Snake River Gravel Pit Reclamation  (Wyoming)               
Award Winning Project:
Located within the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway and approximately two (2) miles south of the Yellowstone National Park south entrance, PHC-REC was contracted by the State of Wyoming, Abandoned Mine Land Division (AML) to evaluate and eliminate the public safety hazards and environmental degradation associated with sixty-five (65) acres of lands previously disturbed by gravel mining activities within the Snake River floodplain.  
For excellence in engineering design and construction management services, PHC-REC was the recipient of the coveted 2004 People's Choice Award for best national reclamation project presented by the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining for the Snake River Gravel Pit Project.

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Problem:
The proposed actions to reclaim the site and restore wetlands were necessary to improve habitat values and to comply with National Park Service (NPS) policies.  Public safety hazards and environmental degradation needed to be eliminated.  This included 65 acres of lands previously disturbed.  PHC-REC was contracted by the state of Wyoming, Abandoned Mine Land Division (AML) to evaluate and reclaim the site and restore wetlands, which were necessary to improve habitat values that would comply with NPS policies, the Clean Water Act in accordance with the U.S. Army corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality standards and directives.
Objective:
Under the direction of a cooperative effort between PHC-REC, NPS, and AML personnel, earthwork activities were conducted.  Approximately 350,000 cubic yards of mine reject material and topsoil was reshaped for re-establishment of sedge meadows, willow flats, stream channels, oxbow ponds and upland features.
Other Concerns:
In addition to being located with the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Area, the project site was home to 7 different mammal, bird or reptile species that are either listed or are being considered under the threatened and Endangered Species Act.
PHC Solutions:
In 2002 and 2003, an agronomic contractor collected 5 different species of wetland plants and willow cuttings with live buds, all native to the Snake River floodplain, and stored, germinated and grew the wetland seedlings in an off-site plant nursery.  From mid-June through early July 2003, a total of 602,000 herbaceous plants and 35,000 willow cuttings were planted within the project site limits.
Results:
After a decade since mining activities ceased, the damage to the wetland and riparian ecosystem has been reclaimed in accordance with NPS management policies and legislative mandates.  The success of the Snake River Gravel Pit Project demonstrates that once damaged and considered "lost" riparian habitat can be reclaimed to its original, pristine condition.
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