| Approximately 28 acres are currently permitted by the
state for overburden deposition. Nearly 30% consists of property owned
by a neighboring farmer. Past reclamation efforts converted
approximately 10 acres of overgrown timberland into tillable acreage for
the benefit of their neighbor. The area is now producing alfalfa hay. |
Waterloo Quarry pit number 1
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Farm field created by Waterloo’s reclamation efforts
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Because of the open pit mining nature of the Waterloo
operation, no overburden is deposited in-pit. Overburden is also being
deposited northeast of the quarry operation as part of a plan to
construct an additional access road to the property. Over 2,000 feet of
future road base material has been deposited along the northwest bank of
Rockhouse Creek. When completed, this road will provide an economic
benefit and convenience to the company’s customers and neighbors. |
| Reclamation work is performed concurrently with
mining operations in order to return affected land to a productive
post-mining use more quickly. Revegetation is done using a hydro-seeding
method. The seed and fertilizer are mixed with water and applied to the
graded area. The company’s policy of covering all spoil with topsoil
has allowed for excellent reclamation to be achieved. There are no
requirements for spoil to be covered with dirt or topsoil in the State
of Illinois, however the company has chosen to do so despite the added
expense. |
Future road under construction
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Grading and covering the overburden deposition with topsoil
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Reclamation efforts at the Waterloo Plant are well thought-out and
planned prior to commencement of work. Future land use has always been a
primary consideration in the planning of reclamation projects. Over 20
acres of productive cropland have been created by past reclamation work
for the benefit of neighboring farmers. And overburden will serve the
surrounding area as a new road when reclamation is complete, shortening
access to the local highway by four miles. The company is proud that it
enjoys a good and beneficial relationship with its neighbors. |
