Nielson Construction was lauded for “outstanding environmental awareness” by the Board of Oil, Gas and Mining during its Earth Day Awards presentation April 26 in Salt Lake City.
Nielson Construction was the only construction company recognized with the award. Six mining operations and an energy education foundation were also recognized with Earth Day awards.
“It is a popular misconception that oil, gas, and mining companies are enemies of the environment,” said Jim Peacock, Chairman of the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining. “The fact is extractive industries have matured as society has changed, and industry has embraced the notion of environmental stewardship.”
Board of Oil, Gas and Mining Earth Day Awards recognize companies, organizations and individuals who exceed regulatory requirements in protecting the environment while providing essential natural resources. “Industry expends a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to protect the environment while in pursuit of natural resources,” stressed Peacock. “And, when operations cease, money and resources are expended to restore the land to pre-extractive uses.”
Nielson Construction is the only construction company to ever be recognized with the Earth Day award. The company was recognized for reclamation projects at Skyline and Star Point Mine in Carbon County and Des-Bee-Dove Mine in Emery County, among others.
“We were honored to be recognized for our efforts in mine reclamation. We have a long history of mine construction and reclamation and our people take our partnership with the mining industry very seriously. We strive to be the best in the business and to be recognized for our environmental efforts in reclamation, particularly in our home of Carbon and Emery County, is especially gratifying,” said Wayne Nielson, company president.
During the presentation Nielson Construction was recognized as having “set a standard of excellence that operators and contractors on other projects seek to emulate.”
Also recognized with 2006 Earth Day Awards were:
The National Energy Foundation for continued excellence in providing educational programs related to the environment, mining, natural resources and energy.
Canyon Fuel Company’s Skyline Mine for providing assistance in the form of laboratory gas analysis to the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program’s efforts to research an underground coal mine fire in an abandoned mine in Carbon County.
Canyon Fuel Company’s SUFCO Mine for voluntarily participating in a cooperative project for Sage-Grouse habitat improvement with the Manti La-Sal National Forest.
Energy West Mining Company for outstanding final reclamation and site restoration of its Des-Bee-Dove mines in Emery County.
Plateau Mining Corporation for outstanding final reclamation and site restoration at the Star Point Mine in Carbon County.
Barrick Gold of North America, Inc. for voluntarily reclaiming an area of subsidence at a formerly mined property near Moab, and providing financial assistance to the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to seal abandoned mines in the Mercur Mine site area and Ophir Canyon project area.
Simplot Phosphate, LLC for its continued efforts to educate the public about mining, reclamation and post-mining land use at its facility in Uintah County.
The Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining Instituted the Earth Day Award program in 1991 as a means to recognize companies and individuals that exceed regulatory requirements while developing essential resources.
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