Baseline Hydrologic Monitoring for Mining Projects

Objectives of baseline hydrologic monitoring are dependent on and derived from the ultimate use of the data. Baseline hydrological data collection for mining projects typically has several functions including: 1) assembly of adequate information to obtain an understanding of hydrologic and hydrogeologic systems; 2) documentation of baseline conditions for permitting and public disclosure purposes; and 3) documentation of baseline conditions for comparison with future conditions to be measured during mine operation. The scope of such investigations and level of detail required for these different objectives may vary significantly. It is in the interest of mining project proponents, the public and the regulatory agencies to ensure that baseline studies are adequate to meet these objectives. Collection of adequate information to understand the hydrologic system typically requires an inventory of surface and ground water features, characterization of surface and ground water quality, identification and quantification of ground water flow regimes, depth to groundwater, aquifer characteristics, determination of stream flow variation, and establishment of the degree of seasonal variation in these parameters. The baseline water resources monitoring program conducted by ASARCO, Inc. for the proposed Rock Creek Mine near Noxon, Montana illustrates several issues relating to baseline hydrologic monitoring for mining projects. ASARCO has developed a comprehensive database and has collected more hydrologic baseline data than any mining project in Montana. The proposed Rock Creek Mine is located in the headwaters of Rock Creek, which is a tributary of the Clark Fork River (Figure 1). The Rock Creek ore body underlies the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area and will be mined by underground mining techniques from an access point outside of the wilderness area. The proposed mine related surface facilities would be in the Rock Creek drainage except for portions of the tailings impoundment, which is near the Clark Fork River. Rock Creek is an intermittent stream with a drainage area of approximately 33 square miles al its confluence with the Clark Fork River just below the Noxon Rapids Dam, about twenty miles east of the Montana/Idaho stale line. Baseline monitoring has focused on surface water and ground water in the Rock Creek drainage near the proposed facilities in the tailings impoundment area

Learning Style Diversity in Post –Secondary Distance Education

During the fall semester of 2005, 153 university graduate students’ preferred learning styles were measured with the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, online version 3.1. The primary findings of the study indicated all of the learning styles and processes described by Kolb were represented in the distance learning population and suggested distance and residential learners uniquely engage the learning process. Biblical references were discussed with respect to the uniqueness displayed by study participants

Using ultrasound measurements of rump fat to assess nutritional condition of woodland caribou in northern British Columbia, Canada

Body reserves (fat and protein) of cervids are important to the reproductive success of individuals, and therefore may limit productivity of populations. We used a portable ultrasound machine to measure thickness of rump fat for 39 woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) captured in the winters (January–February) of 2003 and 2004. We compared thickness of rump fat between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals in the Besa-Prophet drainage of northern British Columbia, Canada. Thirty-eight of the 39 females captured in British Columbia were adults and 34 of the adult caribou were pregnant (89.5 ± 5.1%, x– ± binomial SE). Pregnant individuals had more rump fat (0.60 ± 0.067 cm) than nonpregnant animals (0.20 ± 0.029 cm). Recognizing that deposition and mobilization of fat vary with age and possibly across the winter season, ultrasonography can be used as a non-invasive technique in the field to assist in estimating body fat of caribou

Feeding site selection by woodland caribou in north-central British Columbia

We examined the foraging habits of the northern woodland caribou ecotype {Rangifer tarandus caribou) at the scale of the individual feeding site. Field data were collected in north-central British Columbia over two winters (Dec 1996-Apr 1998). We trailed caribou and measured vegetation characteristics (species composition and percent cover), snow conditions (depth, density, and hardness), and canopy closure at terrestrial and arboreal feeding sites, and at random sites where feeding had not occurred. Logistic regression was used to determine the attributes of feeding sites that were important to predicting fine scale habitat selection in forested and alpine areas. In the forest, caribou selected feeding sites that had a greater percent cover of Cladina mitis and Cladonia spp, lower snow depths, and a lower percentage of debris and moss. Biomass of Bryoria spp. at the 1-2 m stratum above the snow significantly contributed to predicting what trees caribou chose as arboreal feeding sites. In the alpine, caribou selected feeding sites with a greater percent cover of Cladina mitis, Cladina rangiferina, Cetraria cucullata, Cetraria nivalis, Thamnolia spp., and Stereocaulon alpinum as well as lower snow depths

Status of Birds Newly Recorded in Arkansas Since 1985

In 1994 we published an annotated list of 14 bird species that were newly discovered in Arkansas since the publication in 1986 of the monograph Arkansas Birds, Their Distribution and Abundance. We now add 22 more new species found in Arkansas since the 1994 publication, and update the status of the original 14. Adding these 36 species to the number included in Arkansas Birds totals 402 bird species currently reported in Arkansas

Comparison of Observed and Simulated Grow-Finish Swine Performance Under Summer Conditions

As a part of a National Pork Producers Council educational program, our research and extension team at the University of Kentucky was linked with an independent commercial swine producer to test the NCPIG model against observed commercial on-farm data. This experience provided improved information for model development as well as increased producer insight into the data input needs and potential benefits of modeling. Detailed production information comparisons between the NCPIG model and producer data are presented for summer time conditions to assess the validity of the NCPIG model for simulation of grow-finish swine performance. Results demonstrated that the NCPIG model accurately simulated performance