Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Nomination Form

Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards 

About the Awards 

The Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards are presented to coal mining companies that 

achieve the most exemplary coal mine reclamation in the nation. Past winners have demonstrated a commitment 

to sound mining practices and effective reclamation plans that enhanced beneficial post-mining use of the land. 

OSMRE has honored high quality coal mine land reclamation since 1986.

Eligibility 

Surface coal mining and reclamation operations conducted under a Title V permit (1978 - present) may be 

nominated for an award. In addition, non-permitted mining and reclamation completed using government 

financial reclamation contracts under the Enhanced Abandoned Mine Land regulations is eligible for 

nomination. Abandoned mine land reclamation projects carried out exclusive of active mining are not included 

in this program. If integrated with Title V permitted operations, AML projects are eligible for a national award.

Award Categories 

OSMRE presents two awards each year. A National Award recognizes achievement in a specific aspect of 

reclamation or for overall performance in meeting goals of SMCRA. The nominated activity must have been 

performed within the past five years. The Good Neighbor Award is given to mine operators for successfully 

working with the surrounding landowners and the community while completing mining and reclamation. The 

nominated activity must have been performed within the past three years.

Scoring Nominations 

A panel of OSMRE judges evaluates nominations in the following categories: 

National Award: Good Neighbor Award:

• Difficulty of project and onsite effectiveness.

• Creativity and ingenuity.

• Transferability of the technique or practices used.

• Exceeds the spirit and intent of SCMRA.

• Difficulty of project and onsite effectiveness.

• Increased public awareness of SMCRA.

• Long-term benefits to the community.

• Exceeds the spirit and intent of SCMRA.

Site Visit & SMCRA Compliance Check

An OSMRE representative will conduct a site visit to ensure on-the-ground performance conforms with the 

permit and is exemplary within that state or geographic area, information in the nomination accurately reflects 

current site conditions, and other mining activities at the site do not detract from award-winning activity. 

Nominee’s surface mining law compliance record is examined to ensure that there are no outstanding violations 

and to determine that there is no past record of not abating violations. 

Deadline & How to Submit Your Nomination 

Submit nominations by 11:59 p.m. ET, on May 12, 2024 to your regulatory authority.

Questions? 

For more information, email awards@osmre.gov.
 

Nomination Form 

Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards 

Date Submitted: 

Nominator’s Contact Information

Name: Title: 

Phone: Email: 

Address: 

Award Category (You may check more than one category.) 

National Award Good Neighbor Award

Project Information 

Company Name:

Project Name: 

Project Location: 

Project Start Date: Project End Date: 

Permit Number:

Names/titles of individuals responsible for reclamation at nominated site:
National Award 

Project Narrative 

Executive Summary: Write a high-level overview of the nominated project that addresses organizations 

responsible for reclamation, project location, start and completion dates, cost, reclaimed features and benefits 

to the community.

Background: Provide a history of the mine, area and any other pertinent information.
Difficulty of Project & On-site Effectiveness : Describe special or unique considerations and on-site difficulty of 

project. Include documented and quantifiable effective or innovative use of technology, how the landscape 

conforms to the natural environment and elimination of significant health or safety problems. (40 points)
Transferability of the Technique or Practices Used: Describe the transferability or value of the

accomplishment(s) to other mining and reclamation operations. (25 points)
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: Describe how the project exceeded the spirit and intent of 

SMCRA, increased public awareness of SMCRA, as well as the transferability of reclamation strategies to other 

programs and projects. (20 points) 
Creativity & Ingenuity: Describe effective use of creativity and ingenuity used throughout the project. (15 points)
Videos, Graphics & Photography: Submit links to videos (3 total) and photography/graphics (12 total) below.

List captions below.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington DC 20240

awards@osmre.gov

You certify that any photographs, images, or videos (the Works) that you submit with your nomination can be used, published,

reproduced and distributed by OSMRE in any of its digital and print materials indefinitely, without any fee or other form of

compensation. This use of the Works includes but is not limited to OSMRE’s website, instructional materials, reports, social

media sites, videos, publications, emails, press releases, etc. The materials you submit can be used in any OSMRE program/

publication and are not limited to a single program/publication. You certify that you are the copyright holder or owner of the

materials, you are 18 years or older, and you have acquired the necessary permissions from all person(s) depicted in the

materials. You further agree that if the above representations concerning copyright ownership are determined to be incorrect

or false, resulting in OSMRE or the U.S. Government being sued for copyright infringement, that you shall indemnify OSMRE

and/or the U.S. Government for any resulting out-of-pocket expenses arising from defending and/or settling such litigation. If

OSMRE uses any of the Work in its products or services, it agrees to provide proper attribution to the copyright holder.
Good Neighbor Award 

Project Narrative 

Executive Summary: Write a high-level overview of the nominated project that addresses organizations 

responsible for reclamation, project location, start and completion dates, cost, reclaimed features and benefits 

to the community.

Background: Provide a history of the mine, area and any other pertinent information.
Difficulty of Project & On-site Effectiveness: Describe special or unique considerations and on-site difficulty of 

project. Include documented and quantifiable effective or innovative use of technology, how the landscape 

conforms to the natural environment and elimination of significant health or safety problems. (40 points)
Benefits to the community: Describe project support and long-term benefits to the community. (25 points)
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: Describe how the project exceeded the spirit and intent of 

SMCRA, as well as the transferability of reclamation strategies to other programs and projects. (20 points)
Increased Awareness of SMCRA: Describe how the project increased public awareness of SMCRA. (15 points)
Videos, Graphics & Photography: Submit links to videos (3 total) and photography/graphics (12 total below).

List captions below.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington DC 20240

awards@osmre.gov

You certify that any photographs, images, or videos (the Works) that you submit with your nomination can be used, published, 

reproduced and distributed by OSMRE in any of its digital and print materials indefinitely, without any fee or other form of 

compensation. This use of the Works includes but is not limited to OSMRE’s website, instructional materials, reports, social 

media sites, videos, publications, emails, press releases, etc. The materials you submit can be used in any OSMRE program/

publication and are not limited to a single program/publication. You certify that you are the copyright holder or owner of the 

materials, you are 18 years or older, and you have acquired the necessary permissions from all person(s) depicted in the 

materials. You further agree that if the above representations concerning copyright ownership are determined to be incorrect 

or false, resulting in OSMRE or the U.S. Government being sued for copyright infringement, that you shall indemnify OSMRE 

and/or the U.S. Government for any resulting out-of-pocket expenses arising from defending and/or settling such litigation. If 

OSMRE uses any of the Work in its products or services, it agrees to provide proper attribution to the copyright holder.