Page 75 - 2022 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

way for us to give back to the community, so we’re excited to how they return the land to nature and the community,”
do more as similar opportunities come up in the future.” Sharn said. “This is demonstrated in both the wildlife that
While the Company is no stranger to reclamation efforts, utilizes the reclaimed ground and the many favorable
McCoy said this particular project was a bit different in that comments we get from the surrounding community.”
Clinton County required a split-bench before grading could
begin. This step, which hasn’t been required at any other The awards, which are presented annually, are in the
company location in the state, added time, effort and memory of Jack Starner, a longtime Mined Land
expense to the reclamation project. Since completing the Reclamation Board member who provided valuable
grading and seeding, county and state officials have reached guidance to industry professionals along with local
out to McCoy to note that many species of birds, fish and governments and the environmental community.
semiaquatic mammals like minks have been spotted on the
grounds. The 2022 honor was not the first time Martin Marietta has
been recognized by the CSSGA. In recent years, the
Parkdale Quarry team won the Enhancement of
Reclamation through Community and Stakeholder
Engagement Award, and the Taft Hill Sand and Gravel
team won the Outstanding Community Outreach and
Education in the Benefits of Reclamation of Mined Lands
awards.

Sharn said honors like these are only made possible by the
continued dedication of those operating the quarries. “All
credit goes to the operations,” he said. Spec Agg Plant
Manager Luke Riemenschneider agreed. “It feels good
Reclaimed areas at because the crew here is constantly putting in the hard
the former Clinton County Quarry
effort to reclaim this land. To see folks in the industry
recognize them is just spectacular,” he said. “For us,
reclamation is a daily agenda item. It is all about our guys
Not to be outdone, in 2022 Martin Marietta’s Specification
doing the work, and it is great to have an upper
Aggregates (Spec Agg) Quarry was recognized for its
management team that allows us to take this work so
successful efforts to concurrently reclaim mined out
seriously.”
portions of its site. In December, the Golden, Colorado,
quarry was honored with an Outstanding Concurrent The Spec Agg team reclaims land concurrently to ensure
Reclamation Award as a part of the Colorado Stone, Sand
the grounds are refreshed in specific areas while work
and Gravel Association’s (CSSGA) 2022 Jack Starner
continues in other areas. “Spec Agg’s reclamation is
Reclamation Awards program.
unique in that all, or most, of the reclamation is performed
The awards, which are sponsored by the Colorado Mined concurrently with mining activities,” said Jeff Lines, area
Land Reclamation Board, celebrate outstanding production manager. “Most operations wait until all
reclamation of aggregate and construction material mining is completed, or nearly completed, before
operations and further the collection and dissemination of beginning reclamation. When the Spec Agg crew mines
successful reclamation techniques, according to CSSGA. along the boundary of the pit, dirt is placed back into the
mined void – often, within just a few weeks after being
Director of Natural Resources James Sharn said it was a mined.”
“great honor” to receive the award as it serves as an
acknowledgement of the many people who work to Award winners are determined by a panel of experts who
restore the land. select sites that display outstanding environmental efforts.
Russ Means, minerals program director for the Active
“The award recognizes the hard work, pride and
Mines program at Colorado’s Division of Reclamation,
dedication of Martin Marietta employees who care about

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