Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

The food ingestion rate for placental mammals was estimated as:
F (kgld) = 0.0687 x (kg Body eight)^.'^
When these values are divided by the body mass (kg), the daily ingestion rates may be estimated in terms of
kg food, or L water consumed per kg body weight per day.
Adult male mink weigh about 1 kg and consume about 0.069 kg foodtkg body weight per day, and ingest
about 0.099 Lkg body weight per day (EPA, 1993). The estimated doses are shown in Table 7.2.3-9.
Terrestrial ROCs
- Plants
Zabowski and Everett (1997) reported that the native vegetation of the Holden Site is classified as Western
Hemlock-Pacific Silver Fir habitat type. The Site is located at the 1000 M elevation, and is climatically
severe. During the summer, temperahlres reach 38OC, and during the winter, snowpacks can be 2-3 M deep.
In addition, down-valley winds increase evaporation.
It is important to recognize that soil toxicology is as complex or more complex than sediment toxicology,
and that similar problems exist in applying single guidance values to sites with different characteristics. The
qualitative and quantitative data presented in Table 7.3.3.3B on native plant growth at Holden Mine should
be given equal weighting when judging the potential impacts of mine tailings on plant communities. '
Plants may accumulate metals that may be passed on to herbivores. Ehympson et al. (1997) provide
algorithms (Table 7.2.3-10) by which the concentrations of metals in plants can be estimated (Table 7.2.3-
6).
Earthworms
Earthworms consume soil and extract energy by digesting organic matter and associated microbes.
Earthworms are eaten by birds, such as robins, and small mammals, such as shrews. Thus, earthworms are
important in the re-cycling nutrients. Earthworms may contain metals in their tissues that can then can be
acquired by robins and shrews. Sample et al. (1998) provide algorithms (Table 7.2.3-10) for the
concentrations of metals in earthworms (Table 7.2.3-6).
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a medium-sized herbivore. During the summer in Utah, they feed largely upon forbs in
dry meadow, wet meadow, mature forest, and stagnated forest lands (Deschamp et al., 1979). In old growth
forest in Washington, they feed largely on trees during the winter, but switch to forbs in the spring (Leslie et
al., 1984). Deer have been reported to cause significant adverse effects on re-vegetation attempts on the
Holden Mine tailings piles.
During the spring and summer, mule deer confine themselves to small, individual home ranges within which
very short daily movements are necessary (Mackie et al., 1982). However, migratory movements are
characteristic of populations inhabiting mountain-foothill habitats. Fall migrations are forced by snow falls
of greater than about 15 to 30 cm. In migratory situations in Colorado, mule deer had winter home ranges
G:\~W~\bolden-2\n\74.k 7-5 8 DAMES & MOORE
17693-005-019Uuly 27,1999.5: 16 PMDRAFT FINAL RI REPORT