By spreading out water flows, wetlands prevent soil erosion during storms. They prevent flooding by slowing down water flows and act as giant sediment traps which collect silt and pollutants. Some heavy metals are absorbed by plants such as sedges, bulrushes, and cattails. Others are rendered non-toxic by the bacteria in wetland soils. The engineering of the proposed gold mine, however, would have few or none of these beneficial effects.
Intact headwaters are essential in making creeks work.
They often have small, localized wetlands which filter impurities and create a sponge effect to slow down water flows. 7,200 linear feet of headwaters would be obliterated by BMG's proposal. The amount of wetlands which would be destroyed or damaged by the project has yet to be accurately characterized or measured. Nutrient loading from explosives, septic seepage, and reseeding fertilizers during reclamation would increase biomass production while disrupting wetlands biochemistry. Reduced groundwater recharge to and from wetlands and riparian areas would change their plant communities.