Sheet Metal Over Vapor Hoses

I have a '71 Dart. This piece of sheet metal is maybe 6" x 10" and is a shield in the driver's side rear wheelwell for the four vapor lines/hoses where they turn up into the vapor separator. Mine is shot. I had to remove it so I could replace my vapor return line. I'm thinking about living without it cause mine is corroded beyond re-use. Is it important? Repops available? Is it important? It seems like it could prevent damage from foreign objects being thrown upward by the tire ...