Office of the Secretary Contact: Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719 Embargoed For Release: Until 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2002 Interior Announces Best Reclaimed Coal Mine Sites Since SMCRA Enacted; Winners Of 2002 Excellence In Surface Mining Reclamation Awards WASHINGTON-- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced special awards for the three most outstanding examples of coal mine reclamation since the Surface Mining Law was enacted in 1977. Winners of the Special 25th Anniversary Awards for Excellence in Surface Coal Mine Reclamation since 1977 are: Gold Award -- Sky-Point Mine in Indiana; Silver Award -- Indian Head Mine in North Dakota; and Bronze Award -- Trapper Mine, Craig, Colorado. "The projects and winners of these awards are a true testament to the great strides and achievement the coal industry has made toward stewardship and protection of the environment during the 25 years since the Surface Mining Law was passed," Norton said. Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Director Jeff Jarrett will present the awards to the winners on behalf of Secretary Norton tonight at the National Mining Association's 25th Annual Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C. OSM, the agency responsible for regulating the environmental impacts of coal production, was created by the 1977 law and sponsors the awards each year. "For 25 years the coal mining industry has been regulated under the federal Surface Mining Law, and the improvements are dramatic," Norton said. Norton also announced that coal mine operators in Arizona, Illinois (2), Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania (2), and West Virginia, are winners of this year's Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation Awards. Winners of the Special 25th Anniversary Awards for Excellence in Surface Coal Mine Reclamation since 1977, under the Surface Mining Law: Gold Award: Solar Sources, Inc., Sky-Point Mine, Lynnville, Indiana, submitted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Reclamation Division, for exemplary soil replacement, and for restoring the site to farmland, which is now producing a variety of crops, including hay, soybeans, and wheat. - Silver Award: Bellaire Corporation, Indian Head Mine, Beulah, North Dakota, top example of surface mine reclamation, for complete reclamation of the mine site into cropland and native grassland for cattle grazing. Bronze Award: Trapper Mining, Inc., Trapper Mine, Craig, Colorado, submitted by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division, for a reclamation and sedimentation control project which re-created a habitat for deer and elk on the mine's 10,000-acre permit area. Winners of the 2002 Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation Awards: Director's Award: Falkirk Mining Company Mine, Underwood, North Dakota, and Peabody Western Coal Company, Kayenta Mine, Navajo County, Arizona. Each year, the Director's Award recognizes outstanding achievement in a special area of reclamation. The 2002 Director's Award goes to two operations, Falkirk Mining Company and Peabody Western Coal Company, for exemplary cultural, historical, and archaeological preservation. The Falkirk Mine is located in a landscape that was home to prehistoric indigenous Indian groups. Permitting over the past 25 years has required many archaeological and historic site surveys, resulting in preservation before mining. In addition, Falkirk made discoveries during mining that included prehistoric burial and bison-kill sites. Mining operations were halted until all evidence could be recovered and permanent protection established. At the Peabody's Kayenta Mine there is a long history of archaeological research. Information from Navajo and Hopi traditional medicine men, herbalists, and Black Mesa residents identified special plants. Local seed was collected and planted. Since the project began 10 years ago, more than 234,000 cultural plant seedlings have been planted on nearly 170 acres. In 1966 newly passed federal antiquity laws dictated that, before mining, a thorough investigation had to be made and detailed reports filed. When the Black Mesa Archaeological Project was initiated, no one realized it would become one of the largest, longest-running archaeological projects in North America. The sensitivities of these companies to cultural and community values, and their effectiveness in preservation, is a model for others to follow. National Awards: Consolidation Coal Company Burning Star No. 4 Mine, Cutler, Illinois. The Burning Star mine produced coal from 1973 to 1997 and is now completely reclaimed. The successful restoration of two major streams was a significant engineering and reclamation accomplishment at this former mine site. Almost nine miles of Galum and Bonnie creeks were restored after being temporarily diverted during the mining. The high-quality wildlife habitat surrounding the streams includes deepwater, wetlands, flood plain, and upland vegetation communities. Approximately 350,000 trees were planted in association with the stream restoration. This outstanding reclamation and the added diversity it created have resulted in rapid reestablishment of wildlife populations that will provide a stable long-term land use for years to come. Signor Brothers Babb Creek Operation, Bloss Township, Pennsylvania. Before reclamation, Babb Creek had washed into a late 1800's coal refuse pile and was eroding refuse downstream and causing acid mine drainage. Signor Brothers designed refuse-removal and stream bank protection methods that eliminated 22,000 tons of refuse without harming the creek. Downed trees with the root wads on the stream bank turned Babb Creek away from the refuse and improved the fish habitat. Another innovative technique was the use of large equipment to load the refuse during frozen winter weather. This greatly reduced possible sediment problems. Mingo Logan Coal Company Low Gap Surface Mine No. 2, Wharncliffe, West Virginia. The Mingo Logan Coal Company used contour and mountaintop removal mining methods that resulted in post-mining land use being transformed into a world-class 18-hole golf course. The 330 acres are characterized by rolling terrain and high mountain meadows. The upper level containing the front 9 holes was constructed within a backfill area. The lower level is built on a valley fill. Special soil handling procedures established the rough grade needed for the golf course and a rock crusher was used to provide base material for special areas. Two ponds provide irrigation water for the automated sprinklers located throughout the entire length of the bent grass greens, fairways, and tees. Red River Mining Company, Coushatta, Louisiana. Red River's lignite mine has been operating for 12 years and has never had a lost-time accident or environmental violation. Reclamation of the mine site is mostly commercial forestry, a traditional use of land in this moist lowland landscape. Loblolly pines have been planted since 1991 and are now growing into stands of marketable forests. Smaller areas have been planted in pastureland and permanent ponds have been constructed to increase land value and provide water for cattle. Pond features include hardwoods, forbes, and grassland species that provide both shelter and food supplies for waterfowl, deer, and other wildlife. Carbon Coal Company Carbon No. 2 Mine, Gallup, New Mexico. Carbon Coal Company's mining at this operation ended in 1986 and final grading and revegetation seeding was completed in 1991. Average annual precipitation is about 9.5 inches; however, summer flooding was an annual occurrence prior to mining. Reclamation included four permanent impoundments and intervening drainage channels that have prevented flooding of the adjacent town of Gallup. This 300-acre reclaimed site supports a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life. More than 100 vascular plant species have been established including grasses and shrubs, and revegetation carrying capacity has more than doubled. RFI Energy, Inc., Mine No. 208, Perry Township, Pennsylvania. RFI Energy has reclaimed 202 of its 212 disturbed acres. This unusually timely reclamation has eliminated large disturbed areas and prevented soil erosion. Before mining there were 88 acres of abandoned mine lands with 8,000 feet of highwalls and accompanying spoil piles and mine pits. Today, there is no visible difference between this reclaimed land and that of the virgin mine areas. 55,000 tons of coal combustion ash was used as a soil amendment resulting in vigorous vegetation in one growing season. When mining began, this site had significantly acidic water discharges from the abandoned mines. As mining progressed through areas where these discharges originated, the flows improved in quality, and then dried up. This exemplifies mining and reclamation as envisioned by the architects of the Surface Mining Law. Arch of Illinois, Inc. Captain and Denmark Mines, Cutler, Illinois. At its production peak, Arch of Illinois Captain Mine was the largest surface mine east of the Mississippi. When combined with the adjacent Denmark Mine, the reclaimed land area was well over 11, 000 acres. Located just west of Pyramid State Park, the reclaimed land has been purchased by the state, making it the largest state park in Illinois. Before the land transfer, reclamation was aimed at recreational/wildlife use. This included a mix of farmland, lakes, wetlands, and forests. Many of the trees planted in the 1980's are now becoming mature forests. Wildlife became established and the value of this extensive area has continued to grow. This reclaimed site will provide recreational benefits for years to come. Nominations from coal mine operators were first screened by state coal mining regulatory agencies and OSM Field Offices, which forwarded state-level winners to OSM Headquarters for final judging. A panel of experts from OSM completed the final judging. The OSM Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation awards program began in 1986 to publicly recognize outstanding active coal mine reclamation and to highlight and show recognition for exemplary reclamation techniques. A brochure announcing the 2003 program, with complete details about how to nominate a project and other awards program information is available from the OSM website at www.osmre.gov/awards.htm. -DOI-