Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/282830
TIONS ILLUSTRATED OUR EXPERTS Reclamation Opportunity — Water Storage April 2014 Scott Jorns is quarry manager for Hanson Material Service Thornton Quarry in Thornton, Ill. He holds a degree in mining engineering from the University of Wisconsin — Platteville. Jorns has worked in the mining industry for over 27 years, having held a variety of positions within the company at locations in the Chicago area. Wendy S. Schlett, a senior sustainability manager with Sustainability Research Group, has more than 18 years of experience in the en- vironmental and sustainability consulting fi eld. She received her bachelor's degree in hydrogeology from Western Michigan University. Schlett is an active associate board member for the Michigan Ag- gregate Association. She also has prepared several articles on sustainability for NSSGA's National Stone Sand and Gravel Review. As a solution for both issues, some communities are turning to aggregate operations to help them with their water storage needs. Several high-profi le projects in the United States include former and current quarries in various stages of completion for use as water reservoirs. Some of these projects have been under construction for years; others are newer propositions. All are beginning to gain attention from the public. In 2006, the city of Atlanta bought the former Bellwood Quarry, on the city's northwest side, from Vulcan Materials Co. The quarry now is the property of Atlanta's Watershed Management Depart- ment, which is creating a reservoir from the site that will give the city a 30-day water supply. It will be used during periods of drought and to reduce Atlanta's dependence on Lake Lanier. Mine reclamation that is planned to benefi t the public is a win-win situation. Any reclamation endeavor designed for public benefi t requires vision to identify a community's needs and fi nd ways that the aggregate operation might fulfi ll those needs — during active mining or after extraction activities are complete. Communication between community and mine leaders is also critical for success. Traditional reclamation efforts often include making the site more accessible for wildlife. If an aggregate operation's rec- lamation plan can benefi t the community as a water storage solution — for fl ood control or water supply — and also offer a secondary use as a park or haven for wildlife, then the advantages of such a reclamation effort also multiply for the producer. Reclamation as a reservoir 2 3 Storage for water supply 5 Communication is key 6 Multiply the benefi ts