guidelines that are developed are based on estimates and assumptions whose 

 validity is dependent on the experience and predictive powers of those 

 developing the guidelines. The latter condition is the rule in most cases 

 where environmental impacts are concerned. Impacts from resource exploration 

 and development have not been studied as much as is necessary to make intel- 

 ligent decisions regarding environmental impacts. This lack of research is 

 particularly true in arctic and subarctic regions. The remoteness of the 

 area and the high cost of conducting research have not facilitated an ade- 

 quate description of the environmental elements. Studies of the environ- 

 mental effects of development have been similarly hindered. 



Extensive literature review revealed that the specific impacts of 

 gravel removal had seldom been studied and, therefore, were poorly under- 

 stood. Description of impact had been attempted in only a few cases (Bull 

 and Scott 1974, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration 1968, 

 Forshage and Carter 1975, Sheridan 1967); and these studies dealt specif- 

 ically with only one aspect, e.g., fisheries. LaBelle (1973) reviewed gravel 

 and sand availability in the Barrow area of the National Petroleum Reserve- 

 Alaska and made recommendations on gravel extraction and evaluations of 

 potential environmental impact. Northern Engineering Services Company 

 Limited and Aquatic Environments Limited (1975) evaluated the material sites 

 associated with the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System with reference to aquatic 

 habitat. In addition, several reports identified problems associated with 

 gravel extraction as one of many sources of environmental perturbations that 

 could be expected from new and continued exploration and development in the 

 north (Bliss and Peterson 1973, Klein 1973, Weeden and Klein 1971, West 

 1976). None of these latter reports presented results of any material site 

 studi es. 



There have been few studies on the environmental effects resulting 

 from construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. The Joint State/ 

 Federal Fish and Wildlife Advisory Team (JFWAT) prepared a report on surveil- 

 lance experience with gravel mining recommendations (Burger and Swenson 

 1977). The JFWAT also produced a series of reports dealing with experiences 

 on the pipeline, including environmental effects studies. However, the major 



