stabilized. Mine design plans called for the development of a cutoff wall between the pit and the Flambeau River to limit movement of water exiting the pit. It is possible the contaminated water was moving around, under or through the cutoff wall. Another possibility was the bedrock itself is permeable and contaminated water is moving through fractures. Reclamation The 220-foot deep surface mine – a half a mile long and 32 acres in size – needed approval and supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reclaim it. The mine was back-filled with waste rock and limestone while groundwater infiltrated the back-filled pit. The addition of limestone and the water infiltration were intended to slow the generation of acid, limit the availability of oxygen, and limit the dissolution of toxic metals. The surface of the former pit was re-contoured, topsoil was added and plant communities were established. Today, the site is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals. Four miles of hiking trails have been created on the site and five miles of equestrian trails have been created south of the site. The nine miles of trails are open to the public for non-motorized recreation year round. Monitoring the reclamation began immediately with studies in 300 locations randomly selected across the reclaimed Flambeau Mine. The studies are conducted every year along with other studies throughout the site. Status of the mine today A Certificate of Completion for reclamation activities was granted in May 2007 not taking into account the groundwater contamination within the back-filled pit and potential impacts of the mine on fish and other aquatic life in the Flambeau River. The decision for partial certification was based on completion of the surface reclamation activities. Certification was withheld for the 32-acre area where surface water pollution was emanating. Lawsuit Lawsuit concerning the Flambeau Mine: January, 2011 The Wisconsin Resources Protection Council filed a civil lawsuit against the Flambeau Mining Company in U.S. District Court alleging ongoing violations of the Federal Clean Water Act. The charge was that the discharge of copper, zinc, iron and other pollutants to Stream C was done without a permit and in violation of the Act. July 2012 A federal judge ruled that the mine was the source of the pollution and that the mining company had indeed violated the Clean Water Act. At the same time, the judge praised the company for