East Fork Moon Creek Stream Restoration
Status: Complete
Location:
Moon Creek is located four miles east of Kellogg, Idaho, and about two miles north of Interstate-90. The abandoned 20-acre Silver Crescent Mine and Mill Site is in the headwaters of East Fork Moon Creek.
Background:
The abandoned Silver Crescent Mine and Mill Site was left with nearly 130,000 cubic yards of mine waste contaminated with lead, arsenic, copper, and mercury. This contamination led to significant injuries to riparian resources, surface waters, and fish. From 1998 through 2000, the USDA Forest Service implemented a cleanup action at the site which included moving the contaminated material into an on-site repository. Restoration took place along with the cleanup to leave high quality habitats at the site. The project was funded by the trustees as part of the 2007 Interim Restoration Plan.
Restoration Completed:
Restoration efforts included vegetative restoration, installation of wildlife and fish habitat structures, stream channel enhancement with grade controls, and treatment of noxious weeds. Overall, restoration included:
Benefits:
This restoration project provided a significant improvement to stream channel stability, fish habitat quality and quantity, riparian areas and wetlands, vegetation, foraging habitat, and wildlife habitat.
Contact:
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District
Silver Valley Office
173 Commerce Drive
Smelterville, ID 83868-0159
208-783-2363
*Attention Restoration Biologist
Sponsor:
Partners
