Our ASRS Meeting was held virtually where the following award winners were announced and acknowledged.
Richard I. & Lela M. Barnhisel Reclamation Researcher of the Year Award
The Richard I. and Lela M. Barnhisel Reclamation Researcher of the Year award recognizes substantial contributions to the advancement of reclamation science and technology through scientific research.
Brad Pinno
Dr. Brad Pinno is an Associate Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. His research focuses on the management of boreal forest ecosystems, in particular the relationships between trees, site characteristics, and operational management practices. Dr. Pinno’s background is in forestry and soil science which has been a perfect fit for forest land reclamation research. He obtained his BS and MS in Forestry from the U of Alberta, and his PhD from the U of Saskatchewan. For the past decade he has worked extensively in the mineable oil sands region of northern Alberta studying the impacts of different reclamation soils and techniques on ecosystem development. Dr. Pinno’s research has been supported by industry, government, and multi-stakeholder organizations with the goal of improving forest land reclamation. He has authored many publications (32 in the past 5 years), and co-authored publications with his students and post-doctoral candidates. Past reclamation MSc graduates from his research group have gone on to careers with industry, consulting, and government agencies. One of the things that he really enjoys about reclamation research is how we can balance operational land management questions, essentially what we can be doing with a specific piece of land, with important scientific questions related to understanding the ecological relationships.
Congratulation Dr Brad Pinno on an outstanding career in reclamation research and your continuing success in your industry endeavors.
Past Award Recipients
2012
2009
2005
2003
- Dr. Michael Collins, University of Kentucky
2002
- Dr. Terrence J. Toy, University of Denver
2001
- Dr. Lloyd R. Hossner, Texas A. & M. University
2000
- Mr. Martin Y.P. Fung, Syncrude Canada Ltd., AB, Canada
1999
- Dr. Jeffrey G. Skousen, West Virginia University
1998
- Dr. George Vance, University of Wyoming
1997
- Dr. Stephan A. Schroeder, No. Dakota Public Service Commission
1996
- Mr. Jack Nawrot, Southern Illinois University
1995
- Dr. Gary Halvorson, North Dakota State University
1994
- Mr. Terry M. Macyk, Alberta Research Council
1993
- Dr. W. Lee Daniels, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
1992
- Dr. Frank F. Munshower, Montana State University
1991
- Dr. Gerald E. Schuman, Agricultural Research Service
1990
- Ms. Patricia M. Erickson, U.S. Bureau of Mines
1989
- Dr. Richard I. Barnhisel, University of Kentucky
1988
- Dr. Edward J. DePuit, University of Wyoming
1987
- Mr. Thomas G. Zarger, Tennessee Valley Authority (Deceased)
1986
- Mr. Willis G. Vogel, U.S. Forest Service (Retired)
1985
- Dr. Richard M. Smith, West Virginia University (Retired)
1984
- Dr. Ronald E. Ries, Agriculture Research Service
Reclamationist of the Year Award
The Reclamationist of the Year award recognizes individuals demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in the practical application or evaluation of reclamation technology. It also rewards individuals responsible for implementing innovative practices or designs for new reclamation strategies.
Rich Sivils
Rich Sivils P.E. is the Reclamation Engineer at the Usibelli Coal Mine and has worked there since 2013. He graduated in 2008 from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering. His first position after graduation was with Kiewit Mining as a reclamation engineer at the Decker Coal Mine in Montana, a surface mine producing 4 million tons per year. He then spent 4 years working for Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold as a mining engineer in Arizona before being hired in his current role with Usibelli in Healy Alaska. At Usibelli he directs reclamation efforts in the form of dozer regrade, works with federal and state representatives to keep the mine operations in compliance with over 70 active permits and directs special projects around the mine site related to reclamation. During his tenure at UCM he has adapted reclamation techniques and best management practices to reduce UCM’s bond liability by more than 20% in the last eight years! An outstanding achievement for a complex ecosystem in the middle of the vast interior region of Alaska. He has a wonderful wife and three kids and enjoys hunting and flying in Alaska.
Congratulations Rich Sivils on your recognition for outstanding contributions to the reclamation of the disturbed ecosystem in your picturesque region!
Past Award Recipients
2015
2012
2011
2008
2007
2005
- Mr. William R. Kirk, Coteau Properties Co., ND
2004
- Mr. Scott E. Belden, Powder River Coal Co., Gillette, WY
2003
- Mr. Clint Skilbred, Glenrock Coal Co. Glenrock, WY
2002
- Ms. Margaret H. Dunn, Stream Restoration, Inc., Cranberry Twp., PA
- Ms. Laurel E. Vicklund,, Belle Ayr Mine, Gillette, WY
2001
- Mr. Tim Ramsey, BHP World Minerals, La Plata Mine, La Plata, NM
2000
- Mr. Reginald Hoff, Big Sky Coal, Peabody, Colstrip, MT
1998
- Mr. Wayne R. Erickson, Habitat Management, Inc.
1997
- Mr. Stuart A. Bengson, ASARCO Inc., Copper Operations, AZ
1996
- Mr. Darryl Maunder, Kerr-McGee Coal Company
1995
- Mr. Brent Gray, Peabody Coal Company
1994
- Mr. Dave Nilson, Basin Electric Power Cooperative
1993
- Mr. Robert Moore, Thunder Basin Coal Company
1992
- Dr. David S. Ralston, Amax Coal Company
1990
- Mr. David C. Porterfield, Carbon Coal Company
1989
- Mr. Dwight Hicks, Drumond Coal Company
1988
- Mr. Jack A. Muncy, Tennessee Valley Authority
1987
- Dr. Thomas H. Peters, International Metals (Retired)
1986
- Mr. Kenneth Spurlock, Kentucky Reclamation Association (Retired)
1985
- Mr. Alten F. Grandt, Peabody Coal Company (Retired)
1984
- Mr. James White, Pioneer Fuel Company (Retired)
Early Career Award
This award is intended to recognize an early career member of ASRS that is involved in reclamation research, teaching, and/or on-the-ground reclamation practices within academics, regulatory oversite, or in an industry position. The nominee must have been employed in their field for a minimum of three years but not more than ten years.
Abhishek RoyChowdhury
Abhishek RoyChowdhury is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Natural Resources at Navajo Technical University. He earned his BS and MS from University of Calcutta, India. He pursued his PhD from Montclair State University, and his PhD research was geared towards developing a “green” remediation technology for remediation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)-impacted soil and water. He has received over $2M in grants from federal and non-federal sources including NSF, NASA, USDA, USDOI-OSMRE, USDOI-BIA, First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON), and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. His research projects include reclamation of abandoned mine sites, helping Native American communities to access clean water, and creating economic opportunities for them. One of his ongoing research projects, funded by the OSMRE Applied Science Program, involves demonstration of a field-scale sustainable reclamation technology for revegetation and stabilization of gob piles of mine spoils in the Carthage coalfield in New Mexico. His other ongoing research project involves evaluation of stream “health” in the San Juan River system impacted by 2015 Gold King Mine Spill. He has published 18 peer-reviewed journal articles, one book chapter, and 38 conference proceedings. He is serving as an Associate Editor of International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (IJEST), and as an Academic Editor of PLOS Water. He is the elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Geology and Health Division of The Geological Society of America. He has received multiple awards and honors including the ASRS 2015 Memorial Scholarship Award (PhD level).
Congratulation Abhishek RoyChowdhury on an outstanding early career in disturbed ecosystem reclamation and keep up the good work!
William T. Plass Award
This award is the highest honor the Society has and recognizes those in research, teaching, outreach, and administration. The award is given to a person who has distinguished themselves in the field of disturbed ecosystem reclamation at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
Past Award Recipients
2013
- Dr. Neil Humphries, Blakemere Consultants Ltd
2011
2009
2006
2005
2004
- Dr. Robert Kleinmann, U.S. Dept. of Energy, NETL, PA
2003
- Dr. John C. Sencindiver, University of West Virginia
2002
- Dr. Ronald E. Ries, U.S.D.A.—ARS (Retired)
2001
- Mr. Richard L. White, Texas Utilities, Dallas, TX
2000
- Dr. James A. Burger, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
1999
- Mr. Joe D. Friedlander, Coteau Properties, ND
1998
- Dr. Gerald L. Lowry, Stephen F. Austin College (Retired)
1997
- Dr. James De Ment, Consultant
1996
- Mr. Alten Grandt, Peabody Coal Co. (Retired)
1993
- Dr. Frank T. Caruccio, University of South Carolina
1992
- Dr. William E. Sopper, Pennsylvania State University
1991
- Dr. William C. Ashby, Southern Illinois University
1990
- Mr. Benjamin C. Greene, West Virginia Mining & Reclamation Assoc.
Distinction in Reclamation Award
This award recognizes a specific project in which a company has demonstrated excellence in reclamation design, implementation, and overall success, resulting in the conservation of natural resources and the ecosystem.
Pioneer of Reclamation Award
This award is intended to recognize a member of ASRS who has spent most of their career in reclamation subject areas. This particular designation is not awarded every year.
Past Award Recipients
2005
- Terry Macyk
- Martin Fung
2004
- Sy Brayley
- Ben Green
- Jarvis Harper
- Sam Lyle
- Jack Muncy
- Jim Sandusky
2003
- Stuart A. Bengson
- James A. Brown
- Larry F. Brown
- Ray W. Brown
- C. Wayne Cook
- Alton D. Day
- Eugene E. Farmer
- Thomas Gwynn
- Rodney R. Krause
- Gerald Lowry
- Kenneth L. Ludeke
- Frank F. Munshower
- Ed Pommerenning
- Paul Rokich
- Ed Temple
- John Thames
2002
- Richard I. Barnhisel
- William A. Berg
- James F. Boyer, Jr.
- Kenes Bowling
- Frank T. Carruccio
- Willy Curtis
- Jimmy Dean
- Samuel Dickinson
- David Funk
- Alten F. Grandt
- Willard D. Klimstra
- Thomas H. Peters
- Joe Ruffner
- Stephen G. Shetron
- Richard Meriwether Smith
- Shawn T. Sorrell
- Willis Vogel
- Tom Zarger
2001
- Earl Alden
- Robert G. Beverly
- Stephen G. Boyce
- W.C. Bramble
- A. G. Chapman
- Bryan F. Clark
- John Crowl
- W. C. Croxton
- Karl C. Dean
- Dan DenUyl
- Glenn Deitschmann
- Dean Eisinphar
- Louis E. Engstrom
- Raymond Finn
- Frank Glover
- Richard C. Havens
- Tom Higgins
- Ron Hill
- Richard Hodder
- Bob Hughes
- Lyle Knutson
- John F. Knudsen
- Gus Limstrom
- Harith Loqua
- James H. Lundy
- A. L. McComb
- Robert W. Merz
- Rex F. Neilson
- H. B. Peterson
- Bland Z. Richardson
- Charles V. Riley
- Nelson Rogers
- Don Russell
- L. E. Sawyer
- Paul N. Seastrom
- Monte B. Shirts
- C. A. "Tony" Sjogren
- Paul Sutton
- E. H. Tyner
- John P. Vimmerstedt
- Louis Weber
1999
- Paul Borden
- Mike Coats
- Jesse Mitchell
1998
- William T. Plass
1997
- Clark Ashby