BALTIMORE, MD (December 26, 2000) -- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) recently awarded Seven Star Aggregates Inc. the 2000 Outstanding Mine Reclamation Award. The annual award, which recognizes outstanding reclamation at an active mining site, was presented to Ben Asher and Tom Miller of Seven Star Aggregates for their work on the Swarey family property on Maryland Route 6 in La Plata, Charles County.

"Reclamation of land from mining activities ensures that Maryland’s precious land is preserved, and returned to a state as good as, if not better than, it was before the mining operations," said MDE Secretary Jane Nishida. "The reclamation success of Seven Star Aggregates is a model for others to follow."

Mining for sand and gravel was initiated on the Swarey property in 1976 by B.F. Asher & Sons mining company and is continuing today by Seven Star Aggregates. Over the years approximately 100 acres have been mined and reclaimed as productive agricultural land. Mining and reclamation has increased crop production by making available more tillable acres, providing an irrigation pond, and reducing steep erodable slopes. More gentle slopes are particularly welcome by the Swarey’s who till all their land with horse-drawn equipment.

Seven Star Aggregates will represent Maryland in a national competition for reclamation to be selected by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission in April 2001. Maryland has won the award three times in the last 12 years.

MDE's primary mission is to protect and restore the quality of Maryland's air, water, and land resources. The department works to ensure achievement of the state's environmental goals while fostering economic development, safe communities, and environmental education.

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