 Managing
Land Responsibly Reclamation planning
begins at plant start-up and becomes part of each site's long-term
plan. We protect and enhance facilities and their surroundings,
with special attention to land contouring. Operations typically
add earthen berms, natural screens and trees to improve appearance
and reduce noise. Berms (raised areas with natural evergreen plantings)
also provide a safety barrier by restricting access to the quarry.
In the 1970s, Vulcan's executives encouraged the
industry to voluntarily meet high standards for quarries, rather
than waiting for laws to be passed. For example, we endorsed efforts
such as the About Face Program sponsored by the National Stone,
Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) to improve the appearance of
quarries. Our aggregates facilities actively continue these efforts.
Vulcan operations recently received 24% (23 of 95) of the About
Face beautification awards for 2000. Our facilities in Columbus,
Georgia and Gray Court, North Carolina were named Quarry of the
Year in the large and medium categories, respectively.
When quarries are closed, we reclaim the land
so it can be returned to productive use. Depending on the needs
of the community, quarry land can be used for recreation sites,
water reservoirs, wildlife preserves, office buildings or private
homes.
Even our own products contribute to environmental
remediation. Large stones, called riprap, are placed along rivers
and shorelines to prevent erosion and maintain the integrity of
riverbanks. Crushed limestone, when ground to a powder, becomes
an important mineral supplement for our agricultural industry or
a filtration medium for water and sewer facilities. Power plants
also use crushed limestone in their scrubbers to reduce emissions
of sulfur dioxide, a byproduct that can cause acid rain.
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