BLM Requests Nominations for the 2004 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is requesting nominations for the 2004 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards. The awards program recognizes solid mineral (non-coal) development operations that practice the principles of sustainable development or represent outstanding examples of reclamation or environmental stewardship.

The BLM created these non-monetary awards to highlight some of the finest examples of responsible mineral resource development. The award winners will illustrate sustainable development without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The awards program will also help to transfer successful ideas and practices from one place to additional locations throughout the nation.

“These awards recognize companies that go the extra mile in protecting the environment when mining on public lands,” said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke. “Our agency looks forward to receiving nominations of those operations that exemplify the very best in sustainable mining practices.”

The two types of awards include the Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award and the Hardrock Mineral Award For Community Outreach and Economic Security.

• The Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award recognizes efforts in environmental stewardship. This category recognizes achievements demonstrating continuous or repeated efforts to successfully meet or exceed Federal, State or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight. In addition to high quality reclamation, an operator may have undertaken extraordinary measures to reduce the footprint of the operation on the land, reducing the need for reclamation.
  
  
• The Hardrock Mineral Award For Community Outreach and Economic Security recognizes efforts shown for community responsibilities and the economic benefits of mineral development. This award recognizes the successful coordination of projects with local and regional stakeholders. Projects that contribute to the quality of life or demonstrate concern for the long-term health of the local community can be recognized in this category. Additionally, this award is also appropriate to recognize operators whose use of new or innovative techniques allow them to successfully operate in technically challenging conditions or in critical environmental settings.

Nominations for the awards may be submitted by mining companies, regulatory authorities, geologists, and members of the general public. Detailed information on the nomination and selection processes, including the required format for nominations, and can be found on the BLM Website at:www.blm.gov. All nomination forms for the 2004 awards program must be completed by March 1, 2004 and received by the BLM State Office (Attention: Solid Minerals) with jurisdiction for the public lands in the state where the operation is located. Presentation of awards is scheduled for September 27, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada in conjunction with the National Mining Association’s MINExpo International 2004.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land -- 261 million surface acres -- than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1.9 billion and a workforce of some 10,000 full-time, permanent employees, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

This page was created by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Office of Public Affairs 1849 C Street, Room 406-LS Washington, DC 20240 Phone: (202) 452-5125 Fax: (202) 452-5124

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