2008 Excellence in Abandoned Mine Land Awards

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Publication VID-007 2008 Excellence in Abandoned Mine Land Awards State Offices Win Top Honors for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation from OSM. Editors note: Awards given to state agencies in Colorado, Indiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah. (Durango, CO) Five state offices responsible for reclaiming mines abandoned prior to passage of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977(SMCRA) were awarded top honors for the 2008 competition sponsored by the US Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM). The States were recognized at an awards banquet hosted by the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Professionals (NAAMLP). In addition to ensuring that mines are reclaimed as America’s coal energy is produced, SMCRA also provides for reclamation at sites abandoned before passage of the act. In the past thirty-one years all AML reclamation has eliminated safety and environmental hazards while creating useful land on over 314,108 acres.