Riparian Vegetation Analysis for Reclaimed Mines on the North Fork of the American Fork River By Randon Chesnut

North Fork History Mining Mining district organized June 1870 Over 100 mines Mining ceased in 1953

Chemical Impacts Water entrains toxic chemicals/heavy metals Arsenic Mercury Cadmium Copper Lead Iron Acid Mine Drainage alters pH

Biological Impacts Loss of Fish Loss of Invertebrate diversity High levels of metals found in fish tissue Loss of Invertebrate diversity Loss of all vegetation

Mines on the North Fork

Vegetation Classification Created using Isodata method in Imagine using 2004 NAIP and photos Accuracy checked against 2006 NAIP

Type of Buffer needed based on Classification

Mine to Buffer Relationship

Mine to Buffer Relationship

Mine to Buffer Relationship

Fractional Vegetation of Buffer Encroaching Mines in 1998

Fractional Vegetation of Buffer Encroaching Mines in 2005

Vegetation Change 1998 - 2005

Biological Changes

Biological Changes

Resources Utah AGRC Uinta National Forest Trout Unlimited USU IRDIAC Utah Historical Society New York Times USU Buglab EPA USU WCMAFE Utah Health Department Valdosta State University Neil Burk – 2004 Thesis

Questions?