In recognition for reclamation work at Finerty Quarry, a limestone rock quarry in Coffey County, Kan., Harshman Construction, LLC of Cedar Point, Kan., received the 2013 National Association of State Mine Land Reclamationists (NASLR) Award in the non-coal division at the NASLR national conference in Hot Springs, Ark. Harshman Construction is the fourth Kansas company to receive this national award.

Harshman Construction shaped, seeded fescue grass and constructed two ponds to reclaim more than 40 acres, including 20 acres at a site Kansas state law did not require they reclaim. The reclaimed land can now be used as productive livestock pasture.

“Harshman Construction takes great pride in their reclamation efforts as evidenced by their efforts to exceed state reclamation requirements,” said Scott Carlson, Kansas Mined Land Reclamation program manager. “Harshman Construction sets a prime example of how companies can be good stewards of the land and restore it for generations to come.”

Kansas state law requires producers who mine industrial materials or minerals of commercial value to register their mining sites, file a reclamation plan for each site, submit a reclamation bond and reclaim mining sites upon completion of mining operations. The NASLR Award was established to recognize companies and individuals who achieve outstanding and exemplary achievements in the reclamation of mined land and promote awareness and exchange of information for quality reclamation and environmental stewardship.

Harshman Construction, a family-owned business, was also the 2012 recipient of the Governor’s Mined Land Reclamation Award for its work at the Finerty Quarry. The company offers crushed rock products and custom rock crushing in 17 quarry locations in Southeast Kansas.

NSALR is a nationally recognized authority on the reclamation of mined lands and advocates the use of research, innovative technology and professional discourse to foster the restoration of lands and waters affected by mining-related activities. It also strives to promote and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between state and federal regulatory authorities as well as the mining community.

For more information about Kansas surface mining reclamation visit the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Conservation webpage.

Warren and Susan Harshman receive the 2013 National Non-Coal Reclamation award at the 2013 NASLR awards banquet at Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Presenting the award are Tom Gragg (left) State of New York and President and Scott Carlson, Kansas Mined Land Reclamation Program Manager.