RECLAMATION SUCCESS

Operated by Vulcan Materials Company, the River Rock Plant near Fresno, California, has received an Environmental Eagle Gold Award from the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. The Environmental Eagle Award recognizes ongoing efforts in meeting and surpassing environmental and regulatory requirements. The River Rock Plant is part of Vulcan’s Western Division, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles.

Vulcan’s Western Division President, Jim Smack, said, “The employees of the River Rock Plant exemplify the commitment we have to our neighboring community. I’m very proud that these employees have achieved national recognition for their commitment to environmental stewardship.” 

The operation also received national recognition for their outstanding contributions to wildlife habitat conservation at the Wildlife Habitat Council’s 14th Annual Symposium, “Investing in Biodiversity.”  

The River Rock site is at the center of the 22-mile long San Joaquin River Parkway in California’s Central Valley. Since 1988, Vulcan employees have played a vital role in the wildlife habitat management program of Rank Island, a 300-acre protected area within the River Rock property. Environmental education, bird counts, nature walks, teacher workshops and community participation have become integral components of the River Rock Plant’s habitat management program. Following mining and reclamation, Vulcan anticipates that the site will become a permanent part of the 6,000-acre Parkway.

Vulcan’s River Rock Plant is the first Western Division site to be certified by WHC and one of 130 sites recognized at the 2002 Symposium. WHC has certified only 312 sites worldwide since 1990. Certification requirements are stringent and sites must reapply for certification every two years.