Reclamation Awards

2013 Awards Cancelled

As part of ongoing efforts to comply with the sequester-imposed cuts to OSM's 2013 budget, the bureau will not present its annual awards this year to honor exemplary performance in active or abandoned mine land reclamation. OSM looks forward to offering them again in the future.

Thanks for your continued outstanding reclamation methods and techniques under the Surface Mining Law nationwide.

Background

Part of OSM’s Congressionally mandated mission is to ensure that coal mines are reclaimed after mining is complete, including the reclamation of mines abandoned before the enactment of a Federal surface mining law in 1977. As part of that mission, the bureau has for decades recognized deserving state regulatory agencies and coal mining companies with two annual award programs: one for high-quality reclamation projects at mines abandoned prior to when Congress enacted the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, (SMCRA), the other for reclamation of mines that began operating after the passage of the law.

The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards recognize outstanding abandoned mine land reclamation in the United States and showcase exemplary reclamation techniques. Only projects funded wholly or in part and completed by approved state or tribal regulatory programs are eligible to win. A panel of judges composed of directors of state reclamation programs and OSM managers vote to determine the winners.

The Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Awards are presented to coal mining companies that achieve the most exemplary mining and reclamation in the country. Typically, winners demonstrate a commitment to using sound mining practices and executing highly effective reclamation plans designed to enhance post-mining beneficial use of the land.

Previous Winners

Since 1986, the Office of Surface Mining has presented awards to coal mine operators who completed exemplary reclamation with a parallel award program for abandoned mine land reclamation commencing in 1992. View information on previous Reclamation Award Winners.

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Photos from Recent Winners

Appalachian Region Award Winner: Lower Rock Creek Watershed Restoration Project, McCreary County, Kentucky	National Award Winner: Dave Johnston Mine, Glenrock Coal Company, Glenrock, Wyoming