NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS Appendix 5

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Appendix 5

NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

Operations with Ponds

Question: Does an operation have proposed or existing ponds within an RHCA? If yes, 

can the pond be relocated outside the RHCA and if not, why not? 

These questions address the concerns raised in the Court Order about locating structures 

inside the RHCA (INFISH MM-2). MM-2 is as follows:

Locate structures, support facilities, and roads outside Riparian Habitat Conservation 

Areas. Where no alternative to siting facilities in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas 

exists, locate and construct the facilities in ways that avoid impacts to Riparian Habitat 

Conservation Areas and streams and adverse effects on inland native fish. 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.

There are two types of ponds: settling/recycling ponds and processing ponds. The 

settling/recycling ponds are used to capture the dirty water generated as a result of the 

placer operation. The processing ponds are the clear water ponds.

August Placer

Outside RHCA buffer zones. Historic excavations with no flow connection to Slab Creek 

proper. Channels are discontinuous and related to historic placer mining. Natural 

channel of Slab Creek may initiate beyond operating area. Water for source pond is 

coming from adit. Existing ponds for water source. 

Make note in EIS that any references to Slab Creek at this site should be changed to 

reference the historically excavated area.

Big Elk/Red Dog

Note: This operation was referred to as Red Dog Placer in the 2004 FEIS. Its correct 

name is Big Elk/Red Dog 

Dry Creek is intermittent in a non-priority watershed. RHCA buffer zone = 50 feet. The 

valley floor width is less than 100 ft total and bounded by hillslopes.

Two processing ponds exist, one is an in-channel pond located on the southern end of 

claim. The northern pond is off-channel. Southern pond is 16x30x5 feet, located on a 

snowmelt channel, not Dry Creek. Northern pond is approx 20x30 feet. Both processing 
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ponds have been excavated into the ground and are inside the RHCA. Two to three 

settling ponds (approx 10x15) are proposed and will be located near the existing 

processing ponds in flat areas and excavated into the ground. Water source will be 

ground water, snow melt, and possibly hauled in. These proposed ponds would also be 

inside the RHCA.

Burnt Lode Placer

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer zone = 300 feet. 

Existing settling ponds (2) are located at Burnt Lode/Placer site #2. The ponds are within 

300-ft RHCA for NFBR and the operator may construct one more pond in same location. 

County Road 503 separates the ponds from the NFBR. Ponds are topographically lower 

than the road, and the road forms a barrier between the stream and the ponds. 

Camp Hale

Ponds are located outside of the RHCA.

Dominion Lode

Proposed ponds outside of RHCA. 

Portions of the channel have perennial flow and portions only carry intermittent flow. 

Depending on the area the RHCA is either 50 feet (intermittent flow) or 150 feet 

(Perennial flow). 

EJ Placer

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer zone = 300 feet. The valley 

bottom width is less than or equal to 300 feet at most on a side. The valley bottom is 

bounded by hillslopes.

The proposed ponds at EJ Placer 5 would be inside the 300-foot RHCA if this becomes a 

processing site. The ponds would be located in a dry area. The operator plans to tap into 

groundwater. 

Gimlet

Gimlet Creek is a perennial. It is unknown if it is fish-bearing in this section of the creek. 

Assuming it is fish bearing. RHCA buffer zone = 300 feet. Valley bottom width is less 

than 150 feet total.

Two off-channel settling/recycling ponds will be located at least 25 feet from Gimlet 

Creek and will be used for processing. Ponds will be approximately 20’ x 15’ x 10’. 

Ponds will be behind old placer tailings that line the creek.
NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS Appendix 5

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Glory B

Jackknife Creek is an intermittent stream. RHCA buffer zone = 50 feet. Valley is 50 feet 

wide on a side at most. 

Proposed ponds would be constructed 25 ft from the channel on west side of the road in a 

wide area above the channel. The road is between the pond location and the channel. 

Ponds would be inside the RHCA.

Gold Busters

Pinus Creek is perennial, non-fishbearing. RHCA buffer zone = 150 feet. The total 

valley bottom is less than 150 feet width and the valley bottom is bounded by a hillslope 

on one side and tailings on the other. 

Existing four ponds are at least 30 feet from the creek on flat ground. Ponds are 

excavated into the ground and all but the first pond is behind a high tailings pile. Ponds 

are very stable. 

Gold Camp

Camp Creek is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet.

Site 1: Southern site. Pond is located in RHCA (300 ft buffer). 

Site 2: Middle site. Along Camp Creek. Work site and possible alternative processing 

site. Site has existing ponds. Ponds within the 300 foot RHCA buffer zone. Closest 

pond is about 60 feet from Camp Creek. 

Site 3: Northern site. Process ponds located in a dry draw. Outside RHCA.

Golden Bandit Placer and Lode

Existing ponds outside of RHCA. 

Goldy Placer and Mill

Proposed ponds outside of RHCA. 

Gopher Placer

Several channels in this area. 

West Simpson Creek has intermittent flow. RHCA buffer = 50 feet.

Simpson Creek, north of road, has intermittent flow. RHCA buffer = 50 feet. 
Appendix 5 NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

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Simpson Creek, south of road, is perennial, non-fish bearing. RHCA buffer = 150 feet.

Gopher 1 = North site: North of the road. Existing settling ponds to be used. In-channel 

ponds used only as water source. Ponds within 50 ft. buffer. Topography flat and 

forested.

Gopher 2 = South of the road. Existing pond to be used as a settling pond. Pond within 

150 ft. buffer for Simpson Creek. Pond is separated from creek by historic mine tailings 

and topography flat. 

Jay Gould Lode (Banzer)

Channel has intermittent flow. RHCA buffer = 50 feet. 

Existing ponds in-channel. Channel ends below FS road 1060 in a wetland. Valley 

bottom is less than 50 feet on each side.

Jay Gould Mine Works (Newell)

Proposed ponds located outside of RHCA.

Jim Bob Placer

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet.

1 existing pond about 80 feet from the river. Pond is dug down into the ground.

2 proposed small settling ponds within the 300-ft RHCA buffer for the NFBR. Valley 

floor width is less than 300 total. The valley floor is bounded by hillslopes and a road. 

Ladder/Rusty Bucket

Proposed ponds located outside of RHCA.

Lucky One Placer

Simpson Creek is a perennial, non-fish bearing stream. Flow is perennial through the 

mining site, but Simpson Creek goes dry below the FS road 7830. Valley bottom is less 

than 50 feet wide total. Site is bounded by hillslopes. Hillslope on the west side 

becomes a bench. 

Propose construction of settling ponds outside the RHCA. Water source for proposed 

ponds is the adit, which is located inside RHCA. 
NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS Appendix 5

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Lucky Placer

Existing ponds on a ridge outside of the RHCA. 

Midas Ladybug Placer

Proposed ponds located on the ridge and outside the 50-foot RHCA. 

Monarch Lode

Proposed ponds are located outside the RHCA.

North Fork Placer

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet.

Existing ponds within RHCA and groundwater is the proposed source of the water. 

Valley floor width is less than 300 ft on either side. On the east side of the river, the 

valley bottom is bounded by County Road 503. On the west side of the river the valley 

bottom is bounded by a forested hillslope. 

Old Channel Placer

Existing ponds outside the RHCA. 

Existing ponds located in a draw, which was historically mined. Channel present but an 

artifact of the historic mining. 

Parkerville Placer Mining

Proposed ponds outside the RHCA.

Propose to construct 3 off-channel ponds. The area has been historically mined with 

defined channels tapping into ground water. There is no surface hydrologic connection 

between the area proposed for mining and any channel that could transport water to a 

perennial stream. The ponds are upstream of FS road 1046045 road which acts as a dam 

and prevents any sediment from moving downstream. 

Prudent (#9) Placer

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet. Valley bottom width 

is less than 300 feet and bounded by a forested hillslope.

Existing ponds are located within the RHCA. Ponds are located away from the stream 

and up against the hillslope, adjacent to the processing site. 
Appendix 5 NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

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R&RK #2 & #3

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet. Valley bottom 

width is less than 150 feet total and is bounded by forested hillslopes.

Existing off-channel ponds in tailings area and inside RHCA. Water source for the ponds 

will come from ground water and/or existing dredge ponds. New 10x12x6 ft settling 

ponds would be located behind 2 to 3 foot tall berms and located at least 50 feet from any 

live water. The old dredge pond, located within 25 feet of creek, is buffered with old 

tailings and will be used only as a water source.

 

R&RK #4 & #5

NFBR is a perennial, fish-bearing stream. RHCA buffer = 300 feet. Valley floor is less 

than 150 feet total and bounded by forested hillslopes.

There are two proposed processing sites. Both sites are within the 300-foot RHCA buffer 

of the NFBR. Site 1 is on the south side of the NFBR in the flat valley floor area by the 

ford and just west of the road that goes to Site 2. Site 1 is within 25 feet of the NFBR 

and the valley floor in this area is 30 feet at maximum. The ground is flat. 

Site 2 is located at the end of the road and upstream of Site 1. Site 2 is located on the 

west side of the NFBR (it makes a bend). The valley floor at Site 2 is about 80 feet. 

Racer Group/Keystone Korners Placer

Geiser Creek is a perennial, fish-bearing stream (J. Alexander, email, 2/16/09). However, 

when the site was visited by the Forest Service hydrologist on September 14, 2007, the 

part of the channel where the operation was proposed was dry in parts. Therefore, the 

RHCA is 50 feet where flow is intermittent and 300 feet where flow is perennial and fish 

are present. Valley bottom width is less than 40 feet on the northeast side and about 50 

feet on the southwest side. The valley bottom on the northeast side is bounded by 

forested hillslope. On the southwest side, beyond 50 ft from the creek, the topography 

gradually slopes upward.

Two to three off-channel settling ponds proposed (approx 10x12 x 6 feet) at least 50 ft 

from any live water. 50 feet on the west-southwest side places the pond either at the back 

edge of the valley floor terrace or up on a hillslope bench. The pond will be excavated 

with a 2 to 3 foot berm above normal contour. Proposed ponds would be inside RHCA.

Roberts Lode

Will be taking material to the Snow Creek processing site. No ponds at the Roberts 

Lode site.
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Rocker Group Placer

Greenhorn Ck is perennial. Unknown if fish bearing in this portion of the watershed. 

Assuming fish bearing. RHCA = 300 feet. 

Slab Creek has intermittent flow. RHCA = 50 feet. 

Existing processing and settling ponds within RHCA. Existing ponds are more than 100 

feet from both creeks. Ponds are located on a bench made of tailings and are stable. 

Silver Bell Placer

Camp Creek is perennial and likely non-fish bearing in this portion of the watershed. 

RHCA = 150 feet.

Three existing off-channel ponds (not to be constructed as stated in FEIS). Plan talks 

about further development of the ponds, ie., cleaning and deepening. Use of 3 offchannel settling/recycling existing ponds located 50 ft from Camp Creek and the 3 inchannel ponds. One in-channel ponds is an exempt reservoir used for storage of 

processing water. Not clear if all “proposed” off-channel ponds have been constructed. 

The Forest Service hydrologist found 3 below (south) Road 7380 (at Silver Bell Placer 

#2), but Plan map shows 2 proposed ponds above (north) Road 7380 at Silver Bell #1. 

As currently located, the ponds in Silver Bell #2, are existing, excavated into the ground, 

within an RHCA (150 ft buffer), and 45 feet from the top of the bank. There will be no 

sediment discharge from the ponds because they are very large and the ground is flat. 

Although the topography is flat, moving them would result in additional ground

disturbance and would separate them from the processing water.

Shamrock Placer

Area heavily placer mined in the past. Existing channels present related to historic 

mining. Outside any RHCA.

Processing will take place at least 50 feet from the river. The water source for the 

processing is existing off-channel ponds. 

Sluice Box Placer

There are two processing sites proposed, one on the north side and one on the south side. 

Both processing sites and therefore ponds are located within the 300-foot RHCA buffer 

of the NFBR. The water sources for both sites are existing springs. The pond on the 

south side is more than 50 feet from the NFBR and is on flat ground. The ponds on the 

north side are small depressions in old placer tailings. These are within 25 feet of the 

NFBR. The valley floor is less than 100 feet wide total and there is no other place to put 

the ponds. There are no concerns with respect to the potential for sediment inputs into 

the stream as a result of using these ponds given the flat topography, ground cover, and 
Appendix 5 NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

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distance from the creek. The south side ponds are the best but it would require crossing 

the NFBR frequently to access the ponds. 

Silver Eagle Lode

No channels present. Only wetland in the area is a small wetland (about 100 long x 25 

feet wide) which is the result of adit water discharging from the adit and being ponded by 

a road.

Snow Creek Placer

Existing ponds are located in the middle section of his operation. The ponds are within 

the 300 foot RHCA buffer of Snow Creek. The ponds are above the stream and tap into 

groundwater. They are large and stable. Moving the ponds would result in new 

disturbance in a forested area with some topography. Their current location is the best 

location.

Standby/McNamee Placer

Existing ponds. No pond construction to occur. Their current location is the best 

location given the source of water they are tapping into.

For site #1. Old placer tailings provide very effective berms to McNamee Creek. Water 

source from existing shaft – tapping into groundwater and snowmelt. Site is outside the 

RHCA – shaft is more than 50 ft away from McNamee Creek.

Site#2 uses existing pits. Washing site to be 50 ft from the creek. Ponds are existing. 

50 ft. buffer puts them up against the hillside. RHCA buffer is 150 ft. Moving ponds any 

further away from stream would move them up on the hillside. Ditch along base of 

hillside feeds into the ponds. Water source = groundwater, snowmelt and possible ditch 

contribution.

Star (Pinus) Placer

Pinus Creek. Stream has intermittent flow in this area. RHCA = 50 feet.

Proposed ponds would be located over 30 feet from the creek. 

Three Cent Placer

This operation includes six sites:

1. Three Cent Placer/Red Dog: There is a pond in the draw that has partly filled with 

ground water. They are not using this pond. Placer gravel to be hauled away to the 

processing site. 

2. Three Cent Placer/East: No ponds identified for this site.

3. Three Cent Placer Processing 1: has existing ponds
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4. Three Cent Placer Processing 2: These ponds will be constructed on the west side 

of the creek. The ponds noted in plan were on the east side of the creek and have 

been reclaimed. 

5. Three Cent Placer Mining 1 (north. end of claim): There is an old test pit that has 

filled with water. Not using this pond.

6. Three Cent Placer Mining 2. No ponds. 

Three Cent Placer Processing 1 and Three Cent Placer Processing 2: 

Each processing site will have a 3-pond system. At #1, ponds exist but are outside the 

50-foot RHCA buffer for this intermittent stream. The ponds are large and stable. The 

water in the channel downstream of the ponds is probably a mix of groundwater and 

subsurface flow from the ponds. There are no concerns at this site.

At #2, the ponds were reclaimed so would have to be dug again. Depending on where 

you are in the area of Processing site #2, the channel either had a small amount of flow in 

August or was dry. The valley floor is less than 100 feet wide total. The east hillslope is 

fairly steep, the west hillslope is more gentle. The ponds are proposed for the west site. 

The plan’s 50 foot buffer puts the ponds on the hillslope. If the diagram is correct then 

the previous ponds were on the mound that divides the two channels. In this case the 

ponds were within 10 feet of the creek. 

Three Cent Placer Mining 1:

The pond taps into ground water. Mining activity has created outflow from the pond –

riparian vegetation has established. Changing location of the pond would simply start the 

process over, therefore, the pond should not be relocated. 

Upper Geiser Creek Placer/Lode

Geiser Creek is perennial and possibly fish-bearing in this area. RHCA = 300 feet.

The plan states that a 25-feet processing buffer will be maintained between processing 

activities and stream channel. A 25-foot processing site would put the put the ponds on a 

hillslope, increasing the potential for saturation of pond sediments, a small failure, and 

channel formation. The result would be an input of sediment into the channel. However, 

the current processing site is at least a 100 feet from the creek and is separated from the 

creek by tailings and hummocky topography. This site is highly stable and has no water 

resource concerns. 

Upper Winterville Placer

Will only work the portion of this operation south of the private lands. No existing or 

proposed ponds. All processing will occur at the Upper Geiser Creek Placer/Lode 

processing site. 
Appendix 5 NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

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West Parkerville Placer

Tony Creek is perennial. It is unknown if it is fish-bearing. Assuming fish bearing. 

RHCA = 300 feet. 

The plan calls for reconstructing two settling/recycling ponds in the area north of the 

lower off-channel pond. The existing ponds will not be cleaned out due to the various 

amphibians and reptiles present in the ponds and the areas adjacent to them. Water from 

these existing ponds may be used but a fine screen strainer will be used to prevent intake 

of amphibians and reptiles. The reconstructed settling/recycling ponds are off channel. 

Source of water is winter storage or as allowed by State water law. There will be no 

overflow of the processing pond water into Tony Creek. They are least 25 feet from the 

creek and within the 50 foot RHCA buffer of Tony Creek but on flat ground. Given the 

topography of the area, the location of the private land, and the location of the creek 

(possible source of water) there isn’t any other place to put the ponds. There are no 

concerns about sediment entering Tony Creek from the ponds.

Wild Flower Placer

The processing site will use two existing ponds located on the north side of the NFBR 

and between the NFBR and County Road 503. The ponds are within the 300-ft RHCA 

buffer for NFBR and at least 50 feet from the NFBR. The ground is flat, the ponds are 

deep, and they tap tapping into groundwater. The other source of water will be make-up 

water from the river when needed. The ponds are in a previously mined area and are 

stable. The valley width on either side is less than 300 feet and therefore to move the 

ponds would require putting them on the hillslope north of County Road 503. It was also 

decrease their ability to tap into groundwater and would result in new disturbance in a 

previously undisturbed area. There is no potential for sediment in these ponds reaching 

the NFBR given the flat topography and the coarse nature of the tailings between the 

river and the ponds.