Abstract
This report is the summary of case studies about four quarry rehabilitation and restoration works in France and Austria. In Europe, the rehabilitation program should be prepared before quarrying, and this program should be meet with the expectations of stakeholders (owners, neighbors and NGOs), and the requirements of ecological restoration and environmental protection of the government. This program integrates the concept of sustainable development as well as the often exceptional potential for enhancing ecological diversity offered by quarries. Subsequently, the long-term rehabilitation effort is coordinated as closely as possible with quarrying operations, and finally the site is shut down, all measures are taken to ensure the long-term future of the rehabilitated site. The coordinated restoration project applicable to sections where quarrying operations are still in progress confines the working area to keep the visual impact of the quarry to a minimum. The re-established sites offer such great ecological diversity that they were classified as special plant and wildlife ecological zones. Wide range of rehabilitation alternatives offer opportunities to combine environmental preservation goals with social benefits. The actions include agriculture/forestry, recreational/educational developments and other uses.
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