Mining sand and gravel from river bars and floodplains can change the riverine environment, including salmonid habitat. Planners, resource agency personnel and others are required to regulate riverine mining so as to avoid these impacts. The purpose of this report is to provide regulators with information that supports that task. It has four objectives: (1) Describe recent locations and rates of riverine sand and gravel mining; (2) Review effects of mining on rivers, with emphasis on salmonid habitat; (3) Summarize government regulation of riverine mining in Washington; (4) Recommend ways for mine regulation to better protect the river environment and salmonid habitat.

Report prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, Seattle. Completion report for Grant X-000694-01-0. Caption title. "May 1995." Includes bibliographical references (pages 29-35).