Kenneth L. schellie, a landscape architectural reclamation pioneer

摘要

Reclamation specialists are often interested in historical perspectives concerning the practices, concepts, and projects of individuals who practiced surface mine reclamation prior to the Surface Mine Reclamation Act of 1977. One such individual wasthe late Kenneth L. Schellie, a landscape architect and planner who practiced in the American Midwest,. This paper describes and recognizes his contributions in reclamation planning and design. Beginning in 1948, he consulted for the National Sand and Gravel Association, the National Industrial Sand Association, and companies and institutions affiliated with these institutions. He also cooperated with the University of Illinois, training landscape architects in surface mine reclamation. Kenneth editedor advised authors concerning the publication of at least ten books addressing surface mine site utilization and landscape rehabilitation from 1963 to 1977. He promoted the idea of surface mining as just a transitional land-use, the concept of simultaneous excavation and rehabilitation, the importance of mining operations to create land for post-mining land-uses, the idea that the post-mining land could be more valuable than the pre-mining landscape, the concept of multiple post-mining land-uses, and the important of surface mining planning resulting in fewer delays, efficient mining, and increased profits. In addition, Mr. Schellie applied his training as a landscape architect with his professional experiences to select vegetation suitable for reclamation applications, described the ecology of the sand and gravel surface mine, presented key principles in land development of surface mines, illustrated the environmental impact process related to surface mines, and identified basic land-use controls associated with surface mining. Much of this work was accomplished before landscape reclamation was of great national concern.