|
EIGHT OHIO COMPANIES HONORED BY ODNR FOR
MINERAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECLAMATION
Awards go to companies from New Straitsville, Cambridge, New Philadelphia, Alliance, Harrison, Hamilton, Carroll and Tuscarawas Counties
COLUMBUS, OH -- Eight Ohio companies and organizations have received awards acknowledging their outstanding accomplishments and performance in the areas of mining, drilling and reclamation, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Recognition came during an awards ceremony at ODNR's Applied Research Conference held recently at Ohio University.
“These winners set benchmarks in the areas of conservation and reclamation,” said Mike Sponsler, chief of the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management. “Whether it is through education, outreach or reclamation in the field, their accomplishments reflect good stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources.”
North Coast Energy Inc. of Cambridge received the Oilfield Operations Award in recognition of the company’s work protecting soil, surface or groundwater resources through outstanding development and reclamation of drilling sites and lease roads.
Cravat Coal Company’s operation of the Poplar Ridge Mine in Harrison County earned the Coal Mining Reclamation Award where highwall elimination, wetland construction and restoration improved the post-mining land use of the site.
Watson Gravel, Inc. received the Industrial Minerals Mining Reclamation Award for operations at the company's Harrison Kilby Road Plant in Hamilton County. The quality reclamation of more than 400 adjoining acres at the site provided good land-use by the Hamilton County Park District.
The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award went to Tucson Inc. of New Philadelphia, Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership (covers Carroll and Tuscarawas counties), and the Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center with the Office of Surface Mining. The team was recognized for their role in the design and installation of an unusual acid mine drainage treatment method that uses aerobic microorganisms to treat stream water impaired by past mining practices. This special patented Pyrolusite® Process, used in the Tuscarawas and Carroll County watershed, is the first of its kind in Ohio.
Minerals Education Awards were presented to several recipients for raising awareness about the issues associated with mining and the environment. Monday Creek Restoration Project of New Straitsville was recognized for providing 10 years of dedicated public outreach to the residents of Monday Creek watershed of southeastern Ohio. Mount Union College professors Dr. Lin Wu and Dr. Chuck McClaugherty were honored for offering environmental education related to mining impacts while providing student assistance and research for local watershed restoration efforts. Mount Union College is located in Alliance.
The Applied Research Conference is an annual forum sponsored by the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management that focuses on the newest scientific information in mineral resources extraction and reclamation. The goal of the conference is to find ways that improve the restoration of land productivity and water quality in areas that have been impacted by mining and drilling operations.
|