SUMMARY 



After studying the effects of gravel removal on visual resources at 

 specific sites, some overall generalizations can be made. Certain landscape 

 features or conditions will be similarly effected by gravel remova I i n a I I 

 regions. The deciding factor in determining total impact will be the relative 

 public sensitivity to the specific landscape. The same impact in two different 

 areas may be judged differently depending upon public priority. Theoretically, 

 the landscapes that are highly visible and highly regarded by the public will 

 be more seriously affected than landscapes of lesser priority. The following 

 summarizes the effect of gravel removal on generalized landscape features 

 and briefly discusses public priority. 



Small, single channel rivers bordered with low-growing vegetation experi- 

 enced the most dramatic visual impact. The location of gravel deposits on 

 these rivers usually requires the removal of riparian vegetation and over- 

 burden along incised banks. Along meandering and sinuous systems this pro- 

 cedure frequently results in significantly altered river configuration. The 

 vegetation removal causes a color change that clearly brings attention to 

 the disturbed area. The remaining low-growing shrub vegetation is not of 

 sufficient height to screen the disturbed area. 



Braided rivers with or without vegetated islands usual ly can visual ly 

 absorb mining induced changes 'if the gravel removal occurs between the flood- 

 plain banks. Any changes to the banks create noticeable visual contrasts. 

 The most frequently observed contrast to river banks result from access roads 

 and fill-ramps, cut banks, and mined banks. 



Tall, dense vegetation buffers surrounding the work area often screen 

 many mining sites from public view at ground level. However, the removal of 



308 



