Is it unethical to dig on a river bank?

[aplomado]

Suppose the you have found the layer that fossils are washing out of..... Is it unethical to dig on a river bank for dirt to sift?  As opposed to sifting lose gravel from the river bottom.

 

It would cause erosion, so that is my concern.  I don't know if it is a trivial concern or a real one.

 

What do you think?

 

 

[fossilus]

It's probably not a good idea generally.  If you have a zone where fossils are eroding, you might just want to visit it often to see what has just come out.

 

Erosion is a big deal in most river systems.

 

[Fossildude19]

Digging in river banks is generally frowned upon.

It definitely causes more erosion, and is not great for the environment.

[Fin Lover]

It is illegal in some places...Summerville, SC for instance, due to the damage that it causes.  

[Mark Kmiecik]

And if it's on private property there's the danger of owners who know how to use a shotgun loaded with rock salt.