INTRODUCTION 



A study was initiated in mid-1975 to evaluate the effects of gravel 

 removal from arctic and subarctic floodplains in Alaska. The primary purpose 

 of the project was to provide an information base to assist resource man- 

 agers in formulating recommendations that would minimize detrimental environ- 

 mental effects of gravel removal from floodplain material sites. To achieve 

 this objective 25 material sites were studied by a team of scientists and 

 engineers. Three major products resulted from the study. They are: (I) a 

 Technical Report presenting synthesis and evaluation of the data collected 

 at the sites, (2) a Guidelines Manual that aids the user in developing plans 

 and operating material sites to minimize environmental effects, and (3) a 

 Data Base filed with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage con- 

 taining raw and reduced data, aerial and ground photographs, and other 

 relevant material from each site. This report is the Guidelines Manual. 



APPLICABILITY OF THE GUIDELINES 



It is important to recognize that the guidelines contained in this 

 manual were developed from a study of 25 floodplain material sites in arctic 

 and subarctic Alaska. Therefore, they deal neither generally nor specifi- 

 cally with material sites in upland or coastal situations. Similarly, they 

 do not include evaluation of the relative acceptability of utilizing an 

 existing active or abandoned material site or an abandoned structure contain- 

 ing gravel (such as a drill pad or airstrip) rather than a floodplain site. 

 This should not be interpreted as recommending sites in floodplains over 

 other locations. WHEN A NEED FOR GRAVEL HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, ALL ALTERNA - 

 TIVES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. ONLY AFTER A FLOODPLAIN HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR 

 THE PROPOSED MATERIAL SITE DO THE GUIDELINES CONTAINED HEREIN BECOME APPLI - 

 CABLE . However, if used cautiously some guidelines may be utilized in other 

 site and regional situations. 



The 25 material sites exhibited a range of variation in site age, 

 gravel mining method and location; and river configuration, origin, and 

 size. Selected sites were minimally affected by complicating factors such as 



