RECLAMATION SUCCESS

Five sand and gravel mines are operated by Porter’s Concrete Service, Inc., which is owned and operated by Ralph E. Porter. Reclamation of two of those mine sites, the Waverly Mine and the Barton Mine in Tioga County, New York, won the 2000 Interstate Mining Compact Commission’s Reclamation Award in the Small Operator Category. Porter’s Concrete specializes in producing top quality specialty products such as greens mix for golf courses, specialty sand for tile installation, and highest quality aggregate for asphalt plants.

Mr. Porter’s revegetation methods include research and experiments with soil chemistry and plant species. The onsite laboratory and test plots aid in determining the best combination of reclamation material, stockpiled topsoil, fertilizer, cattle manure or mulch, and plant species most suitable to maximize the land use plan in the local environmental setting.

At the Waverly Mine, where concurrent mining and reclamation are taking place, mineral processing is occurring at a rate of 350 tons per hour. Mr. Porter and family members reside on reclaimed acreage at the mine. The homes and surrounding landscaped acreage are underlain by settling pond material, and are screened by forested buffers of Black Locust trees and fruit orchards, including peaches, apples and pears. The mine supports several dozen prize winning Simmental cattle, along with cattle barns, auction block, nursery, custom grain storage facility and various yards. The facilities also overlie settling pond material which is capped with a blend of topsoil and selected amendments. Corn is planted in strategically located pockets in and near the mine. In addition to an annually harvested commodity, the corn provides a ten-foot-tall privacy screen between scattered neighbors and the mine during the busy season. Several acres of alfalfa feed the cattle during the winter.

The fully reclaimed Barton Mine is located among wooded hills on an agricultural section of the Susquehanna River plain. Reclamation increased land values by reclaiming the site to a condition which is considerably more attractive for site development after mining. The reclamation practices have greatly enhanced aesthetic values for future home sites. Temporary agricultural fields and future home sites, featuring a 32-acre lake with an island and scenic bridge, have been created. Donated reclaimed land at the entrance to Barton Mine is the site for a new SPCA facility, which houses dozens of orphaned small animals awaiting homes.

The post-reclamation land uses at both mines provide substantial economic value. Mr. Porter takes great pride in his work and properties, and is active in the local and business communities. At the Barton Mine, he has made the property considerably more desirable for economic development. At the Waverly Mine, he has built a self supporting, multi-use facility. Porter’s Concrete Service is also the recipient of New York State’s 1999-2000 Mined Land Reclamation Award.