Libby Pritchard

Reprinted from the November/December 2017 edition of Stone, Sand & Gravel REVIEW with permission from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Read the original article at review.nssga.org.

Reprinted from the July/August 2017 edition of Stone, Sand & Gravel REVIEW with permission from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Read the original article at review.nssga.org.

Reprinted from the March/April 2017 edition of Stone, Sand & Gravel REVIEW with permission from the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Read the original article at review.nssga.org.

Abstract: The aggregate industry is responsible for the extraction and production of crushed stone, sand, and gravel— the literal building blocks of our society. Across the U.S. there are tens of thousands of quarries and sand and gravel pits, the majority of which are left abandoned or with minimal reclamation efforts. However, the combination of population growth, increased permitting difficulties for the aggregate industry, growing environmental concerns, and land use competition has spurred… Show more

Abstract: The aggregate industry is responsible for the extraction and production of crushed stone, sand, and gravel— the literal building blocks of our society. Across the U.S. there are tens of thousands of quarries and sand and gravel pits, the majority of which are left abandoned or with minimal reclamation efforts. However, the combination of population growth, increased permitting difficulties for the aggregate industry, growing environmental concerns, and land use competition has spurred the enhancement reclamation of some sites in the U.S. Enhancement reclamation is defined as the actualization of a quarry or sand and gravel pits’ secondary beneficial use potential achieved through reclamation or restoration. There is currently no documentation of where these sites exist or how frequently such projects occur. This research addresses the broad question, “What is the status of enhancement reclamation in the western U.S.?” and takes the first step towards the creation of a nationwide enhancement reclamation database. Enhancement reclamation projects were identified in western states in the conterminous U.S. and their geographic location(s) and reclamation type(s) were documented. These data are analyzed by region (pacific vs mountain), state, geographic environment, and enhancement reclamation type. The discussion is framed using the adaptive cycle to explain the frequency of enhancement reclamation projects between states and identifies population density, land use competition, and the geography of amenity as key drivers of enhancement reclamation. Show less

Abstract: This research revisits the aggregate-agriculture-environment conflict in the Willamette Valley (the Valley) for the first time since 2005 and examines the potential of "enhancement reclamation" at floodplain aggregate pits to alleviate conflict tensions. Aggregate industry representatives, farmers, environmental consultants, and government officials were interviewed to inform this research. Central concepts that influence both the conflict situation and reclamation in the Valley are… Show more

Abstract: This research revisits the aggregate-agriculture-environment conflict in the Willamette Valley (the Valley) for the first time since 2005 and examines the potential of "enhancement reclamation" at floodplain aggregate pits to alleviate conflict tensions. Aggregate industry representatives, farmers, environmental consultants, and government officials were interviewed to inform this research. Central concepts that influence both the conflict situation and reclamation in the Valley are identified and discussed in detail. These data are then analyzed to identify barriers to the enhancement reclamation of floodplain aggregate pits. The qualitative assessment also explores interviewee recommended solutions to the conflict and ways to encourage enhancement reclamation in the future. The resulting discussion is guided by the implementation of a new conflict assessment framework, The Phase-Vision Map. The framework organizes central concepts of the conflict by three interworking dimensions: substance, procedure, and relationship. Show less