10/21/04 NEWS RELEASE

	Office of Surface Mining News Release

October 21, 2004
For immediate release

Contact: Joe Pally
(202) 208-2565
jpally@osmre.gov

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING ANNOUNCES 2004 ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATION AWARD WINNERS

(Washington, DC) - Jeffrey Jarrett, Director the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining recently announced that abandoned mine land reclamation projects in Indiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wyoming 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 were presented on September 28 during a ceremony at the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs annual meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona.

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 2004 winners are:

Gilbert, West Virginia - Appalachian Regional and National Awards
West Virginia Office of Abandoned Mine Lands & Reclamation - Neds Branch Impoundment

In southern West Virginia after heavy winter rain a 12-acre abandoned coal refuse slurry dam failed, releasing thousands of yards of slurry, coal refuse, and debris. In was declared an emergency, and a two-phase plan began by moving coal refuse, slurry, and debris out of the hollow and roadway so people could get to their homes. Phase 2 included stabilizing the slurry embankment, establishing drainage control and regrading the site.

When completed, more than one-half million cubic yards of refuse and rock had been excavated. In addition, 6,000 feet of drainage control channels and piping were built, four deep mine portals sealed, and 43 acres revegetated.

Scalesville, Indiana - Mid-Continent Regional Award
Coles Creek Project Indiana Division of Reclamation Prior to reclamation, this Indiana abandoned mine site consisted of gob covered roads, acidic impoundments, acid drainage problems, and 95-acres of barren gob. During reclamation all coal refuse was consolidated and encapsulated into one large area to eliminate its acid producing characteristics.

Surface water was redirected through a series of shallow passive wetland treatment cells before leaving the site. The impoundments were planted with native vegetation and now provide water treatment and a diverse wildlife habitat.

Cerrillos, New Mexico - Western Regional Award
New Mexico Abandoned Mine Land Bureau, Cerrillos South Mine Safeguard Project This project eliminated hazardous underground mine openings in the Cerrillos Hills Historic Park. The public park is located in an area containing over 1,300 years of mining history. The project minimized abandoned mine hazards to the public, added stability to the interpretative trails system, and preserved the historic mining landscape.

Shafts were closed with high-tensile steel wire mesh steel bat cupolas, and polyurethane foam plugs. The reclamation eliminated dangers at 67 open shafts, 17 pits, and one adit. The park is now a much safer place to visit.

Flagg Ranch, Wyoming - Peoples Choice Award
Wyoming Abandoned Mine Land Division, Snake River Gravel Pit Project This abandoned gravel pit, located between the Grand Teton National Park and the South entrance to Yellowstone National Park, this abandoned Park Service gravel pit was reclaimed to be a self-sustaining wetland-riparian ecosystem.

Field experiment results were used to determine the project design and five distinct planting zones were constructed.

More than 600 thousand native seed grown plants and 35 thousand willow cuttings were planted.

This project demonstrates that damaged riparian habitats can be reclaimed to their original, pristine condition.

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 2005 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-

Office of Surface Mining
1951 Constitution Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
202-208-2719
getinfo@osmre.gov