Trace Elements Final...

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDIES 2006 STUDY PLANS

CHAPTER 7. TRACE ELEMENTS

JJUULLYY 22000066

DRAFT TRACE ELEMENTS

Trace Elements Final Draft.doc 7-i 6/28/06

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................................7-i

LIST OF TABLES (attached) ....................................................................................................................7-ii

LIST OF FIGURES (attached) ..................................................................................................................7-ii

7. TRACE ELEMENTS ..........................................................................................................................7-1

7.1 Mine Studies ..............................................................................................................................7-1 7.2 Transportation Corridor Studies ................................................................................................7-2

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDIES, PROPOSED 2006 STUDY PLAN DRAFT

Trace Elements Final Draft.doc 7-ii 6/28/06

LIST OF TABLES (attached)

Table 7.1-1, Study Summary for Trace Elements, Mine Studies, 2004-2006

Table 7.1-2a, Sample Site Period-of-Record Index, Trace Elements, Pebble West

Table 7.1-2b, Sample Site Period-of-Record Index, Trace Elements, Pebble East

Table 7.1-3, Trace Element Analytical Sampling Estimate, Mine Study, 2006

Table 7.2-1a, Study Summary for Trace Elements, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006, SLR

Table 7.2-1b, Study Summary for Trace Elements in Vegetation, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006

Table 7.2-1c, Study Summary for Trace Elements in Sediment, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006

Table 7.2-2, Sample Site Period-of-Record Index, Trace Elements Study, Transportation Corridor

Table 7.2-3, Trace Element Analytical Sampling Estimate, Transportation Corridor, 2006

LIST OF FIGURES (attached)

Figure 7.1-1, Existing and Proposed, Naturally Occurring Constituents, Sampling Locations for Soil, Sediment and Vegetation, Mine Study Area

Figure 7.2-1, Trace Elements, Transportation Corridor, Study Area and Sampling Locations

DRAFT TRACE ELEMENTS

Trace Elements Final Draft.doc 7-1 6/28/06

7. TRACE ELEMENTS

This document summarizes the proposed scope of work for the 2006 trace elements study program for Pebble Project. The 2005 study plan for trace elements is documented in Chapter 7 of the Draft Environmental Baseline Studies, Proposed 2005 Study Plan; the following discussion indicates where the 2006 program differs from that presented for 2005.

7.1 Mine Studies Table 7.1-1 summarizes study activities in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Figure 7.1-1 shows the sampling locations for the mine study area, and Tables 7.1-2a and b summarize sampling at those locations in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

The 2006 study will characterize naturally occurring constituents (e.g., trace elements) in:

• Surface soil.

• Terrestrial vegetation that is used as forage by wildlife or as food or medicine by humans.

• Aquatic vegetation associated with lakes and ponds in the mine study area.

• Sediment found in tundra lakes and ponds and in streams.

Subsurface soil samples will not be collected in 2006 because review of data from the 2004 and 2005 sampling programs indicated that the results from samples collected at depth were equal to or less than the concentrations from surface samples.

A subset of surface-soil samples will be analyzed for total organic carbon (also referred to as fraction organic carbon) and petroleum hydrocarbons as diesel-range organics and residual-range organics.

The number of samples to be collected in 2006 is summarized by area and study on Table 7.1-3. Two sampling events will be conducted for terrestrial vegetation. The rationale for the sampling this year is twofold:

• The short-term goal of the program is to collect data from two years at each location. Since some locations were only added last year, an additional round of sampling is needed at these new locations. This is a subset of the locations sampled in the mine study area in 2005.

• Identification of the new eastern deposit (Pebble East) requires characterization of baseline conditions in the watershed in the vicinity of this new deposit. Surface soil samples, vegetation samples, pond and lake water samples, and pond and lake sediment samples will be collected from sample sites in Pebble East.

Differences in sampling for Pebble West from year to year are summarized in Table 7-1.2a. Sampling for Pebble East is summarized in Table 7.1-2b. A total of 16 ponds will be sampled as part of this program.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STUDIES, PROPOSED 2006 STUDY PLAN DRAFT

Trace Elements Final Draft.doc 7-2 6/28/06

Stream and lake sediment sampling will be conducted as outlined in Section 7.1.2.2 of the 2005 study plan, with an additional chemical analysis included. This new analysis, which involves total sulfur and acid volatile sulfide/simultaneously extracted metals (AVS-SEM), is designed to evaluate the bioavailability of trace elements in sediment. Pond sampling is intended to be conducted in coordination with the water quality team so that sediment and aquatic vegetation samples are temporally co-located.

7.2 Transportation Corridor Studies The study program for the transportation corridor will be conducted as outlined in Section 7.2 of the 2005 study plan, but additional sampling, focusing on trace elements in soil and vegetation, will be conducted in areas within the transportation corridor east of Summit Lake (Figure 7.2-1). In addition to locations sampled in 2004, new locations sampled in 2006 will include additional natural drainages and habitats typical of the areas east of the lake.

The methodology for sampling is identical to that presented in Section 7.2.2.2 of the 2005 study plan. Sampling in 2006 will include soil, plants (berries and vegetative portions kept separate), pond sediment, surface water, and aquatic plants, and stream sediment and surface water media. Consistent with other trace element work done on the transportation corridor, only a single sampling event is planned for 2006. Tables 7.2-1a, b, and c summarize study activities in 2004, 2005, and 2006 (Mine Studies Area in Table 7.2-1a, and Transportation Corridor in Tables 7.2-1b and c). Table 7.2-2 summarizes the sampling at each sample location in 2004, 2005, and 2006. The number of samples of each medium proposed for 2006 is summarized in Table 7.2-3.

2004 2005 2006

Discipline Data Collected or Tasks (some done by

CH2M Hill) Data Collected or Tasks Tasks to be CompletedTrace Elements Mine Study Area

Information Gathering Information Gathering Information GatheringScope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan2004 Study Plan 2005 Study Plan 2006 Study Plan SummarySoil Sampling (Aug/Sep) Soil sampling (July and August) QAPP update: aquatic speciesVegetation Sampling (Aug/Sep) - leaves and berries

Vegetation Sampling (July - leaves; Aug - leaves and berries)

Aquatic plant sampling

QAPP review Aquatic plant sampling (August) Aquatic pond sediment samplingQAPP update Coordination with HDR and BEESCData Entry and Analysis Data Analysis Communication and Data Management Communication and Data Management Coordination with NDM & Agencies, monthly reporting

Coordination with NDM, agency meetings, and monthly reporting

Mercury/methylmercury fish tissue analysis Stream Sediment and Surface Water Data Analysis 2004 Progress Report Fish Tissue Data Analysis

Draft Environmental Baseline DocumentSoil sampling (July)Terrestrial Vegetation Sampling (July - leaves only; Aug - leaves and berries)

Table 7.1-1Pebble Project Environmental Studies

Study Summary for Trace Elements, Mine Studies, 2004-2006Consultant: SLR Alaska

Table 7.1-2aPebble Project

Sample Site Period-of-Record IndexTrace Elements, Pebble West

Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D20042005 V V V2006 V V V 20042005 V V V2006 V V V2004 V V2005 V V V200620042005 V V2006 V V 20042005 V2006 F V20042005 V2006 F V2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V V200520062004 V V2005 V2006 20042005 V2006 V 20042005 V V V2006 V V V 2004 V2005 V V V2006 V V V2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V200620042005 V2006 F V2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V V V2006 V V V2004 V2005 V20062004 V V2005 V V V20062004 V2005 V200620042005 V2006 V 20042005 V2006 V 2004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V V V V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V

235271

Vegetation SoilMonitoring Site Year

Pond SedimentPeriod Of Record By Discipline

235361

236221

236272

236273

236271

235282

235281

236281

236351

335021

335031

236353

335032

335091

335092

335131

335051

335132

335161

335162

335163

335171

335172

335173

335174

335231

335261

335281

335175

335176

335191

335193

335192

335282

335283

335284

235281

335232

236352

335093

335201

Page 1 of 3



Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N DVegetation Soil

Monitoring Site YearPond Sediment

Period Of Record By Discipline

2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V V2005 V V V2006 20042005 V2006 V20042005 V2006 V 2004 V V2005 V20062004 V2005 V V V2006 V V V20042005 V2006 V2004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V 2005 V V V2006 V 20042005 V2006 V 20042005 V2006 V 2004 2005 V V V2006 V V V 2004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V V V2005 V V V V2006 2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V V V2006 V V V20042005 V2006 V 2004 2005 V V V2006 V V V 2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V V V2005 V V2006 2004 2005 V2006 V2004 2005 V2006 V2004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V20062004 V V2005 V V V2006 2004 V V V2005 V V V V2006 20042005 V2006 V 20042005 V2006 V 2004 V2005 V2006

335301

335302

335311

335321

335322

336011

336042

336041

336131

336012

336013

336211

336133

336212

336231

336241

336242

336261

336281

436361

435301

435302

435341

435342

436223

436221

436222

336043

336132

336361

436041

435062

435161

435162

435221

435222

435223

336282

336341

336342

435061

336362

Page 2 of 3



Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N DVegetation Soil

Monitoring Site YearPond Sediment

Period Of Record By Discipline

2004 V2005 V20062004 V2005 V200620042005 V2006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V200420052006 F V2004 F V20052006 2004 V200520062004 V200520062004 V200520062004 F V20052006 2004 V200520062004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 F V20052006 2004 F V20052006 2004 F V20052006 2004 F V20052006 2004 F20052006 2004 V200520062004 F V20052006 2004 F20052006

KEY:Soil and/or vegetation sampled in both 2004 and 2005 (61 locations; 13 for plants).Proposed 2006 sample location. 16 tundra ponds, 7 vegetation locations, 13 soil-only locations.Site sampled in 2004 only.

F Sediment samples collected. V Vegetation samples collected from various plant species.

Section 28

535051

Section 3, Grid 128

535052

Section 3, Grid 10

Section 2, Grid 5

Section 3, Grid 4

Section 36, Grid 20

536051

Section 17, Grid 106

Section 28, Grid 81

Section 21, Grid 91


Section 19, Grid 35

Section 16

Section 12, Grid 54



Section 11, Grid 53

Section 4, Grid 67

Section 26, Grid 23

Section 23, Grid 39

Pond TP-1

Pond TP-2

Pond TP-3

Pond TP-4

Section 34, Grid 72

Section 32, Grid 76

Section 32, Grid 16

Section 27, Grid 28

Pond TP-5

Pond TP-6

Pond TP-7

Pond TP-8

Pond TP-9

Pond TP-10

Pond TP-11

Pond TP-12

Page 3 of 3

Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D200420052006 V V V200420052006 V V V200420052006 V 200420052006 V V V200420052006 V 200420052006 V 200420052006 V V V200420052006 V 200420052006 V 200420052006 V V V200420052006 V 200420052006 V 200420052006 V V V200420052006 V 200420052006 V V V 200420052006 V V

KEY:F Sediment samples collected. V Vegetation samples collected from various plant species.

Pond E-1

E-16

E-11

E-12

E-9

E-10

E-14

E-15

E-5

E-6

E-7

E-8

E-1

E-2

E-3

E-4

Table 7.1-2bPebble Project

Sample Site Period-of-Record IndexTrace Elements, Pebble East

Monitoring Site YearVegetation SoilPond Sediment

Period of Record By Discipline

Pebble West - July (SLR)Soil Terrestrial Veg1 Aquatic Veg1 Pond Sed2 Stream SW Stream Sediment Totals

Primary 30 36 24 9 0 0 99Duplicate 3 3 3 1 0 0 10QA 3 3 3 1 0 0 10Totals 36 42 30 11 0 0 119

Pebble East - July (SLR)Soil Terrestrial Veg1 Aquatic Veg1 Pond Sed Stream SW Stream Sediment Totals


Pebble West - August (SLR)Soil Terrestrial Veg1 Aquatic Veg1 Pond Sed2 Stream SW Stream Sediment Totals


Pebble East - August (SLR)Soil Terrestrial Veg1 Aquatic Veg1 Pond Sed3 Stream SW Stream Sediment Totals


1 Assumes four species per location, plus two berry samples per upland location.2 Assumes three samples for every two ponds (two samples at larger ponds, one at smaller ponds).3 Assumes three samples from one pond.

Table 7.1-3Trace Element Analytical Sampling Estimate

Mine Studies, 2006

Table 7.2-1aPebble Project Environmental Studies

Study Summary for Trace Elements, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006Consultant: SLR Alaska

2004 2005 2006 Discipline Data Collected or Tasks Data Collected or Tasks Tasks to be Completed

Trace Elements Transportation Corridor None Information Gathering Information Gathering

BEESC Study Plan Review Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan2004 Progress Report 2006 Study Plan SummaryData Analysis Coordination with HDR and BEESCCoordination with NDM & Agencies Coordination with NDM, Resource Agencies and Monthly

Reporting Data Entry and Analysis Draft Environmental Baseline Document

Table 7.2-1bPebble Project Environmental Studies

Study Summary for Trace Elements in Vegetation, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006Consultant: BEESC


Vegetation Trace Elements Transportation CorridorInformation Gathering None Information Gathering Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Field Sampling - August Field Sampling - AugustCommunication and Data Management Communication and Data Management Coordination with local communities for observers

Coordination with local communities for observers

Prepared presentation Data CompilationReport Writing Prepare preliminary EBD

Table 7.2-1cPebble Project Environmental Studies

Study Summary for Trace Elements in Sediment, Transportation Corridor, 2004-2006Consultant: BEESC


Sediment Trace Elements Transportation CorridorInformation Gathering Information Gathering Information Gathering Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan Scope, Schedule, Field Sampling Plan

Field Sampling - July, Sept. 2005 Field Sampling Plan Field Sampling - AugustCommunication and Data Management Field Sampling - May, July, Sept. Data Compilation and AnalysisCoordination with NDM Coordination with NDM Coordination with NDMCoordination with local communities for observers



Prepared presentation Data Compilation and Analysis Preliminary EBDReport Writing 2004 Progress Report

Table 7.2-2Pebble Project

Sample Site Period-of-Record IndexTrace Elements Studies, Transportation Corridor

Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D2004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F20062004 F F200520062004 F F200520062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F200520062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F200520062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F F20062004200520062004 F F200520062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F200520062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F20052006 F20042005 F F2006 F2004 F F2005 F F F2006 F20042005 F200620042005 F20062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F F20062004 F F2005 F F F2006200420052006 F V2004 V V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V V20052006 2004 V V20052006

Sample Location Year Sediment Vegetation Soil

NHRIV

GS20

GS20A

GS18A

GS17A

GS14A

GS14B

GS12A

GS11A

GS8A

GS7A

GS6A

GS4A

GS4B

GS3A

GS23

GS22

GS21

PSC

PSD

POND1

POND2

POND3

POND4

POND5

POND6

TE01

TE02

TE03

TE04

TE05

TE06

TE07

TE08

TE09

Page 1 of 2

Table 7.2-2Pebble Project

Sample Site Period-of-Record IndexTrace Elements Studies, Transportation Corridor

Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D

Sample Location Year Sediment Vegetation Soil

2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 2004 V V V20052006 2004 V V20052006 V V2004 V V20052006 V V2004 V V20052006 V V2004 V V20052006 V V2004 V V20052006 V V200420052006 V V200420052006 V V200420052006 F200420052006 F200420052006 F200420052006 F

KEY:F Sediment samples collected. V Vegetation samples collected from various plant species.

TE10

TE11

TE12

TE13

TE14

TE15

TE16

TE17

TE18

TE19

TE20

TE21

TE22

SWQ3

SWQ4

TE23

TE24

SWQ1

SWQ2

Page 2 of 2

Transportation Corridor (BEESC)Soil Terrestrial Veg1 Aquatic Veg1 Pond Sed2 Stream SW Stream Sediment3 Totals


1 Assumes four species per location, plus two berry samples per upland location.2 Assumes three samples from one pond.3 Assumes two samples per location.

Table 7.2-3Trace Element Analytical Sampling Estimate

Transportation Corridor, 2006

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335281

335171

POND1

E9

E8E7E6

E5

E4

E3E2 E1

E16

E15

E14E13

E12E11E10

PONDE1

235281

536051

236221

335051

235282

435222435223

336342

335093

236353236352

336043

335232

336013

336012

336133

336132

535052

535051

436361

436221

436041

435342435341

435302435301

435221

435162

435161

435062

435061

336361336341

336282

336281 336261

336242

336241336231

336212

336211

336131

336042336041 336011

335322335321

335311

335302335301

335284335283

335282

335261

335231335201

335193335192335191

335176

335175335174

335173

335172

335163

335162

335161335132335131

335092

335091

335032

335031

335021

236351

236281236273

236272

236271

235361

235271

436362

436223

436222

336362

POND9

POND8

POND6

POND4POND3

POND7

POND5

POND2

POND12

POND11

POND10

1,400,000

1,400,000

2,150

,000

2,150

,000

Canada

ARCTIC OCEAN

PebbleProject Area

GULF O F ALASKA

Russia

BERING SEA

Figure 7.1-1Pebble Project

2006 Study Plan Existing and Proposed Natural

Occurring Constituents SamplingLocations for Soil, Sediment, and

Vegetation, Mine Study Area0 1 2 3

Kilometers

³0 1 2 3

Miles

Alaska State Plane Zone 5 (units feet)1983 North American Datum

Date: June 27, 2006Author: RDI-DS, LS

RDI_SLR_2004-06_sample_loc_11x17P_v06.mxdVersion: 6

Scale 1:85,000

Legend!( Proposed 2006 Sample Location (pre-existing)

!( Proposed 2006 New Sample Location

!( Locations Sampled in 2004 and 2005

!( 2004 Sample LocationStudy Boundary2005 Pit Outline DRAFT

Canada

A R CT IC OC EAN

PebbleProject AreaG UL F O F A L AS KA

Russia

BERIN G S EA

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!(!(!(ILIAMNA C-6 ILIAMNA C-5 ILIAMNA C-4 ILIAMNA C-3 ILIAMNA C-2

ILIAMNA B-6 ILIAMNA B-5 ILIAMNA B-4 ILIAMNA B-3 ILIAMNA B-2

ILIAMNA C-7

ILIAMNA B-7

ILIAMNA D-6 ILIAMNA D-5 ILIAMNA D-4 ILIAMNA D-2ILIAMNA D-3

LAKE CLARK A-3LAKE CLARK A-4 LAKE CLARK A-2LAKE CLARK A-5LAKE CLARK A-6

ILIAMNA D-7

LAKE CLARK A-7

ILIAMNA D-1

ILIAMNA C-1

ILIAMNA

KAKHONAK

NEWHALEN

NONDALTON

PEDRO BAY

TE22

TE21

TE20

TE19

TE18TE17

TE16

TE15

TE14

TE13TE12

TE11TE10

TE09TE08

TE07TE06TE05

TE04

TE03

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TE18

1,400,000

1,400,000

1,450,000

1,450,000

1,500,000

1,500,000

1,550,000

1,550,000

1,600,000

1,600,000

1,650,000

1,650,000

1,700,000

1,700,000

1,750,000

1,750,000

2,000

,000

2,050

,000

2,100

,000

2,150

,000

2,200

,000

2,250

,000

Alaska State Plane Zone 5 (units feet)1983 North American Datum

Date: June 7, 2006Author: BEESC-ME

File: 2006StyPlan_4_V05.mxdVersion: 5

Figure 7.2-1Trace Elements

Transportation CorridorStudy Area and Sampling Locations

0 4 8 12 16Miles

1:363,852Scale0 4 8 12 16

Kilometers

³

!(!(TE23

TE24

!(

Legend

!. TownsProposed Transportation Corridor

!(Soil and Vegetationsampled in 2004

Soil and Vegetationto be sampled in 2006

Soil and Vegetationsampled in 2004 and tobe sampled in 2006!(

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