availability of food, and connection to an active ctiannel. Fauna utilization 

 of the area significantly increased at several sites with a high diversity 

 of these factors. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



Gravel removal operations in floodplains should attempt to incorporate 

 the following recommendations into site selection and site operation de- 

 cisions in order to minimize long-term disturbance to terrestrial flora and 

 fauna : 



1. Whenever possible, avoid vegetated habitats. 



2. When scraping in active or inactive floodplains, maintain buffers 

 that will contain active channels to their original locations and 

 conf i gurat i ons . 



3. When small quantities are required (approximately 50,000 m ), 

 select sites that will scrape only unvegetated gravel deposits. 



4. When large quantities are required (approximately in excess of 

 50,000 m ), select large rivers containing sufficient gravel in 

 unvegetated areas, or select terrace locations on the inactive side 

 of the floodplain and mine by pit excavation. 



5. If pit mining, design a configuration with high shoreline and water 

 depth diversity and provide islands. 



6. If mining in vegetated areas, save al I overburden and vegetative 

 slash and debris to use during site rehabilitation to facilitate 

 vegetative recovery. This material should be piled or broadcast in 

 a manner so it wi I I not be washed downstream. 



Detailed elaboration and expansions of these recommendations are pre- 

 sented in the Guidelines Manual. 



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