Page 38 - 2019 Sustainability Report

LAND RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES

Our approach to reclamation includes the protection quarries post-mining include water storage and reservoirs,
of the environment while we are quarrying as well as its parks and other recreational uses and sometimes
restoration after mining, both of which we typically plan commercial development.
before we open a new site. In so doing, we commit to
activities that include minimizing impacts to neighboring Our reclamation activities at our Specification Aggregates
properties, wildlife and fauna, adjacent streams and water Quarry in Golden, Colorado, have been featured on
quality. We are generally required by state or local laws, or ReclamationColorado.com. The quarry is situated on the
pursuant to the terms of an applicable lease, to reclaim eastern edge of the foothills with much of the quarry
quarry sites after use, which usually includes a requirement area visible from many parts of the Denver metropolitan
to post a reclamation bond to guarantee performance of area. A primary goal for reclamation of the mining area is
that work. During the process of applying for permits, we to minimize visual impacts by creating a topographic and
include extensive information regarding our reclamation ecological setting that is similar to that of the hillside areas
activities, and consider any concerns expressed by local surrounding the quarry. The landscape of the surrounding
communities and other stakeholders. area is dominated by grassland communities interspersed
with patches of scrub oak and scattered evergreen trees.
We own or lease more than 250,000 acres of land and
have developed reclamation or restoration management Our reclamation activities are carried on concurrently with
plans for approximately 90 percent of our operating quarry mining, and the result is a landscape that blends in with
sites. Generally, we perform reclamation activities on an the surrounding undeveloped land, enhances wildlife
ongoing basis as an integral part of the normal quarrying habitat and habitat diversity, and provides winter forage
process. For example, the perimeter and interior walls of for elk and mule deer. Since the reclamation activities are
an open pit quarry are sloped and benched as they are ongoing, the restoration also yields habitat with diverse
developed to prevent erosion and provide stabilization. age-class plant communities. Once mining is completed
An important aspect of reclamation is returning the land on the site, a large reservoir will remain, which will serve
to beneficial use. Lands that are reclaimed are often as a source of municipal water for the region and may also
improved by a more diverse plant community and weed serve as a recreational feature.
control. As such, reclaimed lands often provide valuable
wildlife habitat. Other common land uses for our reclaimed

This photo shows the reclamation process at our Specification Aggregates
Quarry in Golden, Colorado; native slope at the top of the hill, reclaimed
slope immediately below it, seeded slope with new vegetation next
down, then regraded and mulched slope before seeding, and mined but
unreclaimed slope at eye level. Mining started at the top of the slope and
is progressing downward.

38 / MARTIN MARIETTA / SUSTAINABILITY REPORT / 2019