The department shall create reclamation awards in recognition of excellence in reclamation or reclamation research. Such awards shall be presented to individuals, miners, operators, companies, or government agencies performing exemplary surface mining reclamation in the state of Washington. The department shall designate a percent of the state annual fees as funding of the awards.

Captions—Severability—Effective date—1993 c 518: See notes following RCW 78.44.010.