Page 76 - 2022 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Mining and Safety, serves on the panel and is the primary Russ Means said Martin Marietta took over the quarry –
contact point for submissions. He said it is no surprise that which has been operating since 1974 – in 2012 and that
Spec Agg was nominated – and ultimately selected – for the site has since become a “flagship example” for those
this honor. “The work Martin Marietta does to create a wishing to restore mined land to its natural topography.
suitable environment for the wildlife here is amazing,” he There are around 1,400 total permitted sites here in
said. “I’ve been out there many times and have seen elk, Colorado, and Means said that the Division of Reclamation
deer, birds, and other animals use the land, which is is “constantly looking toward Spec Agg as an example of
important for our area.” how every operation should operate. This quarry team
goes far and above in its reclamation techniques, and it is
He added that seeing a company that takes the
our wish that all other quarries would operate to the same
reclamation process earnestly and seriously is powerful.
level.”
“Driving in the state and seeing previous sites along the
I-70 corridor, there are some ugly scars that they left
behind before there were any reclamation laws in place.
But, with Martin Marietta, you’d have to look hard to see
any residual impact. And really, that is quite incredible,”
Means said.

That fact brings Riemenschneider a great deal of pride.
“Ensuring that we have a positive visual impact on our
community is one of our top priorities,” he said. “You can
see our work from the interstate; people hike and bike on
the trails we’ve recreated. It’s great because people will
come here on tour and they’ll leave saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t Spec Agg Quarry has won the NSSGA Award for concurrent
land reclamation.
even know you all were here.’”

A herd gathers on land reclaimed at Spec Agg Quarry.

74 2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT