RECLAMATION SUCCESS

The Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation & Enforcement presented the 25th Anniversary National Excellence in Surface Coal Mine Reclamation Award to Carbon Coal Company’s Carbon No. 2 Mine in Gallup, New Mexico, for exceptional reclamation on the former mine site. The OSM awards program began in 1986 to publicly recognize outstanding active coal mine reclamation and to highlight and show recognition for exemplary reclamation techniques.
 

Carbon Coal Company’s mining at this operation ended in 1986 and final grading and revegetation seeding was completed in 1991. Average annual precipitation is about 9.5 inches; however, summer flooding was an annual occurrence prior to mining. Reclamation included four permanent impoundments and intervening drainage channels that have prevented flooding of the adjacent town of Gallup.

This 300-acre reclaimed site supports a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life. More than 100 vascular plant species have been established including grasses and shrubs, and revegetation carrying capacity has more than doubled.

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton stated, “The projects and winners of these awards are a true testament to the great strides and achievement the coal industry has made toward stewardship and protection of the environment during the 25 years since the Surface Mining Law was passed.”