Clark Fork River riparian evaluation system: A remedial design tool

Bitterroot Restoration, Inc.; Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University

The Clark Fork River Riparian Evaluation System (CFR RipES) is a decision-making tool, that allows the Record of Decision requirements to be implemented on a site-specific, refined, and definitive basis. The purpose of CFR RipES is to provide a data predicated design tool to identify and categorize polygons (delineated areas of land) based on landscape stability, contamination severity, and plant community attributes within the Clark Fork River OU. This document integrates the streambank and riparian corridor buffer concept, sets standards for classification of streambanks (Class 1, 2, or 3) as a function of physical stability and phytotoxicity, defines slickens (exposed tailings), defines impacted soils and vegetation areas, and defines slightly impacted soils and vegetation areas. This document also integrates data and information generated during fieldwork in 2002 and 2003, as well as comments received from the people during the August 2003 field demonstrations. It is noted that scoring categories, point allocations, and discriminatory thresholds have been greatly modified from the December 2000 document. New decision matrices have also been developed to reflect the remedy as described in the CFR OU Record of Decision.