offshoresandandgravelresourcesfromtheinsularshelfof.docVIP

Offshore Sand and Gravel Resources from the Insular Shelf of Puerto Rico Kathryn M. ScanlonRafael W. RodriguezJuan L. TriasandCatherine M. Delorey modified from USGS Open File Report 98-38 Top of Form 1 Bottom of Form 1 SummaryThree potential sites for mining of sand and gravel from the insular shelf are considered: Escollo de Arenas (off the western end of Vieques), Isabela (northwest shelf), and Cabo Rojo West (southwest corner of Puerto Rico). At these locations large accumulations of sand, fed by longshore currents, have been identified. Of the three sites, the Escollo de Arenas appears to be the most promising for offshore mining. IntroductionSand and gravel are important commodities in Puerto Rico because of their use as aggregate for concrete, in road construction, as fill, and for beach replenishment. Decades of industrial growth in Puerto Rico have increased the demand for sand and gravel. During the 1950s and 1960s this demand was often met by mining beaches and dunes. In the late 1960s, the importance of the beaches and dunes, both as sources of tourist revenue and as natural protection from high seas, was recognized and Federal and Commonwealth legislation was enacted to prohibit or greatly restrict their destruction. But, like many island nations, Puerto Rico has discovered that the sand and gravel available on the island will not supply all its future needs. Since the cost of transporting this bulky commodity is high, it is expensive to import. Nearby sources that can be mined while avoiding unacceptable environmental impact are needed. A potential solution may be found under water, on the insular shelf. Offshore sand and gravel are mined elsewhere. For example, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Japan have well-established marine-mining industries, which satisfy nearly 20 percent of their sand and gravel needs (Williams, 1986). Factors affecting the feasibility of mining of sand and gravel on the insular shelf of Puerto