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Operations: Means the clearing, stripping, excavating, processing and
removal of surface material from, and the reclamation of, public land
described in a lease or licence.
Overburden: Unconsolidated material overlying the rock or sand and
gravel to be extracted, excluding the economically valuable sand and
gravel layers. Overburden is typically poorer quality material and must be
removed to extract economically valuable horizons.
Reclamation: A recovery process whereby a disturbed area is returned
to a state that is similar to the original.
Revegetation: The re-establishment of self-sustaining plant cover on a
disturbed site.
Rill: A very small and intermittent watercourse. It has steep sides and
is usually only a few inches deep. They are often a result of increased
surface water flow when soil is cleared of vegetation.
Riparian zone: The boundary between land and a waterbody often
thought of as the land bordering the high-water mark. These areas have
very diverse vegetation, resulting from the relatively predictable but
intermittent influence of the surface water.
Sediment: Material that is a result of erosion and weather of rocks or
unconsolidated deposits.
Sedimentation: The deposition of soil particles previously held in
suspension by a fluid, usually flowing water. Sedimentation can alter fish
habitat as it settles into interstitial spaces.
Sediment barriers: A barrier used to trap sediment from sheet flow
runoff. They can be made using silt fences, straw bales, berms, etc.
Sediment basin: A sediment control measure that collects sediment
run-off and promotes settlement of sediment. They can be temporary, or
exist for the life of the project, but must be maintained. They are for use
in areas with drainage greater than 2.0 ha.
Sediment trap: A temporary device used to trap sediment laden runoff,
but smaller than sediment basins. They must be maintained. They are
for use in areas with drainage less than 2 ha.
Seedbank: The organic layer on the surface of soils is a valuable source
of native seed, rhiozomes and bulbs that can be salvaged and used to
“seed” reclaimed areas. It is a quick and cost-effective method for reestablishing a native plant community.
Silt fence: A temporary sediment control device that is used to prevent
sediment from entering a nearby waterbody or watercourse. They are
permeable fabric barriers installed vertically on support posts along
contours to collect and/or filter sediment laden sheet flow runoff.
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