WASHINGTON – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or OSM, has awarded the 2026 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards to Seneca Property LLC, of Colorado, and Jewett Mine LLC, of Texas, in recognition of exemplary results in returning a site to productive use after completion of coal mining.
“It takes strong partnerships among responsible companies, dedicated public servants, local communities and all levels of government to ensure lands disturbed by coal mining are restored and put to beneficial post-mining uses,” said OSM Director Lanny Erdos. “This year’s awardees demonstrate what can be accomplished when we work together to advance the vision Congress established through the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act protecting the environment while restoring mined lands for the benefit of communities and future generations.”
OSM’s Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards recognize mine operators in two award categories: the National Award and the Good Neighbor Award.
The National Award is presented to a coal mining company for achieving the most exemplary mine reclamation in the country. A coal mining operation may be nominated for achievement in a specific aspect of the reclamation, such as the design and implementation of sedimentation control practices, or for its overall performance in meeting and exceeding the goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, or SMCRA.
The Good Neighbor Award is presented to a mine operator for successfully working with surrounding landowners and the community while completing mining and reclamation.
The Bureau of Land Management also recognized multiple hardrock mineral operators for their superior efforts during the 18th annual Mineral Development Awards ceremony, hosted by the National Mining Association.
Seneca Property, LLC (a Peabody Energy subsidiary)
Seneca II-W Mine, Routt County, Colorado
The Seneca II-W Mine south of Hayden in Routt County, Colorado, has completed a comprehensive reclamation effort that restored approximately 1,291.5 acres of land disturbed by surface coal mining to stable rangeland and wildlife habitat. The mine operated from 1990 until coal production ended in January 2006, producing more than 12 million tons of coal. Reclamation, conducted currently with mining operations from 1990 through 2007 and documented through successive bond-release phases, included backfilling and grading mine pits to approximate original contours, eliminating highwalls, reconstructing stable drainage systems, redistributing topsoil and establishing diverse vegetation.
During the period of 2007 to final bond release in 2025, the permittee carefully monitored revegetation and site stability to ensure it met performance standards. Despite challenging steep terrain, complex geology, landslide-prone areas and an arid climate, the operator, SPL, successfully established a stable post-mining landscape that blends with surrounding terrain. Reclamation performance consistently met or exceeded applicable standards, with herbaceous cover ranging from approximately 42.6% to 72.3%, herbaceous production frequently exceeding required levels by more than twofold, and woody plant densities surpassing established performance standards in many areas. The site also maintained hydrologic balance, with stable drainage channels and groundwater quality meeting applicable standards. Following completion of the required reclamation work, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety proposed final Phase III bond release and termination of regulatory jurisdiction, and the site was fully released in December 2025.
The Seneca II-W reclamation effort also demonstrates the value of science-based restoration and partnerships in improving outcomes on lands disturbed by natural resource development. SPL worked with the Rocky Mountain Research Station on a multi-year study examining methods to establish quaking aspen and western serviceberry on reclaimed mine lands, including the use of landscape fabric, supplemental irrigation, different soil-handling practices and planting stock.
The research identified practical techniques for establishing self-sustaining woody vegetation in challenging semi-arid environments, including the importance of landscape fabric for aspen establishment, the use of fresh soil from active aspen stands, low-salinity water for irrigation and protective fencing to reduce browsing by deer and elk. Together with extensive slope stabilization, drainage improvements and revegetation, these efforts helped transform the former surface mine into a resilient landscape capable of supporting approved post-mining uses. The successful completion of reclamation at Seneca II-W illustrates how clear restoration objectives, baseline environmental information, rigorous performance standards and adaptive management can support long-term stewardship of lands affected by resource development and provide lessons that can inform reclamation efforts at other sites.
Jewett Mine LLC (an NRG subsidiary)
Dewey Prairie Garden, Jewett Mine, Freestone County Texas
The Dewey Prairie Garden at the former Jewett Mine in Freestone County, Texas, as an example of how reclaimed mine lands can support innovative post-mining uses and provide lasting benefits to local communities. From 1985 – 2016 the Jewett Mine produced 209,750,000 tons of lignite coal. As the site entered its post‑mining phase, partners recognized a clear community need and set out to transform the reclaimed land into something that would directly support local families.
Developed through a partnership between NRG and Texan by Nature beginning in 2021, the garden transformed approximately one acre of reclaimed land into a productive community resource, with plans to expand to several acres. The 60,000-square-foot garden uses rainwater collection, drip irrigation, composting and pollinator habitat to produce fresh fruits and vegetables year-round for six local food pantries with distribution reaching an estimated 3,000 people each year. As of June 2026, the garden has produced over five tons of produce for local families. The project also provides volunteer opportunities and educational programming for students, teachers, Master Gardeners and community groups, connecting participants with agriculture, conservation, land reclamation and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Careful site selection minimized impacts to high-quality wildlife habitat, while specialized fencing helps protect crops from deer and feral hogs.
Located within a region identified as a food desert, the garden demonstrates how reclaimed lands can be thoughtfully integrated into surrounding communities to support food access, environmental stewardship, education and local resilience while maintaining the broader goals of responsible mine-land reclamation.
For more information on the Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards, visit https://www.osmre.gov/active-awards.