In-Stream Sand and Gravel Mining

In 2001 the Environmental Concerns Committee identified the issue of instream mining in North Carolina as particularly important and timely due to the numerous detrimental effects that have been identified in the literature that can occur as a result of this activity, to the increasing number of permit requests, and to the location of some instream mines in systems with rare and sensitive aquatic organisms. Sand and gravel are mined commercially in every state in the U.S.; however, due to numerous research studies that have demonstrated long lasting environmental effects from instream mining, many states have imposed strict regulations on instream mining, and some no longer allow it. Some of the more detrimental effects of instream mining that can occur include channel degradation and
erosion, headcutting, increased turbidity, stream bank erosion, and sedimentation of riffle areas. All of these changes can adversely affect fish and other aquatic organisms, either directly by damage to the organisms or through habitat degradation, or indirectly through disruption of the food web. Each mining operation not only exerts an individual effect on the stream, but effects of multiple mining operations within a river system may be cumulative.

Panel members: XX,XX,XX,XX

A position statement was drafted by the ECC on this issue.  Comments were received by members of the EXCOM and membership.  A final draft was presented to the membership for approval at the annual meeting on 6 February in Huntersville, NC.  Approved Position Statement (pdf) A special forum and discussion was held at the 2002 Annual meeting in Huntersville, NC on in-stream sand and gravel mining.  A video of the in-stream mining forum is available for loan from the current chair of the ECC.