Land evaluation methods for use in mining- and smelting-contaminated environments

Land reclamation is a vital component of remedial response actions at historic mining and smelting sites in Montana and throughout the west. This paper describes four data predicated decision tools developed to assist agency personnel in choosing the most effective remedial response actions and in evaluating the success of those remedial efforts to reduce risks to human health and the environment. Two pre-remedial land reclamation decision tools allow for the categorization of landscapes based on landscape stability and plant community dysfunction. Two post-remedial action performance tools allow evaluators to determine if remedial actions satisfy agency-established risk reduction goals. Following calibration and validation each tool was used extensively in their respective environment: contaminated upland range and forest sites, riparian corridors, urban areas where city infrastructure must be considered, and historic mine sites in remote, mountainous terrain.