Surface Mine Reclamation Awards

Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Surface Mine Reclamation

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to recognize excellence in reclamation and reclamation-related research by offering annual surface mine reclamation awards. These awards are intended to honor individuals, miners, operators, companies, or government agencies performing exemplary surface mining reclamation or related research in the state of Washington.

The criteria for evaluating nominees are described in the section below. DNR will honor up to three sites per year. If no surface mine reclamation has been identified that meets the criteria for a category, as determined by the awards committee, no award may be granted for that year.

Nominations for awards can be made by the public, permit holders, tribes, DNR, or other agencies. Nominations received by December 31of each year will be eligible for that same year's award.

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Download the nomination form

Nomination form (PDF)

Recognition for Reclamation Awards

To receive a surface mine reclamation award, a nominee must meet or exceed the reclamation requirements for an approved reclamation permit and plan, as required in the Surface Mining Act (RCW 78.44) and its associated rules (WAC 332-18). The surface mine proposed for a reclamation award must be compliant with conditions in the approved Surface Mine Reclamation Permit/Plan. The permit holder must also be in compliance with all other Surface Mine Reclamation Permits they hold in Washington State. Exemplary reclamation may include the following attributes:

Demonstrates a consistent long-term commitment to reclamation.
Prioritizes water quality, slope stability, and erosion prevention.
Carefully plans and executes the use of native plant species in revegetation.
Exhibits orderly segmental mine development resulting in high-quality reclamation.
Applies innovative research and approaches to reclamation that can be applied at other mines.
Incorporates methods that enhance the environment and reduce reclamation liability, such as mining to a final slope.
Demonstrates innovation or creativity in reclamation, such as creating unique wetlands or enhancement of wildlife and fish habitat or topographic elements.
Includes voluntary reclamation of mined land that is exempt from reclamation under the Act.

Potential Award Categories

Annual awards for outstanding reclamation can be made in any of the following categories, can recognize mines of any size, and nominations can be made to recognize exemplary reclamation in more than one category. Depending on the nominations accepted in any given year, DNR may consider presenting an award to both a small company (less than 50 full-time employees) and a large company (more than 50 full-time employees) for the same category. DNR will honor as many as three individuals or entities per year. Nominations for awards can be made by the public, permit holders, tribes, DNR, or other agencies.

Best reclamation plan
Best small operation reclamation
Best public works site reclamation
Best segmental reclamation
Best land use-specific reclamation—Non-development subsequent use (forestry, recreation, agriculture)
Best land use-specific reclamation—Development subsequent use (residential, commercial, industrial)
Best operator—Company whose efforts have made contributions to successful reclamation
Outstanding reclamationist of the year—Individual whose skills and efforts have made contributions to successful reclamation
Good neighbor—Company or individual who works unselfishly with neighbors, community, and/or tribes in a spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit
Most innovative reclamation techniques—Possible examples include planting techniques, topsoil preservation and usage, site contouring, or other BMPs that could be applied elsewhere
Best voluntary reclamation—Outstanding reclamation of mined land not subject to the Surface Mining Act

Nomination Process

In order to nominate an individual, business, or agency for an award, please download and fill out the nomination form and submit it along with a representative number of high-resolution photos to the DNR Surface Mine Reclamation Program for consideration. Submissions can be made to the following email address: geology@dnr.wa.gov.

Or you can print the form and mail it to the following address:

Washington Department of Natural Resources
Washington Geological Survey – Surface Mine Reclamation Program
1111 Washington St. SE
MS 47007
Olympia, WA 98504-7007

ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY DECEMBER 31 OF EVERY YEAR

Filling out the nomination form

Provide a written description on the form, qualifying why the nominee’s reclamation work or plan should be awarded. Written descriptions of site reclamation will help the panel reach their decision and may include the history of reclamation, planned development, partnerships made with neighbors, and direct benefits to the immediate environment, as well as specific information about water control, sloping, topsoil handling, re-vegetation, and other interesting aspects of the reclamation. As the judges may not have the opportunity to visit the nominated operation, photos must accompany the nomination form. Include a minimum of 10 photos. Videos will also be accepted in addition to the photos. All presentation material becomes the property of DNR.

The Awards Process

After the December 31 deadline each year, the DNR’s Surface Mine Reclamation Program (SMRP) Field Manager will verify that all information provided is sufficiently thorough for Award Panel consideration. This information will be compiled and saved and distributed to the Surface Mine Reclamation (SMR) Awards Panel for review. After nomination file review, the SMR Awards Panel will meet to evaluate all nominations. After selections are complete, the SMRP field manager will notify the State Geologist of the award winners for the year. The SMR Awards notification process and presentation of the SMR Awards by the State Geologist is still in planning stage. Please stay tuned for more details.

The Award Panel

The award panel will include the SMRP Field Manager as Secretary for the panel. DNR anticipates modeling the Award Panel after past panels and including representation from a state and/or local agency, an environmental interest group, a Tribe, and the State Geologist for a total of 5 seats.

Seat 1—TBD, State Geologist or designee (SMRP Lead Regulatory Geologist suggested).

Seat 2—TBD, State/Local Agency representative.

Seat 3—TBD, State Tribal representative.

Seat 4—TBD, Environmental interest group (local)

Seat 5—TBD, Private Geology Firm (local) or State Representative

During the 1998 reclamation award period, listed reps included the Department of Ecology, a WA Engineering Geologist, a Tribal Representative, a WA Environmental Council Representative, and the DNR State Geologist.

Past Awardees

1997

Davis Sand and Gravel in Clallam County was awarded the Commissioner of Public Lands' Recognition for Reclamation for a Small Operation Award.

Davis Sand and Gravel was also the winner of the Good Neighbor Award.

Davis Sand and Gravel Reclamation — A reclaimed segment at Davis Sand and Gravel of Sequim, Wash., recipient of the Small Operation and Good Neighbor Awards. Along with Douglas fir and blue elderberry, cottonwood trees have been planted on low-angle reclaimed slopes. The storm-water pond filled with cattails is in the foreground. Operations can be seen in the background.

Yardley Sand and Gravel Pit (Central Pre-Mix) in Spokane County was awarded the Commissioner of Public Lands' Recognition for Reclamation Award

Yardley before reclamation — Aerial view (before reclamation) of Central Pre-Mix's Yardley sand and gravel pit, recipient of the Commissioner of Public Lands Award. The operation is in a heavy industrial area of Spokane
(note train yards}, as well as the sole source aquifer. The mine has provided sand and gravel for the Central Pre-Mix cement plant, which is still in operation at the site. Mining began here in the 1940s.

Reclaimed mine site at Yardley — After reclamation, natural topography has been created in parts of the reclaimed pit. Islands, peninsulas, shallow areas, and gentle contours are used to created a complicated shoreline that benefits wildlife.

The Twin Rivers Quarry (Aquamarine Constructors) in Snohomish County was awarded the Commissioner of Public Lands Award.

Aquamarine construction reclamation — Aquamarine Constructors backfilled the Twin Rivers quarry in 1994, eliminating the vertical cliffs and establishing a drainage, which now looks natural and functions appropriately, in the center of the mined area. The rock knob at the left side of the photo is in approximately the same position in both photos. Topsoil was respread across the site, and grasses and trees have been planted to stabilize the area.

McKay Section 12 surface coal mine (Palmer Coking Coal Company) in King County was awarded the Special Recognition Award

1998

The Celite Corporation in Grant County was awarded the Division of Geology and Earth Resources Best Reclamation Award

Quincy mine before reclamation — The Quincy operation before reclamation in 1971. These are the diatomite pits in sec. 17, T18N, R23E near Quincy (Fig. 1). The road in the foreground is also shown in the bottom photo. (DNR photo.)

Quincy mine after reclamation — Most of the diatomite pits shown in this 1998 photo have now been reclaimed. Previously reclaimed areas have returned to sagebrush steppe through a natural floral succession. In recently reclaimed areas, the company planted grasses to stabilize the soils.