U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Embargoed for release at 6 a.m. Contact: Mike Gauldin Tuesday, September 30, 2003 (202) 208-2565 OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING ANNOUNCES 2003 ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATION AWARD WINNERS (Washington, DC) - Jeffrey Jarrett, Director the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining today announced that abandoned mine land reclamation projects in Indiana, the Navajo Nation and West Virginia are winners of this year's National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards. "Abandoned mine reclamation is extremely important in eliminating the human health and safety hazards from abandoned coal mining operations," Jarrett said. "And these awards highlight the accomplishments and those responsible." Each year the Office of Surface Mining, sponsor of the competition, honors the best examples of abandoned mine land reclamation performed by states and Indian tribes. The awards will be presented today (September 30) during a ceremony at the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The winners were selected by judges from each Office of Surface Mining field office and state and tribal abandoned mine reclamation office. Three regional winners were selected and the winner with the highest score became the national award winner. In addition, citizens select the winner of the People's Choice award by voting on the Office of Surface Mining's web site for the reclamation they think is best. The 2003 winners are: West Virginia - National Abandoned Mine Land and Appalachian Regional Awards The West Virginia Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation Taylor Creek Impoundment project in Widen, West Virginia, won the national and regional awards for reclamation of a 90-acre abandoned coal preparation and waste disposal facility that ceased operation in the 1950's. Before reclamation this abandoned site had an 18-acre impoundment filled with acidic mine water, and a massive amount of steep-banked mine refuse, some of which was burning. During construction 1.8 million cubic yards of refuse was excavated and reshaped, the fires extinguished, and the acid water treated. Today, in addition to the fantastic visual improvements realized by the reclamation all previous health and safety hazards have been eliminated. Indiana - Mid-Continent Regional Award The Indiana Division of Reclamation received the Mid-Continent Regional award for reclamation of the Victory Mine Site. Once the site of barren and eroded abandoned mine refuse that created sedimentation and acid mine drainage problems of adjacent streams, it was transformed into productive land that has become an asset to the community. Located just outside the city of Terre Haute, this site has been transformed into an outstanding wildlife habitat much of which has become an area of intense human activity. The landowner donated the reclaimed property to the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center, a nonprofit local organization, which developed a community recreation facility complex on the property. Today, this reclaimed abandoned mine site is home to a championship cross country running course that is used by local high schools and colleges and became the site of the 2002 national championships. In addition, the site has a sports center with basketball courts, weight room, and other public activity rooms. At this successful reclaimed abandoned mine site the hazards were eliminated and the site has become an important location for community activities, sports competitions, and a wide variety of recreational uses. The Navajo Nation - Western Regional and People's Choice Awards The Navajo Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program won both the Western regional and People's Choice Awards for its reclamation of the Cove 3 Project. This reclamation eliminated health and safety hazards associated with 1950s uranium mining. This work was done on 61 different sites and included closing portals, grading and covering radioactive piles and embankments, eliminating highwalls, and planting vegetation. These difficult abandoned mine problems have been successfully reclaimed and no longer pose a safety hazard to visitors of this scenic Arizona mountain range. The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards Program was started in 1992, to publicly recognize outstanding abandoned mine land reclamation and publicize exemplary reclamation techniques. A brochure announcing the 2004 program, with complete details about how to nominate a project, is available from the Office of Surface Mining website at: (www.osmre.gov/awards.htm). -OSM-