultation Procedures for Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (FS, NMFS, BLM & 

USFWS 1999).

Table 1. ESA listed species included in the Granite Mining BA.

Species Listing Status, 

Date and Reference

Critical Habitat 

Listing Date and Reference

Middle Columbia River 

Steelhead

Threatened

3/25/1999 (71FR834)

1/5/06 (71FR834)

8/5/11 (76FR50448)

Designated

9/2/2005 

(70FR52630)

Middle Columbia River 

Bull Trout

Threatened

6/10/1998 (63 FR 31647)

Designated

10/18/2010 

(75FR 63698)

Terminology

Some key terms are listed below as they apply to the Granite Mining project. A more extensive list of 

mining definitions is found in Appendix C of the September 15, 2015 document.

Lode mining – Removing a mineral deposit in consolidated rock. The minerals are contained in the original 

bedrock, and must be removed from the surrounding rock by mechanical means. In the Granite Mining 

project only exisiting adits (horizontal mine entrances) will be re-opened for lode mining.

Placer mining - the mining of stream sand, rock and gravel deposits for minerals, or discrete grains called “placers”. 

The placers usually were moved by stream flow from an original source such as a vein. 

Suction dredge mining – use of a machine to remove material from the bottom of a body of water via suction. 

Materials are subsequently processed to find precious minerals.
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Project Area and Action Area

The analysis area within the North Fork John Day (NFJD) basin in the Granite Creek Watershed 

(1707020202) encompasses 94,526 acres in North Eastern Oregon of lands managed by the US Forest 

Service, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (40,878 acres) (WWNF) and Umatilla National Forest 

(49,262) (UNF) and includes 3,239 acres of private land (Figure 1 and Table 2). There is approximately 

25,000 acres of NFJD Wilderness, mostly on the Umatilla National Forest in the Granite Watershed. The 

Project area sub-watersheds include Bull Run Creek, Lower Granite Creek, Upper Granite Creek, Beaver 

Creek, and Clear Creek. There is no proposed activity in the Lake Creek subwatershed and Lake Creek 

watershed will not be further discussed in the analysis.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that potential effects to listed and proposed threatened and 

endangered species and Designated Critical Habitat (DCH) be evaluated in relation to the extent in which 

an area is influenced by the proposed action and project area. The action area is defined as all areas to be 

affected directly or indirectly by the federal action, including areas outside the immediate area involved in 

the action (50 Code of Federal Regulations 402-02). For purposes of this consultation, as described in the 

effects section, the project area and action area are the same. 

Table 2. Subwatersheds within the Granite Mining Project Area

Subwatershed HUC 6 

Ownership

In Acres Total Acres

UNF WWNF Other

Beaver Cr. 170702020203 15 12,104 958 13,077

Bull Run Cr. 170702020202 0 18,765 634 19,399

Clear Cr. 170702020204 17,682 1,561 1,224 20,467

Lake Cr. 170702020205 11,884 0 54 11,938

Lower Granite Cr. 170702020206 17,954 1,055 1,273 20,282

Upper Granite Cr. 170702020201 2,003 7,138 172 9,313

Total 49,538 40,623 4,315 94,476

Prior to Forest Service authorization, all activities proposed in the Granite Mining EIS must have any 

required State of Oregon permits and must be in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

Oregon DEQ and DSL may require one or more of the following:

• General Permit (600 permit) – to operate off-stream placer mining that may generate wastewater

• Individual Permit – required if operation does not fit General Permit

• 401 certification – if operation “may result in any discharge into the navigable waters”,... “the mining 

operator must give a copy of this 401 certification to the Forest Service prior to the Agency approving the 

Plan of Operations” (FSM 2817.23a - Compliance With the Clean Water Act)

Forest Service Manual 2817.23a - Compliance with the Clean Water Act

All newly approved Plans of Operations for mining operations on National Forest System lands must comply with 

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C §§ 1251-1387 (Clean Water Act or CWA). Proposed 

mining activities, which can reasonably be expected to result in any discharges into waters of the United States are 

subject to compliance with CWA Sections 401, 402, and/or 404 as applicable.
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Figure 1. Project Area. 
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Figure 1a. (“Map 4”) Granite Mining Project major streams, ESA critical habitat, 303d listed streams and location of proposed Plans of Operations
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Proposed Action

Plans of Operations (Plans) are submitted by private citizens proposing mining activities on federal lands. 

The Proposed Action is to authorize all of the Plans listed in this document. Each Plan is summarized 

and highlights the following key steps in the mining process:

• How the operator will access their Plan/claim (i.e. existing road, and if needed how would a operator cross 

a stream)

• How the operator will remove material (i.e. with an excavator, by hand)

• How and where the operator will process material (i.e. on site with a trammel or sluice box)

• How water will be used in processing material (i.e. existing pond using recycled pond water)

Following each summary, the Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements highlight the site-specific 

protection measures and General Requirements developed for water and fish protection. Plan summaries 

include a no activity Plan-specific stream buffer for mining-related activities (G15). These buffers were 

proposed by the miners, and the project hydrologist mapped the buffer based on establishing the ordinary 

high water mark. Additional General and site-specific measures may apply to each Plan depending on 

other resource needs for soil, roads, etc. For the complete wording and listing of all General

Requirements and Site-Specific Protection measures which may be applicable to all Plans see page 42.

Detailed site maps of the Plans are located in Appendix A of this Biological Assessment. Official copies 

of Plans are filed on the appropriate Ranger District and electronic and paper copies are available. 

Proposed operating period for all operations is June 1st to October 31st. Definitions of mining activities, 

equipment and terminology are found in Appendix C of this Biological Assessment.

The Granite Mining EIS will be valid for ten years. 

Oregon Senate Bill 838

In 2013 the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 838, which implemented a moratorium in Essential 

Salmon Habitat in January 2016 in the following situations:

• motorized mining in streams (such as suction dredging), and

• in upland areas within 100 yards of these streams if the mining results in the removal or 

disturbance of vegetation in a manner that may affect water quality. 

The State moratorium is in effect until 2021, or until the Oregon State legislature changes the law. The 

Granite Mining FEIS will extend beyond the 2021 moratorium. The Forest Service, in order to ensure 

consistency with Section 402 of the Clean Water Act, has determined Plans proposing suction dredging in 

Essential Salmon Habitat streams and 303d streams listed for sediment will not be approved until the 

moratorium on suction dredging is lifted, or until an amended Plan is submitted to the Forest Service that 

excludes the proposed suction dredging. Should the moratorium on suction dredging in the State of 

Stream buffers adequate to prevent introduction of sediment to streams (General Requirement G-12 

and G-15) are established and mapped for each Plan. These mapped stream buffers will help inform 

compliance in the future when the State of Oregon DEQ clarifies definitions for removal or 

disturbance of streamside vegetation that impacts water quality as required under SB 838.
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Oregon be lifted the Forest Service would re-initiate ESA Section 7 consultation for that activity as 

appropriate.

Fisheries Protection Measures

Protection of fish habitat and fish is embedded in PACFISH/INFISH (1995) (goals, MM1-MM6 and 

Riparian Management Objectives) WWNF and UNF Forest Plans, Oregon Department of State Lands 

(DSL) permit, Forest Service site-specific Water Resource Protection Measures (WRPMs ), General 

Requirements (as applicable), and site-specific Fish Protection Measures as described below. Each Plan 

is consistent with, and incorporates the above described regulations and policy. Water quality and fish 

protection measures are designed together to protect aquatic resources.

All actions described below re-work areas previously disturbed over the past 100 years or so by placer 

and lode mining activities (see Environmental Baseline). Mining is proposed in many areas where 

hydraulic hoses blasted hillsides to loosen material for processing, or large dredges excavated streambeds. 

To assist the reader, each Plan Title includes the closest stream name and the general proximity of each 

Plan to ESA listed fish or designated critical habitat. Plan specific stream buffers (see General 

Requirement 15) are included in the description, as are stream crossings limits as identified by miners.

ALTONA (Placer) – Quartz Gulch, steelhead DCH 1 mile, Bull Trout DCH > 5 miles

This is a proposed placer operation that plans to extend an old skid trail to access the old dredge tailings 

and potential adit along the creek. Quartz Gulch was mined previously and high mounds of tailings are 

present. Gravel will be tested along the high banks in the riparian area, but work will not be conducted 

within a 20 ft. stream buffer. Only one test hole (20’x20’x10’ ft.) will be open at any time over the plan 

area of an estimated 5 acres. Two small processing ponds (10’x20’x10’ft.) will be constructed near the 

portal of the collapsed adit. Adit water will be gravity fed through a pipe into the ponds, and recycled. 

Equipment used: Backhoe will be used in testing and a wash plant will recycle water at the rate of 

approximately 150 GPM and a pick-up will haul material.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Measurement of the buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in slope of the 

side channel. 

2. Put straw bales/coils on the valley floor between the activity site and the creek (side channel).

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected
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G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Olive Creek 

L3, 8, 11: These require water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12 General Lode requirements that address water use and protection.

BELVADEAR (Placer) - steelhead DCH 20 feet, Bull Trout DCH > 5 miles

This is a proposed placer operation that plans to use an existing (open) road to access the old tailings 

along Olive Creek. There will be a 20 ft stream buffer between Olive Creek and area of activity. Test 

areas will be in 1⁄4 acre size and will be worked and reclaimed in an ongoing manner. Total area of 

disturbance will be 3 acres in size. Small diameter lodgepole and other riparian vegetation will be 

removed from the activity area, outside the 20 foot stream buffer, within the riparian habitat conservation 

area (RHCA). Water from a spring and Olive Creek will be used under an existing water right to process 

the material in a small 2-4 yard per hour trommel. All processing water will be recycled on site. One 

existing pond (20’x30’x5’) has been constructed. The operator claims a shared water right of 4 cfs for 

Olive Creek. Equipment used: Cat backhoe, John Deere Crawler, trackhoe, 2-4 yd trommel, water pump 

(10 hp-3”), air compressor, gold spinners, highbankers, pick-up truck, 3-5 yd dump trucks. 

Springs are the primary water source for the pond. Water is recycled in the ponds during mining 

operations. As proposed in the Plan, pond water may be supplemented with water withdrawn from Olive 

Creek to account for losses from evaporation and seepage. Based on the size of the pond and type of 

mining proposed, it is expected water withdrawals will occur once every one to two weeks during the 

operating season (Chris Helberg personal communication). 

Conclusions: Proposed mine activity will not be approved by the FS until the miner has received a 401 

certification from ODEQ and DSL because no protection measures could be determined to prevent a 

discharge.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

No Water Resources Protection Measures could be identified that would prevent a discharge of sediment into Olive 

Creek given the location of the proposed mining in the riparian area. 

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed
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G23: Identifies characteristics of pumps that can be use when drafting water from a creek to minimize potential for 

impacts to fish.

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Olive Creek

W1 – 3: Requirements for working in wetlands and floodplains

BLUE SKY/ BULL RUN (Placer) – Bull Run Creek steelhead DCH 30 feet, Bull Trout DCH 30 feet

Blue Sky is a proposed placer operation with test sites at four different locations and Bull Run contains 

two identified test sites. Each activity site is no larger than 1/5 acre and will be mined by digging and 

filling a trench 20 feet wide and 11 feet deep. A 30 foot stream buffer will be maintained throughout the 

claim and each test hole will be reclaimed before moving to the next test site. Operator will use three 

existing ponds (5’x10’x5’) to control overflow from the main processing pond (pond #6). Up to 5 cubic 

yds of material will be hauled daily from excavations sites to the processing site. Use of the existing ford

on Bull Run Creek on a non-system Forest Service road off Forest Road 7300 by heavy machinery would 

not exceed 4 trips per season for access and repairs. There is daily use of pickups for hauling 

material. Gravel will be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. This nonsystem road is used by the public to access dispersed campsites (a WWNF access and travel management 

plan has not been completed) (see map of Blue Sky – Bull Run 1 of 3 road E4A). Some small diameter 

lodgepole and other riparian vegetation may be removed from the worksite. Equipment used: Washing 

plant, trommel, highbankers, water pump, auger, backhoe, ATV and pickup trucks.

Conclusions: A 401 certification from ODEQ and DSL must be obtained before receiving FS approval 

before commencing with site activity at Blue Sky site #3 because there is the potential for a discharge.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Processing site

None needed

Blue Sky Bull Run (Blue Sky site #1)

None needed.

Blue Sky Bull Run (Blue Sky site #2)

Place straw bales/coils along the low berm that separates the activity site from Swamp Creek to increase the 

effectiveness of the low berm.

Blue Sky Bull Run (Blue Sky site #3)

1. Measurement of the buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in slope of 

the side channel . 

2. Put straw bales/coils on the valley floor between the activity site and the creek [side channel]

3. The test hole must be filled in at the end of each season and the disturbed area seeded and covered with 

straw.
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4. Straw bales will be staked on the valley floor where the mining occurred in a pattern to disperse stream 

flows during spring high flows and prevent concentrated flows that could erode the disturbed area. 

Blue Sky Bull Run (Blue Sky site #4)

1. Measurement of the buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in slope.

2. Use straw bales to prevent sediment transport to Bull Run Creek. 

Blue Sky Bull Run (Bull Run site #1)

1. Measurement of the 30 foot buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in 

slope.

2. Miner’s protection measure related to straw bales applies to this site because site is adjacent to Bull Run 

Creek. 

Blue Sky Bull Run (Bull Run site #2)

1. Measurement of the buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in slope.

2. Miner’s protection measure related to straw bales applies to this site because site is adjacent to Bull Run 

Creek (G4 and G12). 

3. Location of a proposed 7375-M1b two-track road through the forest would be determined with input from 

the Forest Service (see map in Appendix A and temporary road discussion above for more information).

Ford

There is a ford on the intermittent, non-fish bearing portion of Swamp Creek, rock and slope ford approaches.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and/or Fish Resources

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Bull Run Creek

W1 – 3: Requirements for working in wetlands and floodplains

BLUE SMOKE (Placer) Granite Creek - steelhead DCH > 300 feet, Bull Trout DCH > 300 feet

This is a proposed placer operation with access to the activity area via County Road (CR) 24 and an 

existing powerline road. There are three proposed excavation sites and one processing site 

(approximately 1.75 acres). Test holes will be 20’x25’x10’ with each test hole being reclaimed before 

moving on to the next. Excavation will be in the high bank north of the powerline road with CR 24 

separating activity area from Granite Creek. There are three existing ponds; Pond #2 will be used to 

supply water to the processing site. A dry pond will be deepened and widened to create a settling pond, 

and if needed a third pond will be used as overflow to ensure no sediment is mobilized via surface or 
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subsurface flow. Equipment used: Highbanker, small trommel, water pump, backhoe, dozer, ATV and 5 

yard dump truck. 

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measure

Processing site

Miner will maintain the existing difference in water surface elevations between processing pond and the overflow 

settling pond (Pond #3) to prevent a change in the gradient of the subsurface water as it moves through the fill. 

Blue Smoke sites 1, 2, and 3

None needed

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

BUNCH BUCKET (Placer) Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 150 feet, Bull Trout DCH 150 feet

This proposed placer operation will use existing roads and a pond. Two sites will be mined with a series 

of 4 trenches at each site (~ 10 acres). The trenches will be 2’ wide, and dug to impermeable substrate 

(~8’ deep) and reclaimed as each season. Material will be stockpiled along the trenches and hauled to a 

stationary processing site next to the processing pond. Up to 600 yards of material is proposed to be 

processed each year. The existing pond (30’x60’x10’) will be expanded to secure a dependable water 

source and all water will be recycled. No more than one excavation site will be open at a time and 

reclamation will be ongoing each year. FS 1310 Rd and existing skid trails separate work activity from 

Clear Creek. Equipment used: Crawler loader with a backhoe, pickup trucks, ATV, pump and trommel.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

No activity in the very small creek mentioned in the Plan (site 1) would occur without first input from the minerals 

administrator and district hydrologist and appropriate WRPMs identified and implemented.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None
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General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of small, unnamed creek

CITY LIMITS (Placer) Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 200 feet, Bull Trout DCH 200 feet

This is a proposed placer operation that is working the high bank in a previously disturbed site along on 

the east side of Forest Service (FS) 73 road. Processing water will come from and be recycled in the four 

existing off-channel ponds. All mining activity is separated from Granite Creek by the paved FS 73 Rd. 

Placer gravels will be hauled to the processing site and stockpiled at this location; approximately 3-5 

cubic yds of material will be processed daily. The activity area is 1 acre in size and the test holes are 

20’x30’x8’ in size. Equipment used: Bobcat, backhoe, pick-up trucks, 5 yd dump trucks, washing plant, 

sluice, pumps and highbankers.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Visual monitoring of Granite Creek is not needed based on site location
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EAST TEN CENT (Placer) East Ten Cent Creek - steelhead DCH 10 feet, Bull Trout DCH two miles

This placer operation is on the west side of East Ten Cent Creek. The operator is proposing test digs in 

old tailings between the creek and the access road the adjacent claim. The activity area will be 

approximately 2 acres. Only one test hole (12 ft diameter) will be open at a time and reclaimed before 

moving onto the next site. An existing processing/settling pond (12’x12’x6’) will be used and all water 

will be recycled. Existing rock tailings and a small bench (~15 ft wide) is located between mining 

activity 5 ft above the creek. Waste rock will be used to improve the existing rock berm between the 

outer edge of the bench area and the creek. Equipment used: pick-up trucks, trommel, backhoe, 

highbanker, ATVs, pumps, and two generators.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Equipment access to the mining site will be limited to use of the FS 7350-070 road, 7350-E1a and designated, 

miner-created two tracks. 

2. A berm of straw bales (1-2’ high) will be placed between the mining activity and the edge of the bench along 

the creek. 

3. Waste rock will not be placed on the berm but temporarily on the south side of the two-track shown on the site 

map, in the grassy meadow.

4. The area to be mined will be worked from the south end to the north end. This allows the bench to be enlarged 

at the north end prior to any activity in this portion of the cutbank

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of East Three Cent Creek 

EDDY SHIPMAN (Lode and Placer) Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 10 feet, Bull Trout DCH 10 feet

Eddy Shipman is both a proposed claim lode and a proposed placer operation. There is a total of 2 1⁄2 

acres of disturbance.

Lode Claim: Lodgepole, western larch and red fir will be used to reinforce the adit; removal of vegetation

will occur within the RHCA but no shade bearing trees will be removed. Explosives will be used but, 

there will be no surface blasting. Up to 5 tons per day will be crushed and milled. Water from Chipman 

Gulch will be used during the milling process. No more than 150 GPM will be used in the milling 

process. The operator has proposed to construct a processing pond and one off channel settling ponds 
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(estimated 10’ x 20’ x 6’). Waste rock will be placed to build up the existing berm between Upper Granite 

Creek and the Mill site. Equipment used: skid mounted jaw crusher, horse, portable arrastra for milling, 

ball mill, bobcat.

Proposed placer operation: Placer mining activity will take place along 1⁄4 acre of Chipman Gulch. A 20 ft. 

stream buffer between mining activity and Chipman Gulch will be maintained. Equipment used: 

Washing plant, mill, pick-up trucks, horse, ATV’s and water pump, backhoe loader, small cat and dump 

truck. 

Processing Site: Processing water is proposed to be pumped from Chipman Gulch to three off-channel 

ponds and will be used in both the milling and placer operation. Water will be recycled between the 

newly constructed processing and settling ponds. 

Use of the existing ford on the closed FS road 7300-680 (above the fish barrier culvert) would not exceed 

2 weekly trips by heavy machinery to haul material to the processing site. Gravel will be placed and 

packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. 2-4 round trips per month by pick-up trucks for 

maintenance needs and fuel delivery would be allowed.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Prior to crossing the ford with a vehicle the channel bed must be determined to be stable and the water 

depths must be below the frame on the vehicle in order to ensure that equipment can safely cross. 

2. Rock both approaches to the ford used to access Adit A (FS road 7300-680 and TA road 7300-E1d)

Processing Site

1. Build a berm on the lower portion of each pond to prevent surface water and sediment from entering the 

wet meadow.

2. Place a straw bale berm during construction and during use of the source water and settling ponds and the 

edge of the bench to trap any sediment generated by the operation from entering into the wet meadow and 

Chipman Gulch, and thus Granite Creek.

Placer Mining

1. If any placer mining occurs in old lode tailings or results in disturbing the old lode tailings than L3 and L5 

apply. 

2. Settling pond will be lined with sediment trapping cloth on the stream side of the pond with some drape on 

the bottom (3 feet) and on the sides (3 feet on either side) (See Olive Tone for a schematic).

3. Place a straw bale berm between the existing horse corral and creek to prevent runoff of nutrients. 

4. No removal of trees providing stream shade.

Lode Mining (adits A and B)

See General Requirements related to Lode mining below (L1 – L12).

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events
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G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek and Chipman Gulch

W1 – 3: Requirements for working in wetlands and floodplains

L3, 8, 11: These require water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L4: This requires that the first run of the adit material be tested to determine if potential for release of heavy metals 

as well as additional testing throughout the life of the operation. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12 General Lode requirements that address water use and protection.

GRUBSTEAK (Placer) Granite Creek- steelhead DCH 20 feet, Bull Trout DCH 20 feet

This proposed placer operation is working an existing pit (20’x30’x20’deep) and proposes a second test 

site (20’x30 ’x 12’deep) in the activity area (approximately 2 acres). Excavations are in historic dredge 

tailings. A 20 ft. stream buffer will be maintained with a gravel berm and straw bales/coils that will be 

placed between the work site and Clear Creek. Space limits at the site and the preferred approach of 

keeping equipment furthest from the stream allows temporary stockpiling upslope from the berm and 

straw bales. If there is space the stockpile will be moved further from the stream. Processing water will 

be used from an existing processing pond (Site A on map), which is over 150 feet away from Clear Creek. 

All water will be recycled. The operator is using an existing road and an existing miner constructed 

bridge to access both test sites. Heavy equipment will access the site via the existing ford on Clear Creek 

from July 15 – Aug 15 four trips per season. If the miner proposes to ford outside the instream work 

window then a fish biologist must inspect the crossing and approve beforehand. Gravel will be placed 

and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. Equipment used: backhoe, trommel, shaker, 

water pumps, generator, pick-up trucks, ATV, utility trailer, and motorcycles.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Ford

Rock southwest approach to the ford.

Site A 

None needed

Site B

1. Place straw bales/coils as a berm between the creek and the mining activity. Gravels and filter cloth are not be 

used. 

2. Measurement of the 20 foot buffer would start at the top of the valley floor terrace-channel bank break in slope 

of the side channel.

3. Miner must fill the existing hole at Site B at the end of each season. 

4. Flow Alteration potential: If the hole starts to fill with water, then the miner is to stop and contact the Forest 

Service. Site conditions will be reevaluated at that time and additional mitigation measures added if necessary. 
17

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Clear Creek

HOPEFUL 1 (Placer) – Granite Creek steelhead DCH 150 feet, Bull Trout DCH 150 feet

Operators will primarily work the prospecting area (~100 feet away from Granite Creek) with hand tools, 

and a backhoe will be used twice during the operating season to loosen or remove material. This area is a 

high bank located between historic dredge tailings and an old cabin. Only 1-5 yards of material are 

worked each summer (1 acre). All tailings will be placed adjacent to the dredge hole. The operator will 

be using existing open, closed and temporary access roads. Water from an existing dredge hole will be 

used as the source water. Additional water may be withdrawn later in the season from Granite Creek. 

Waste water will be put into a depression in the dredge tailings. Equipment used: Sluice box, trommel, 

pick-up truck, backhoe, water pumps and generator and RV. 

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

Water pump intakes should be screened with 3/32” plate screen (or equivalent) to avoid entrainment and/or intake of 

juvenile fish when withdrawing water from Granite Creek. 

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

G23: Identifies characteristics of pumps that can be use when drafting water from a creek to minimize potential for 

impacts to fish.

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats
18

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

HOPEFUL # 2 & # 3 (Placer) – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 50 feet, Bull Trout DCH 50 feet

This is a proposed placer operation with mining proposed on both sides of Granite creek (3.5 acres). The 

operator will be working old dredge tailings and approximately 15 cubic yards of material will be 

processed each year. Test holes will be 6’x3’x10’ in size. If valuables are found, the area will be worked 

in 1⁄4 acre parcels. The processing water will be recycled within the ponds. Pond 1 (20’x30’x4’) is 

existing and lies on the south side of the claim. Pond 2 (4’x4’x4’) is proposed and would lie on the North 

side of the claim. As an applicant, the miner reviewed the original description of activities, and in July 

2014 proposed moving the north size processing pond to a location where there would not be a discharge 

call. The miner will be using existing skid trail/roads. Miner would limit the number of crossings of 

Granite Creek with heavy machinery and trucks to no more than 4 crossings per season only for fuel or 

maintenance needs, and the miner would use only 1 ford on Granite Creek. Miner would limit use of the 

ford with a pickup to no more than two times per week for fuel or other maintenance items. Gravel will 

be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. Equipment used: Backhoe, dump 

truck, cat, pick-up trucks, ATVs, high banker, and trommel, washing plant and water pumps.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

South Processing Site Pond 1 and North Processing Site 3 Pond 3

None

North Processing site Pond 2 Processing and Pond 2 Settling 

Ensure that two proposed ponds are deep enough and sufficiently bermed to prevent water from overflowing the top 

of the ponds. Miner will work with the Forest Service Minerals Administrator to ensure proper location of ponds 

and placement of berms. Source water pond will be the west pond and at least 7 feet from the terrace break in slope. 

Settling pond will be the east pond, and will be at least 7 feet from the terrace break in slope. 

a. A sediment berm will be created along the stream-side edge of the settling pond to eliminate a small 

swale. 

b. Straw bales will be put on the stream-side edge of the sediment berm. 

Mining sites 1, 3, and 4

None needed

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

Fords

1. Channel bed must be stable and water depths must be below the frame on the vehicle before the ford can be 

used in order to ensure that equipment can safely cross. 

2. East Ford north approach: Rock the north approach to the slope break plus 25 feet of additional road. East 

Ford south approach and ford (map of road segments in Hydrology report): 

Segment A: rock the road
19

Segment B: The road steepens for about 35 feet to reach the top of the hill. Place a water bar at the base of the steep 

section of road where there is a 2.5 foot wide flat area on the stream side of the road. Forest Service Minerals 

Administrator will be on site and verify water bar location prior to construction. Design the water bar so that it diverts 

towards the flat area (only option as the other side is a hillslope). Place straw bales at the stream side edge of the flat 

area to trap all sediment leaving the road and prevent it from entering the creek. 

Do not rock this section because rock will only fill the water bar.

Segment C: A water bar will be placed where the road flattens out. Forest Service Minerals Administrator will be on 

site and verify water bar location prior to construction. This portion of road will be rocked.

3. Ford Unnamed tributary on the south side

1. Rock both approaches to where 1) the road flattens out (east side) or there is a change in slope (west side).

2. Leave existing corduroy bridge in the channel 

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H1: No use of processing chemicals to extract ore unless authorized

H2: No chemical flocculent or surfactant used in ponds unless EPA approved

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

W1 – 3: Requirements for working in wetlands and floodplains

L & H (Placer and Lode) – Olive Creek - steelhead DCH 0.5 miles, Bull Trout DCH > 7 miles

Lode: There are three adits of interest; exploration underground will occur with no surface or 

underground blasting and no chemicals will be used. A backhoe will be used to remove material from the 

existing adits and rock material will be piled adjacent to the adit. For the initial testing only a small 

amount of material will be tested (FS estimates ~ 5 yards total from all adits). 

Placer: Testing and mining will occur over 5 acres along the stream and 3 acres upslope of road 1042. 

Test holes will average in size 20’x30’x10’. Reclamation will be ongoing and only one test hole will be 

open at a time. Placer exploration below the adits will leave a 10 foot minimum stream buffer from the 

high water mark and old dredge tailings will separate the new mining activity from Olive Creek. The 

processing site is on an existing landing at the junction of FS 1042-900 and 1042-950 roads. There are 

three existing ponds located here; water will be recycled between ponds. This site is located directly 

below Pete Mann Ditch. Equipment used: pick-up trucks, washing plant, water pumps, and backhoe.

Stream Fording: This is an existing ford on the open FS road 1305-200 (.5 miles above DCH).. Fording 

by heavy equipment will occur 1 -4 times at the beginning and the end of the season. Daily fording by 

pickup. Gravel will be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks.
20

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Adit 3: Waste rock/tailings will not be returned to the adit but placed at a site selected with input from the minerals 

administrator and the district hydrologist. Once in place, the waste rock and tailings will be graded to ensure runoff 

and capped with a minimum of six inches of soil. The soil cap is to be seeded with an approved Forest Service mix 

to create a vegetative cover. 

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Olive Creek

L3, 8, 11: These require water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L4: This requires that the first run of the adit material be tested to determine if potential for release of heavy metals 

as well as additional testing throughout the life of the operation. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12. General Lode requirements that address water use and protection 

LIGHTNING CREEK (Placer) – Lightning Creek - steelhead DCH 150 feet, Bull Trout DCH 150 feet

This is a proposed placer operation working old dredge tailings on the south side of Lightning Creek. 

Mining will take place over 3 sites along the hillside 50’x100’x15’ each in size (approximately 5 acres). 

The mining operation is over 150 feet from Lightning Creek and FS 1305-100 Rd and old settling ponds 

separate mining activity from Lightning Creek. There will be reclamation of each parcel before moving 

to the next activity area. Existing processing ponds and settling ponds will be used; water from Lightning 

Creek is used under an existing water right to process the material. The operator will use existing roads 

and a miner built bridge that crosses Lightning Creek. A hardened ford will be used twice during the year 

to walk heavy equipment across the creek during the instream work window. Gravel will be placed and 

packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks . Equipment used: Backhoe, excavator, two 5 

yard dump trucks, pick-up trucks, washing plant, water pumps, generator, and ATVs.
21

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

1. No water withdrawals are permitted in Lightning Creek after August 15 to protect fish migrating to spawn.

2. If a stream is dry below where the miner is working prior to August 15, then the miner must cease 

withdrawing water from the creek until flow exceeds the amount withdrawn. The Forest Service Minerals 

Administrator monitors flow levels. If water withdrawals are stopped, the Minerals Administrator would 

consult with the Forest Service fish biologist before allowing water withdrawals to resume. 

3. On Lightning Creek water pump intakes should be screened with 3/32” plate screen (or equivalent) to avoid 

entrainment and/or intake of juvenile fish. 

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

G23: Identifies characteristics of pumps that can be use when drafting water from a creek to minimize potential for 

impacts to fish.

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Lightning Creek

LITTLE CROSS 1 (Placer) – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 50 feet, Bull Trout DCH 50 feet

This operation is a small proposed placer operation, working less than 1⁄4 acre approximately 15 feet from 

Granite Creek on a road that slopes towards Granite Creek. Tailings will be processed at the dispersed 

campsite using existing groundwater from the dig site. Water will be recycled and no water will be 

discharged into Granite Creek. Equipment used: ATV, backhoe, and highbanker. 

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Placer mining activity

1. Place straw bales along creek edge, 

2. Place a second set of straw bales 6 ft. to 8 ft. upslope from the edge of the creek. 

3. Site will be reclaimed at the end of the season.

4. Any sediment that collected behind the straw bale berm located 6 to 8 feet from the edge of the creek will be 

removed prior to removing the stream side berm. 

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None
22

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

LUCKY STRIKE (Lode and Placer) – Quartz Gulch - steelhead DCH > 300feet, Bull Trout DCH >300 

feet

This is a lode with historic mill located above Pete Mann Ditch (2 acres). Operator proposes reclamation 

of the old adit and its existing tunnel system and extension along the vein. This involves the backfill of 

all exploratory holes from past mining operations. There will also be further exploration and assay of the 

existing vein through the use of test pits (20’ x 10’ x 10’ deep) near the adit, and removal for commercial 

processing if viable material is found. There will be ongoing maintenance of the existing mill building 

and structures on the claim. There is a small spring that provides water for the processing material and 

there is no hydrologic connection to any streams or waterways. The miner will use existing roads to 

access the claim. Equipment used: backhoe, pick-up trucks, ore cart, portable generator, electric rotohammer and hand tools.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

L3, 8, 11: These require that water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L4: This requires that the first run of the adit material be tested to determine if potential for release of heavy metals 

as well as additional testing throughout the life of the operation. 
23

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12: General Lode requirements that address water use and protection. 

MAKE IT (Placer) – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 100 feet, Bull Trout DCH 100 feet

Make It is a proposed placer operation that will use a backhoe to test dig areas no larger than 15’x20’ 

down to bedrock (~10 ft). The operator will process approximately 15-20 cubic yards of material during 

the operating season. Activity site is approximately 2 acres. Each parcel will be reclaimed before 

moving to the next test dig. All mining activity is > 50 feet away from Granite Creek. Water will be used 

from the existing pond and recycled to existing off channel settling ponds. Equipment used: pick-up 

trucks, generators, trommel, high-banker, backhoe, water pumps and an RV.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Water used for processing will only be put into the depressions that are being used as settling ponds. No water 

will be returned to the existing off channel pond which is connected to Granite Creek and is the source water 

pond. 

2. The miner must avoid decreasing the source water pond level below the pond outlet elevation so that the pond 

and Granite Creek remain hydrologically connected via surface flow. 

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

Water pump intakes should be screened with 3/32” plate screen (or equivalent) to avoid entrainment and/or intake of 

juvenile fish when withdrawing water from the pond that is connected to Granite Creek

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

G23: Identifies characteristics of pumps that can be use when drafting water from a creek to minimize potential for 

impacts to fish.

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

MUFFIN (Placer) – Last Chance Creek - steelhead DCH > 300 feet, Bull Trout DCH > 300 feet

Muffin is a proposed placer operation along Last Chance Creek. There are four exploration sites included 

in which, test holes will be dug around 20’x25’x10’ in size, about 2.5 acres. A 20 foot buffer will be 

maintained between the dig site and Last Chance Gulch. Trees providing shade to the stream will be left. 

Each test hole and site will be reclaimed before moving on to the next. Approximately 4-10 yards of 

material will be removed for processing from each test site during the operating season. There is one 
24

processing site; water comes from an existing reservoir and water is recycled into two existing settling 

ponds. Equipment used: sluice box, high banker, dredge, trommel, backhoe, 3-5 yd dump truck and 

ATVs and an RV.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Sites 1, 2, and 3

Limit the size of the hole at any one time to 10 feet or less or start the hole 5 to 10 feet back from point where the 

hillslope has a break in slope just before it reaches the Gulch (wetland meadow related)

Site 4

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Last Chance Creek where it exists in the project area.

OLD ERIC 1 & 2 (Placer) – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 150 feet, Bull Trout DCH 150 feet

Old Eric is a proposed placer operation working an area on the west side of Granite Creek. The claim 

exists of one work site approximately 1 acre in size and will move no more than 5 yards of material 

during the operating season. The operator will recirculate the existing water from an old settling pond

(drainage filter area), and when it becomes unusable, water will be discharged into an existing settling 

pond (100’x50’x 3’). Use of ponds is to assure infiltration, prevent ponding of water and minimize 

possible water temperature increases. The majority of this work will be by hand excavation with 

occasional backhoe use to loosen the dig site and upgrade the water source and recirculating settling 

pond. The operator will use existing roads to access the claim. Equipment used: pick-up truck, sluice 

box, water pumps and backhoe.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Settling Pond

Water temperature related: No standing water is permissible in the settling pond beyond 1 day. 
25

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

OLIVE TONE (Placer) – Olive Creek - steelhead DCH 50 feet, Bull Trout DCH > 5 miles

Olive Tone is a 2 acre placer operation that proposes placer exploration on a previously disturbed landing 

on the west side of Olive Creek using a backhoe. Test holes will be approximately 30’x30’x10’ in size 

and each test hole will be reclaimed before moving to the next. An existing spring will be used as a water 

source along with two proposed off channel settling ponds (20’x10’x10’). Ponds will be approximately 

40 ft. from Olive Creek. Water will be recycled in the settling ponds. Miner would limit crossing the 

existing ford with heavy machinery to access the site to no more than 4 times per season, and daily 

crossing with an ATV. Gravel will be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. 

Springs are the primary water source for the ponds. Water is recycled in the ponds during mining 

operations. As proposed in the Plan, pond water may be supplemented with water withdrawn from Olive 

Creek to account for losses from evaporation and seepage. Based on the size of the ponds and type of 

mining proposed, it is expected water withdrawals will occur once every one to two weeks during the 

operating season (Chris Helberg personal communication). 

Equipment used: Backhoe, front loader truck, pick-up trucks, highbanker, sluices, washplant, trommel, 

gold spinners, water pumps and 2 self-contained RVs. 

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Settling Ponds

A trench will be dug parallel to the settling ponds for the pond length plus five feet on either side. The trench will be 

on the stream side of the settling ponds and 5 to 20 feet away from the ponds and the location field verified with the 

Forest Service prior to installation. The trench will be lined with with material such as 1) a bentonite blanket, 2) 

filter cloth, or 3) plastic to eliminate the potential for subsurface flow to transport sediment into the creek (see below 

for schematic).

If a bentonite blanket is used then it can be left buried. If filter cloth or plastic is used it must be removed at 

completion of the project.
26

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

1. If a stream is dry below where the miner is working prior to August 15, then the miner must cease 

withdrawing water from the creek until flow exceeds the amount withdrawn.

2. See General Requirement G23 below. This is a protection measure used when withdrawing water from 

Olive Creek or Quartz Gulch.

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

G23: Identifies characteristics of pumps that can be use when drafting water from a creek to minimize potential for 

impacts to fish.

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Olive Creek

ROSEBUD 1-4 – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 200 feet, Bull Trout DCH 200 feet

Rose Bud is a 5 acre proposed placer operation that will be working old dredge tailings north of the 

County Road 24. Test holes will be dug with a backhoe and are located on an existing highbar. The 

operator has estimated approximately 2-10 yards of material will be processed each year. The operator is 

using existing roads and settling ponds. County Road 24 separates mining activity from Granite Creek. 

Equipment used: backhoe, trommel, water pump, gold spinner and 3 yard dump truck and pick-up trucks. 

POND

Valley floor Valley floor

Bentonite 

Blanket

Blanket ends 1-2 feet below 

valley floor to allow for winter 

and spring overflow through 

the placer tailings. 

Winter pond water level

DASHED BLACK arrows = 

direction of flow through 

placer tailings

Summer/Fall pond 

water level
27

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

All settling ponds must be sufficiently bermed to prevent water and sediment from overtopping to top of the ponds 

and flowing down the road and into the old dredge ponds. Berm material can be either sediment or straw bales but 

must be stable. 

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

Miner would limit loss of water in the processing pond to no more than 6 inches of water during daily operations. 

Miner is to establish a fixed measuring device such a a staff gage or measuring rod.

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of dredge ponds 

ROYAL WHITE GROUP (Lode) – distant from any stream - steelhead DCH > .5 miles, Bull Trout DCH 

> .5 miles

Royal White is a proposed lode operation above Pete Mann Ditch. There are three adits in this mining 

operation, located on 3 acres. The operator estimated approximately five tons of material will be 

processed daily. Small diameter trees may be used to reinforce the old adits. Explosives may be used 

but, no surface blasting is proposed. Material will be hauled from adits to the processing site. Water from 

the portals will be used to process the excavated material and waste water is discharged into an existing 

settling pond (20’x30’x6’). No chemicals are used during mining or milling of material. Waste rock will 

be placed on current landings and tailings will be mixed with cement slurry and pumped back into the 

mine. The operator is using existing roads. Equipment used: underground mucker, air trammer and ore 

cart, surface air compressor, bobcat or backhoe, small cat, side mounted jaw crusher, 5Tpd ball mill, and 

recycling tank for milling, dump truck and pick-up trucks, water pumps and chainsaws.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels
28

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

L3, 8, 11: These require that water exiting lode mines be tested for heavy metals. 

L4: This requires that the first run of the adit material be tested to determine if potential for release of heavy metals 

as well as additional testing throughout the life of the operation. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12. General Lode requirements that address water use and protection. 

RUBY GROUP (Placer) – Granite Creek and Ruby Creek - steelhead DCH 20 feet, Bull Trout DCH 20 feet

Ruby is a proposed placer operation with 8 proposed mining sites (~3 acres) located on Ruby and Clear 

creeks. The operator proposes to dig 5-20 test holes at each site. Each test hole will be reclaimed before 

moving onto the next test hole. Test holes will remove 1-2 yards of material (8 feet deep). Yearly 

production is estimated at 2-5 yards of material a year. Operator will be using a self- contained and 

portable wash plant and using existing roads/skid trails. The operators are also proposing a portable ATV 

bridge over Clear Creek but they would have to walk heavy equipment and pick-up trucks across Clear 

Creek due to the limiting size of the bridge. Road 1310-E1a is used to ford Ruby Creek, and Ruby Creek 

seasonally floods the road. Clear Creek ford - Miner would mobilize heavy equipment to work sites #1, 2 

and 3 and the miner would limit the number of crossings over Clear Creek to no more than 4 times per 

season. Miner would limit crossings with pickup truck to no more than 2 times per week for maintenance 

needs and fuel. An ATV bridge would be in place for daily use of an ATV crossing on Clear Creek. 

Ruby Creek ford - Miner would mobilize heavy equipment to work sites #1, 2 and 3 and the miner would 

limit the number of crossings over Ruby Creek to no more than 4 times per season. Miner would limit 

crossings with pickup truck to no more than 2 times per week for maintenance needs and fuel. Miner 

would limit crossings with an ATV to twice in June, and five trips per week in July and August, during

low flows or the crossing is dry. Gravel will be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect 

streambanks.

Equipment used: Backhoe, trommel, water pumps, ATV’s, and pick-up trucks.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

Mining at Sites 1, 2, and 3

1. Measurement of the 10 foot buffer would start at the top of the valley floor-channel break in slope.

2. Use of the temporary road behind barricade that accesses work sites # 1, 2, and 3 is limited to after the road 

goes dry.

3. Straw bales or wattles must be placed between work sites #1, 2 and 3 and Ruby Creek. 

4. Straw bales or wattles must be placed across the road used to access sites 1, 2, and 3 where the road could 

contribute sediment into the side channel of Clear Creek in order to trap any sediment generated by the 

activity. 

Mining at Sites 4, 5, 6, and 8

1. Measurement of the 10 foot buffer would start at the top of the valley floor-channel break in slope.

2. Straw bales or wattles must be placed between test holes and Clear Creek and between the test holes and the 

side channel to Clear Creek
29

Mining at Site 7

None

Access Roads 

Road 1310-E1a (access road to Sites 1, 2, and 3)(see Appendix A for a map of the sites) 

In identifying Forest Service WRPMs to prevent a discharge of sediment into Ruby Creek from the use of TA 1310-

E1a and the Ruby Creek ford it was necessary to divide the road into segments:

Ruby Group Shows the location of the Valley floor terrace (historic floodplain) and how Channel break-in-slope 

geomorphic feature is defined.. Note that this edge is NOT the streambank of the active channel but the streambank 

of the larger geomorphic channel. The active channel is inset into the geomorphic channel (from hydrology report).

Segment A: The portion of TA 1310-E1a between the Clear Creek ford and the Ruby Creek ford

Segment B: The north and south approaches to the ford.

Segment C: The portion of the road between the Ruby Creek ford and Site 2

Segment D: The portion of the road between Site 2 and Site 1

Segment A: No WRPMs are needed as this section of the road does not interact with Ruby Creek.

Segment B: The north and south approaches to the ford and 25 feet of the road on the south side of the ford, just 

before the approach begins will be rocked.

Segment C: Weed-free straw bales will be placed end to end starting at the north side of the ford to Site 2 along the 

west side of the road. Straw bales will be two bales deep to act as a dam to prevent water from Ruby Creek 

from flowing onto Segment C and moving sediment generated by road use into Ruby Creek. 

Segment D: If water from Ruby Creek is observed flowing onto this segment of road, then the WRPMs stated for 

Segment C would be put into place. 

Temporary ATV Bridge

1. Stream banks where the bridge will be placed will be rocked. 

2. At the beginning of each season, this area will be checked and more rock added as necessary.

3. Bridge will be removed each fall.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None
30

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Clear Creek and Ruby Creek

SUNSHINE/MCWILLIS (Placer) – McWillis Gulch - steelhead DCH 0.25 miles, Bull Trout DCH > 5 

miles

There are two processing sites associated with this 2.5 acre proposed placer operation. The two work 

areas will be in 1⁄4 acre parcels. Each site will be reclaimed before opening another and no more than 1⁄4 

acre parcels will be disturbed at a time. The operator estimated that 100 cubic yards of material will be 

processed annually. There will be a 30 foot buffer between the work site, processing site and McWillis 

Gulch. For the trommel, three existing off-channel ponds (20’x30’x10’) will be used during this 

operation with water being recycled in the settling ponds. The operator will use existing roads and a 

operator constructed bridge to access the processing site. The bridge is already in place and is made of 

logs, and is not open for public use. Equipment used: Backhoe, cat, 5 yard dump truck, pick-up trucks, 

ATVs, trommel, high banker, wash plant, and water pumps.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Only processing site 1 will be used. 

2. Berm the downstream end of the Pond 2 (settling pond) so that the only outlet point is the pipe. 

3. Straw bales or wattles must be placed between the edge of the hillslope and the gulch at mining site #2. 

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site
31

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Visual monitoring of McWillis Gulch creek will only apply while there is flowing water in the creek. 

TETRA ALPHA (Placer) – Boulder Creek - steelhead DCH 25 feet, Bull Trout 25 feet

Placer mining is proposed on 8 acres on the south side of Boulder Creek. The operator proposes processing 

approximately one hundred cubic yards of material per day. The miner proposes a 25 foot stream buffer throughout 

the entire placer operation. Placer gravels will be excavated to bedrock and all material will be hauled to a preexisting processing site on the north side of Boulder Creek at the Tetra Alpha Placer site where processing 

equipment is currently located. An existing pond provides water for processing and all water will be recycled on 

site. Miner has a valid water right. Water withdrawals would be monitored by the Minerals Administrator. Mining 

will take place in approximately 1/2 acres parcels with a total disturbance area of 1 acre each season and a maximum 

depth of 30 feet. Each 1⁄2 acre parcel will be reclaimed before moving to the next work site. After material is 

processed it will be returned to the excavation site for fill. The operator has proposed three ford crossings to access 

the proposed placer operations on the south side of Boulder Creek Miner would limit crossing of fords to no more 

than 3 times per day for each crossing with heavy machinery for hauling material to the processing site. Miner 

would limit crossing the existing ford to no more than 2-4 times per week with a pickup truck or ATV for 

maintenance and repairs. Gravel will be placed and packed on streambanks at fords to protect streambanks. There 

are two fords for Tetra Alpha Placer. Equipment used: excavator, cat, generator, trommel, water pumps, dump 

trucks, and ATVs.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. The high water mark is defined as the back edge of the meadow because the lushness of the meadow 

vegetation indicates that this area is frequently flooding and has a high water table. Measurement of the 25 

foot buffer would start at the back edge of the meadow.

2. For Stage 2 mining operations (the area accessed via 7355-m3c and 7355-mcd roads), a straw bale berm will 

be constructed at the base of the hillslope.

Fords

West Ford (existing); used to access Stage 1 area via 7355-m3b road (State 1 area is located along the western 

portion of the 7355m3a and m3b temporary road).

1. Ford approaches will be rocked.

East Fords (proposed); used to access Stage 2 mining area (Stage 2 area is on the south side of Boulder Creek along 

the eastern portion of 7355-mc3 temporary road).

1. Construction will take place during the instream work window 

2. Material will be pulled away from the stream and deposited in a location where the sediment will not be able 

to reach the stream during high flow 

3. Small straw wattles or bales or silt fences will be placed along the stream when pulling back the material 

during ford construction or maintenance 

4. Ford approaches will be rocked and sloped 

5. General requirement G7 applies (See below)

Access Road

1. Where temporary road 7355-M3d cross the meadow, it will be rocked to at least 20 feet back from the creek

to ensure that no sediment will make it to the creek and at additional areas as needed to ensure that road 

would not erode and trigger gullying in the meadow. 

2. Two-track location would be flagged by miner and approved by Forest Service personnel.
32

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

1. A fisheries biologist would monitor stream crossings to ensure that constructed fords do not create a fish 

barrier during low flows.

2. No water withdrawals are permitted in Boulder Creek after August 15 to protect fish migrating to spawn.

3. If Boulder Creek is dry below where the miner is working prior to August 15, then the miner must cease 

withdrawing water from the creek until flow exceeds the amount withdrawn.

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G7: Fords

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Visual monitoring for turbidity of Boulder Creek is not required given site conditions and distance from 

Boulder Creek.

W1 – 3: Requirements for working in wetlands and floodplains

TETRA ALPHA (Mill and Lode) - Boulder Creek - steelhead DCH 25 feet, Bull Trout 25 feet

Lode Claim: Operator would use existing roads to access the adit (1 acre). Material from the adits would be hauled 

to the mill site. No explosives are proposed for this operation. Approximately 10 tons of ore will be removed to the 

milling site which could result in an estimated 30 tons of waste rock. Equipment used: excavator, cat, dump trucks 

and pick-up trucks. 

Mill Site: This is an existing mill site (1acre) from a previously approved plan. The plan was resubmitted with 

amendments in order to continue operations. Water source for the mill comes from an existing reservoir on Last 

Chance Creek and the operator will use three existing settling ponds where water will be recycled. Miner has a valid 

water right. Water withdrawals would be monitored by the Minerals Administrator. Equipment used: Jaw crusher, 

vibrator mill, front end loader, dump truck, air compressor, water pumps, final gold recovery unit.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

None needed.

Site-specific Additional Fish Protection Measures

1. No water withdrawals are permitted in Boulder Creek after August 15 to protect fish migrating to spawn.

2. If Boulder Creek is dry below where the miner is working prior to August 15, then the miner must cease 

withdrawing water from the creek until flow exceeds the amount withdrawn.

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related
33

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H1: No use of processing chemicals to extract ore unless authorized

H2: No chemical flocculent or surfactant used in ponds unless EPA approved

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Boulder Creek

L3, 8, 11: These require that water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L4: This requires that the first run of the adit material be tested to determine if potential for release of heavy metals 

as well as additional testing throughout the life of the operation. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12. General Lode requirements that address water use and protection. 

TROY D (Placer) – Granite Creek - steelhead DCH 25 feet, Bull Trout 25 feet

This is a proposed placer operation that proposes excavation of old dredge tailings on 8 acres along the 

north side of Granite Creek. There will be a 25 foot stream buffer and a berm of old dredge tailings 

separates the claim from Granite Creek. Test holes will be 20’x20’ and down to bedrock (~ 12 ft. deep). 

Each test hole will be reclaimed before moving to the next test site. The operator estimated that 50 cubic 

yards of material will be processed daily. Material will be processed at two existing ponds >200 ft away 

from the old tailing berm; water will be recycled on site. Equipment used: backhoe, excavator, small cat, 

5 yd dump truck, washing plant, trommel, sluices, generator, 1 filter trailer, water pumps, pick-up trucks, 

hand tools and a self-contained RV trailer. A powerline has been proposed adjacent to the operation off 

of County Road 21 to run the filter trailer. The powerline would consist of two 45 foot poles 

approximately 300 feet apart. 

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Pond A, as identified on the miner’s map, would be used only as the source water pond.

2. Pond B, as identified on the miner’s map, would be used as a settling pond. A trench will be dug parallel to 

the settling ponds for the pond length plus five feet on either side. The trench will be on the stream side of the 

settling ponds and 5 to 20 feet away from the ponds and the location field verified with the Forest Service prior 

to installation. The trench can be lined with 1) a bentonite blanket, 2) filter cloth, 3) plastic to eliminate the 

potential for subsurface flow to transport sediment into the creek (see Olive Tone for schematic).

If a bentonite blanket is used then it can be left buried. If filter cloth or plastic is used it must be removed at

completion of the project.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None
34

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Specific requirements for visual monitoring of Granite Creek

YELLOW GOLD (Placer) – Last Chance Creek - steelhead DCH > 2 miles, Bull Trout > 2 miles

This is a small scale proposed placer operation on Last Chance Gulch Creek. Placer gravels will be 

excavated using a backhoe with excavations being 50’x30’x12’ in size. Two holes will be open at a time 

and material will be processed using three proposed off-channel settling ponds (20’x15’x10’) and one 

existing pond. A 25 foot stream buffer will be observed and old dredge tailings separate mining activity 

from Last Chance Creek. The operator will be using existing roads and trails to access the claim. 

Equipment used: Backhoe, wash plant, trommel, sluices, highbankers, water pumps, pick-up trucks, and 5 

yard dump trucks.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

1. Settling ponds would be located with input from the minerals administrator and district hydrologist and 

appropriate WRPMs identified and implemented

2. The foot bridge will be limited to planks of wood that can be moved at the end of each season by hand.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G14: Beaver dams protected

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Not needed. Last Chance Creek in this area is just a large pond and wetland.
35

YELLOW JACKET (Placer) – Orofino Gulch - steelhead DCH > 300 feet, Bull Trout > 300 feet

Yellow Jacket will excavate placer material over a 7.5 acre area along the South Fork of Orofino Gulch. 

Excavations will be approximately 30’x50’x8’ in size. A 20 foot stream buffer will be observed between 

the mining operations and South Fork Orofino Gulch. An old berm of tailings exists between the 

proposed mining activity and Orofino Gulch. If valuables are identified the work site may expand to 1⁄4 

acre parcels. No more than one test hole will be open at a time and the 1⁄4 acre parcels will be reclaimed 

before working the next area. The processing site is located on private property. Short segment of 

temporary road will be established between placer excavations and the existing roads to the processing 

site. Equipment used: backhoe, cat, trommel, water pumps, gold spinner, pick-up trucks, and 5 yard 

dump trucks.

Site-Specific Forest Service Requirements 

Site-specific Water Resources Protection Measures

No lode material mined on private land, or water that discharges from the adit on private land is allowed on Forest 

Service lands.

Site-specific Fish Protection Measures

None

General Requirements Identified for Protection of Water and /or Fish Resources 

G4: Surface runoff and water quality related

G5: Disturbed areas kept in stable conditions

G6: Tree removal related

G12: Effective buffer strips to protect water quality during seasonal runoff events

G15: Stream buffers undisturbed

H3: Have lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels

H5: Spill kit on site

H6: Hazardous substances not to be released on land, rivers etc. Have oil absorbing mats

H8: Check equipment for leaks

M1: Not needed. Highly disturbed area and no connection to any fish-bearing streams due to past hydraulic mining. 

L3, 8, 11: These require water exiting lode mines to be tested for heavy metals. 

L5: This requirement states that test results will be provided to the Forest Service directly from the testing facility. 

Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the miner must address this issue prior to continuing this 

portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)).

L1, 2, L 6, L7, L9, L 10, and L12 General Lode requirements that address water use and protection.

Plans of Operations that are No Effect to ESA listed species and DCH

The following Plans of Operations have been determined to be no effect to ESA listed species and their 

Designated Critical Habitat because of their distance to listed species and DCH, or the lack of hydrologic 

connection and no causal mechanism to affect listed species and DCH. :

Muffin

Yellow Gold

Lucky Strike

Royal White 
36

Table 4 summarizes many of the connected actions of the Plans of Operations included in the Granite 

mining EIS and this BA. Included is information on where water will accessed for mining activities, if 

there is road activity associated with a claim, identifying stream fording, and structures (such as cabins) to 

be used on the claim. 
37

Table 4. Connected Activities of the proposed Plans of Operations*

Operation

Name Forest1 Lode Placer Water Source

Temporary2 

Road 

Activity

Bridge 

Use

Stream 

Fording

Structures

within RHCA

Altona WW X Piped from existing adit 0.05 miles none

Belvadear 

Group WWNF X Water right to spring and 

Olive Cr.

1-temporary 

outhouse

Blue Smoke UNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds none

Blue Sky/Bull 

Run WWNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds 0.16 miles X existing none

Bunch Bucket UNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds none

City Limits WWNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds none

East Ten Cent UNF X Processing Pond 2-Outhouse, 

storage shed

Eddy Shipman UNF X X Chipman Gulch existing

5-Cabin and 

storage sheds, 

horse corral, and 

mill

Grubsteak UNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds 0.08 miles X existing 2-Outhouse, shed

Hopeful 1 UNF X Spring and existing off 

channel dredge ponds 2-Outhouse, Cabin

Hopeful 2 & 3 UNF X Spring and existing off 

channel dredge ponds existing

4-Outhouse, cabin, 

filter plant, storage 

shed

L&H WWNF X X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds existing

Lightning 

Creek UNF X Water right on Lightining 

Creek X existing 3-Historic Cabins

Little Cross I UNF X Existing off channel dredge 

ponds none

Lucky Strike WWNF X Spring none

Make It WWNF X Pond connected to Granite 

Creek none

Muffin WWNF X Last Chance Cr. and off 

channel ponds 1-Outhouse
38

Operation

Name Forest1 Lode Placer Water Source

Temporary2 

Road 

Activity

Bridge 

Use

Stream 

Fording

Structures

within RHCA

Old Eric 1&2 UNF X Existing off channel ponds none

Olive Tone WWNF X

Spring and water right to 

Olive Creek, off channel 

ponds

existing none

Rose Bud 1-4 UNF X Existing off channel ponds none

Royal White 

Group WWNF X Adits none

Ruby Group UNF X Portable Water source existing 2-(cabin, outhouse)

Sunshine/

McWillis WWNF X Reservoir on McWillis Gulch Bridge 4-(cabin, outhouse, storage sheds)

Tetra Alpha 

Placer WWNF X X Existing off channel ponds 0.38 miles

existing and 

newly 

proposed

3(sheds)

Tetra Group

(Mill and 

Lode)

X

Resevoir on Last Chance 

Creek, processing pond and 

off-channel ponds

0.39 miles 4 (trailer, sheds and 

mill)

Troy D UNF X Existing off channel pond 1 trailer

Yellow Gold WWNF X Existing off channel pond None

Yellow Jacket WWNF X Adit on private land None

*Muffin, Lucky Strike, Royal White and Yellow Gold have a “No Effect” determination for Mid C Steelhead, bulltrout and their DCH given 

distance to designated critical habitat and perennial fish bearing streams and no causal mechanism for an effect. 1 WWNF=Wallowa-Whitman NF, UNF= Umatilla NF. 2 Detailed temporary roads information can be found in Appendix D.
39

Water Quality Best Management Practices and Protection Measures

The Granite Mining management requirements and mitigation measures meet or exceed state requirements in 

accordance with the Clean Water Act of 1977 for protection of waters of the State of Oregon (OAR Chapters 340-

341) through planning, application, and monitoring of Best Management Practices (USDA BMPs 2012) in 

conformance with the UNF Forest plan as amended by PACFISH (USDA 1995). These measures also meet the 

direction for management of wetlands and floodplains in accordance with EO 11990 and EO 11988. 

The Whitman Ranger District and North Fork John Day Ranger District Minerals Administrators are responsible for 

completing the minerals inspections and review to determine if Forest Plan standards and guides, PACFISH/INFISH 

direction, as well as the site specific protection measures and requirements in the Plans of Operation are being met. 

If operations are found to be not in compliance, the Minerals Administrator is responsible for assuring corrective 

action is taken. Perennial streams in the operation shall be monitored by the Forest Service for water quality, 

sediment, and temperature through normal compliance inspections, and reclamation inspections. Appendix F 

describes the annual inspection items.

The Minerals Administrator is also responsible for reclamation reviews. These reviews assure that requirements in 

the reclamation plans are being properly implemented and completed in a timely manner. The annual monitoring 

program would be accomplished on a yearly basis following mining to determine vegetation response, soil stability, 

and the impact of roads on water quality. Reclaimed areas would be monitored to identify areas of instability and 

detrimental compaction. These areas would be restored to meet Forest Service standards. 

Additional monitoring will occur using the 2012 BMP Sampling and Monitoring protocol (Appendix G) based on 

the number of active mines each year. A minimum of two mines or 25% of active operations, not to exceed four

total each year, would be monitored under the current 2012 protocol. Mine operations that are LAA fisheries 

resources would be targeted and one to three random sites would be chosen for sampling each year. 

PACFISH/INFISH Standards and Guidelines for Minerals Management:

MM-1.

If the Notice of Intent indicates a mineral operation would be located in a Riparian Habitat Conservation 

Area, or could affect attainment of Riparian Management Objectives, or adversely affect listed anadromous 

fish, require a reclamation plan, an approved Plan of Operations, and reclamation bond. Such plans and 

bonds must address costs of removing facilities, equipment and materials; recontouring disturbed areas; 

isolating and neutralizing toxic material; salvage and replacement of topsoil; and revegetation of RHCAs. 

Reclamation bonds must contain measurable attainment and bond release criteria for each reclamation 

activity.

MM-2

Where no alternative to sitting facilities in RHCAs exist, locate and construct the facilities in ways that 

avoid impact to RHCAs and adverse effects. Where no alternative to road construction exists, keep roads 

to the minimum necessary for the approved mineral activity. Close obliterate and revegetate roads no 

longer required for mineral or land management activities.

MM-3

If no alternative to locating mine waste facilities in RHCAs exists, and releases can be prevented and 

stability can be ensured, then:

• Analyze the waste material using current sampling methods

• Locate and ensure mass stability and prevent the release of acid or toxic materials.

• Reclaim and monitor waste facilities to assure chemical and physical stability and vegetation.

• Require adequate reclamation bonds to ensure long term chemical and physical stability
40

MM-6

Develop inspection, monitoring, and reporting requirements for mineral activities. Evaluate and apply the 

results of inspection and monitoring to modify mineral plans as needed to eliminate impacts that prevent 

attainment of RMOs and avoid adverse effects to list listed fish.

General Requirements for Protection of Surface Resources

The general mitigations apply to all mine operations analyzed in the Granite Mining Project. 

G1. In accordance with 36 CFR §228.4(d), the operator will submit a supplement to a Plan of Operations for any grounddisturbing operations not specifically covered within the initial Plan. Any supplemental plan shall be subject to approval by the 

authorized officer in the same manner as the initial plan (36CFR §228.5(c)). 

G2. Prior to approval of the Plan of Operations, the operator will furnish a reclamation bond (36CFR §228.13(a)). The bond will 

be calculated based on site-specific conditions addressing the resource concerns listed in 36CFR §228.8(g), Reclamation. The 

bond shall also cover the removal of all equipment and improvements authorized in the plan, or any subsequent supplements or 

modifications to the plan. The bond amount may be adjusted during the term of this proposed plan of operations in response to 

changes in the operations or to changes in the economy.

G3. Operations shall be conducted to prevent damage to historic properties or objects of antiquity protected by American 

Antiquities Act (16 U.S.C. 433); Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended; National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969; American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978; Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 

1979, as applicable in 36 CFR 261 Regulations; applicable Sections 36 CFR 800 Regulations; and other laws and various 

executive orders that protect cultural resources. Operator shall stop all operations and notify the Forest Service of any discovery 

of cultural or natural history resources and work will not continue in the area of the discovery until the properties have been 

evaluated and all necessary consultations are complete. Removal or destruction of historic artifacts is a violation of Federal law 

and as such not allowed. 

Historic building that are eligible for listing or are unevaluated will be maintained as eligible by following the Secretary of 

Interior’s guidelines for Historic Preservation and consulting with the Forest Service. 

G4. Surface runoff water from off-site shall be diverted around the operating site to ensure that this runoff water does not have a 

negative impact on water quality. Wood, certified weed-free straw bales (See R3), silt fences, or other Forest Service approved 

barriers, may be used to establish a barrier along the banks to control sediment movement into the creek. If tree boles are used, 

the logs must be embedded so that the entire length of the bole is in contact with the ground, and the logs overlap in a parallel 

shingle arrangement so that sediment-laden runoff cannot escape the impounded area.

G5. During ongoing mining activities, all disturbed sites (roads, cut and fill slopes, campsites, ponds, dumps, and stockpiles)

shall be maintained in a stable condition.

G6. No live trees greater than 7” diameter at breast height (4.5’ from uphill side of base of tree) shall be cut without prior written 

approval. All live trees approved for removal shall remain on-site. Forest Service personnel will determine which trees approved 

for removal are merchantable. These trees will be stockpiled by the operator for Forest Service disposal, or for use during final 

reclamation.

Forest Service shall approve removal of snags or trees with signs of mistletoe, prior to falling. If snags greater than 12” are 

removed, the Forest Service shall be notified and a new snag in the same area shall be created with the approval of the Forest

Service wildlife biologist. 

G7. Mining equipment shall cross creeks only at pre-approved sites, as authorized by the District Ranger with FS, NMFS and 

USFWS mitigations, and 2012 BMPs. All fords shall be sloped and armored with rock, based on a site-specific evaluation. 

Bridges shall be installed so as not to result in continued sediment delivery to the stream, and shall be removed upon final 

cessation of mining operations. 

G8. All use and/or construction of any structures shall be listed and authorized in the Plan of Operations or supplement (36CFR 

261.10 (a)). Only structures reasonably incident and necessary for the proposed level of mining operations will be authorized 

(FSM 2812, and 69 Stat. 367; 30 U.S.C. 601, 603, 611-615). 

G9. Snow removal on roads is not approved unless addressed in an approved Plan of Operations or subsequent modifications or 

supplements to the Plan of Operations.
41

G10. Excavations left open for more than a week shall have the sides contoured to allow wildlife to escape should they fall in.

G11. Other than seasonally, where operations have ceased for a year or more, the operator shall annually submit a written 

statement of intent to the District Ranger which includes the operator’s intent to maintain the equipment and structures, the 

expected date operations will resume, and an estimate of extended duration of operations. The operator will maintain the site, 

equipment, and structures in a neat and safe condition during non-operating periods (36 CFR 228.10).

G12. Buffer strips and/or silt fencing (or other materials approved by the District Ranger) between the approved operation and 

the channel of intermittent or perennial streams shall be of sufficient width and filtering capacity (as determined by the District 

Ranger) to prevent the introduction of sediment into the stream system during normal seasonal runoff events such as snowmelt or 

high-intensity rainstorm events. 

In addition, if straw bales or silt fences are used, they will be installed with adequate support (i.e. straw bales staked into the 

ground, silt fences dug into the ground and with seams on stakes facing away from sediment sources) and maintained during use

(i.e. fences and bales regularly checked for failure or movement, sediment removed with it accumulates to 1/3 height of silt fence 

or bale). 

G13. All explosive handling and storage will comply with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 

requirements and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Copies of any permits that require any improvements 

(storage facilities, gates, etc.) on national forest system (NFS) lands must accompany the Plan of Operation or supplemental Plan, 

and the improvements shall be identified within the approved Plan. 

G14. Beaver dams will not be breached by the operators. If pond levels behind the dams increase to the point that there is the 

potential to flood the mining operation, the operator shall work with the Forest Service to install pond-level control devices.

G15. Plan-specific stream buffers for mining-related activities (as specified in Appendix 1A of the EIS ) are to be undisturbed. 

No mining activities, storage of equipment or overburden, or vegetation removal is permitted. Driving a vehicle off an existing 

road within a stream buffer is only permitted where necessary to access the stream for mining related activities such as 

installation of a pump or dredge put in, as long as there is no significant impact to surface resources, and is consistent with 2012 

BMPs. For requirements specific to use of fords, see G7.

G16. If new active goshawk nests are discovered, a 30-acre nest area will be delineated by district wildlife personnel around 

active goshawk nest sites, and a seasonal restriction on the use of heavy equipment would be recommended in the immediate 

vicinity of the nests to reduce disturbance to goshawks during courtship and nesting. Nest areas will be deferred from tree 

removal with the exception of snags cut to address hazards around work areas. An active nest site is one that has been used for 

nesting within the previous five years. Failure to monitor a nest site does not equate to inactive status.

If a new active goshawk nest is discovered after a Plan of Operation is approved, the Forest would initiate a Plan modification 

process per (CFR 228.4e) to determine what reasonable additional restrictions could be added to the Plan to mitigate this 

unanticipated impact.

G17. If unexpected heritage resources are encountered during project implementation, these resources will be protected from 

disturbance and evaluated for eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Significant resources will be 

avoided or mitigated as described below. In accordance with 36 CFR 800 and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act (1966), all unevaluated sites will be avoided pending determination of eligibility for listing on the National Register of 

Historic Places by the Forest Service and consultation with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. All eligible and 

unevaluated sites will be protected throughout the life of the project if possible. Protection of these sites, in most cases, shall be 

accomplished through avoidance by ground-disturbing activities.

If protection or avoidance of significant heritage resources is not possible, mitigation measures will be developed in consultation 

with the Forest Service and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and in some cases, the Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation.

G18. Approval of this plan does not relieve the operator from complying with all applicable Federal, State, or County laws or 

regulations. Any regulations/laws referenced herein are for emphases only and not intended to cover all regulations that may

apply to this operation. 

G19. Copies of any permits/certifications issued by other regulatory agencies related to mining operations on NFS lands shall be 

submitted to the authorized officer. In some cases this may be required prior to approval of the Plan. (CWA §401(a)(1). BMP 

Min-8)
42

G20. Extended occupancy (longer than allowed under the Forest Order) must be incidental to and necessary for the level of 

proposed mining operation and authorized in the Plan of Operations1

. No person not actively involved in the day to day 

operations will be authorized to stay longer than allowed under the Forest Order (ORDER NO. 2010-0616-WW-12 and Uma FO 

2009-0614-UM-01) (36CFR 261.1(a) and 261.58(a).

G21. The work site and camp area will be kept clean and orderly. Litter and other non-essential mining items brought in by the 

operator will be removed by the operator from NFS lands and disposed of properly. Burning or burying of trash is not 

authorized. (36CFR 261.11 (b)(c)(d)) 

G22. When the operator is contemplating a sale of the claim(s) associated with their approved Plan of Operations, the 

claimant/operator shall notify the District Ranger. The Plan of Operations will not automatically transfer to the new owner, and 

the new owner must file their own notice to the Forest Service (36CFR 288.4). If a new owner wishes to submit the same Plan, 

additional environmental analysis may not be needed. 

G23. During water drafting, pumps should be screened with 3/32” plate screen (or equivalent). Screens should be kept in good 

and efficient state of repair, and water must not be withdrawn at any time that the screen is removed.

G24. At a pre-arranged meeting time and place, the Forest Service minerals administrator will inspect all equipment prior to its 

placement on NFS land in order to make sure that it is in working order, and there are no obvious leaks.

G25: Any existing Forest Service section corners and/or marker trees removed or damaged by the miner will be replaced at the 

miner’s expense

Hazardous Materials

H1. No processing chemicals shall be used in the process to extract ore unless authorized in a Plan of Operations. Authority will 

be in conjunction with Oregon DEQ permitting regulations.

H2. No chemical flocculent or surfactant shall be used in ponds unless it is EPA approved and shown to be safe for aquatic 

species (amphibians).

H3. Operators shall be required to have a lined containment vault under hazardous material storage barrels. 

H4. Before commencing operations, operator shall provide a Hazardous Substances Plan. The Plan must include, but is not 

limited to, hazardous substances (as defined by 29 CFR 1910.120) to be used in the mining operation and identification of 

operators’ representatives responsible for supervising initial containment action for releases and, if required by Forest Service, 

subsequent cleanup. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous materials used will be available at the mining 

operation and all such materials shall be labeled in accordance with Federal and State regulations. The Plan should show 

operator's procedures for reporting and responding to a release. The current names and telephone numbers of those to be notified 

and their responsibilities should be listed. The Forest's Emergency Response Coordinator (name shall be supplied by the Forest 

service) should be included as a person to be notified early. The Plan should also list the appropriate hazardous substance 

response services to be employed for release assessment and cleanup actions.

H5. Spill kits shall be available on site in case of an accidental spill. Spill kits (minimum size 40 gallons) must be able to absorb 

and contain oils, coolants, solvents and other materials in the event of a spill.

H6. Petroleum products or other hazardous substances shall not be released into land, rivers, streams, impoundments, or natural 

or man-made channels leading thereto. Storage of fuel, fueling of equipment or routine maintenance shall require the use of oilabsorbing mats, and storage would occur outside the plan-specific stream buffers for mining-related activities (as specified 

in Appendix 1A of the EIS ). Oil-absorbing mats are required under all stationary equipment to prevent leaking or spilled 

petroleum base products from contaminating soil and water resources. Such material will be furnished by operator and approved 

by the District Ranger before use.

H7. Burning of spilled substances shall not occur unless authorized by the District Ranger and Oregon DEQ.

 1 1.Be reasonably incident - Reasonably incident means the statutory standard "prospecting, mining, or processing operations and uses 

reasonably incident thereto" (30 U.S.C. 612). It is a shortened version of the statutory standard. It includes those actions or expenditures of labor 

and resources by a person of ordinary prudence to prospect, explore, define, develop, mine, or beneficiate a valuable mineral deposit using 

methods, structures, and equipment appropriate to the geological terrain, mineral deposit, and stage of development and reasonably related 

activities.
43

H8. All equipment shall be checked for fluid leaks on a daily basis. All equipment operating on mining operation will be in good

repair and shall be free from leakage of lubricants, fuel, coolants, and hydraulic fluid. Servicing of all equipment shall be done 

only in the areas approved by the District Ranger as part of the Plan of Operations. Unless otherwise agreed, operator shall 

properly dispose of all contaminated soil, vegetation, debris, vehicle oil filters (drained of free-flowing oil), oily rags, and waste 

oil in accordance with local, State, and Federal regulations off NFS lands and shall transport such substances in accordance with 

State and Federal regulations.

H9. Operator shall immediately implement the Hazardous Substances Plan, notifying appropriate agencies, including the Forest 

Service, concerning all spills, leaks, or other releases of petroleum products or other hazardous substances (as defined in (29 CFR 

1910.1200 and/or releases) on or in the vicinity of all NFS lands which are caused by operator's employees, directly or indirectly, 

as a result of mining operations. Plans of Operations must display storage locations for hazardous substances.

H10. In addition to taking initial action to contain all releases, operator shall be held liable for all damages and costs of additional 

labor, subsistence, equipment, supplies, and transportation deemed necessary by the government for the containment and cleanup 

of petroleum products or other hazardous substances.

H11. If the total oil or oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons or if any single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons, 

operator shall prepare and implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. Such plan shall meet 

applicable EPA requirements (40 CFR 112), including certification by a registered professional engineer. This plan shall include 

notification of appropriate State and local officials, the Forest Service, and other appropriate agencies.

H12. It is the intent that all releases shall be removed from NFS lands and disposed of according to above regulations. De 

minimus (trifling) releases are occasional drips that fall from operating equipment. Routine systematic releases are drips that 

become increasingly worse and/or operator takes no preventative action to curtail releases. The Forest Service is not expected to 

enforce this provision as to de minimus releases, but routine systematic releases warrant enforcement.

Fire Protection and Suppression Requirements

Specific fire prevention measures are listed below and shall be effective for the period of April 1 to October 31 of each year. The 

Forest Service may change the dates of said period by advance written notice if justified by unusual weather or other conditions. 

Required tools and equipment shall be kept currently in serviceable condition and immediately available for initial attack on fires. 

Compliance with State Forest Laws - Listing of specific fire precautionary measures herein is not intended to relieve the operator

in any way from compliance with the State Fire Laws covering fire prevention and suppression equipment, applicable to 

operations under this Plan of Operations. These requirements meet the intent of 36 CFR 228.11.

F1. Fire Plan – Before starting any operations, the mine operator shall prepare a fire plan, in cooperation with the district 

minerals administrator, providing for the prevention, notification and control of fires in the project area.

F2. Substitute Measures - The District Ranger may by written notice authorize substitute measures or equipment or may waive 

specific requirements during periods of low fire danger.

F3. Emergency Measures - The Forest Service may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of 

equipment or portions of operations in the mining claim during periods of fire emergency created by hazardous climatic 

conditions. 

F4. Fire Control - The mine operator shall, independently and in cooperation with the WWNF, take all reasonable action to 

prevent and suppress fires on the mining claim. Independent initial action shall be prompt and shall include the use of all 

personnel and equipment available in the mining claim. 

F5. Fire Precautions

1) Smoking and Open Fires -Smoking and fires shall be permitted only at the option of the mine operator. Campfires shall be on 

mineral soil within a fire ring (either rock or metal) and shall not be left unattended. Unless restricted by State Law or 

Federal Regulation, smoking shall be permitted only in such portions of the mining claim that are free of flammable 

material. Smokers shall extinguish and press out all burning material in a closed container or in mineral soil before 

leaving the cleared area. 

2) Fire Extinguishers and Equipment on Trucks, Tractors, etc. - All power-driven equipment operated on NFS lands, except 

portable fire pumps, shall be equipped with one fire extinguisher having a UL rating of at least 5 BC, and one "D" 

handled or long-handled, round-point shovel size "0" or larger. In addition, each motor patrol, truck, and passengercarrying vehicle shall be equipped with a double-bit axe or Pulaski, 31⁄2 pounds or larger. Equipment shall be kept in a 

serviceable condition and shall be readily available.
44

3) Power Saws - Each gasoline power saw operator shall be equipped with a pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less 

than 8-ounce capacity by weight and one long-handled, round-point shovel, size "0" or larger. The extinguisher shall 

be kept in possession of the saw operator at all times. The shovel shall be accessible to the operator within 1 minute.

4) Spark Arresters and Mufflers - Each internal combustion engine shall be equipped with a spark arrester meeting either (1) 

USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, or (2) appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended 

practice J335(b) and J350(a) as now or hereafter amended unless it is:

(a) Equipped with a turbine-driven exhaust supercharger such as the turbocharger. There shall be no exhaust 

bypass.

(b) A passenger-carrying vehicle or light truck or medium truck up to 40,000 GVW used on roads and equipped 

with a factory-designed muffler complete with baffles and an exhaust system in good working condition.

(c) A heavy duty truck, such as a dump or log truck, or other vehicle used for commercial hauling, used only on 

roads and equipped with a factory designed muffler and with a vertical stack exhaust system extending above the 

cab.

Exhaust equipment described in this subsection, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed and constantly 

maintained in serviceable condition.

F6. The operator shall observe all the requirements of the Industrial Fire Precaution Level. It is the responsibility of the operator 

to obtain the Industrial Fire Precaution Level daily. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level may be obtained daily from the Forest 

Service at approximately 4PM to 6PM, local time. (R6-FS-6300-51 Regional Forester Order No. 3).

F7. Fire Security - When the Industrial Fire Precautions Level is "I" or higher, unless a waiver is granted, the operator shall 

designate a person who shall perform fire security services listed below on the mining claim and vicinity. The designated person 

shall be capable of operating the operator's communications and firefighting equipment specified in F-6b, and of directing the 

activities of the operator's personnel on forest fires. In lieu of having the designated person perform the required supervisory 

duties, the operator may provide another person meeting the qualifications stated above to direct the activities of the operator's 

personnel and equipment during all firefighting activities. 

Services described shall be for at least 1 hour from the time the operator's operations are shut down. For the purposes of this 

provision, personnel servicing equipment and their vehicles who are not engaged in cutting or welding metal are excluded. 

Fire security services shall consist of moving throughout the operation area or areas constantly looking, reporting, and taking 

suppression action on any fires detected. 

Whenever the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is "II" or greater, a fire security person equipped with a long-handled, round point, 

Number "0" or larger, shovel, and a five-gallon backpack pump can filled with water will stay at the location of a blast for 1 hour 

after blasting is done. Blasting may be suspended by Forest Service in writing, in an area of high rate of spread and resistance to 

control.

F8. Surface blasting - Fuses shall not be used for blasting. Explosive cords shall not be used without written Forest Service 

permission, which may specify conditions under which such explosives may be used and precautions to be taken. 

Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds

IS1. The minerals administrator will provide the mine operator with a noxious weed identification book and a map of known 

noxious weed locations on or near the proposed activity area so that the operator is able to recognize the presence of noxious

weeds. 

IS2. Actions conducted or authorized by written permit by the Forest Service that will operate outside the limits of the road 

prism, require the cleaning of all equipment (e.g. heavy equipment, pumps, ATVs) prior to entering NFS lands, and will comply

with regional and forest-specific invasive plant management plans, and the 2011 Region 6 Aquatics Invasive Species 

Management Plan. 

The Forest Service minerals administrator will inspect all equipment prior to its placement on NFS land to make sure that it has

been cleaned for invasive species. Mining equipment already on NFS land will be cleaned by the operator, to remove invasive 

species at the current work site before moving to another location. 

IS3. Use only gravel, fill, sand, and rock that is judged to be weed free by Forest Service weed specialists.

IS4. The presence of any previously unknown invasive species infestations (aquatic or terrestrial) should be reported to the Forest 

Service Minerals Administrator as soon as possible. Upon notification, Forest Service employees shall initiate a weed inventory 

at the reported site.
45

IS5. All noxious weed infestations will be avoided during times of seed production. If avoidance is not feasible, then mechanical

treatment (pulling, chopping, weed eating, etc.) will occur prior to any ground disturbing activities. Treatment of these areas 

will, at the minimum, remove all flower heads prior to seed set. 

IS6. When invasive plants begin to grow on stockpiled soil, mechanical treatment will occur to prevent seed set. Mechanical 

treatment (like pulling, chopping, etc.) will occur as flowers begin to form. The resulting organic matter may be left on site if 

removed prior to seed set.

Lode Mines 

L1. When water from an adit is used in the mining process, it shall be piped or trenched around the mine dump to a settling pond 

for use. Certified weed-free straw bales and filter cloth will also be used to minimize sediment if determined necessary by the 

District Ranger.

L2. Settling ponds shall not be built on mine dumps.

L3. Prior to the beginning of operations, the operator(s) will test any adit discharge for compliance with the CWA and Safe 

Drinking Water Act, Oregon State and the EPA, at an approved testing facility. As conditions change during operations, the 

operator(s) will periodically test the discharge to see if water chemistry has changed (e.g. heavy metals or sulfides). Upon 

completion of the operations, a final water quality test of the adit discharge will be completed. 

L4. When processing is conducted on Forest Service land, tailings from the first run will need to be tested at an approved testing 

facility to see if they have the potential to release acidity or other contaminates. (See EPA standards and CWA for guidelines). 

Testing of the waste rock may be required based on the type of rock present. Additional testing will be required throughout the 

life of the operation as conditions change. Upon completion of the operations, a final test of the tailings and waste rock will be 

required before the Plan can be closed out. Reclamation procedures may be modified, depending on the results of the testing.

L5. When testing of adit discharge, tailings or waste rock, a copy of the test results will be sent directly from the testing facility 

to the District Ranger. Should the results exceed EPA and ODEQ’s standards, the operator must address this issue prior to 

continuing this portion of the operation (36CFR 261.11 (c)). A modification to the Plan may be required as per direction found in 

36CFR 228.4 (e). 

L6. Water and winter run off will be diverted around tailings and waste rock piles.

L7. When opening a collapsed adit portal, the surface soils will be set aside for later closure of the adit or use as top soil for 

reclamation.

L8. Should water begin to discharge from previously dry adits, the District Ranger will be notified immediately and L3 and L5 

would apply. 

L9. Tailings, waste rock, and soil piles will be placed in separate /locations. Tailings and waste rock piles will be placed a 

sufficient distance from any nearby surface waters such that no surface discharge from the waste rock or tailings will reach the 

waters. 

L10. The operator will be held financially responsible for containing/controlling tailings or waste rock that exceeds EPA 

standards for human health and safety. The operator(s)/owners(s) will be held responsible until the tailings and waste rock are in 

a stable, non-leaching condition.

L11. Portal discharges resulting from underground development conducted during the life of the approved Plan of Operations 

must meet State standards for water quality for the receiving stream. The point of compliance shall be at the point of entry into 

Waters of the State. If water quality standards are exceeded, then the operator(s) shall comply with OAR 340-041-0004. If 

treatment systems are needed to meet State Water Quality standards, a supplemental plan must be submitted to the District 

Ranger for approval prior to implementation.

L12. Decontamination procedures for White Nose Syndrome “Geomyces destructans” will be required for all equipment leaving 

or coming into an adit site. See EIS for procedures as of Jan 25, 2013. The most current procedures can be found at the 

following web site or through local State or Federal Fish and Wildlife office. 

http://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/topics/decontamination 

Placer Mining

P1. When mining or processing old lode tailings or waste rock, then the following Lode requirements apply: L1-6, L8-10, L11.
46

Reclamation Requirements

Ongoing Reclamation 

R1. Prior to reclamation, the operator will coordinate with the Forest Service on reclamation activities for things such as, but not 

limited to, placement of topsoil, use of slash (e.g. scattering on the surface, burying to create an organic layer), seed mixes and 

seeding rates, and means of accelerating vegetative recovery and soil development.

R2. Reclamation shall be ongoing to ensure stabilization of the area and so that a minimum amount of ground will be open at any 

time. 

R3. Use certified weed-free straw for all projects, conducted or authorized by the Forest Service, on NFS lands. If State certified 

straw is not available, use sources certified to be weed free using the North American Weed Free Forage Program Standards or a 

similar certification process.

R4. All mining excavations, not approved for winter hold over, will be refilled and reclaimed to normal contours before seasonal 

shutdown of each year. This shall include refilling of the excavations, re-vegetating to avoid active erosion, and mulching with 

certified weed-free straw. 

R5. All mining excavations, approved for winter hold over, shall be stabilized prior to seasonal shutdowns or extended periods of 

inactivity. This shall be accomplished before any equipment is removed. Stabilization includes, but is not limited to, the 

following: covering the stockpiled top soil and other areas of bare soil with certified weed-free straw, sloping pond sides and 

trenches, and installing sediment barriers in disturbed areas such as roads or mined area to prevent soil from reaching stream 

channels.

R6. Topsoil, where it exists, shall be scraped off the areas to be excavated and stockpiled for later reclamation. All material shall 

be stockpiled in the order that it was excavated and used to refill the excavation in that order. 

R7. At the end of each operating season, areas of stockpiled soil (including silt removed from placer mining settling ponds, or 

removed topsoil) will be covered with at least 3 inches of certified weed-free straw. 

R8. General specifications for revegetation, such as seed mixes, shrub types, and the rate of application or planting densities, will 

be developed by the time of Operating Plan approval. Actual seed mixes, shrub types, and the rate of application or planting

densities will be finalized at the time reclamation begins in coordination with the Forest Service. 

R9. Re-vegetated areas will initially be inspected for stocking and planting methods and then evaluated annually by the Forest 

Service to determine if the site’s original or surrounding densities have been maintained. Year to year improvement must occur 

in order for that portion of the bond, held for re-vegetation, to be returned. Annual improvement must show establishment of 

desired species and spread, equal to or greater than 10% each year such that by the end of year 3 there is at least 30% 

establishment in order to meet the objectives of this requirement (W-W LMP pg. 4-25)(UMA LMP 4-70 & 80)(BMP Min-8).

R10. The operator must follow the requirements of the State of Oregon 600 permit (General Water Pollution Control Facility 

Permit issued pursuant to ORS 468B.050) as it applies to use of ponds as settling ponds. Water shall be contained in settling 

ponds with no sediment discharge allowed. All ponds approved to be left open during seasonal shutdown shall be left dry or at 

the normal water table. The mine operator shall have certified weed-free straw bales or wattles or other material available onsite, that are approved by the Forest Service, to be used as a filtering agent should overtopping of ponds or significant soil 

movement from storm events occur.

Final Reclamation 

R11. All mined areas included in Plan of Operation activities shall be returned to natural or near-natural contours; if located on 

the hillside, the areas will be benched for stability.

R12. Following re-contouring of the ground, the ground will be seeded with native seed species or locally appropriate native 

trees and shrubs, and certified weed-free straw shall be scattered over the reclaimed area. 

R13. Mine access roads, landings, and terrace areas created under the mining operation shall scarified to a depth of 2 to 4 inches, 

seeded with seed certified free of noxious weeds, and covered with certified weed-free straw and wood, if available, to 

discourage vehicle access. 
47

R14. Exposed cutbanks created by the operator (excluding streambanks and terrace banks) shall be sloped to a 2:1 slope to 

minimize soil movement wherever testing in these banks has taken place. 

R15. In order to determine which ponds should be reclaimed or retained, and whether modifications are necessary for the 

retained ponds, refer to Table in EIS. 

Pond Reclamation: Where ponds are identified for reclamation, the pond shall be backfilled, re-contoured and seeded as 

specified in R 12. 

Pond Retention AND modification required: Where existing or newly constructed ponds are identified for retention and 

modification, the operator should slope sides from 0-18” deep along the north, west, and east edges. This sloped 

portion of the pond should be a minimum of 3 feet in width. These specifications were developed to provide spotted 

frog breeding habitat. Species of vegetation planted around the retained ponds will reflect the native species 

composition for the area. Pre-existing ponds that are occupied/suitable for amphibians shall be left for amphibian 

habitat. 

Pond Retention BUT no modification required: Leave pond as is.

R16. After seeding, the mine operator will distribute certified weed-free straw, 3 inches thick over approximately two-thirds of 

the area in mid to late fall leaving patchy open areas.

R17. All stockpiled topsoil and/or other suitable fines, such as silt from the settling ponds, shall be spread over disturbed areas in 

an ongoing restoration program after consultation with the Forest Service as to placement of fines and/or topsoil, and will be 

consistent with the approved Plan of Operations and reclamation standards included in the WWNF Forest Plan and UNF Forest 

Plan (WWNF Forest Plan, 4-25 #27-29, UNF Forest Plan (4-80 #2).

R18. Final reclamation will be evaluated for success, with consideration given to variables such as the time of the year, how 

much topsoil was available, the density of the existing ground cover, and if native plants are establishing, and is consistent with 

the reclamation standards included in the WWNF Forest Plan (WWNF Forest Plan, 4-25 #27-29 and Umatilla NF Forest Plan 

(4-70 #1-6, and 4-81).

Requirements for Working in Wetlands and Floodplains

These requirements, along with the reclamation requirements above, are included to meet the intent of Executive Order 11990 –

Protection of Wetlands, and Executive Order 11988 – Protection of Floodplains

W1. Mining in the floodplain or wetlands will be accomplished by placing equipment in dry areas located outside the floodplain 

or wetland. The wet areas and floodplain areas will be mined and reclaimed after July 1. Seasonal reclamation shall be 

accomplished by late fall in time to allow for the areas to revegetate and stabilize before winter (see R8 and R9 for specifications 

regarding revegetation). 

W2. Where wetland vegetation is approved to be removed, it shall be kept wet by placing it in the ponds for up to 14 days while 

the area is being mined and reclaimed. The vegetation shall be replaced in the riparian area to approximately the original density 

and monitored for success for 3 years as described in R9 above. The success of final reclamation shall be evaluated as stated in 

R18 above.

W3. The size, location and function of wetlands after reclamation shall be similar to what now exists

Road-related Requirements (Z-Requirements)

Definitions:

Open road: Road designated for motorized travel on a Motor Vehicle Use Map and/or designated as a National Forest System 

Road Operating above a Maintenance Level 1. This includes roads seasonally open. 

Closed road: Road listed in a forest transportation atlas and a National Forest System Road operating at a Maintenance Level 1 

and/or not shown on a Motor Vehicle Use Map. 

Temporary access road: Roads created by the operator whether by blading or continued travel. A road or trail necessary for 

emergency operations or authorized by contract, permit, lease, or other written authorization that is not a forest road or 
48

trail and that is not included in a forest transportation atlas. These roads are not necessary for long-term resource 

management and will be decommissioned after use. The level of decommissioning will be specified in the operating 

plan. Temporary access roads are given a number in the operating plans for tracking and mapping purposes. An “M” 

number is a miner-created road that the operator is responsible for decommissioning and/or obliterating once mining 

activity is complete. An “E” number is an existing road designated for use by the operator, and the operator is not 

required to decommission and/or obliterate once mining activity is complete.

Decommissioned road: A road that was listed in a forest transportation atlas and has had an action taken to eliminate use of the 

road, eliminate resource protection concerns, has no deferred maintenance needs, and requires no further maintenance. 

These roads have a route status of “decommissioned”. If specified in the operating plan, these roads may be utilized as 

temporary access roads, in lieu of new ground-disturbing construction.

Requirements: 

The following requirements apply only during the dry season window (generally July 1 to October 1). During the dry season 

window, it would be unusual to get enough precipitation over a duration long enough to cause significant road damage. Outside 

the dry season window, weather and road conditions become variable daily. Operators working outside this window will be 

required to consult with the Forest Service to determine if special road Best Management Practices (BMPs) are required. The 

type of special BMPs required will vary and may range from timing of vehicular passage to full construction of erosion or 

drainage control structures.

The operator will be responsible for acquiring state, county and or local permits and activities shall be in accordance with the 

current edition of the National Forest Commercial Road Use Rules for hauling of mining equipment or excavated materials.

Z1. Use of closed and temporary access roads will be incidental to mining operations.

Z2. Temporary roads proposed in the Plan of Operations will be flagged by the operator and ground verified by the Forest 

Service prior to creation. The creation of these temporary roads should be with minimal impact to the environment, fit the 

terrain, limit the need for excavation by following natural contours, favor lower slope routes, and be consistent with other 

environmental protections. 

Z3. Prior to use of existing closed or temporary access roads identified for use in the plan of operations, danger trees shall be

identified by certified Forest Service personnel. The operator is responsible for felling of the danger trees and clearing any debris 

from the road prior to use. Danger trees shall be left on the ground in a stable manner, so as not to roll onto the road or encroach 

the traveled way, and left for wildlife purposes or dealt with as stated in the G6 requirement. 

Z4. Existing closed and temporary access roads shall have brush and trees removed to the extent necessary to accommodate the 

movement of the operator’s equipment and vehicles only. All stumps and brush in the road bed to be removed shall be flush cut 

no more than 2 inches above the ground. Grubbing of roots and stumps shall only be allowed with prior written approval from 

the Forest Service. To minimize the potential for road damage, removal of trees and brush is limited to the dry season. 

Z5. Disposal of trees/brush removed from proposed and existing closed and temporary access shall be accomplished in one of 

the following ways, based on site-specific characteristics determined in writing by the Forest Service: 1) Vegetation shall be 

scattered on the downhill side of the road, and shall not be placed in draws, catch basins, ditch lines, or stream channels. 2) 

Vegetation shall be moved to a Forest Service designated site, and left in piles of a size approved by the Forest Service. 

Z6. The operator shall be responsible for reducing water flow concentrations resulting in road erosion on closed and temporary 

access roads. Traveled way maintenance activity shall be limited to the dry season to minimize the potential for road damage. 

Minor road work, such as slough removal, shall be in permitted areas where the fill slope materials have settled over time. 

Minor blading and shaping of the road shall be permitted to remove minor deformities (i.e. boulders, holes, gullies) in travel ways 

that impede the passage of high-clearance vehicles. A rocky-based material shall be applied to wet (i.e. seep areas) or eroded 

areas, as prescribed by the Forest Service, in order to minimize or prevent gullying of the road, concentration of flow, or rutting 

and pooling of water. All sources of rocky material shall be approved by the Forest Service in writing prior to application.

Z7. All closed roads and temporary access roads used by the operator shall be prepared for seasonal runoff during inactive 

periods (over winter). Water bars shall be constructed to provide effective surface drainage relief. 

Z8. During the use and maintenance of all closed or temporary access roads, surface drainage and erosion control features or 

structures shall be maintained, repaired or installed. This work shall be accomplished in a manner to effectively control and/or 

prevent water concentrations upon the road bed and prevent or eliminate the movement of sediment from any activity or source 

from entering into streams. Examples of erosion control and drainage structures, and those to be maintained, repaired, or 

installed include silt fences, erosion control blankets, earthen berms, sediment catch basins, drain dips, armored grade sags, water 
49

bars and corrugated metal pipes. New installation of these structures shall be agreed upon by the Forest Service prior to 

installation. 

The above structures shall be positioned to optimize the use of existing filter strips (vegetated area of land between road/sediment 

sources and the stream, capable of providing filtering and confinement, reducing water velocity to prevent transport of sediment 

into the stream). All drainage and erosion control structures shall be maintained to function during actual use and throughout 

periods of seasonal non-use. Additional measures shall be employed, if necessary, to counteract additional drainage and erosion 

needs during traditional wet seasons. The additional structures shall be installed prior to a seasonal shut down. The Forest 

Service may direct additional measures be implemented prior to high-intensity drainage periods (i.e. winter, spring snow melt and 

rain).

Z9. Seasonal wet areas in access roads shall be avoided until they have dried up, unless otherwise approved in writing by the 

Forest Service. If a seasonal wet area must be crossed prior to drying up, the crossing site will be designed to permit continued 

subsurface diffuse flow (i.e. French drain) and prevent rutting or channel development. The design and materials to be used shall 

be reviewed and approved by the Forest Service in writing prior to construction.

Z10. Crossing of permanent wetlands to access a site will be avoided. 

Z11. Crossing a channel with intermittent flow to access mining operations shall occur only at Forest Service approved 

locations. Additional measures (i.e., culvert, ford, etc.) may be required if determined necessary by the Forest Service. 

Z12. During seasonal shutdowns, to restrict vehicular travel, the operator is responsible for closing roads not designated as open 

and all temporary access roads as identified in the Plan of Operations. 

Z13. Proposed gate location as identified in the Plan of Operations shall be approved by the Forest Service District Ranger 

before installation. The gate shall be constructed according to the National Forest specifications. 

Z14. Temporary access roads that have a road number ending with an “M”, shall be decommissioned or hydrologically 

obliterated by the operator (as defined below) when mining activities are completed. Methods are to be approved in writing by 

the Forest Service district ranger prior to decommissioning or hydrologically obliterating. 

Decommission: To remove those elements of a road that reroute hill slope drainage and present slope stability 

hazards. 

Hydrological obliteration: The reclamation and or restoration of land to resource production from that of a 

transportation facility. The roadbed is treated so that it no longer functions as a road. The wheel tracks or pathway is no 

longer continuous or suitable for traffic. This may involve some of the following activities: Closing entrances, 

scarifying road surfaces, decompacting (sub soiling) to establish vegetation and reduce run-off, seeding, partial to full 

restoration of the stream channel crossings by removing culverts.

Monitoring

M1. The operator will visually evaluate the clarity of the creek water upstream and downstream of their operation at a minimum 

prior to beginning work that day and after ceasing operations that day. If there is a change in water clarity below the mining site, 

the operation shall cease work until the cause of the sediment input is determined by the Forest Service (36CFR 261.11 (c)). 

Notification of the Forest Service of the change in water quality shall occur no later than the end of the first normal working day 

after the observation has been made. 
50

Status of the Species

Columbia River Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) – Bull Trout were listed as threatened by the US Fish and 

Wildlife Service under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1998 and later designated CH in Sept. 

2010. Historically bull trout inhabited most of the NFJD river drainage and its tributaries. Presently only small 

populations exist in isolated sections of the upper NFJD and its tributaries (Table 5). Migratory and resident bull 

trout subpopulations are found throughout the Granite Creek Subwatershed and listed CH can be found in Figure 2

(USDI FWS 2010). Spawning habitat in the Granite subwatershed is limited and whether there is possible brook 

trout hybridization is largely unknown. There is evidence of brook trout hybridization in the lower reaches and 

tributaries of the NFJD. Little is known about the current status of many of the bull trout subpopulations throughout 

Granite Watershed. Given existing conditions and information from the extensive 1990 ODFW surveys, most of 

these populations are considered at risk (2002 draft Bull Trout Recovery plan). 

Surveys by Oregon Department of Fish Wildlife in the John Day basin show declines in bull trout redd counts. 

Streams surveyed include Baldy Creek, Upper Big Creek, Call Creek, and North Fork Reynolds Creek. (Anderson, 

personal communication 2014). See chart below.

Brook trout are a non-native fish species found in the Granite Watershed in Lake Creek, above and below Olive 

Lake (Jeff Neal, personal communication 2014).

Middle Columbia River Steelhead/Interior Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss/gairdneri) –

Mid-Columbia Steelhead were listed as Threatened by the National Marine Fisheries Service under authority of the 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999. Interior redband trout had previously been listed as Sensitive by the Forest 

Service in Region 6 and are on the State Sensitive/Critical list in Oregon. For practical purposes, juvenile resident 

redband trout cannot be distinguished from the anadromous form (steelhead) where the two occur together and so no

distinction will be made here. This means that the more restrictive ESA “Threatened” classification would apply. 

Steelhead and redband trout are found throughout the Granite Watershed.
51

Steelhead display two broad life history patterns typically called summer-run and winter-run. Summer-run steelhead 

are found in the project area in the NFJD River Basin (Table 5). Summer-run steelhead (stream-maturing) enter 

freshwater at an early stage of maturation, usually from March to October. Steelhead spawning occurs between 

March and May. Prior to spawning, maturing adults hold in pools or in side channels to avoid high winter flows. 

Typically, they spawn in stream reaches with a moderate to high gradient. Fry typically emerge between April and 

June. Summer steelhead in the NFJD can rear in freshwater habitat up to four winters. Migration to the ocean 

typically occurs at age 2 for wild summer steelhead, while most hatchery smolts migrate at age 1 (Carmichael and 

Taylor, 2009).

The North Fork John Day (NFJD) summer steelhead population is distinct but, part of the larger John Day River 

Major Population Group (MPG), within the Mid-Columbia Steelhead ESU. This population of steelhead occupies 

the highest elevation, and wettest area in the John Day basin. According to the Oregon Mid-C Steelhead Recovery 

Plan (Carmichael and Taylor 2009), the NFJD River Summer Steelhead population is at very low risk based on 

current abundance and productivity. This analysis was based on population abundance/productivity and spatial 

structure/diversity. Abundance/productivity is based on adult spawner returns and smolt to adult ratios (SAR). 

Spatial structure/diversity is based on analysis of spatial extent or range of the population, genetic variation, spawner 

composition, population connectivity and major life history strategies. Although the NFJD summer steelhead 

population is rated as highly viable and meeting recovery goals, the John Day River MPG remains below viable 

status due to the “maintained” population status on the Lower John Day. Refer to Appendix B for MCR steelhead 

returns in the Upper North Fork John Day River.

Results of the estimates smolt-to-adult survival rates (SAR) and out-migrant abundance for summer steelhead O. 

mykiss and life history characteristics of summer steelhead for the John Day River subbasin were summarized by 

Wilson et al. (2010). Juvenile steelhead abundance estimate for the Mainstem and South Fork John Day abundance 

estimates were nearly double previous highest estimates reported in the last six years.

Designated Critical Habitat for Middle Columbia River Steelhead

Designated critical habitat for Middle Columbia River steelhead within the NFJD subbasin includes all rivers and 

stream reaches accessible to steelhead below long-standing natural barriers (Federal Register Vol. 70 (170); 

September 2, 2005). See Figure 2 below, for all streams designated as CH for Mid-Columbia Steelhead within the 

Granite Watershed.
52

Table 5. Miles of designated critical habitat and occupied habitat.

SWS (HUC 6)

Steelhead DCH Bull Trout DCH

Designated Occupied Designated Occupied

Beaver Creek1 11.3 11.3 0 0

Bull Run Creek2 14.7 14.0 17.0 7.0

Clear Creek3 18.8 20.0 24.1 17.8

Upper Granite Creek4 8.0 7.1 11.8 9.5

Lower Granite Creek5 24.0 24.0 9.8 9.8

1 Steelhead rearing and spawning stream mile 0-11.3. 

2 Steelhead rearing and spawning throughout the watershed. There is limited survey information for Bull Run Creek 

concerning bull trout presence. Bull trout rearing is assumed from stream mile 0-7.0 on Bull Run Creek. 

There is little spawning habitat in the headwater streams and warm summer temperatures limit rearing and 

spawning distribution..

3 Stream mile 0-7.0 on Clear Cr. is migratory and rearing habitat for steelhead and bull trout. Upper Clear Cr. and 

designated CH on tributaries is primarily spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead and bull trout. Lower 

Dry and Spring Creek are occupied non-designated CH.

4 Upper Granite Cr. is assumed rearing and spawning habitat for steelhead and bull trout.

5 Lower Granite primarily provides migratory and rearing habitat for steelhead and bull trout. Steelhead do spawn 

and rear throughout the watersheds listed habitat.
53

Figure 2. Map of Middle Columbia River Steelhead and Columbia River Bull Trout DCH and subwatersheds
54

Environmental Baseline

Mining in the Granite Watershed 1866 – present

Placer mining is defined as the extraction of alluvial ore that occurs as deposits of discrete grains called “placers”. 

Much of the focus of this document is around placer mining. Past mining in the Granite Watershed falls into four 

categories:

• Dredging – a form of placer mining

• Hydraulic – a form of placer mining

• Lode mining

• Suction dredge mining

Historically, there were two common types of placer mining in the Granite Watershed: dredging and hydraulic 

mining. Placer mining peaked during the mid-1860’s. Many acres were heavily impacted by these mining practices 

and over 30 miles of ditches were constructed in Upper Clear Creek subwatershed to deliver water to highbar areas. 

Hydraulic mining was commonly practiced; hydraulic mining consists of spraying jets of water under high pressure 

onto ore-bearing alluvial gravels, many of which now form the banks of modern streams. Evidence of past 

hydraulic mining can be observed throughout the Granite Watershed and abandoned ditches still function in 

collecting snowmelt and rain to channel these waters.

Lode mining and several mills continued through the early 1900’s with the discovery of ore rich veins during placer 

operations. Still present in the Granite Watershed are relic mining shafts or underground mines that were used to 

extract minerals and ore. Overburden from some of these underground mines is still present on the landscape today. 

All lode operations in the Granite EIS analysis are “reopening” or maintaining these historic shafts. 

With lode mining closing around 1911, instream dredging of alluvial deposits became popular and suction dredging 

is still actively practiced today in the Granite Watershed. Historic mining roads now make up a significant portion 

of the older Forest system roads.

Most of the operations proposed in the Granite Mining EIS involve surface mining. Surface mining alters the 

landscape by removing terrestrial vegetation and organic topsoil, thereby exposing areas of land surface to erosion. 

There are two types of surface mining in the Granite watershed: excavation in nonalluvial deposits, and excavation 

in alluvial deposits. With the exception of a couple lode operations, the majority of operations analyzed in the 

Granite Mining EIS are small placer operations. Placer mining is defined as the extraction of alluvial ore that occurs 

as deposits of discrete grains called “placers”.

Environmental Baseline

The environmental baseline conditions are presented as tables 7 – 11 based on the NMFS Matrix of Pathways and 

Indicators described in Making Endangered Species Act Determination of Effect for Individual or Grouped Actions 

at the Watershed Scale (NMFS 1996). For this document the environmental baseline discussion and discussion of 

effects used FS habitat stream survey data and ODFW stream survey data as well as GIS analysis. The 

environmental baseline has been updated where possible to reflect changes in the current environmental conditions 

at the sixth field watershed scale. All reports are on file at the North Fork John Day Ranger District.

Table 6 displays the miles of intermittent and perennial streams by sub-watershed found in Granite Project Area. 
55

Table 6. Miles of intermittent and perennial streams within the Granite Project Area2

Existing Mines within the Granite Watershed

It is estimated that over 100 historic and/or abandoned mines exist in the Granite Creek Watershed. Inventory and 

assessment of these mines is an ongoing project not only for the UNF and WWNF but, other National Forests as 

well. 

Given this watershed’s historical and extensive mining activities, inventories were started to assess the status and 

condition of abandoned mines and to plan for reclamation actions. Part of this process is the use of the 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) which was passed in 

December of 1980 (amended in 1986). This law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and 

provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that 

may endanger public health or the environment. This act provides the funding for clean-up and remediation of these 

sites. In order to provide consistency, the CERCLA act provided a standard frame work and recording process for 

the evaluation of areas in order to determine if there was a need for reclamation and what that reclamation would 

consist of. The following is a short summary of the definitions and acronyms associated with the evaluation 

process. Tables 17 and 18 display summaries of known historic and /or abandoned mines as future cumulative 

effects projects if funding becomes available.

During lode ming there is a potential to intercept groundwater and create acid mine waste discharge. Examples of 

acid mine waste in the project area are the abandoned mines Redboy, Blue Bird and Black Jack as described in 

Tables 17 and 18. These mines are old, some were developed before the National Forest was established. The 

mines are now CERCLA sites and have acid drainage occurring year round, with ongoing piping of acid waste water 

to settling ponds and annual maintenance of the drainage pipes. 

In August of 2015 the pipes in Blue Bird mine carrying acid mine waste plugged. Maintenance of the pipes 

corrected the drainage problem and returned the system to normal operations. Monitoring at the site found 

approximately 40 dead fish. In response to the spill the fish are being tested for cause of death and water samples 

are being tested for mineral content. An incident report is on file. There are two other known accidental discharges 

of of acid mine drainage. In 2003 there was a discharge of acid mine drainage during maintenance at Blue Bird 

mine. In 2010 the retaining dam inside Black Jack mine overtopped, but acid mine discharge did not reach Clear 

Creek. The Forest Service will continue to work with National Marine Fisheries Service and US Fish and Wildlife 

Service to determine impacts of the 2015 Blue Bird mine discharge and follow-up as needed. 

 2 GIS calculation, there is an associated error with stream miles mapped.

Sub-watershed Miles of Perennial 

Streams

Miles of Intermittent 

Streams

Beaver 25.6 15.3

Bull Run 56.8 16.0

Clear Creek 39.4 43.4

Upper Granite Creek 27.3 7.2

Lower Granite Creek 45.5 66.8

Total 194.6 148.7
56

Table 7. Existing Conditions for the Bull Run Creek Subwatershed. 

Stream Surveys included: Bull Run Creek (1991), Boundary Creek (1990), Channel Creek (1993), Corral Creek (1993), Deep 

Creek (1993), Gutridge Creek (1993), Onion Gulch (1993), Pasture Creek (1993). 

 3 Pathways and Indicators defined by NMFS PF=Properly Functioning, AR=At Risk, NPR=Not Properly Functioning.

4 Primary Constituent Elements defined by USFWS FA=Functioning Appropriately, FAR=Functioning At Risk, FAUR=Functioning At 

Unacceptable Risk.

Pathways and Indicators

Environmental 

Baseline

Rationale

(Existing condition)

PF3 AR NPF

Water Quality FA4 FAR FAUR

Temperature X X57-64oF steelhead

>15oC bulltrout

Sediment/turbidity X Bull Run 303d listed

Chemical 

contaminants/nutrients X No 303d list for toxins

Habitat Access

Physical barriers X Barriers at a range of flows

Habitat Elements

Large woody debris X There is <20pieces/mile of LWM but, >20 pieces of woody 

material creating adequate complex fish habitat.

Pool frequency X <47 pools/mile

Pool quality X Few deep pools >1m

Off-channel habitat X Few off-channel areas

Refugia X Insufficient in size and connectivity

Channel 

Conditions/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio X Ranges 3-20

Streambank conditions X 50-100%

Floodplain connectivity X Reduced linkage

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows X Pronounced changes in peak/base flow due to past mining 

impacts and road density

Drainage network increase X No new temp roads crossing stream channel

Watershed Conditions

Road density and location X >3.0 miles/sq miles, many valley bottom roads

Disturbance history X Past disturbance has been located in riparian areas.

Riparian reserves X Significant impacts to riparian areas, channel shape and 

function given past mining disturbance
57

Table 8. Existing Condition for Beaver Creek Subwatershed.

Stream Surveys: Olive Creek (1990, 2007 - only 0.6 miles), Beaver Creek (2007), South Fork Beaver Cr. (2007).

Pathways and Indicators

Environmental Baseline

Rationale

(Existing condition)

PF AR NPF

FA FAR FAUR

Water Quality

Temperature X X 56o-71oF, 13o -21oC for Olive, Beaver Cr. 

TMDL approved.

Sediment/turbidity/Substrate X No 303d lists, embeddedness>35%

Chemical contaminants/nutrients X No 303d list for toxins

Habitat Access

Physical barriers X Barriers at base flow- dry channel units

Habitat Elements

Large woody debris X Current levels are not at desired level on a majority of 

streams but further recruitment is available. 

Pool frequency X <47 pools/mile

Pool quality X Few pools >1 m

Off-channel habitat X Little off-channel habitat <1.4%

Refugia

X

Refugia exist and are adequately buffered but still 

suffer from some past mining efforts. There is little 

quality pool habitat and pool formation from LWM.

Channel Conditions/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio X <10

Streambank conditions X 80-100%

Floodplain connectivity X Reduced linkage to riparian areas due historic mining 

efforts

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows X Pronounced changes in peak/base flow due to past 

mining impacts and road density

Drainage network increase X No new temp roads crossing stream channel

Watershed Conditions

Road density and location X >3.0 miles/sq miles, many valley bottom roads

Disturbance history X Past disturbance has been located in riparian areas 

along Olive Creek.

Riparian reserves X Significant impacts to riparian areas, channel shape 

and function given past mining disturbance
58

Table 9. Existing Conditions for the Clear Creek Subwatershed.

Stream Surveys: Dry Creek (1997), Spring Creek (1997), Clear Creek (east fork and west fork, 1997), Salmon Creek (1997), 

Wolsey Creek (1997), Ruby Creek (1999).

Pathways and 

Indicators

Environmental 

Baseline

Rationale

(Existing Condition)

PF AR NPF

FA FAR FAUR

Water Quality

Temperature X X X Ranges 53oF-70oF or 11oC to 21oC

Sediment/turbidity X No 303d listings in the SWS

Chemical 

contaminants/nutrients X No 303d lists, but several abondaned mines in the watershed, see Table 14.

Habitat Access

Physical barriers X Presence of numerous diversion ditches

Habitat Elements

Large woody debris

X

Current levels are not at desired level on a majority of streams 

but further recruitment is available. Large boulders in some of 

these streams create effective pool habitat. 

Pool frequency X Pools are functioning appropriately for the size of stream 

Pool quality X Few deep pools >1m, depending on season, some water is 

diverted to the Pete Mann Ditch

Off-channel habitat X Some off-channel areas but, of high energy. Many streams are 

channelized from historic hydraulic mining efforts.

Refugia

X

Refugia exist and are adequately buffered but still suffer from 

some past mining efforts. The lower reaches of Clear Cr. can 

be a temperature barrier for resident bull trout.

Channel 

Conditions/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio X X Range from 4-16

Streambank conditions X 80-100%

Floodplain connectivity X Reduced linkage due historic mining efforts

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows X Reduced base flows due to the Pete Mann diversion ditch, past 

mining activity and road density

Drainage network 

increase X No new temp roads crossing stream channel

Watershed Conditions

Road density and location X >3.0 miles/sq miles, many valley bottom roads

Disturbance history X Past disturbance has been located in riparian areas.

Riparian reserves X Significant impacts to riparian areas, channel shape and 

function given past mining disturbance
59

Table 10. Existing Conditions for Upper Granite Creek Subwatershed.

Stream Surveys: Granite Creek (1982, 2009) and Boulder Creek (1993.

Pathways and Indicators

Environmental Baseline

Rationale

(Existing Condition)

PF AR NPF

FA FAR FAUR

Water Quality

Temperature X X X Range from 53-70oF, 12-21oC, TMDL 

approved

Sediment/turbidity X 303d listed

Chemical contaminants/nutrients

X

No 303d lists for toxins, however, there are 

several abandoned mines in the WS refer to 

Table 14.

Habitat Access

Physical barriers X Barriers under a range of flows

Habitat Elements

Large woody debris X In adequate data 

Pool frequency X Meets minimum standards, large boulders 

provide pool habitat

Pool quality X X Granite-many pools are >1 m, Boulder Creekfew pools >1 m

Off-channel habitat X Few off-channel areas, ~1.5%

Refugia

X

Refugia exist and are adequately buffered but 

still suffer from some past mining efforts. The 

lower reaches of Granite and Boulder Cr. can 

be a temperature barrier for resident bull trout.

Channel Conditions/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio X <10

Streambank conditions X Boulder Cr. = 50-80% with high substrate 

embeddedness. Granite = N/A

Floodplain connectivity X Reduced linkage to wetlands and riparian areas 

due to past mining practices.

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows X Pronounced changes in peak/base flow due to 

past mining impacts and road density

Drainage network increase X No new temp roads crossing stream channel

Watershed Conditions

Road density and location X >3.0 miles/sq miles, many valley bottom roads

Disturbance history X Past disturbance has been located in riparian 

areas.

Riparian reserves

X

Significant impacts to riparian areas, channel 

shape and function given past mining 

disturbance
60

Table 11. Existing Conditions for the Lower Granite Creek Subwatershed.

Stream Surveys: Granite Creek (1982), Rabbit Creek (1999), Squaw Creek, Ten Cent Creek (2012). 

Pathways and Indicators

Environmental Baseline

Rationale

(Existing condition)

PF FAR NPF

FA FAR FAUR

Water Quality

Temperature X X Range 52oF-76o, 11oC-24oC, TMDL approved

Sediment/turbidity X 303d listed

Chemical contaminants/nutrients X No 303d list for toxins

Habitat Access

Physical barriers X Barriers under a range of flows

Habitat Elements

Large woody debris X Current levels are <20 pieces/mile

Pool frequency

X

Pool frequency is lower than desired values; there are 

many meadow systems throughout the SWS where LWM 

is inadequate to maintain pools overtime.

Pool quality X Aside from Granite, few streams have pools >1 m.

Off-channel habitat X Few off-channel habitat ~5%

Refugia

X

Refugia exist and are adequately buffered but still impacted 

from some past mining efforts. Lower reaches of Granite 

provide only migratory habitat for bull trout and tributaries only 

support juvenile steelhead/redband.

Channel Conditions/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio X <10

Streambank conditions N/A Not measured

Floodplain connectivity X Reduced linkage of wetlands and riparian areas due to 

past mining efforts

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows X Pronounced changes in peak/base flow due to past mining 

impacts and road density

Drainage network increase X No new temp roads crossing stream channel

Watershed Conditions

Road density and location X >3.0 miles/sq miles, many valley bottom roads

Disturbance history X Past disturbance has been located in riparian areas.

Riparian reserves X Significant impacts to riparian areas, channel shape and 

function given past mining disturbance
61

Analysis of Effects

This section analyzes the direct and indirect effects of the proposed project on listed species under the ESA and their 

critical habitats. Direct effects are immediate impacts occurring at the same place and time as the action, both 

adverse and beneficial. Indirect effects occur at a different place or later time from the action. There are no 

interrelated and interdependent activities associated with, or scheduled to occur, within the action area associated 

with the proposed project; therefore, there are no anticipated effects from interrelated or interdependent activities.

Mining activities are closely managed to reduce the potential for impacts to ESA listed fish and their critical 

habitats. This is due primarily (but not exclusively) to Forest Service General Requirements, Site-Specific Water 

Resources Protection Measures,Site-Specific Fish Protection Measures and Best Management Practices applied 

uniformly across the project area.

The maximum disturbance possible in the Granite Mining project area is approximately 88 acres in the 94,526 acres 

of the Granite Creek Watershed (Table 15) (this does not include the additional 16 acres of disturbance from the 

“no effect” claims). The largest area of potential disturbance is ten acres in Belvadear, Bunch Bucket, Ruby Group 

and Yellow Gold; but the greatest area of active disturbance is .25 acres in any claim. Each area of activity within a 

claim must be reclaimed prior to working another area within the claim.

A full discussion of effects to soils and water resources at each mining site is found in the Granite Mining EIS and is 

not repeated here. Relevant findings of direct and indirect effects to soils and water resources which may affect ESA 

listed species and DCH are summarized below.

Background

Placer Mining 

Placer mining is the mining of stream sand, rock and gravel deposits for minerals, or discrete grains called “placers”. 

The metal or gemstones were moved by stream flow from an original source such as a vein. Heavy metals like gold 

are considerably more dense than the sand, rock and gravel deposits they are found in, and they tend to accumulate 

at the base of placer deposits. As described in the Granite Mining Proposed Action the deposits are worked to find 

the precious metals. This is done by working the previouslu mined and disturbed existing surface deposits or by 

surface equipment excavating previously mined and disturbed areas.

Although hydraulic mining is uncommon today, previously degraded habitats have not yet recovered and still 

exhibit excessive sediment transport, downcutting, and instability. For example, hydraulic mining (e.g., gold) from 

stream deposits and hillslopes dramatically altered stream channels, riparian zones, and floodplains (Spence et al 

1996). As described earlier, earlier hydraulic mining effects such as mounds on streambanks and abandoned ditches 

are still visible in the Granite Watershed. 

The majority of mining proposed in the in the Granite Mining EIS is placer mining in old tailings. Some areas have 

recovered with mature vegetation. As described in the Plans, many sites will use heavy equipment such as backhoes 

and loaders to dig the material and transport to the processing equipment. Some sites will require stream fording or 

temporary bridges.

In areas adjacent to streams there is a potential for indirect effects from transport of sediments to streams as tailings 

are worked. Tailings are often composed of coarse sediment from previous processing and sorting of rock, and 

sediment may be transported subsurface through the porous cobble and rock. The impacts from placer mining 

activities in RHCAs is limited by limits on the size of the test holes and maximum area to be worked and disturbed 

at one time. Test holes range in size from 20’ x 10’ up to 1⁄2 acre, and the maximum area disturbed at one time is 1⁄2 

acre (Table 15). Negative effects of sedimentation and turbidity on fish and aquatics species is well established 

(Henley et al 2000, Michel et al 2013) and includes alteration of food chains, decreases in primary productivity, 

mortality or behavior modification and depressed rates of growth, reproduction and recruitment.
62

Mining activities may directly effect riparian areas by removing established vegetation to access tailings. Many 

sites have poor conditions for vegetation growth from previous disturbance and have little to no established 

vegetation. Vegetation next to streams provides bank stability and shade and can trap transported sediments. 

Vegetation next to streams also provides organic inputs to streams with inputs of large and small wood, and is a 

source of food for fish if insects fall into streams. Fish and aquatic resources are indirectly affected by loss of 

riparian vegetation because of potential negative effects to bank stability, loss of shade, increased sedimentation and 

turbidity and loss of organic material. 

Lode Mining

The type of mineral mined in lode operations influences the extraction method, processing techniques, and thereby 

the environmental impacts. As mentioned above, proposed lode mining in the Granite Mining Project area is strictly 

maintenance and re-opening of existing adits. These operations are only proposing extraction of minerals 

mechanically with heavy equipment. Operations are not extracting deposits using “solution mining”, which 

involves a chemical solvent that is pumped underground with resulting ore solution pumped to the surface for 

recovery. The main environmental concerns with lode operations in the Granite Mining Project are toxic chemicals

leached from the existing mine tailings or overburden. This overburden can contain toxic metals such as arsenic, 

chromium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc. Pollution of streams by this acid mine drainage is generally considered 

to be the most serious water pollution aspect of mining operations. Acid waste is problematic because pyrite readily 

oxidizes in water to form sulfuric acid when it is exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Given proximity to certain 

streams, effluent waters under these conditions may have low pH, which is directly toxic to most forms of aquatic 

life (Nelson et al. 1991). This discharge is most often observed in underground mining operations, surface runoff 

from overburden or tailings piles, and leakage from settling ponds. Mortality to fish is usually associated with direct 

high metal concentrations but continuous exposure at sublethal amounts my cause behavioral changes and 

reproductive failure. 

BMP’s and additional mitigations for lode mines in this project, reference L1-L11, are in place to prevent seepage or 

toxic effluent discharge (such as acid mine waste) into streams from any overburden produced from lode mine 

operations. Mitigations include prevention of acid waste discharge. 

Connected Actions

Secondary activities associated with mining, such as the creating of access roads and the generation of chemical as 

well as solid wastes, can contribute to long-term environmental impacts before, during, and after mining operations. 

Mining sites are often occupied for long periods of time with camping in riparian areas. Annual inspections and 

implementation and effectiveness monitoring, and the project design criteria H1-H12 address these concerns. Table 

4 outlines the existing structures within the RHCA’s.

Several of these mine operations have proposed stream fords that will be utilized in and outside of the instream work 

window (July 15th-August 15th), on open public and closed roads. These stream crossings can have direct and 

indirect effects to fisheries. Crossing of the fords with heavy machinery can modify fish behavior, movement and 

feeding behavior. The majority of these crossings are on existing fords with only one new proposed ford crossing 

(Table 15). Mitigations Z1-Z14 address indirect effects from the construction of these ford crossings and several of 

these operations must receive an ODEQ 401 certification before the Forest Service will authorize construction or 

improvements of temporary roads and associated fords. The majority of ford improvements will have short term 

effects associated with the hardening of fords and site specific mitigations for these operations will have conditioned 

ford crossing (reference project proposal and general requirements for site specific conditioned stream crossings)

with heavy machinery to minimize direct effects to fisheries. Appendix D outlines existing road condition and any 

proposed temporary road activities. 
63

Use of mechanized equipment (inlcludng large equipment such as excavators and dump trucks, and small 

equipment such as pumps) in riparian areas and fording streams creates a potential for contamination from 

petroleum products. Equipment operation, including excavation work in and adjacent to streams in the Granite 

Creek watershed , could introduce hazardous materials including fuel, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and coolants into 

the waterway. These chemicals can be acutely toxic to fish at high levels of exposure and can cause acute and 

chronic effects to fish species, aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic and riparian vegetation.

Reclamation

Surface mining operations can involve drastic alteration of vegetation, soils, and subsurface materials, 

accompanying changes in surface and subsurface hydrology. Whether these effects will be temporary or long-term 

depends on reclamation techniques and site location. The hydrologic character of surface-mined lands and 

reclamation potential is determined by several variables, including precipitation, solar input, slope steepness, 

vegetation types and composition, and characteristics of the spoils or overburden (Nelson et al. 1991). Reclamation 

of mined areas is an integral part of mining operations. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 

(SMCRA, 1977) supplements state regulations, requires restoration of mined land to pre-mining condition and 

prohibits mining where mandated restoration would not be possible. SMCRA specifically calls for the restoration 

and, if possible, enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, which, coincides with requirements of both the MultipleUse Sustained Yield and Federal Land Policy and Management Acts. 

In stating that, rehabilitation and reclamation processes for the Granite Mining Operations are part of the planning

process. These mitigations are highlighted in ongoing and final reclamation, R1-R18. Restoration efforts are 

ongoing in the Granite and Bull Run Creek Watersheds. Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPS) have been 

established for both of these watersheds to improve stream function and remove artificial barriers for fish passage. 

WRAPs prioritize aquatic organism passage projects, road decommission, riparian planting, stream reconnects, 

evaluation of water rights and uses, improved stream-valley floor for hydrologic connectivity, restoration of beaver 

habitat, maintenance of pipe systems of mine operations under CERCLA, and identification and removal of 

CERCLA actions.

Direct and Indirect Effects from Granite Project Placer and Lode Mining

When Forest Service General Requirements, Site-Specific Water Resources Protection Measures and Site-Specific 

Fish Protection Measures and Best Management Practices are followed, placer, and lode mining are predicted to

have localized and short-term direct and indirect effects and impacts to fisheries and other aquatic organisms and 

aquatic habitat. Given the existing conditions of most subwatersheds within the Granite Project area, some placer 

mining in and adjacent to Granite and Clear Creeks could negatively affect ESA-listed and sensitive fish species and 

other aquatic organisms. Mechanisms for these effects are summarized:

Direct Effects

• Disturbance to fish from fording in some Plans

• Sedimentation from disturbed stream adjacent areas from fording (limited by rocking streambanks and 

other Protection Measures) in some Plans

• Possible fuel and lubricant leaking into waterways during fording.

Indirect Effects

• Sediment from disturbed areas (areas of mining or processing) could be transported to stream channels

• Small quantities of fuels and lubricants could be transported to stream channels

• Loss of riparian vegetation could affect bank stability in some areas
64

Forest Service Requirements and Protection Measures are predicted to reduce the potential for indirect effects to an 

insignificant and non-measureable amount. Direct effects are limited by the small magnitude of some activities 

across the Granite Creek watershed (a limited number of fords and stream crossings, which are also limited to the 

number of trips during the operating season). 

Water Quality

The Granite Mining EIS is designed to meet all water quality regulatory requirements for the Umatilla and WallowaWhitman National Forest.

There are temperature and sediment water quality limited streams within the Granite Watershed (see Table 12). The 

State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has completed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the 

North Fork John Day Subbasin (2010). 

Water Quality Management Plans (WQMP) covering US Forest Service lands are in place in the North Fork John 

Day River Basin. Forestry WQMPs rely on current laws, management plans, and BMPs to provide the basis for 

improving water quality in the forested landscape. All federal land management activities must follow standards 

and guidelines found in the Umatilla National Forest Plan, as amended by PACFISH (USDA and USDI 1995). 

PACFISH provides management direction in the form of interim Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) and 

Standards and Guides for Key Watersheds.

Table 12. Oregon Water Quality Assessment on Streams within the Project Area.

Stream Temperature Sediment Toxins Remarks

Clear Creek X Insufficient data Insufficient data Temp. TMDL 

Approved

Bull Run Creek X stream mile 0 to 9.3 N/A Temp. TMDL 

Approved 

Beaver Creek X N/A N/A Temp. TMDL 

Approved

Granite Creek X stream mile 11.2 to 

16.2 Insufficient data Temp. TMDL Approved

The various basins’ WQMPs expect current policies, regulations, BMPs, and adaptive management techniques to 

minimize unwanted sedimentation from forest management activities. Habitat conditions are expected to be 

improved through implementation of BMPs developed for the temperature TMDL which, promote riparian 

conditions that improve channel stability and reduce erosion and promote the protection and recovery of channel 

morphology to the most stable forms.

The Granite Mining Project is an evaluation of 285 small actions (the largest is ten acres) in the 94,526 acre Granite 

Watershed. For ease of display relevant Plan information is summarized in tables and is used as the basis for the 

effects determinations displayed in Table 20.

Compliance with PACFISH/INFISH

There are three major components to the Granite Mining project: mining activity, road activities/use, and connected 

actions (camping, water diversion rights etc.). Each of these types of activities carries potential for effects to some 

components of aquatic habitat. Only those habitat components potentially affected by these types of activities or 

that are specifically addressed as PACFISH Riparian Management Objectives (RMOs) will be addressed in 

 5 The EIS describes 28 plans, Tetra Group is split intoTetra Placer and Tetra Mill/Lode sites.
65

PACFISH compliance analysis. Table 13 summarizes reasons for including individual aquatic habitat parameters in 

this evaluation. The hydrology and aquatics report in the Granite Mining EIS displays the full analysis for the 

conclusion summarized below.

Streams: Compliance with S&Gs as it pertains to streams is determined by assessing whether use of existing 

structures, or construction and use of proposed structures, would impact 1) water quality, 2) inchannel complexity, 

or 3) channel morphology. 

Potential impacts to water quality include 1) increases in water temperatures, 2) increases in heavy metal 

concentrations, and/or 3) reductions in water clarity. (all discharge related)

Potential impacts to inchannel complexity include 1) reduction in pool frequency or quality related to inputs of 

sediment, 2) change in substrate sediment related to inputs of sediment, and 3) loss of lower bank angle or undercuts 

related to bank failures. (mix of discharge related or placement of structure such that it destabilizes the banks)

Potential impacts to channel morphology include 1) loss of bank stability due to bank failures, 2) loss of lower bank 

angle due to bank failures (also known as bank undercuts) and 3) increases in width/depth ratio. (placement of 

structure such that it destabilizes the banks and results in channel widening and/or bed aggradation)

RHCA impacts: Compliance with S & Gs and RMOs as it pertains to activity inside the RHCAs is determined by 

assessing whether use of existing structures, or construction and use of proposed structures, would impact 1) short 

soil productivity, 2) long-term soil productivity, and 3) riparian vegetation. 

Potential impacts to soil productivity include 1) new disturbance due to new roads and ponds which alters soil 

stratigraphy, groundwater flow paths, and infiltration capacity (short-term impacts), 2) lack of effective reclamation 

of these new roads and ponds (long-term impacts), and 3) increased soil erosion related to roads. 

Potential impacts to riparian vegetation include reductions in the 1) amount, 2) distribution and 3) types of riparian 

vegetation. 

Results of this analysis are fully displayed in the Water and Soil Resources and Fisheries reports in the Granite 

Mining EIS. With application of all General Requirements and other Protection Measures the project is in 

compliance with PACFISH.

Table 13. Aquatic Habitat Components Potentially Affected by Mining Activities in the Granite 

Effects Analysis.

Habitat Component Pacfish RMO

Habitat Could Potentially be Affected By

Mining Road 

Construction/Improvement

Other 

Connected 

Activities

Pool frequency X X X

Water quality

 Temperature X X X X

 Suspended sediment X X X

 Chemical contamination X X X

Large woody debris X X X

Stream Channel conditions

 Bank stability X X X

 Lower bank angle X
66

 Substrate X X

Flow regime

 Flow timing X X X

 Flow volume X X X

Road density and location Not a habitat parameter. Included because it could affect habitat quality

Disturbance history regime Not a habitat parameter. Included because it could affect habitat quality

Tables 14 and 15 display the proximity and magnitude of activity of the individual mine operations/Plans. 

It is important to note that activities displayed are maximum possible disturbance. For purposes of this 

consultation the maximum amount of disturbance is displayed, but based on past administration of mining 

permits it is expected lower levels of activities will occur.

Table 16 displays low, medium and high risk to ESA listed species from proposed mining activities. 
67

Table 14. Mine operation and proximity to Steelhead and Bull Trout Designated Critical Habitat (DCH) . Refer to Figure 2 for location 

of DCH and proximity to mine operations

6

.

Mine Operation Nearest Stream

Distance to 

Steelhead 

DCH

Distance 

to Bull 

Trout 

DCH (mi)

Mid-C Steelhead DCH Mid-C Bull trout DCH

Rearing Spawning Rearing Spawning

Altona Quartz Gulch 1.0 mile > 5.0 mi.

Unknown*

Intermittent 

stream 

Unknown

(poor habitat, 

gradient >10%)

N N

Belvadear Olive Creek 20 ft. >5.0 Y Y N N

Blue Smoke Granite >300 ft. >300 ft. Y Y Y Y

Blue-Sky/Bull Run Bull Run 30 ft. 30 ft. Y Y Assumed** Assumed** poor 

spawning gravel

Bunch Bucket Clear Creek 150 ft. 150 ft. Y Y Y Y

City Limits Granite 200 ft. 200 ft. Y Y Y Y

East Ten Cent East Ten Cent Creek 10 ft. 2.0 miles Y N N N

Eddy Shipman Granite 10 ft. 10 ft. Y Y Y Y

Grubsteak Clear Creek 20 ft. 20 ft. Y Y Y Y

Hopeful 1 Granite 150 ft. 150 ft. Y Y Y Y

Hopeful 2 & 3 Granite 50 ft. 50 ft. Y Y Y Y

L&H Placer Olive Creek 0.5 miles >7.0 miles Y N N N

Lightning Creek Lightning Creek 150 ft. 150 ft. Y Y Y Y

Little Cross I Granite 50 ft. 50 ft. Y Y Y Y

Make It Granite 100 ft. 100 ft. Y Y Y Y

Old Eric 1&2 Granite 150 ft. 150 ft. Y Y Y Y

Olive Tone Olive Creek 50 ft. >5.0 miles Y Y N N

Rose Bud Granite 200 ft. 200 ft. Y Y Y Y

Ruby Group Ruby Creek/Clear 

Creek 10 ft. 10 ft. Y Y Clear-Y/ Ruby-N

Clear-Y/ 

Ruby-N

Sunshine/McWillis McWillis Gulch 0.25 mile >5.0 mile N-Culvert 

barrier

N-Culvert 

Barrier N N

Tetra Alpha/Tetra Grp Boulder Creek 25 ft. 25 ft. Y Y Assumed** Assumed** poor 

spawning gravel

Troy D Granite 25 ft. 25 ft. Y Y Y Y

Yellow Jacket Orofino Gulch 0.25 miles >5.0 miles N N N N

 6 *Unkown-Spawning not documented and few biological surveys to confirm absence/presence, with no barriers they are assumed present. **temperature concerns
68

Table 15. Summary of proximity of mines to Steelhead and Bull Trout DCH, maximum area disturbed by placer mine operation, total 

possible disturbed area over the duration of the BA, stream fording, miner identified no activity stream buffers, and pond information.

Plan Name

Area of 

Disturbance 

Distance to 

Steelhead 

DCH

Area of 

Disturbance 

Distance to 

Bull Trout 

DCH

Maximum 

Area of 

Active 

Surface 

Disturbance 

(in acres)

Total Area 

Potentially 

Disturbed from 

Mining 

Activities*

(in acres)

Number of 

Stream 

Fords

Width of No 

Activity 

Stream 

Buffer

Ponds

E = existing

B = to be built

Altona 1.0 mile > 5.0 mi. .02 5 0 20’ Build 2 10’x 20’ x 6’

Belvadear 20 ft. >5.0 .25 3 0 20’ E

Blue Smoke >300 ft. >300 ft. .01 1.75 0 n/a E

Blue-Sky/Bull Run 30 ft. 30 ft. .2 1.7 2 30’ E

Bunch Bucket 150 ft. 150 ft. .01 10 0 n/a Expand E

City Limits 200 ft. 200 ft. .01 1 0 n/a E

East Ten Cent 10 ft. 2.0 miles .01 2 0 10’ E

Eddy Shipman 10 ft. 10 ft. .25 2.5 1 20’ Build 2 10’x 20’ x 6’

Grubsteak 20 ft. 20 ft. .25 2 1 20’ E

Hopeful 1 150 ft. 150 ft. .01 1 0 15’ E

Hopeful 2 & 3 50 ft. 50 ft. .25 3.5 2 20’ 2 E, 2 B 4’x 4’ x 6’

L&H Placer 0.5 miles >7.0 miles .01 8 1 10’ E

Lightning Creek 150 ft. 150 ft. .12 5 1 n/a E

Little Cross I 50 ft. 50 ft. .25 1 0 15’ none

Make It 50 ft. 50 ft. .01 2 0 50’ E

Old Eric 1&2 150 ft. 150 ft. .01 1 0 10’ E

Olive Tone 50 ft. >5.0 miles .02 2 1 40’ Build 2 10’x 20’ x 6’

Rose Bud 200 ft. 200 ft. .01 5 0 n/a 2 B 150’ x 10’ x 6’

Ruby Group 10 ft. 10 ft. .01 2.5 2 10’ None

Sunshine/McWillis 0.25 mile >5.0 mile .25 2.5 0 30’ E

Tetra Alpha Placer 25 ft. 25 ft. .5 8 2 25’ E

Tetra A Lode & 

Mill 25 ft. 25 ft. .5 2 0 25’ E

Troy D 25 ft. 25 ft. .01 8 0 25’ E

Yellow Jacket 0.25 miles >5.0 miles .25 7.5 0 20’ Build 3 15’x 20’ x 6’

Total 3.22 acres 88 acres

*this is potential total area disturbed over the duration of the BA - due to operational size limits displayed in the column to the left, this entire area will not be 

disturbed at one time; n/a no new activities proposed in riparian area
69

Table 16. Determination of risk (high, moderate, low) to ESA listed species from proposed mining 

activities.

Mine Plan

and 

Rationale 

Direct 

Effects 

to Fish

Risk of Indirect/Direct Effects to Each Matirx Indicator (evaluated at the reach scale)

Temp Sedime

nt

Chemical 

Contaminat

ion

LWM Refuge OffChan

nel

Bank 

Stability

Flood 

Plain

Road 

Access

Flow 

Distur

bance

RHCA 

Disturb

ance

Altona L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

Belvadear L M H L L L L L L M M M

General Requirements

L&H L L H M L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times)

Olive Tone L H L L L L L L L L M L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times)

Royal 

White

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

Sunshine 

/McWillis

L L M L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times). 

Yellow 

Jacket

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

City Limits L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

Eddy 

Shipman

M L M L L L L L L M L H

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times).

Make It L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.

Muffin L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

Old Eric 

1&2

H L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. 

Yellow 

Gold

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements

Tetra Group H L H L L M L L M M L H

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.

Blue SkyBull RunH L H L L M M M M M L M

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times). 

Bunch 

Bucket

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements. 

Grubsteak L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.

Lightning 

Creek

H L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times). 

Lucky 

Strike

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements.

Ruby 

Group

M L M L L L L L L M L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.

Blue Smoke H L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. 

East Ten 

Cent

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.

Hopeful I L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures.
70

Mine Plan

and 

Rationale 

Direct 

Effects 

to Fish

Risk of Indirect/Direct Effects to Each Matirx Indicator (evaluated at the reach scale)

Temp Sedime

nt

Chemical 

Contaminat

ion

LWM Refuge OffChan

nel

Bank 

Stability

Flood 

Plain

Road 

Access

Flow 

Distur

bance

RHCA 

Disturb

ance

Hopeful 

2&3

H L M M L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. Occasional use of heavy machinery (stream crossing 2-4 times). 

Little Cross H L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures. 

Rose Bud 

1-4

L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures

Troy D L L L L L L L L L L L L

General Requirements, Site Specific Protection Measures

L=No potential for an adverse effects on habitat. The action is controlled by seasonal or spatial restrictions and is 

not likely to adversely affect habitat. 

M= A moderate rating assumes potential adverse effects on habitat. The action is not completely controllable, and 

administration of the action is needed to prevent adverse effects on habitat.

H= A high rating assumes possible adverse effects on habitat. The action is not completely controllable, and a high 

level administration of the activity is needed. With protection measures to minimize effects, a low 

magnitudeof adverse effects on the habitat are likely to occur.

Overall effects to the NMFS Matrix of Pathways and Indicators for the Granite Mining EIS is displayed 

by sub-watershed in Table 19 . Watersheds summarized include Granite SWS, Beave SWS, Bull Run

SWS, Clear Creek SWS, Lower Granite, SWS and Upper Granite SWS.

Determination of effects is summarized in Table 20.
71

Cumulative Effects

Cumulative effects include the effects of future state, tribal, local or private actions that are reasonably 

certain to occur in the action area considered in this BA. Future federal actions that are unrelated to the 

proposed action, and have not already undergone consultation under the ESA, are not considered here 

because they require separate consultation pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA. Tables 17 and 18 display 

Forest Service and State of Oregon identified mining areas with environmental hazards. There currently 

is not funding available to further evaluate hazards and take remedial actions.

Table 17. Forest Service identified existing and/or abandoned mines within the Granite Watershed 

and associated environmental hazards. Reports include engineering evaluation and cost analysis 

(EE/CA) and site investigation (SI). Refer to Appendix H for a map of abandoned mines.

Mining Area Reports SWS Potential Hazards Recommended Action Comments

Monumental EE/CA

Upper 

Granite

(1707020

20203)

Elevated metal concentration in waste rock and tailings and at 

mill. Provide on-site containment, excavation / containment in 

onsite repository, and water treatment.

No proposal in 

EIS

Cap Martin EE/CA Upper 

Granite

Metal concentrations near cleanup level in mine waste; no 

metals leaching from tailings into creek. No further action 

needed.

No proposal in 

EIS

Sheridan EE/CA Upper 

Granite

No elevated metals in waste rock. Remote site and limited 

access. No further action needed.

No proposal in 

EIS

Tillicum EE/CA Upper 

Granite

Metal concentrations near cleanup level in waste rock. 

Remote site and limited access. No further action needed.

No proposal in 

EIS

Central EE/CA Upper 

Granite

Metal concentration near clean-up level in waste rock, tailings 

and soil. Provide on-site containment.

The lower 

central adit is 

adit A in the 

proposed plan. 

The other adits 

in this plan are 

upstream of this 

proposal.

Granite Creek EE/CA Upper 

Granite

Below cleanup level to elevated metal concentrations in waste 

rock pile and soil. Provide on-site containment.

No proposal in 

EIS

Golden 

Fraction EE/CA Upper Granite

Elevated metal concentration in waste rock. Provide on-site 

containment

No proposal in 

EIS

New York 

Independence 

& East Eddy

SI Upper 

Granite

Elevated metals in waste rock, tailings and soil. Eddy Shipman 

share the same 

adits. See 

mitigations L1-

L11.

Pyx SI

Beaver 

Creek

(1707020

20203)

Elevated metal concentrations in waste rock pile and tailings 

impoundment.

No proposal in 

EIS

Rabbit SI Beaver 

Creek

Elevated metal concentrations in waste rock pile and soil at 

mill. Completion of EE/CA recommended. 

No proposal in 

EIS
72

Mining Area Reports SWS Potential Hazards Recommended Action Comments

Ajax & 

Magnolia EE/CA Upper Granite

Elevated metal concentrations in mine waste and soil. Provide 

on-site excavation / containment and treat adit discharge. The 

2004 Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis of Ajax and 

Magnolia Mines found that there were ecological accidences

of arsenic, copper, cadmium, manganese, mercury, nickel, 

selenium, zinc, barium, iron in soil and water samples only in 

adit discharge and rock pilings. The report conclusions from 

field water quality parameters found that there was low 

elevated risk to ecological receptors exposed to surface water 

in Lucas Gulch. 

No proposal in 

EIS

Blue Bird EE/CA

Clear 

Creek

(1707020

20203)

Ongoing remediation at site. Long term monitoring and 

maintenance plan in place. The EE/CA completed by Cascade 

Earth Systems found that arsenic concentrations on lower 

Clear Creek are slightly above Oregon DEQ criteria for toxic 

pollutants. Other dissolved metal concentrations in surface 

water were below the minimum detection level (MDL) of 

50μg/L. Sediment concentrations of arsenic are above the 

EPA Threshold Effect Levels. Sediment concentrations of 

copper, cadmium, manganese, nickel and zinc are also in 

excess of state and/or federal comparison criteria. The Clear 

Cr. WRAPs addresses essential project work for ongoing water 

quality monitoring.

No proposal in 

EIS. Site is 

withdrawn from 

mineral entry.

Blackjack EE/CA Clear 

Creek

Ongoing remediation at site. Long term monitoring and 

maintenance plan in place. Cascade Earth Systems completed 

a Mine Seep Discharge and Settling Pond Assessment on 

Blackjack mine located on Clear Creek. Assessment 

determined Clear Creek surface water conditions are 

influenced by upgradient abandoned mine sites. The pipe 

system and settling ponds at Black Jack are functioning 

appropriately. Metal concentrations at the confluence of Clear 

Creek were below federal and state standards.

No proposal in 

EIS. Site is 

withdrawn from 

mineral entry.

Buffalo

(FS portion) SI Upper Granite

None expected based on current remediation at site. Long 

term monitoring and maintenance plan in place.

No proposal in 

EIS

For more information on these sites visit the Forest Service National web page at 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprdb5208004 for the Umatilla NF and, 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprdb5287229 for the Wallowa 

Whitman NF. Not all sites listed on these web pages are within the Granite watershed, so please refer to the above 

list when reviewing the information. 

The Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) maintains an Environmental Cleanup Site 

Information (ECSI) database to track sites in Oregon with known or potential contamination from hazardous 

substances, and to document sites where DEQ has determined that no further action is required. Complete 

information can be found at http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/ecsi/ecsi.htm. 

Clear Creek and Bull Run Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPS) can be found at 

http://apps.fs.usda.gov/WCFmapviewer/.
73

Table 18. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) mine sites identified for 

investigation with associated environmental hazards.

Mine Name State 

ID Location Potential Hazards Recommended Action Comments

Buffalo

3417 Upper 

Granite

The state has voiced concerns over water quality from existing 

portals and tailings impoundments. Possible soil contamination 

at or below current tailings impoundments.

Site Evaluation done.

Private land

No proposal in 

EIS

Cougar Mine

808 Upper 

Granite

The state has voiced concerns over water quality from existing 

portals and tailings impoundments. Possible soil contamination 

at or below current tailings impoundments.

Priavte land

No proposal in 

EIS

Ben Harrison 

Mine & Mill 3382 Clear 

Creek

The state has voiced concerns over elevated arsenic and other 

metals in the waste rock and wetland sediment. Site 

Investigation (SI) done and site placed on Confirmed Release 

List in 2005.

Private land

No proposal in 

EIS

Bi-Metallic 

Mine 3405 Clear Creek

Suspect site requires further investigation.

Site Screening recommended. 

No proposal in 

EIS

Independence 

Mine

2581 Upper 

Granite 

The state has voiced concerns over water quality from existing 

portals and tailings impoundments. Possible soil contamination 

at or below current tailings impoundments.

Site Evaluation was done 1996 and the site was placed on the 

confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS

Lower Clear 

Creek Mines

Scandia Tunnel

Alamo

Quebec

Strasburg

Tone Springs

Belcher

IXL

2147

Clear 

Creek

The state has voiced concerns over the potential for heavy 

metals in the Clear creek area due to the past mining history. A 

preliminary assessment was done to provide a base line and 

develop background level for the subwatershed in 2005. The 

Oregon State DEQ has requested funding for Phase II. 

No proposal in 

EIS.

Magnolia Mine

3439 Upper 

Granite

The state expressed concern over metals contamination of soil, 

sediment and surface water. Site Investigation (SI) done 1996 

and site placed on Confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS

Middle Reach 

of East 10 Cent 

Creek 2149

Lower 

Granite

(1707020

20206)

The EPA did a Site evaluation in 1997 and no further remedial 

action is planned under a federal program. The state lists it as a 

suspected site needing further investigation.

Same area as 

East 10 Cent 

proposal

New York Mine

3418 Upper 

Granite

The state expressed concern over metals contamination of soil, 

sediment and surface water. Site Investigation (SI) done 1996 

and site placed on Confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS

Pride of Oregon 

Mine 3420 Clear 

Creek

The state expressed concern over metals contamination of soil, 

sediment and surface water. Site Investigation (SI) done 1996 

and site placed on Confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS

Pyx Mine

3421 Beaver 

Creek

The state expressed concern over metals contamination of soil, 

sediment and surface water. Site Investigation (SI) done 1996 

and site placed on Confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS.

Rabbit Mine

3422 Beaver 

Creek

The state expressed concern over metals contamination of soil, 

sediment and surface water. Site Investigation (SI) done 1996 

and site placed on Confirmed release list in 2004.

No proposal in 

EIS
74

Mine Name State 

ID Location Potential Hazards Recommended Action Comments

Red Boy Mine

2467 Clear 

Creek

The state expressed concern over the amount and placement of 

the mine tailings along Congo Gulch. In 2013 the piping 

system to move the water from the adit to the settling ponds was 

upgraded and replaced.

The EE/CA completed by Cascade Earth Systems found that 

arsenic concentrations on lower Clear Creek are slightly above 

Oregon DEQ criteria for toxic pollutants. Other dissolved metal 

concentrations in surface water were below the minimum 

detection level (MDL) of 50μg/L. Sediment concentrations of 

arsenic are above the EPA Threshold Effect Levels. Sediment 

concentrations of copper, cadmium, manganese, nickel and zinc 

are also in excess of state and/or federal comparison criteria. 

The Clear Cr. WRAPs addresses essential project work for 

ongoing water quality monitoring.

Additional evaluations are needed and the site was placed on 

Confirmed Release list in 2003.

Private land

No proposal in 

EIS

Upper Granite 

Creek

Central

Tillicum

Sheridan

Monumental

Worchester

Cap Martin

Golden Fraction

Unk adits

2150 Upper 

Granite

EPA screening and a site evaluation were done in 1997.

In 2011 a contractor conducted an EE/CA for the Forest Service 

on the mines in this site, Table 1.

Worchester is on 

private land.

Source: Oregon DEQ ECSI data base June 03 2013 [http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/ecsi/ecsi.htm ]
75

Table 19. NMFS Matrix of Pathways and Indicators for the Granite Mining EIS: 

Granite SWS, 203 Beaver, 202 Bull Run, 204 Clear, 206 Lower Granite, 201 Upper Granite

Pathways and 

Indicators

Environmental Baseline Effects of the Actions Rationale*

PF AR NPF Restore Maintain Degrade

Water Quality

Temperature

204, 206

202, 

203,204,206,20

1

202,

203,206 X

Refer to water quality FWS PCE 

Appendix E

Sediment /turbidity

204 202,203,206,20

1 X

Refer to Suitable Substrate and 

sediment water quality FWS 

PCE Appendix E

Chemical 

contaminants/

nutrients

202, 203, 

204,206, 

201

X

Refer to obstruction water 

quality FWS PCE

Habitat Access

Physical barriers 206 203, 201 202,204 X Refer to obstruction FWS 

PCE**

Habitat Elements

Substrate 202,204,

206,201 203 X

Refer to Suitable Substrate and 

sediment water quality FWS 

PCE

Large woody 

debris 202 203,204,206,20

1 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Pool frequency 202,204,

206 203,201 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Pool quality 206 201,206,204,20

3,202 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Off-channel 

habitat

202,203,204,20

6,201 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Refugia 201,206,204,

203,202 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Channel 

Conditions

/Dynamics

Width/depth ratio 203,204,2

06,201 202 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Streambank 

conditions 203,204 202,206 X Refer to Complex Condition 

FWS PCE

Floodplain 

connectivity

202,203,204,20

1,206 X Refer to Floodplain

Connectivity FWS PCE

Flow/Hydrology

Peak/base flows 202,203,20

4,201,206 X Refer to FWS PCE Water Quality flow/hydrology

Drainage network 

increase

202,203,204,20

6, 201 X

Refer to FWS PCE Water 

Quality flow/hydrology

Watershed 

Conditions

Road density and 

location 204,206 202,203,201 X

Refer to Water Quality 

flow/hydrology FWS PCE 

Disturbance 

history

202,203,204,20

6,201 X

Refer to FWS PCE Water 

Quality flow/hydrology

Riparian reserves 202,203,206,20

1 204 X

Refer to FWS PCE Water 

Quality flow/hydrology

*A full explation is found in Appendix E **The Granite and Bull Run Watershed Restoration Action Plans continue to address 

existing culvert barriers in the Granite WS
76

Critical Habitat

Pacific Salmon

Primary constituent elements of critical habitat for Pacific salmon species have been identified (from 70 FR 52360 

9/2/05). Each of the elements applicable to this project, as described below, are addressed by indicators in the 

Matrix of Pathways and Indicators tables above.

The Primary Constituent Elements include sites essential to support one or more life stages of the evolutionarily 

significant units (ESUs; sites for spawning, rearing, migration, and foraging). In turn, these sites contain physical or 

biological features essential to the conservation of the ESUs (e.g., spawning gravels, water quality and quantity, side 

channels, prey species). Refer to Appendix E for specific types of sites and the features associated with them.

Bull Trout

Analysis of effects to designated critical habitat for bull trout is displayed in Appendix E.
77

Determination of Effects

Table 20. Determination of Effects to Mid-C Steelhead and Bull trout for each Plan of Operations.

Mine Plan

Direct 

Effect 

Concerns

Determination 

of effects on 

steelhead and 

their DCH

Determination 

of effects on 

bull trout and 

their DCH

Rationale

Altona N NLAA No Effect

General Requirements and low probability of effects due to distance from 

perennial fish bearing waters and DCH No bull trout DCH. Area of active 

disturbance is .02 acres (Table 4).

Bunch 

Bucket N NLAA NLAA

Distance of activity and existing dredge tailings between the activity and Clear 

Cr. Existing roads and ponds would be used. No proposed actions would further 

impact site stability i.e. sedimentation concerns, and no measureable impacts to 

temperature and instream structures or habitat. General Requirements apply. 

Area of active disturbance is .01 acres (Table 4).

City Limits N NLAA NLAA

Distance of activity and area of pre-disturbance. There are existing dredge 

tailings and USFS 7300 RD between the project site and Granite Cr. and DCH. 

Existing roads and ponds would be used. No proposed actions would further 

impact site stability i.e. sedimentation concerns, and no measureable impacts to 

temperature and instream structures or habitat. General Requirements apply. 

Area of active disturbance .01 acres.

East Ten 

Cent N NLAA No Effect

No bull trout or bull trout DCH. Test digs would be in existing tailings. A large 

existing waste rock berm separates mining activity from Ten Cent Cr. Waste 

rock would continue to improve this existing berm. Additionally, a small bench 

(~15 ft. wide) separate the activity from the creek. General Requirements 

(Appendix 2) and site specific protection measures (Appendix 1A) PDC’s apply 

Area of active disturbance is .01 acres.

Hopeful 1 N NLAA NLAA

Activity is in a hillslope on an already developed recreation site. A backhoe 

would only be used twice during the operating season with the majority of work 

with pick and shovel. There are historic tailings and an old cabin between 

mining activity and Granite Cr. No proposed actions would further impact site 

stability i.e. sedimentation concerns, and no measureable impacts to temperature 

and instream structures or habitat.
78

Mine Plan

Direct 

Effect 

Concerns

Determination 

of effects on 

steelhead and 

their DCH

Determination 

of effects on 

bull trout and 

their DCH

Rationale

L&H N NLAA No Effect

There would only be occasional use of heavy machinery. One test hole would 

be open at a time. Existing roads and landings would be used. There are historic 

dredge tailings between placer and lode claims and Olive Creek. Steelhead 

DCH is 0.5 miles downstream and there is no bull trout or bull trout DCH. 

General Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. Area of 

active disturbance is .01 acres (Table 4).

Make It N NLAA NLAA

Mining activity is greater than 50 ft from Granite Cr. Only 15-20 cubic yds. 

would be processed in an operating season. Operator would use existing roads 

and pond. General Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. 

Area of active disturbance is .01 acres (Table 4).

Old Eric 

1&2 Y NLAA N LAA

Placer operations are >150 ft away from Upper Granite Cr. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.01 acres (Table 4). They would move no more than 5 yards in 

an operating season. General Requirements and site specific protection 

measures apply. 

Rose Bud 

1-4 N NLAA NLAA

Distance of Granite Cr. and DCH from mining activity. Existing dredge tailings 

and County 24 RD and FS 1035 RD are located between project activity and 

Granite Cr. Existing roads and ponds would be used. No proposed actions 

would further impact site stability i.e. sedimentation concerns and no 

measureable impacts to temperature and instream structures or habitat. General 

Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. Area of active 

disturbance is .01 acres (Table 4).

Sunshine/ 

McWillis N NLAA No Effect

Activity is located 0.25 miles upstream of steelhead DCH. There is a culvert 

barrier at the confluence of McWillis Gulch and Olive Cr. This area has 

previously been heavily mined, General Requirements and site specific 

protection measures are in place No bull trout or bull trout DCH. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4).

Troy D N NLAA NLAA

Excavation would be in old dredge tailings, activity would be 25 feet away from 

the creek with a large berm of historic tailings separating activity from Granite 

Cr. Only one test hole would be open at a time. Operators would use existing 

roads and settling ponds. The trailer and processing plant are self-contained. 

General Requirements and site specific protection measures. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.01 acres (Table 4).
79

Mine Plan

Direct 

Effect 

Concerns

Determination 

of effects on 

steelhead and 

their DCH

Determination 

of effects on 

bull trout and 

their DCH

Rationale

Yellow 

Jacket N NLAA No Effect

Distance of activity from occupied steelhead habitat and DCH during season of 

operation (Table 8 and 9). Activity is in old dredge tailings. There is a large 

berm of mine tailings between activity and stream channel. No proposed actions 

would further impact site stability i.e. sedimentation concerns, and no 

measureable impacts to temperature and instream structures or habitat. 

Given intermittent stream flow, activity and impacts would be isolated. All 

processing is on Private lands. No bull trout or bull trout DCH. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4). 

Belvadear N LAA No Effect

Potential for discharge and disturbance to the RHCA from removal of existing 

vegetation. There are concerns with subsurface sediment discharge and 

downstream water temperature effects with water withdrawal. There is no bull 

trout presence or bull trout DCH. Active area of disturbance is 0.25 acres 

(Table 4). General Requirement measures apply. 

Blue SkyBull Run Y LAA LAA

Potential discharge and direct effects due to fording of the stream. Additionally 

Bull Run is a 303d listed stream for sediment impairment. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.2 acres (Table 9). General Requirements and site specific 

protection measures apply.

Blue 

Smoke Y NLAA NLAA

Active area of placer disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4). Placer operations are 

isolated. Historic dredge tailings and County Rd 24 and FS 1350 separate 

mining activity from Granite Cr. and DCH. General Requirements and site 

specific protection measures apply.

Eddy 

Shipman Y LAA LAA

Potential for minor discharge and disturbance to RHCA and indirect effects due 

to fording. Active area of disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4). General 

Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. 

Grubsteak Y LAA LAA

Potential for direction effects from fording. Activity would be in existing 

dredge tailings that are not vegetated. Given the flat topography and existing 

tailings there is no risk of surface discharge into the Creek with General 

Requirements and site specific protection measures. The ford would be used 

occasionally and site A and B must be reclaimed at the end of the season. The 

ford would be constructed over hardened dredge tailings. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4)
80

Mine Plan

Direct 

Effect 

Concerns

Determination 

of effects on 

steelhead and 

their DCH

Determination 

of effects on 

bull trout and 

their DCH

Rationale

Hopeful 

2&3 Y LAA LAA Direct effects to due to stream fording. Active area of disturbance is 0.25 acres (Table 4). General Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. 

Lightning 

Creek Y LAA LAA

Placer activities are >150 away from Lightning Cr. Active area of disturbance 

is 0.12 acres (Table 4). There are historic tailings and a closed road that 

separate activity from Lightning Cr. Operator would use existing ponds and 

roads. General Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. 

Little Cross 

1 Y LAA LAA

Placer operations are >50 ft away from Granite Cr. Large historic tailings 

separate mining activity from Granite Cr. and DCH. Active area of disturbance 

is 0.25 acres (Table 4). General Requirements and site specific protection 

measures apply.

Olive Tone N LAA No Effect

No bull trout DCH, however, indirect temperature effects to steelhead and DCH 

with maximum water withdrawal (8 CFS) from Olive Creek during time of 

operation. Active area of disturbance is 0.02 acres (Table 4) on a previously 

disturbed landing. Activities are 50 ft away from Olive Cr. General 

Requirements and site specific protection measures apply. 

Ruby 

Group Y LAA LAA

Potential for direct effects due to fording of the stream. Active area of 

disturbance is 0.01 acres (Table 4). General Requirements and site specific 

protection measures apply. 

Tetra Alpha 

Placer Y LAA LAA

Potential for direct effects due to fording of the stream and disturbance to the 

RHCA with temporary road construction. Active area of disturbance is 0.50 

acres (Table 4). A 25 ft. buffer would be maintained. A historic berm of tailings 

is located between mining activity and Boulder Cr. General Requirements and 

site specific protection measures apply. A fisheries biologist or hydrologist 

would monitor the stream crossings to ensure that constructed fords do not 

create a fish barrier during low flows.

Tetra Alpha 

Mill and 

Lode

Y LAA LAA

Exisitng mill site from a previous plan. Water comes from Last Chance Creek 

and is recycled during operations. Potential direct effects to Boulder Creek 

from water withdrawal if water right is exercised. Fish protection measures 

requires no withdrawals after August 15 to protect spawning bull trout.

*Muffin, Lucky Strike, Royal White and Yellow Gold have a “No Effect” determination for Mid-C Steelhead, bulltrout and their DCH given distance to 

designated critical habitat and perennial fish bearing streams. 
81

References

Peer Reviewed Literature

Nelson R.L., M.L. McHenry, and W.S. Platts. 1991. Influences of Forest and Rangeland Management on Salmonid 

Fishes and Their Habitats. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 19: 425-457. 

Spence, B., G. Lomnicky, R. Hughes and R. Novitzki. 1996. An Ecosystem Approach to Salmonid Conservation. 

Funded jointly by the U.S. EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. TR4501-96-6057. Man Tech Environmental Research Services Corp., Corvallis, OR.

USFWS 2002. Draft Bull Trout Recovery Plan accessed May 16, 2014 

http://www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout/RP/Chapter_1_Introductory.pdf

Technical Reports

Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Steelhead Populations in the Middle Columbia River Steelhead Distinct 

Population Segment. Carmichael R.W., and B.J Taylor. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). 

2009.

Making Endangered Species Act Determinations of Effect for Individual or Grouped Actions at the Watershed

Scale. National Marine Fisheries Service, 1996.

Land and Resource Management Plan, Umatilla National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Region, Pendleton, OR. 1990.

Land and Resource Management Plan, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Baker City, OR. 1990.

Decision notice/decision record finding no significant impact: environmental assessment for the interim strategies 

for managing anadromous fish-producing watersheds in eastern Oregon and Washington, Idaho and portions of 

California (PACFISH). USDA and USDI. 1995. 

General Water Quality Best Management Practices. U.S. Department of Agirculture, Forest Service, Pacific 

Northwest Region. 2012.

Marvin-DiPasquale, M.J. Agee, E. Kakouros, L.H. Kieu, J.A. Fleck, and C.N. Alpers. 2011. The Effects of 

Sediment and Mercury Mobilization in the South Yuba River and Humbug Creek Confluence Area, Nevada 

County, California: Concentrations, Speciation and Environmental Fate. Part 2: laboratory Experiments. U.S. 

Geological Survey Report 2010-1325B.
82

Clear Creek and Bull Run Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPS) can be found at 

http://apps.fs.usda.gov/WCFmapviewer/.

Anderson, Suzanne. 2014. Personal communication. Consultation biologist. USFWS, LaGrande Field Office.

Helberg, Chris. 2014. Personal communication. Minerals administrator. Umatilla National Forest, North Fork 

John Day Ranger District.

Heyl, Jonathan. 2015. Personal communication. On-site Coordinator. Pacific Northwest Region, Forest Service, 

Portland Oregon.

Neal, Jeff. 2014. Personal Communication. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, John Day Oregon.

Umatilla National Forest. 2008 Granite Creek Watershed Action Plan, on file, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, 

OR 25 p.
83

Appendix E-Pacific Salmon and Bull Trout Critical Habitat

Pacific Salmon

The Primary Constituent Elements include sites essential to support one or more life stages of the evolutionarily 

significant units (ESUs; sites for spawning, rearing, migration, and foraging). In turn, these sites contain physical or 

biological features essential to the conservation of the ESUs (e.g., spawning gravels, water quality and quantity, side 

channels, prey species). These specific types of sites and the features associated with them are described below: 

1. Freshwater spawning sites with water quality and quantity conditions and substrate supporting 

spawning, incubation, and larval development. 

a) Water quantity is addressed by the Change in Peak/Base flows indicator. This would address regulated 

flows and flows potentially changed by land management activities. 

b) Water quality is addressed by three indicators. Assessment of the Water Temperature Indicator will 

determine if temperatures are in appropriate ranges to support spawning, incubation, and larval 

development of Pacific salmon. The Sediment and Turbidity indicator addresses percent fines <.85 

mm in gravels (excessive fine sediments in gravel can impede oxygenated water flow through redds 

and physically block swim-up fry from moving out of the redd) and suspended sediment (which can 

affect respiration and ability to find food items). Evaluation of the Chemical Contamination and 

Nutrients indicator can determine if an action will result in lethal or sub-lethal effects to adult 

spawners, incubating embryos or larva. 

c) Evaluation of the Substrate indicator is somewhat redundant to the Sediment/Turbidity indicator. It 

evaluates for the dominant particle sizes in the streambed, while also evaluating percent 

embeddedness, another means to evaluate for concentrations of fine sediments in the streambed. As 

the proportion of fine sediment increases, percent embeddedness typically increases.

2. Freshwater rearing sites with water quantity and floodplain connectivity to form and maintain physical 

habitat conditions and support juvenile growth and mobility; water quality and forage supporting 

juvenile development; and natural cover such as shade, submerged, and overhanging large wood, log 

jams and beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and undercut 

banks. 

a) Water quantity is addressed by the Change in Peak/Base flows indicator. This would address regulated 

flows and flows potentially changed by land management activities.

b) Floodplain connectivity is evaluated by the Floodplain Connectivity indicator. Access to floodplains 

provides low-velocity, complex habitats that serve as important summer rearing areas for species, and 

important winter refuges for overwintering juveniles.

c) Water quality is addressed by three indicators. Assessment of the Water Temperature Indicator will 

determine if temperatures are in appropriate ranges to support rearing juveniles, particularly during the 

critical summer period. The Sediment and Turbidity indicator addresses percent fines <.85 mm in 

gravels (excessive fine sediments in gravels can reduce living space for aquatic invertebrates, an 

important source of food items for juvenile fish) and suspended sediment (which can affect respiration 

and ability to find food items). Evaluation of the Chemical Contamination and Nutrients indicator can 

determine if an action will result in lethal or sub-lethal effects to rearing juveniles.

d) Forage is indirectly assessed by habitat indicators. The primary food items for juvenile salmonids are 

aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Production of aquatic invertebrates is influenced by water quality. 

Different types of aquatic invertebrates prefer different temperature ranges. Fine sediments in gravels 

limit living space for aquatic invertebrates, and sustained turbidity may not only reduce aquatic 

invertebrate production but reduce the ability of juvenile fish to find them in the water column or on 

bed particles. Chemical contamination may reduce or eliminate production of specific aquatic 

invertebrates. Introduction of nutrients may be beneficial (increase primary production and aquatic 

invertebrate production) or in excess may lead to lethal or sublethal effects to aquatic invertebrates. 
84

e) Forage is also influenced by the condition of riparian vegetation as evaluated by the Riparian Reserve 

indicator. Shade canopy influences water temperatures, which in turn affects aquatic invertebrate 

biota. Organic matter from vegetation (leaves, wood) serves as food sources for aquatic invertebrates. 

Small and large wood debris are substrate for aquatic invertebrates. Riparian vegetation provides food 

and substrate for terrestrial invertebrates. Terrestrial insect drop from riparian vegetation to streams is 

a significant food source for fish.

f) Substrate particles and embeddedness, as evaluated in the Substrate Indicator, influence the amount of 

physical living space available for aquatic invertebrates and therefore indirectly address Forage. Large 

Woody Debris (LWD) also addresses Forage in that LWD provides substrate and a food source for 

aquatic invertebrates.

g) Natural cover is addressed by a host of indicators. Shade is discussed under the Riparian reserve 

indicator and also in part addressed by the Water Temperature indicator. Submerged and overhanging 

large wood, as well as log jams, are addressed by evaluating the Large Woody Debris indicator. The 

Substrate indicator analysis describes the effects of the action to a range of particle sizes, including 

large rocks and boulders. Analysis of the Pool Frequency indicator addresses numbers of pools 

available (providing cover) as well as how they are influenced by large woody debris recruitment. 

Analysis of the Pool Quality indicator reveals how an action may influence the depths of deeper pools, 

which provide quality cover. Width-Depth ratio influences cover because larger ratios indicate 

shallow depths associated with wide channels, and less cover. Analysis of the Floodplain Connectivity 

indicator should reveal the extent to which an action may cause channel downcutting or aggradation of 

the streambed, which would reduce or increase proximity to riparian vegetation and the cover it 

provides. Effects to Off-channel Habitats provide insights to effects to cover because off-channel 

habitats are often more narrow and at lower gradients than main channels. These conditions increase 

the potential for large wood accumulations and increase the potential for cover provided by 

overhanging riparian condition. Finally, the criterion for evaluating Streambank Conditions is bank 

stability. Stable, well-vegetated banks typically provide more cover than eroding banks, and influence 

the stream’s ability to create undercut banks. The riparian vegetation community and its composition 

are important to providing sources of material to establish and maintain beaver dams.

3. Freshwater migration corridors free of obstruction with water quantity and quality conditions and 

natural cover such as submerged and overhanging large wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and 

boulders, side channels, and undercut banks supporting juvenile and adult mobility and survival. 

a) Analysis of the Physical Barrier indicator directly addresses freshwater migration corridors free of 

obstruction. There is no corresponding habitat indicator that evaluates for excessive predation. 

However, this criterion of PCE 3 is a biological issue that is not influenced by land management 

activities.

b) Water quantity is addressed by the Change in Peak/Base flows indicator. This would address regulated 

flows and flows potentially changed by land management activities.

c) Water quality is addressed by three indicators. Assessment of the Water Temperature Indicator will 

determine if temperatures are in appropriate ranges to support migration of juveniles and adults. The 

Sediment and Turbidity indicator addresses percent fines <.85 mm in gravels (which is not particularly 

relevant to migration of either juveniles or adults, although smaller juveniles may use larger gravels for 

cover at times) and suspended sediment. High concentrations of suspended sediment for extended 

periods of time may cause upstream migrating adults to seek clear water tributaries as temporary 

refuge, thereby delaying upstream migration. Turbidity may affect downstream migration of juveniles 

by causing respiratory stress as well as reducing the ability to find food items. Analysis of the 

Chemical Contamination and Nutrients indicator can determine if an action may present chemical 

barriers to upstream or downstream migration.

d) The relationship between the natural cover component of this PCE to habitat indicators is identical to 

that for PCE 2, above. The freshwater migration corridors free of excessive predation component of 

the PCE is addressed by the same indicators as natural cover. Negative effects to cover are generally 

unfavorable to prey species.
85

FWS Primary Constituent Elements (PCEs): Bull Trout Critical Habitat (2010 Rule) – Granite Mining EIS. Granite SWS, 203 Beaver, 

202 Bull Run, 204 Clear, 206 Lower Granite, 201 Upper Granite. 

PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

1) Springs, seeps, groundwater 

sources, and subsurface water 

connectivity (hyporheic flows) to 

contribute to water quality and 

quantity and provide thermal 

refugia

Floodplain 

Connectivity

Channel 

Condition and 

Dynamics

Floodplain 

connectivity

FAR, 

FAUR-All 

Watersheds

Past mining activities have degraded floodplain 

connection in the Granite Watershed. There have 

been restoration efforts but, most operators are 

working existing dredge tailings. In some 

instances, tailings or existing artificial berms have 

separated the active stream channel from 

surrounding floodplain. Designated stream buffers 

are to be undisturbed. No mining activities, storage 

equipment or overburden or vegetation removal is 

permitted within these buffers, see G15 (General 

Requirements for Protection of Surface Resources). 

Reclamation requirements R1-R18 apply to all 

operations. 

Water Quantity Flow/ 

Hydrology

Change in 

peak/base flows

FAR – All 

watersheds

Pronounced changes in peak/base flow due to past 

mining impacts and road density. There are >3.0 

miles/sq miles, and many valley bottom roads. Past 

disturbance has been located in riparian areas. 

There is no new proposed activity that would 

change peak/base flows. There is minimal temp 

road construction and no new temp road 

construction across stream channels.

This project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect PCE 1.
86

PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

2) Migratory habitats with 

minimal physical, biological, or 

water quality impediments 

between spawning, rearing, 

overwintering, and freshwater and 

marine foraging habitats, 

including but not limited to 

permanent, partial, intermittent, or 

seasonal barriers.

Obstruction

Water Quality

Chemical 

contaminants/ 

nutrients, 

temperature

FAR, 

FAUR-202, 

203, 204, 

206, 201

FA-204, 

201

A Fuel Spill Prevention Plan is required for every 

mechanical operation. Hazardous materials 

mitigations H1-H12 apply. Temperatures are a 

limiting factor for bull trout migration and 

distribution in Bull Run and Beaver, Olive and 

possibly Boulder creeks; however, there is no 

causal mechanism that the proposed mining 

operations would further increase water 

temperatures at the subwatershed scale that will 

continue to contribute to further habitat 

obstruction. 

Flow/ 

Hydrology

Change in 

peak/base flows

FAR– All 

Watersheds

There are pronounced changes in natural peak/base 

flow due to past mining impacts and road density. 

Past disturbance has been located in riparian areas. 

There is no new proposed activity that would 

change peak/base flows at a subwatershed scale. 

There is minimal temp road construction and no 

new temp road construction across stream 

channels.

This project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect PCE 2.
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PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

3) An abundant food base, 

including terrestrial organisms of 

riparian origin, aquatic 

macroinvertebrates, and forage 

fish.

Forage

Water Quality, 

Habitat 

Elements, 

Channel 

Condition and 

Dynamics, 

Habitat Access

All 13 associated 

with these 4 

pathways

FA-204

FAR-203, 

202, 204, 

206

Designated stream buffers are to be undisturbed. 

No mining activities, storage equipment or 

overburden or vegetation removal is permitted 

within these buffers, see G15 (General 

Requirements for Protection of Surface Resources). 

Reclamation requirements R1-R18 apply to all 

operations.

BMPs and site specific mitigations are designed to 

limit potential sediment mobilization and transport, 

reference road-related requirements “Z1-Z14” 

mitigations and general requirements “G7”. 

Operations with potential subsurface or surface 

discharge will be required to obtain a 401 

certification from ODEQ and DSL before the FS 

approves their plan of operation. 

Effects of the placer and load operations within the 

project are limited to isolated or site-specific 

impacts. There would likely be non-measurable 

increases in sedimentation on a subwatershed scale. 

The project may adversely affect PCE 3 due to small magnitude 

of sediment. LAA

4) Complex river, stream, lake, 

reservoir, and marine shoreline 

aquatic environments and 

processes with features such as 

large wood, side channels, pools, 

undercut banks and substrates, to 

provide a variety of depths, 

gradients, velocities, and 

structure.

Complex 

Condition

Habitat 

Elements

Large woody 

debris

FAR-203, 

204, 206, 

201

FA-202

There will be no removal of large woody material 

from the riparian reaches or stream channel. There 

is no causal mechanism to alter large woody 

recruitment or instream structure. 

Existing off channel habitat is limited to due to past 

mining disturbances in the Granite Watershed. 

BMPs and site specific mitigations are designed to 

limit potential sediment mobilization and transport. 

Operations with potential subsurface or surface 

discharge will be required to obtain a 401 

certification from ODEQ and DSL before the FS 

approves their plan of operation. 

Pool frequency 

and quality 

FA-202, 

204, 201

FAR-203, 

206

Large pools

FA-202, 

204, 201

FAR-203, 

206
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PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

Off channel 

habitat

FAR-All 

Watersheds

Refugia Far-All 

Watersheds

This project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect PCE 4.

5). Water temperatures ranging 

from 2 to 15° C (36 to 59 ° F), 

with adequate thermal refugia

available for temperatures at the 

upper end of this range. Specific 

temperatures within this range 

will vary depending on bull trout 

life-history stage and form; 

geography; elevation, diurnal and 

seasonal variation; shade such as 

that provided by riparian habitat; 

and local groundwater influence.

Water Quality Water Quality Temperature

FAR, 

FAUR-202, 

203, 204, 

206, 201

FA-204, 

201

Water quality is temperature limited in parts of the 

Granite Watershed; however, Oregon Department 

of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has completed 

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the 

North Fork John Day Subbasin (2010). There will 

be no removal of shade bearing trees within 

RHCAs and there is no mechanism to change pool 

frequency on a scale that would measurably alter 

stream temperatures on the stream or subwatershed 

scale. Olive Tone and Belvadear have shared water 

rights (4 cfs) however, water will be recycled 

during processing and Olive Creek seasonal water 

levels must be maintained when drafting water.

This project will not affect PCE 5.

6). Substrates of sufficient 

amount, size, and composition to 

ensure success of egg and embryo 

overwinter survival, fry 

emergence, and young-of-the-year 

and juvenile survival. A minimal 

amount (e.g. less than 12 percent) 

Suitable 

Substrate Water Quality Sediment

FA-204

FAR-203, 

202, 206, 

206

BMPs and site specific mitigations are designed to 

limit potential sediment mobilization and transport, 

reference road-related requirements “Z1-Z14” 

mitigations and general requirement “G7”. 

Operations with potential subsurface or surface 

discharge will be required to obtain a 401 

certification from ODEQ and DSL before the FS 
89

PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

of fine substrate less than 0.85 

mm (0.03 in) in diameter and 

minimal embeddedness of these 

fines in larger substrates are 

characteristic of these conditions.

Habitat 

Elements

Substrate 

Embeddedness

FA-204, 

201

FAR-203, 

202, 206

approves their plan of operation.

Fording across stream channels will be on existing 

hardened fords and constructed fords shall only 

occur at Forest Service approved locations to avoid 

adverse impacts to fisheries. 

The project is not likely adversely affect PCE 6 because of the 

small amount of sediment potentially transported to stream 

channels from some placer mining.

7). A natural hydrograph, 

including peak, high, low, and 

base flows within historic and 

seasonal ranges or, if flows are 

controlled, they minimize 

departures from a natural 

hydrograph.

Water Quantity Flow/ 

Hydrology

Change in 

peak/base flows

FAR– All 

Watersheds

There are pronounced changes in peak/base flow 

due to past mining impacts and road density. Past 

disturbance has been located in riparian areas. 

There is no new proposed activity that would 

change peak/base flows at a subwatershed scale. 

This project will not affect PCE 7.

8). Sufficient water quality and 

quantity such that normal 

reproduction, growth, and 

survival are not inhibited.

Water Quality Water Quality

Temperature

FAR, 

FAUR-202, 

203, 204, 

206, 201

FA-204, 

201

Water quality is temperature limited in parts of the 

Granite Watershed; however, Oregon Department 

of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has completed 

Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the 

North Fork John Day Subbasin (2010). There will 

be no removal of shade bearing trees within 

RHCAs and there is no mechanism to change pool 

frequency on a scale that would measurably alter 

stream temperatures on the stream or subwatershed 

scale.
90

PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

Sediment

FA-204

FAR-203, 

202, 206, 

206

BMPs and site specific mitigations are designed to 

limit potential sediment mobilization and transport, 

reference road-related requirements “Z1-Z14” 

mitigations and general mitigations G7. Operations 

with potential subsurface or surface discharge will 

be required to obtain a 401 certification from 

ODEQ and DSL before the FS approves their plan 

of operation.

Chemical 

Contam./ 

Nutrients

All PF

A Fuel Spill Prevention Plan is required for every 

mechanical operation. Hazardous materials 

mitigations H1-H12 apply. 

Change in 

Peak/Base Flows FAR– All 

Watersheds

There are pronounced changes in peak/base flow 

due to past mining impacts and road density. Past 

disturbance has been located in riparian areas. 

There is no new proposed activity that would 

change peak/base flows at a subwatershed scale. 

Because of the small amount of sediment potentially transported 

to stream channels from some placer mining and effects from 

fording likely to adversely affect PCE 8. 
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PCE PCE Habitat 

Feature Matrix Pathway Matrix Indicator Baseline Condition Rationale

9). Few or no nonnative predatory 

(e.g., lake trout, walleye, northern 

pike, smallmouth bass; inbreeding 

(e.g., brook trout); or competitive 

(e.g. brown trout) species present.

Species Subpopulation 

characteristics

Persistence and 

Genetic Integrity FAR

Small brook trout numbers have been observed in 

the Upper North Fork John Day. 

It is assumed that subpopulations support < 500 

bull trout adults. Data is not available to support 

trend between growth/survival and disturbance. 

Resident and fluvial life forms are present in the 

Granite Watershed and there is connectivity 

between subpopulations but, high water 

temperatures in lower Granite Watershed and some 

artificial barriers in Upper Clear Cr. present some 

habitat fragmentation. This project may affect but 

is not likely to adversely affect bull trout at the 

subpopulation scale.

This project will not affect PCE 9.
92