terials found at the available sites to the needs of the project. A major 

 portion of this analysis is the cost-benefit trade off of the options devel- 

 oped during the site investigation process. Sites further from where the 

 material is needed may have gravel that requires less processing; the re- 

 duced processing cost may lower total costs despite the added cost of trans- 

 port and road construction. In another case a more distant site may have an 

 existing access road which would, on a cost basis, justify use of the more 

 distant site rather than a closer site. In some instances, such as pipeline 

 bedding and padding, rounded well-graded gravel might be preferable. Spe- 

 cific gradation requirements may be necessary for subsurface drains. Uni- 

 formly graded angular gravel may be a requirement for asphalt pavement 

 aggregate. In final site selection the engineer makes trade offs to choose 

 the site that will provide the required material at the least cost. 



This engineering analysis is then reviewed and biological resources, 

 hydraulic factors, and aesthetic concerns are considered before the final 

 site se I ect i on. 



MINING PLAN PREPARATION 



The agency having jurisdiction will generally require preparation and 

 submittal of a mining plan. Minimum elements of the mining plan are: 



• Planned use of gravel, 



• Basis for determination of material quality and quantity (e.g., bor- 

 ings, test pits, laboratory tests.) 



• Site configuration and depth, 



• Quant i t y limits, 



• Project schedules, 



• Overburden presence, 



• Access to site, 



• Buf f er I ocat i ons, 



• Operation plan, and 



• Rehabilitation plan. 



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