Special to the Sentinel

The Douglasville Quarry has again been recognized for outstanding environmental performance.

Harve Stoeck, Lafarge NA vice-president of Environment, along with Matt Stewart, US East director of Environment, presented the coveted Lafarge Environmental Flag to the employees of the quarry in recognition of winning the 2009 Lafarge Environmental Excellence Award for the Aggregate Division.

Also in attendance were Mickey Thompson, mayor of Douglasville, and several members of Lafarge management and support staff.

In 1996, Lafarge North America initiated an annual environmental recognition program. The objective of the recognition program is to increase the awareness of employees of environmental issues and what is being done to not only comply with, but exceed applicable standards.

The environmental recognition award program is also designed to reinforce the value of plant and individual employees’ environmental initiatives and to encourage innovative technical and management solutions when undertaking environmental management activities.

Also recognized are plants /facilities that implement environmental solutions that benefit not only the environment but make Lafarge more competitive in the marketplace. A Lafarge “environmental” flag is presented to each plant/facility winner.

The award is granted for overall environmental management excellence at five Lafarge North American plants/facilities from the Lafarge North America Divisions that choose to participate, i.e., one cement plant, one gypsum wallboard plant, one aggregate and/or sand and gravel operation, one ready-mix plant, and one asphalt plant.

As a winner for 2009, the list of Douglasville Quarry’s accomplishments is very long and includes:

Douglasville Quarry was a charter member of the US EPA National Environmental Performance Track Program. In 2008 the plant was named as one of only four winners nationwide to receive a Performance Track award for “environmental achievements above and beyond legal requirements,” and the only winner in the Small Facility award category.

Actual environmental achievements included: enhancement of approximately eight acres for wildlife conservation and education; significantly reduced solids leaving the site in the discharge by over 9,700 pounds, a 96% reduction over a three-year period and a 20% reduction in stockpile dust.

Douglasville Quarry is Partners-In-Education with several local schools. As part of the partnership the quarry: hosts three to four school visits each year; toured over 400 students, teachers, and volunteers in 2008; provided and served lunch for 250 students during the annual reading picnic; and provide geology and environmental classes to visiting students.

Douglasville Quarry is certified in both the Wildlife Habitat Council’s “Wildlife at Work” and “Corporate Lands for Learning” programs. Wildlife projects include: hydroseeded the berms with a mixture of native grasses, millet, sunflowers, mustard seed, and numerous pollinator gardens were planted throughout the site; a large variety of bird, bat, duck, owl, and squirrel boxes were installed throughout the site; a 4,000 foot nature trail was constructed for the local schools, as well as a community wildlife education outdoor classroom, pit overlook, and pond observation deck.

Douglasville Quarry has been recognized for environmental and community relations efforts by Georgia Mining Association (GMA), National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), and other organizations a total of 12 times during the past three years.

The flag presented to Douglasville Quarry will be retired after flying in its place of honor after the end of the year. However, it will remain and be proudly displayed at the quarry as a reminder of the accomplishments that went into its awarding.