Interstate Mining Compact Commission
Annual Reclamation Awards Program
Introduction
Named after the late charter executive director of The Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC), the Kenes C. Bowling National Mine Reclamation Awards were established to recognize outstanding achievements in reclamation and to promote reclamation on a national level.
Through these awards, the IMCC is commending companies that have taken extra efforts to implement techniques which protect people and the environment from any adverse effects of mining, while at the same time allowing access to minerals that are vital to our nation's economy and the well-being of our society.
Each year there are two awards presented: one for coal and another for noncoal minerals. From time to time the Commission also presents an award recognizing the special efforts of a small operator. Beginning in 2003, this award was renamed the Floyd G. Durham Special Recognition Award for a Small Operator, in memory of long-time friend and representative to the Compact Floyd G. Durham of Arkansas.
Several states have previously established awards to recognize outstanding reclamation achievements within their own state. This program allows each state to incorporate existing programs into the nomination process for the IMCC awards and provides for more competition at an interstate level.
Through these awards, the IMCC is commending companies that have taken extra efforts to implement techniques which protect people and the environment from any adverse effects of mining, while at the same time allowing access to minerals that are vital to our nation's economy and the well-being of our society.
Each year there are two awards presented: one for coal and another for noncoal minerals. From time to time the Commission also presents an award recognizing the special efforts of a small operator. Beginning in 2003, this award was renamed the Floyd G. Durham Special Recognition Award for a Small Operator, in memory of long-time friend and representative to the Compact Floyd G. Durham of Arkansas.
Several states have previously established awards to recognize outstanding reclamation achievements within their own state. This program allows each state to incorporate existing programs into the nomination process for the IMCC awards and provides for more competition at an interstate level.
Scope
Competition for the IMCC Reclamation Awards is limited to IMCC member states with each state authorized to make one nomination in each category. To be eligible, a mining company must have been actively mining / reclaiming the site during the 12-month period prior to the nomination.
The regulatory authority of each state announces the Awards Program and requests nominations be submitted to them by mid-June yearly. Each state conducts a screening process and selects one company for each category to compete for the IMCC Awards. Each state then submits their nominations to IMCC.
The awards are presented at the annual IMCC spring meeting and are judged on criteria outlined in the following section and there the winner will be presented with an engraved plaque of recognition.
The regulatory authority of each state announces the Awards Program and requests nominations be submitted to them by mid-June yearly. Each state conducts a screening process and selects one company for each category to compete for the IMCC Awards. Each state then submits their nominations to IMCC.
The awards are presented at the annual IMCC spring meeting and are judged on criteria outlined in the following section and there the winner will be presented with an engraved plaque of recognition.
Criteria for Selection
Criteria to be considered in judging for the IMCC Reclamation Awards include:
Compliance: Although each regulatory authority provides minimum reclamation guidelines and permitting requirements, the ways and means in which compliance is achieved by companies can vary greatly. Thus, the degree, effort and innovation for compliance can result in financial savings to the company.
Contemporaneous Reclamation: Regulatory guidelines usually require that mining and reclamation activities occur contemporaneously. The techniques, time limits, and distance limitations employed can result in substantial reclamation cost savings.
Drainage: Design, maintenance, and technologies employed can result in effective and efficient water quality treatment resulting in compliance and cost savings for the operator.
Bond Release: Preplanning for the desired post-mining land use including: vegetation planting, evaluation procedures, reporting methods. All can result in effective release of bond monies.
Innovative Practices: Creative development and application of new technologies or techniques can result in resolution of reclamation problems.
Compliance: Although each regulatory authority provides minimum reclamation guidelines and permitting requirements, the ways and means in which compliance is achieved by companies can vary greatly. Thus, the degree, effort and innovation for compliance can result in financial savings to the company.
Contemporaneous Reclamation: Regulatory guidelines usually require that mining and reclamation activities occur contemporaneously. The techniques, time limits, and distance limitations employed can result in substantial reclamation cost savings.
Drainage: Design, maintenance, and technologies employed can result in effective and efficient water quality treatment resulting in compliance and cost savings for the operator.
Bond Release: Preplanning for the desired post-mining land use including: vegetation planting, evaluation procedures, reporting methods. All can result in effective release of bond monies.
Innovative Practices: Creative development and application of new technologies or techniques can result in resolution of reclamation problems.
View the Past and Present Awards Winners
