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In 1991, the Cherry Valley Sand & Gravel Corporation was awarded
the Interstate Mining Compact Commission's Reclamation Award in the Non-Coal
Category. The Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals provided the nomination
in recognition of their outstanding and contemporary reclamation work.
Despite the fact that this small operation did not require a mining permit,
their work with the state agency was voluntary and exceeded requirements
under the state law for mining and reclamation.
The 77-acre sand and gravel mine was located in the village of Cherry
Valley, in Winnebago County, Illinois. During the ten years the pit was
actively mined, approximately 2.4 million tons of aggregate were removed.
Originally, the property was owned by the city as part of a 100-acre flood
plain area adjacent to the Kishwaukee River. Earlier attempts to farm the
area were abandoned due to frequent flooding and poor soil quality. It
was decided the area would be best used for its sand and gravel resources. |
