Indiana Sand and Gravel Permits Act Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

Indiana Sand and Gravel Permits Act Key Terms & Definitions

Affected Area: As defined in IC 14-29-3-1, an "affected area" refers to the land and water surface area that is or may be impacted by sand and gravel extraction activities, including the extraction site itself and any associated processing, storage, or transportation facilities. ¹

Bed: In the context of the Indiana Sand and Gravel Permits Act, the term "bed" refers to the bottom of a navigable waterway or floodway where sand and gravel deposits are located and extraction activities may occur. ²

Floodway: A floodway is the channel of a river or stream and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height. ³

Navigable Waterway: A navigable waterway is a body of water that is subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or is presently used, or has been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. ⁴

Operator: As defined in IC 14-29-3-1, an "operator" is any person, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation engaged in sand and gravel extraction activities within the state of Indiana. ¹

Permit: A permit is a written authorization issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) that allows an operator to engage in sand and gravel extraction activities within a specified affected area, subject to the conditions and requirements set forth in the permit. ⁵

Reclamation: Reclamation refers to the process of restoring a mined area to a usable condition, which may include grading, backfilling, soil stabilization, and revegetation. Operators are required to submit a reclamation plan as part of their permit application. ⁶

Riparian Area: A riparian area is the land adjacent to a navigable waterway or floodway that is characterized by unique soil, vegetation, and hydrological conditions. Riparian areas play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological integrity of waterways and are protected under the Indiana Sand and Gravel Permits Act. ⁷

Sand and Gravel: As defined in IC 14-29-3-1, "sand and gravel" refers to any unconsolidated materials, such as sand, gravel, pebbles, stones, or boulders, that are extracted from the beds of navigable waterways or floodways for commercial use. ¹