Sand and gravel mining is an important part of Nebraska's economy. Sand and gravel are used in road building, construction, concrete production, landscaping, glass manufacturing, sand casting in foundry operations, snow and ice control, fill, and many others.
Copyright 2003. Mineral Information Institute, Golden, Colorado.
Sand and Gravel Mining Process
Rocks erode out of the Rocky Mountains and are carried downstream by rivers. When these tumbling rocks repeatedly bang together they break apart making sand and gravel. Over the years the sand and gravel settles out of the river flow and covers the river bed. As beds form, and as river channels change, sand and gravel particles are left behind in the old river bed. In the Platte River valley in Nebraska, these ancient deposits can be greater than 150 feet deep and can contain mammoth teeth, bison bones, and petrified wood.
Once a deposit is found, the first step in sand and gravel mining is to remove the vegetation and topsoil and open a pit. With the water table close to the surface, this pit fills with water and becomes a sandpit lake. A dredge extracts sand, gravel, and water from the pit where it is carried to a separator. This machine separates the rock by particle size. In Nebraska, more fine sand is produced than can be sold. The excess sand is pumped back to the lake through a discharge pipe, forming the sandy nesting areas used by terns and plovers.
Until dynamited, gravel mine sand piles are unstable and subject to caving in. After completion of mining activities, sandpit lakes are often developed for recreation or housing, creating unique "beach front" property in Nebraska, but also creating the potential for further conflicts with nesting birds.
Because of the high risk to the birds of predation and human disturbance, the Partnership does not advocate the development of sand pits specifically for nesting terns and plovers. However, we do recognize the need to protect terns and plovers and business interests alike when the birds do decide to nest at active sand and gravel mines. In areas where most of the natural nesting habitat has been lost on the river (e.g., the central Platte River), sand pits play a much more important role in the conservation of these species. In the last several years, habitat improvement and sandbar development has been taking place in the central Platte River, increasing the available suitable nesting areas for these rare birds.
Housing Developments
As sand and gravel mines exhaust reserves and the operation ceases, the landowner must decide what to do with the property. Sometimes that land is converted back to what it previously was, such as agricultural fields. Other mines are relandscaped and become lakeside housing communities. When areas are prepared for development, it often creates large expanses of bare sand near water. These areas are alluring not only to potential lot owners, but also to terns and plovers, particularly if their natural sandbar habitat is degraded or non-existent.
As you can probably imagine, conflicts may arise when nesting Least Terns and Piping Plovers are on property where someone wants to build a house. The Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership works with planners, developers, contractors, utility workers, and lot owners proactively to avoid conflicts that can arise during nesting season. The Partnership attempts to solve conflicts, and has several methods lot owners can use to deter nesting on their property. By working together, much of the conflict that can occur when birds nest on lots can be avoided.
Cooperation and Success
The Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership was formed to not only to help protect endangered least terns and threatened piping plovers, but also to help sand and gravel mines continue operations when terns and plovers are nesting on their property. Our sand and and gravel company partners contribute personnel time, observations, and materials, as well as monetary contributions to help the Partnership accomplish its mission.
Since our Partnership was established in 1999, participating partners have had NO fines or prosecutions for violations of the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, by their own estimates, by working with and staying in communication with the Partnership, the industry has been able to generate minimally an additional $2,000,000 in revenue. It takes the cooperation of all parties involved to have this such success! Clearly, the Partnership is a win-win situation for both birds and industry.
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