What is meant by 'cut and fill' in land management?

'Cut and fill' refers to the process of excavating material from one location (the 'cut') and using that material to fill in another area (the 'fill'). This is commonly employed in land management for grading purposes, road construction, and site preparation. The goal of this technique is often to create a level surface or to reshape the land to improve drainage or accessibility.

For example, when constructing a road, earth may be cut from higher elevations to provide material for filling lower areas, resulting in a balanced site where the overall volume of material remains constant. This method helps to avoid the unnecessary transport of soil over long distances and promotes efficient land use, which is crucial for minimizing environmental impacts and erosion during construction activities.