First Annual State Reclamation Award (1997)
Tracy Materials Accepts Award at National Meeting Hosted by Division
Tracy Materials Accepts Award at National Meeting Hosted by Division
On September 12, 1997, Commissioner John P. Cahill announced that the Division of Mineral Resources had selected Tracy Materials Inc. to receive the first annual New York State Mined Land Reclamation Award. The award recognizes the company for outstanding concurrent reclamation of its Windy Hill Road Mine located in the Town of Greenwich, Washington County.
Tracy Materials worked with a golf course developer to reclaim as mining progressed, thereby converting a 14-acre sand and gravel mine into a golf course. Although concurrent reclamation is not mandated by law, both the mining company and the golf course developer realized the benefits of working together from the start. Tracy Materials conducted its mining operations in accordance with the developer's plans to create the layout of the course. After removing the sand and gravel resource, the company sold the mined but unreclaimed land to the developer and supplied most of the material needed to complete construction of the course.
Tracy Materials Inc.'s reclamation achievement also garnered national recognition as the company was nominated for the annual Interstate Mining Compact Commission Award. Although not selected as the award winner, the company did receive a Certificate of Honorable Mention.
Both awards were presented during the annual joint meeting of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission and National Association of State Land Reclamationists, hosted by the Division of Mineral Resources in Lake Placid, New York on September 14-17, 1997. The photograph shows the Division's Steve Potter, Mined Land Reclamation Specialist (center), presenting the state award to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tracy.
The Division encourages all mining companies to consider the environmental and economic benefits of concurrent reclamation.
