| Lake County Grading Company of Libertyville, Inc. has operated a sand
and gravel mine, referred to as “Petersen Pit,” since October of 1984.
The reclamation practices at the site attempted to restore the land to
its natural state in addition to providing an open space area for the community
of Lake County, Illinois, to use and enjoy. |
Another operator, going back to the late 1950’s, had previously mined
the site. The sand and aggregate materials were used for the covering
of roads, development of residential areas, and other construction projects.
In 1984, the Lake County Forest Preserve purchased the land for later use
as open space. In October of the same year, the mining company entered
into an agreement with the Forest Preserve. It allowed for the mining
of the 350-acre site in exchange for the construction and sculpting of
the park as had been proposed and planned by the Forest Preserve.
Mining operations could occur until July 1997, with December of 1997 as
the deadline for completion of the remediation work.
The mining techniques used by the Lake County Co. included drybank and
dragline methods. Initially, the dry aggregate was removed above
the water level. This created the basic pit area. Aggregate
was then removed from the water area by a dragline. Concrete was
recycled at the facility by using a jaw and cone crusher. Once the
mining had been completed, the reclamation work could begin.
| Storm sewers and pump stations were installed on the site. The
replacement and redistribution of the bank material created aquatic shelves
and a fish habitat. |
 |
| Box elder trees and natural vegetation were replanted along the shoreline. |
 |
| Botanical specialists working for the Forest Preserve supervised the
construction of the interior woods and hiking trails. Large rocks
and boulders from the site were hauled near the man-made lake. Clay
lined the lake and drain tiles were installed to maintain the water flow
of the wetland areas. Using material from the site, hiking trials,
parking facilities and roads were completed. |
 |
Prairie seed was planted on the site to initiate the growth of native
prairie flowers and grasses. Until the spring of 2000, there is an
ongoing reforestation of native oak, white and red oak, white pine, hackberry,
ash, and hawthorn trees.
| The Lake County Forest Preserve plans to add a Visitor Center and amphitheater.
The facilities will function as an educational tool. Today, a number
of outdoor activities, including sailing, fishing, and hiking, can be enjoyed
by the residents of Lake County, Illinois. |
 |
This study of the mining and reclamation techniques used at this site
provides another example that mining is only an interim (temporary) land
use. Not only can the land be restored to its comparable natural
state, but also used and enjoyed by the community.
|
