Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to summarize the technical information on aggregate mining
in Oregon including updates of supply and demand since the last comprehensive
forecasting of aggregate demand completed by Whelan (1995). Aggregate is a term that
numerous definitions, but as used herein, aggregate is sand, gravel, and crushed rock used
in the construction of roads and buildings. Aggregate resources within Oregon also
include recycled materials. This study also attempts to assess the number of acres of
Prime or High Value Soils that have been taken out of farm production by currently
operating aggregate mines located along the floodplain of the Willamette River Basin in
Oregon. The importance of investigating the relationship of Prime or High Value Soils
and aggregate resources is that both resources often times are collocated. The study
includes general information regarding many regions of Oregon, but the analysis focuses
on the Willamette River Basin because (1) the bulk of Prime or High Value Soils are
located in this area, and (2) the readily available digital data needed to complete spatial
analyses of sand and gravel mines and soils distribution using Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) are limited to this area.
