The O’Daniel Trucking company disposal site #1 was nominated for the 2000 Reclamation Award from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals. The office regulates environmental compliance at all surface coal mining and reclamation operations in the State of Illinois. One of their primary goals is to insure that companies conduct mining and reclamation operations in a manner that minimizes soil loss.

O’Daniel Trucking Company, located near the community of Carmi, Illinois, has 428 acres under permit. O’Daniel’s operations is unique in that no actual coal recovery takes place. The operation consists of coal mine waste disposal from White County Coal Company’s Pattiki Mine. Topsoil and subsoil are removed well in advance of disposal operations and are separately stockpiled and protected until needed for reclamation. Once the waste materials are in place and appropriate grades are established, the rooting medium and the topsoil are replaced, always at greater depths than is required by regulation, the areas are revegetated, and erosion control structures are installed.

The company is affecting scrublands, woodlands, and farmlands with non-cropland or limited capabilities and reclaiming the area to conditions more suitable for agricultural purposes. Their prompt grading, soil replacement and revegetation operations minimize the total number of acres disturbed at any one time and minimize soil losses both during operations and after reclamation.

O’Daniel Trucking Company’s surface coal mining and reclamation operations are conducted with a high level of pride and professionalism and the company is proud to have received the reclamation award nomination.