ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and WAPA created the Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award to recognize hot mix asphalt plants that have exceeded the already high environmental standards that are set for the asphalt industry. The award criteria were developed by a subcommittee of the Environmental Technology Transfer Team, which included DNR and WAPA along with representatives from the Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin County Highway Association, League of Wisconsin Municipalities and Marathon County Zoning Department.

Winners of the Hot Mix Asphalt Environmental Leadership Award have achieved environmental excellence above and beyond what is required of them by environmental regulations. While environmental performance is the focus of the award, an HMA plant also has to show exemplary performance in safety, plant appearance and community relations. Additionally, the winners are dedicated supporters of their community. This award is an example of an industry sector working proactively with a regulatory agency and local governments to improve the environment and enhance its public image.

Earning the Award

To earn this award, these leaders in the HMA industry have to achieve the highest ratings in community and environmental excellence via a rigorous inspection of their facilities. The inspection team consists of a local government official, an equipment expert who is familiar with asphalt plant machinery and DNR’s asphalt sector specialist.

The inspection team’s responsibilities include on-site evaluation and scoring of 70 award criteria. The inspection team uses the Environmental Leadership Program Inspection Form to record scores for each of the 70 award criteria. If the plant is a permanent plant, the inspection team uses the Permanent Asphalt Plant Inspection Form [PDF]. If the plant is a portable plant, the inspection team uses the Portable Asphalt Plant Inspection Form [PDF]. The award is only granted to plants that achieve a passing score in each of the five award categories:

• Environmental Compliance
  All permit requirements, record keeping and other regulatory requirements must be at 100 percent compliance.
  

• Safety
  Plants must have an employee safety policy manual and demonstrate that all employees have received training. There must be posted speed limits and a clearly established truck and loader travel pattern.
  

• Environmental Control Measures
  Points are scored for low visible emissions, clean storm water, minimizing fugitive dust emissions and good management of petroleum products. Other important criteria are noise and odor control. Incorporating recycled asphalt into mixes and using reclaimed oil as fuel are also encouraged.

• Plant Appearance
  An award-winning plant will be a nicely painted plant with attractive landscaping at the entrance and interior. The plant site will be neat, clean and orderly.

• Community Relations
  The scoring team reviews the plant’s activities for plant tours, of school sponsorship programs, support of local charities and in-kind donations, such as asphalt or use of equipment. Proactive involvement of plant officials with local government and neighbors is encouraged.

Renewal of the Award

The award committee set the award period at three years to ensure that plants maintain their high level of performance. The purpose of reinspection is to assure that all award-winning plants are still operating at the same or better level of performance after the first three years. Plants that achieve this level of performance will then be reissued the Environmental Leadership Award for an additional three years.

The reinspection criteria and passing score are the same as the original award criteria. If the equipment has not been significantly changed, the team will include a local government official interested in planning, zoning and environmental permits and the DNR’s asphalt sector specialist. The original award will be effective 90 days past the original three-year inspection date to allow for sufficient reinspection time.

Past Winners

American Asphalt of Wisconsin — Plants 22, 67 and 83

D.L. Gasser Construction — Plants 15 and 65

Mathy Construction Co. — Plants 23, 24, 52, 54 and 55

Monarch Paving Co. — Plant 5

Northeast Asphalt, Inc. — Controls 30, 33, 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 63, 65, 67 and 68

Payne and Dolan, Inc. — Controls 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 23 and 31

Rock Road Companies

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