Copper and Zinc assessment of Stream C and surrounding waters by the Flambeau Mine Site.

Recent monitoring at the Flambeau mine site near Ladysmith (Rusk Co.) has shown that acutely toxic concentrations of copper and zinc are regularly present in the runoff entering Stream C. Stream C is an intermittent tributary of the Flambeau River. Monitoring is proposed to assess the impacts of this toxicity to Stream C and the Flambeau River near the mouth of Stream C. The monitoring would also further identify the source areas of the metals found. Water samples from 10 sites on 3 dates (5 dates for 2 of the sites) would be collected and tested for metals and other parameters (see lab budget). A broad range of metals would be tested on 2 dates and a more limited range of metals would be tested on the other dates. Sediment samples from 8 sites would be tested for metals and other parameters (see lab budget). Macroinvertebrate samples would be collected from 5 sites (2 per site). Fish surveys would be done at 2 sites on 2 dates.

Water sampling sites are: 1. biofilter outflow 2. site SW-C8 (existing site) 3. site SW-C3 (existing site) 4. north ditch along Copper Park Lane 5. site SW-C1 (existing site) 6. mouth of east branch of stream C (a runoff reference site) 7. mouth of stream C (no WBIC) 8. Flambeau River above stream C mouth (WBIC 2225000) 9. Flambeau River below stream C 10. mouth of intermittent reference stream in Sec. 19 southwest of mine site (WBIC 5006202) Sediment sampling sites are: 1. upper Stream C sites (3 samples) 2. lower Stream C sites (3 samples) 4. intermittent reference stream in Sec. 19 (2 samples) Macroinvertebrate sites: 1. lower end of Stream C (2) 2. lower end of intermittent reference stream in Sec. 19 (2) 3. Flambeau R. above Stream C (2) 4. Flambeau R. below Stream C (2) 5. Flambeau R. above reference stream mouth (2) 6. Flambeau R. below reference stream mouth (2) Fish survey sites: 1. lower end of stream C (2 dates) 2. lower end of intermittent reference stream in Sec. 19 (2 dates)