SCHEDULE 14A
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LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMPANY
May 5, 201010, 2011

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Layne Christensen Company to be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza hotel, located at 401 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64112, on Thursday, June 3, 2010,9, 2011, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time. The business to be conducted at the meeting is described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. In addition, there will be an opportunity to meet with members of senior management and review the business and operations of the Company.

Your Board of Directors joins with me in urging you to attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, however, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly. A prepaid return envelope is provided for this purpose. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised and it will not be used if you attend the meeting and prefer to vote in person.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
/s/ A. B. Schmitt
 
A. B. Schmitt
President and Chief Executive Officer



LAYNECHRISTENSENCOMPANY
Layne Christensen Company
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Mission Woods, Kansas 66205


Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE
HELD ON JUNE 3, 2010
to be Held on June 9, 2011

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Layne Christensen Company, a Delaware corporation ("Layne Christensen" or the "Company"), will be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza hotel, located at 401 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64112, on Thursday, June 3, 2010,9, 2011, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, and thereafter as it may from time to time be adjourned, for the following purposes:
 
 1.To vote on the election of the Company’s eight nominees for director to hold office for terms expiring at the 20112012 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Layne Christensen and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal;
 
2.To conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation;
3.To conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation;
4.To consider and act upon ratification of the selection of the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditors of Layne Christensen Company for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2011;2012;
 
3.5.To consider a stockholder proposal described in the attached Proxy Statement, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and
 
4.6.To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
 
The Board of Directors of Layne Christensen has fixed the close of business on April 22, 2010,11, 2011, as the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Whether or not you intend to be present at the meeting, the Board of Directors of Layne Christensen solicits you to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly. A prepaid return envelope is provided for this purpose. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised and it will not be used if you attend the meeting and prefer to vote in person. Your vote is important and all stockholders are urged to be present in person or by proxy.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors.
 
Steven F. Crooke
Senior Vice President—General Counsel and Secretary

May 5, 2010
10, 2011
Mission Woods, Kansas




Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on June 3, 2010:9, 2011: The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available to you at http://www.edocumentview.com/LAYN.LAYN.
 


LAYNECHRISTENSENCOMPANY
Layne Christensen Company
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Mission Woods, Kansas 66205
_________________________

PROXY STATEMENT
_________________________

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 3,2010
_________________________
_________________________
INTRODUCTION
Proxy Statement
_________________________

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be Held June 9, 2011
_________________________

Introduction

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Layne Christensen Company, a Delaware corporation ("Layne Christensen" or the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 3, 2010,9, 2011, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m., local time, and will be held at the Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza hotel, located at 401 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64112.
 
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy were first mailed to the Company's stockholders on or about May 5, 2010.10, 2011.
Proxies
 
Proxies
You are requested to complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and return it promptly to the Company in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. Shares represented by properly executed proxies will, unless such proxies have been revoked prior to exercise, be voted in accordance with the stockholders' instructions indicated in the proxies. If no instructions are indicated, such shares will be voted in favor of the election of the nominees for director named in this Proxy Statement,Statement; in favor of the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement; to conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years; in favor of ratifying the selection of the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the current fiscal year, againstyear; in favor of the stockholder proposal regarding a sustainability report,report; and, as to any other matter that properly may be brought before the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the discretion and judgment of the appointed proxies. A stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised at the Annual Meeting by filing written notice of revocation with the Secretary of the Company, by executing and delivering to the Secretary of the Company a proxy bearing a later date, or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
 
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, you will be given a ballot when you arrive.  However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee (commonly referred to as being held in "street" name), proof of ownership may be required for you to be admitted to the meeting.  A recent brokerage statement or letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership.  If you want to vote your shares of common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.
 
Voting at the Meeting
 
For purposes of voting on the proposals described herein, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders holding a majority of the total outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, $0.01 par value, shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Only holders of record of shares of the Company's common stock as of the close of business on April 22, 201011, 2011 (the "Record Date"), are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.  As of the Record Date, 19,559,83519,634,657 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly to come before the Annual Meeting.
 


Directors are elected by a plurality (a number greater than those cast for any other candidates) of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting for that purpose. In accordance with Delaware law, a stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors can withhold authority to vote for allnominees for director or can withhold authority to vote for certain nominees for director. Votes withheld in connection with the election of one or more nominees for director will not be counted as votes cast for such nominees, and will not have any effect on the outcome of the election.  All other matters will be determined by a vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Under Delaware law, abstentions are not considered votes cast and will have no effect on whether a matter is approved.
 

On certain routine matters, such as the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, if a stockholder that holds its shares through a broker does not provide instructions to that broker on how the stockholder wishes to vote, the  broker will be allowed to exercise discretion and vote on behalf of the stockholder.  A broker is prohibited, however, from voting on other non-routine matters, including the election of directors, the advisory vote on executive compensation, the advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder proposals.  Broker "non-votes" will occur when a broker does not receive voting instructions from a stockholder on a non-routine matter or if the broker otherwise does not vote on behalf of a stockholder. Broker non-votes will not count in determining the number of votes cast with respect to the election of directors or a proposal that requires a majority of votes cast and, therefore, will not affect the outcome of the election of directors or the voting on such a proposal.
 
Solicitation of Proxies
 
This solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting is being made by the Company's Board of Directors. The Company will bear all costs of such solicitation, including the cost of preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy. After the initial mailing of this Proxy Statement, proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, facsimile transmission, electronically or personally by directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners of shares held of record by them, and their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, together with those of the Company's transfer agent, will be paid by Layne Christensen.
 
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination at least ten days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at the Company's Corporate Headquarters, 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, Kansas  66205.  The list also will be available at the Annual Meeting.
 
ITEMItem 1
 
ELECTION OFDIRECTORSElection of Directors
 
One of the purposes of this Annual Meeting is to elect eight directors to serve one year terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 20112012 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal.  The Board of Directors has designated Messrs. David A.B. Brown, J. Samuel Butler, Anthony B. Helfet, Nelson Obus, Rene J. Robichaud, Robert R. Gilmore, Andrew B. Schmitt and Jeffrey J. Reynolds as the nominees proposed for election at the Annual Meeting.  Messrs. Brown, Butler and Helfet have been directors of the Company since 2003.  Mr. Obus has been a director of the Company since 2004.  Messrs. Robichaud and Gilmore have been directors of the Company since January 1, 2009.  Mr. Reynolds has been a director of the Company since 2005 and Mr. Schmitt has been a director of the Company since 1993.  Unless authority to vote for the nominees is withheld, it is intended that the shares represented by properly executed proxies in the form enclosed will be voted for the election of the nominees for director.  In the event that one or more of the nominees should become unavailable for election, it is intended that the shares represented by the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as may be designated by the Board of Directors, unless the authority to vote for the nominee who has ceased to be a candidate has been withheld. The nominees have indicated their willingness to serve as directors if elected, and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that the nominees will be unavailable for election.
 
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the election of David A.B. Brown, J. Samuel Butler, Nelson Obus, Anthony B. Helfet, Rene J. Robichaud, Robert R. Gilmore, Jeffrey J. Reynolds and Andrew B. Schmitt as directors of the Company.
 
Nominees for Director
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors at the Annual Meeting.
 


     Name      Age     Present Position with the Company      Director Since
NOMINEESDavid A. B. Brown66Director, Chairman of the Board2003
 Andrew B. Schmitt61Director, President and Chief Executive Officer1993
 J. Samuel Butler64Director2003
Anthony B. Helfet66 Director2003
 Nelson Obus 63 Director2004
  Jeffrey J. Reynolds43Director, Executive Vice President of Operations 2005
Robert R. Gilmore58Director2009
 Rene J. Robichaud51Director2009

 
2

 Name Age Present Position with the Company Director Since 
         
NomineesDavid A. B. Brown 67 Director, Chairman of the Board 2003 
 Andrew B. Schmitt 62 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer 1993 
 J. Samuel Butler 65 Director 2003 
 Anthony B. Helfet 67 Director 2003 
 Nelson Obus 64 Director 2004 
 Jeffrey J. Reynolds 44 Director, Executive Vice President 2005 
     and Chief Operating Officer    
 Robert R. Gilmore 59 Director 2009 
 Rene J. Robichaud 52 Director 2009 
The business experience during the last five fiscal years of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election as directors at the Annual Meeting is as follows:
 
David A. B. Browncurrently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pride International, Inc.  He is also on the board of directors of EMCOR Group, Inc., and from 1984 to 2005 Mr. Brown was president of The Windsor Group, a consulting firm that focuses on energy related issues facing oilfield services and engineering companies.  He is a Chartered Accountant and has over 30 years of energy related experience.  Mr. Brown’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  financial literacy and extensive managerial experience attained from serving as the president of The Windsor Group, and the chairman of Pride International, Inc., the knowledge and experience he has attained from service on other public company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2003, and in his capacity as the Company’s Chairman since 2005.
 
Andrew B. Schmitthas served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1993. For approximately two years prior to joining the Company, Mr. Schmitt was a partner in two privately owned hydrostatic pump and motor manufacturing companies and an oil and gas service company. He served as President of the Tri-State Oil Tools Division of Baker Hughes Incorporated from February 1988 to October 1991.  Mr. Schmitt is also a director of Euronet Worldwide Inc.  Mr. Schmitt’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  financial literacy and extensive managerial experience attained from serving as the president of the Tri-State Oil Tools Division of Baker Hughes Incorporated, a partner in various oil and gas industry companies, and the president and chief executive officer of the Company for over 1617 years, the knowledge and experience he has gained from service on other public company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 1993.
 
J. Samuel Butlerhas been president of Trinity Petroleum Management, LLC, an oil and gas management outsourcing company, since 1996.  Mr. Butler has also served as Chairman of the Board, chief executive officer and president of ST Oil Company, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, since 1996.  Mr. Butler was appointed to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board of Governors in 2009, and in 2007, Mr. Butler became the Chairman of Genesis Gas & Oil Partners LLC, a private oil and gas partnership focused on the acquisition and exploitation of coalbed methane and other unconventional oil and gas reserves.  Mr. Butler’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  financial literacy and extensive managerial experience attained from serving as the president, chairman and chief executive officer of two companies in the oil and gas industry, Trinity Petroleum Management, LLC and ST Oil Company, the knowledge and experience he has attained from service on other company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2003.
 
Anthony B. Helfet, a retired investment banker, served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and co-head of Mergers and Acquisitions for Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. from September 2005 to September 2007.  Prior to that, he was a special advisor to UBS from September 2001 through December 2001.  From 1991 to August 31, 2001, Mr. Helfet was a managing director of the West Coast operations of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. and its successor organization, UBS.  Mr. Helfet was also managing director of the Northwest Region of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets from 1979 to 1989.  Historically, Mr. Helfet has held other positions with Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. and Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.  Mr. Helfet also served as a director of Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. from 2001 to 2009.  Mr. Helfet’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include: financial literacy and expertise, capital markets expertise, and managerial experience gained through his mergers and acquisitions experience and leadership roles with investment banking firms, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., UBS, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Markets and Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., the knowledge and experience he has attained from service on other public company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2003.
 


 
3

Nelson Obus has served as president of Wynnefield Capital, Inc. since November 1992 and as the managing member of Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC since January 1997.  Wynnefield Capital Management manages two partnerships and Wynnefield Capital, Inc. manages one partnership, all three of which invest in small-cap value U.S. public equities. Mr. Obus is also a member of the board of directors of Gilman Ciocia, Inc., a company that provides income tax return preparation, accounting and financial planning services.  Mr. Obus’ pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  financial literacy and expertise, capital markets expertise and managerial experience gained through his leadership roles and ownership interest in related investment management companies, Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC and Wynnefield Capital, Inc., the knowledge and experience he has attained from service on other public company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2004.
 
Jeffrey J. Reynoldsbecame a director of the Company on September 28, 2005, in connection with the acquisition of Reynolds, Inc. by Layne Christensen Company. Mr. Reynolds served as the President of Reynolds, Inc., a company which provides products and services to the water and wastewater industries, from 2001 until February of 2010.  Mr. Reynolds also became a Senior Vice President of the Company on September 28, 2005. On March 30, 2006, Mr. Reynolds was promoted to Executive Vice President of the Company overseeing the Water Infrastructure Division and on February 1, 2010, Mr. Reynolds was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations for the Company overseeing all of the Company’s operating divisions. On February 1, 2011, Mr. Reynolds’ title was changed to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, but his duties remained the same.  Mr. Reynolds’ pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include: financial literacy and managerial experience attained from serving as the president of Reynolds, Inc., and a senior vice president, and executive vice president of operationsand chief operating officer for the Company, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2005.
 
Robert R. Gilmoreis an independent CPA.  From 1997 to May 2006 and from March 2008 to present, Mr. Gilmore has served as an independent financial consultant to a number of companies.  From May 2006 to February 2008, he was CFO of NextAction Corporation, a private company engaged in multi-channel direct marketing using technology based proprietary lead generation methods for the retail industry.  Since April 2003, Mr. Gilmore has been a Director of Eldorado Gold Corporation, serving as Non-Executive Chairman since December of 2009 and as Chairman of its Audit Committee and as a member of its Compensation Committee.  Since June 2010, Mr. Gilmore has been a director and the Audit Committee Chairman of Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc.  Mr. Gilmore also served as a Director and Audit Committee Chairman of Global Med Technologies, Inc. from March 31, 2006, until March of 2010.  He served as a member of its Compensation Committee from October 26, 2007, until March of 2010.  From July 2007 to March 2009, Mr. Gilmore was also a Director of Frontera Copper Corporation and served as the Chairman of its Audit Committee.  Mr. Gilmore was also a Director and Audit Committee Chairman of Ram Power Corporation from October of 2009 until April of 2010.  Mr. Gilmore’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  public accounting and financial reporting expertise (including extensive experience as a certified public accountant), managerial experience attained from serving as the chief financial officer of NextAction Corporation, the knowledge and experience he has attained from service on other public company boards, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on the Company’s Board since 2009.
 
Rene J. Robichaud has served as a consultant to various corporate clients, including Black Mesa Energy Services and Prospect Capital, since 2008.  Mr. Robichaud served as president and chief executive officer of NS Group, Inc., a publicly traded manufacturer of oil country tubular goods and line pipe, from February of 2000 until the company’s sale in December of 2006.  Prior to that, Mr. Robichaud served as president and chief operating officer of NS Group, Inc. from June of 1999 to February of 2000.  From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Robichaud served as a managing director and co-head of the Global Metals & Mining Group for Salomon Smith Barney.  Mr. Robichaud also served as a director of The Midland Company from 2006 to 2008.  Mr. Robichaud’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include:  managerial experience he has attained from serving as the president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of NS Group, Inc., financial literacy and expertise, capital markets expertise, and managerial expertise gained through his mergers and acquisitions experience and leadership roles with Salomon Smith Barney, and the knowledge and experience he has attained from his service on other public company boards and on the Company’s Board since 2009.
 
There is no arrangement or understanding between any director and any other person pursuant to which such director was selected as a director of the Company.
 


4

Compensation of Directors
 
    EachFor fiscal 2011, each director of the Company who iswas not also an employee of the Company, except the Chairman of the Board, receivesreceived an annual retainer of $35,000. The Chairman of the Board receivesreceived an annual retainer of $75,000.$75,000 for fiscal 2011. The Chairmen of the Audit Committee, and the Compensation Committee each receive an additional retainer of $5,000 per year and the Chairman of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee receives anreceived additional retainerannual retainers of $5,000, $5,000 and $1,500, per year.respectively, for fiscal 2011.  All such retainers arewere payable in quarterly installments. In addition, each non-employeedirector receivesreceived $1,000 for each board meeting he or she attendsattended either in person or via teleconference and each member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee receivesreceived $1,000 for each committee meeting he or she attendsattended either in person or via teleconference.teleconference during fiscal 2011. As an additional component of their compensation package,packages, all non-employee directors of the Company receive a onetime award of an option to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company's common stock upon becoming a member of the Board. EachFor fiscal 2011, each non-employee director, except the Chairman, also receivesreceived an annual award of restricted stock or stock options of the Company, or a combination of both, whichever they choose,chose, with a value equal to $40,000 on the date of the award. TheFor fiscal 2011, the Chairman receivesreceived an annual award of either restricted stock or stock options of the Company or a combination of both, whichever he chooses,chose, with a value equal to $75,000 on the date of the award. The annual equity award is made on the first day of each new fiscal year of the Company. The restricted stock is valued based on the market price of the Company's common stock on the day the stock is issued, vests one year from the date of issuance, and is otherwise subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Company's 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2006 Equity Plan"), or such other plan under which the restricted stock may be issued. The director options have an exercise price equal to the market price of the common stock on the day they were issued, are 100% vested upon issuance, have a ten-year life and are otherwise subject to all of the terms and conditions of the 2006 Equity Plan or such other plan under which the options may be issued. Directors of the Company who are also employees of the Company receive no compensation for service to Layne Christensen as directors.
 
    For fiscal 2010,In January 2011, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance, a third party consultant that was spun off from Towers Watson & Co., the successor to Towers Perrin, to (i) perform a competitive review and analysis of the compensation provided to the independent directors of the Board, relative to survey market data and the Company's identified peer group and (ii) advise the Compensation Committee with respect to evaluating whether any changes should be made with respect to such compensation.  Based on the recommendations of Pay Governance, the Committee noted that the number of shares available for issuance under the 2006 Equity Plan when considering the long-term equity compensation awards payablerecommended to the executive officersBoard, and key management were insufficientthe Board adopted, the following changes to the compensation program for the contemplated payoutCompany's independent directors for fiscal 2012.  The annual retainer for each director of such non-employee director equity compensation.the Company who is not also an employee of the Company, except the Chairman of the Board, was increased from $35,000 to $50,000. The annual retainer for the Chairman of the Board remained the same. The additional retainers for the Chairmen of the Audit Committee, therefore agreed that the numberCompensation Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee were increased to $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.  Board and Committee meeting fees were increased from $1,000 per meeting to $1,500 per meeting. The value of the annual award of restricted stock or stock options and/of the Company, or restricted stock issuablea combination of both, was increased from $40,000 to $50,000 on the date of the award, except for the value of the award to the non-employee directors should be prorated based on the non-employee directors’ individual awards of equity compensation as compared to the total amount of long-term equity compensation payable to the executive officers, key management and the non-employee directors.As a result, the non-employee directors initially received equity compensation for approximately 50%Chairman which remained at $75,000.  The other terms of the long-term equity compensation award amounts described above. Following the stockholders approval at the 2009 Annual Meeting of an amendment to the 2006 Equity Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance, the Company made additional long-term equity compensation awards in June 2009 so that the non-employee directors received the full value of their long-term equity compensation awards.did not change.
 
A director may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of theirhis cash compensation in accordance with the terms of the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.  Under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, non-employee directors of the Company can elect to receive deferred compensation in three forms—a cash credit, a stock credit or a combination of the two.  The value of deferrals made in the form of a stock credit track the value of the Company's common stock.  Deferrals made in the form of a cash credit will accumulate interest at a rate based on the annual yield of the longest term United States Treasury Bond outstanding at the end of the preceding year.  All payments made under the plan will be made in cash.  As of January 31, 2010,2011, Mr. Brown had accumulated the equivalent of 5,096.875,147.47 shares of common stock in his stock credit account, Mr. Butler had accumulated the equivalent of 2,909.962,939.76 shares of common stock in his stock credit account, Mr. Helfet had accumulated the equivalent of 3,135.263,182.25 shares of common stock in his stock credit account, Mr. Obus had accumulated the equivalent of 5,843.446,471.77 shares of common stock in his stock credit account, Mr. Gilmore had accumulated the equivalent of 421.15200.98 shares of common stock in his stock credit account, and Mr. Robichaud had accumulated the equivalent of 1,763.413,552.72 shares of common stock in his stock credit account.
 

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our directors during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.  Messrs. Schmitt and Reynolds are our only directors who are also employees of the Company.  Messrs. Schmitt's and Reynolds' compensation is reported in our Summary Compensation Table.
 
5

Fiscal 20102011 Director Compensation Table
 
Fees Earned orOption  Fees Earned or       Option     
Paid in Cash(1)Stock Awards(2)Awards(3)Total  
Paid in Cash(1)
   
Stock Awards(2)
   
Awards(3)
   Total 
Name     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)  $   $   $   $ 
                
David A. B. Brown     $83,000           $74,993            $157,993    $ 93,832   $ 74,997    $ 168,829 
J. Samuel Butler$45,000$39,981$84,981  $ 63,536   $ 39,992    $ 103,528 
Anthony B. Helfet$49,500$39,996$89,496  $ 70,237   $ 39,992    $ 110,229 
Donald K. Miller(4)$14,000$22,250$36,250
Nelson Obus$43,500$29,983$9,990$83,473  $ 64,000   $ 39,992    $ 103,992 
Rene J. Robichaud$42,500$39,996$82,496  $ 49,705   $ 39,992    $   89,697 
Robert R. Gilmore$46,250$19,987$19,989$86,226  $ 59,001     $ 39,999  $   99,000 
____________________
(1)Includes amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors for the accounts of Messrs. Brown, Butler, Helfet, Obus, Robichaud and Gilmore in the amounts of $30,625, $42,500$1,332, $786, $3,237, $21,875, $49,705 and $10,000,$19,001, respectively. Messrs. Obus, Robichaud and Gilmore all elected to defer their deferred fees to the stock credit account.
 
(2)As of January 31, 2010,2011, the Company had aggregate outstanding unvested restricted stock awards to non-employee directors in the amounts of 4,157, 2,217, 1,662, 2,2172,948, 1,572, 1,572, 1572 and 1,1081,572 shares held by Messrs. Brown, Butler, Helfet, Obus Robichaud and Gilmore,Robichaud, respectively.  The amount reported in this column is equal to the grant date fair value computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718 for each stock award.
 
(3)As of January 31, 2010,2011, the Company had aggregate outstanding option awards to non-employee directors in the amounts of 13,000, 13,030, 9,000, 10,007, 3,000 and 5,0157,736 options held by Messrs. Brown, Butler, Helfet, Obus, Robichaud and Gilmore, respectively.  The amount reported in this column is equal to the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718 for each stock award.
(4)Mr. Donald K. Miller retired from the Board on June 3, 2009.
 
Meetings of the Board and Committees
 
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, the Board of Directors of Layne Christensen held foureight meetings.  All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of the Board of Directors on which they served which were held during such fiscal year and during the period which such director served.  It should be noted that the Company's directors discharge their responsibilities throughout the year, not only at such Board of Directors and committee meetings, but through personal meetings and other communications with members of management and others regarding matters of interest and concern to the Company.
 
The Company has a policy encouraging its directors to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All directors attended our 2010 Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee.
 
Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to the oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company's financial statements, financial reporting process and internal control system; (ii) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) the independent registered public accounting firm qualifications and independence; (iv) the performance of the Company's internal audit function and its independent auditors and (v) the system of internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures established by management. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and the terms of their engagement, reviewing the Company's policies and procedures with respect to internal auditing, accounting, financial and disclosure controls and reviewing the scope and results of audits and any auditor recommendations. The Audit Committee held fiveeight meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, in addition to personal meetings and other communications conducted throughout the year with members of management and each other regarding issues within the committee's area of responsibility. The Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company's website under the heading "Governance” on the Investor Relations page (http:(http://investor.laynechristensen.com/governance.cfm)governance.cfm).  The current members of the Audit Committee are Robert R. Gilmore (Chairperson), Anthony B. Helfet, J. Samuel Butler and Nelson Obus.  All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent within the meaning of SEC Regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards.  The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and that all such members are financially literate and have experience in finance or accounting resulting in their financial sophistication within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Report of the Audit Committee for fiscal year 20102011 appears below.
THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SOLICITING MATERIAL AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED FILED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY OTHER COMPANY FILING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE COMPANY SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS REPORT BY REFERENCE THEREIN.
 


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
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The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other company filing under the securities act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference therein.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of independent directors as required by and in compliance with the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.
 
The functions of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter.  One of the Audit Committee’s principle functions is overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.  Management of the Company has the primary responsibility for the Company’s financial reporting process, principles and internal controls as well as preparation of its financial statements.  The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the Company’s financial statements and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of such financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended January 31, 2010,2011, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee also discussed the status of the Company’s ongoing internal investigation of certain transactions and payments in Africa that potentially implicate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with the outside counsel conducting such investigation.  The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), including those matters set forth in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114, as amended and adopted by Rule 3200T.  The independent registered public accounting firm has provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by Rule 3526 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Audit Committee has discussed with the auditors their independence from the Company.  The Audit Committee has also considered whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of information technology and other non-audit services to the Company is compatible with maintaining the registered public accounting firm’s independence.  The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent from the Company and its management.
 
Based on the reports and discussions described above, the Audit Committee has approved the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements and Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.
 
Respectfully submitted on April 1, 2010,11, 2011, by the members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:
 
Robert R. Gilmore, Chairman
J. Samuel Butler,  Anthony B. Helfet,  Nelson Obus

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
 
The Company's Board of Directors created a Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (the "Nominating Committee") on February 16, 2004. In, in accordance with the process described below under the heading "Selection of Board Nominees," the Nominating Committee identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Company's Board of Directors, recommends to the Board proposed nominees for Board membership, recommends to the Board directors to serve on each standing committee of the Board and assists the Board in developing and overseeing corporate governance guidelines.  The Nominating Committee’s evaluation of director nominees takes into account their ability to contribute to the diversity of age, background and experience represented on the Board, and the Nominating Committee reviews its effectiveness in balancing these considerations when assessing the composition of the Board.  The charter of the Nominating Committee is available on the Company's website under the heading "Governance” on the Investor Relations page (http:(http://investor.laynechristensen.com/governance.cfm)governance.cfm).  The Nominating Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, in addition to personal meetings and other communications conducted throughout the year with members of management and each other regarding issues within the committee's area of responsibility. The current members of the Nominating Committee are J. Samuel Butler (Chairperson), David A. B. Brown and Rene J. Robichaud.  All of the members of the Nominating Committee are independent within the meaning of SEC regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards.
 

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Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee establishes annual and long-term performance goals and objectives for the Company's management, evaluates the performance of management and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation and benefits of the Company's executive officers and the members of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee also administers certain of the Company's incentive plans, including the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.  The charter of the Compensation Committee is available on the Company's website under the heading "Governance” on the Investor Relations page (page (http:http://investor.laynechristensen.com/governance.cfm)governance.cfm).  The current members of the Compensation Committee are Anthony B. Helfet (Chairperson), David A.B. Brown, Nelson Obus and Rene J. Robichaud.  All of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of SEC regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards.  The Compensation Committee met threetwo times during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, in addition to personal meetings and other communications conducted throughout the year with members of management and each other regarding compensation issues within the committee's area of responsibility.
 
Selection of Board Nominees
 
The Nominating Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and stockholders.  A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should notify the Company's Secretary in writing with whatever supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate or that is required by the Company's bylaws relating to stockholder nominations as described below under the heading "Advance Notice Procedures."  The Company's Secretary will forward the information to the members of the Nominating Committee, who will consider whether to nominate any person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the provisions of the proxy rules, the Company's bylaws, the Company's Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and the director selection procedures established by the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee.
 
Once the Nominating Committee has identified a prospective nominee candidate, the Committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate.  This initial determination is based on the information provided to the Nominating Committee with the recommendation of the prospective candidate, as well as the Nominating Committee's own knowledge of the candidate.  This information may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others.  The preliminary determination is based primarily on the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the prospective nominee can satisfy the criteria and qualifications described below.  If the Nominating Committee determines, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and other Board members as appropriate, that additional consideration is warranted, the Nominating Committee then evaluates the prospective nominees against the criteria and qualifications set out in the Nominating Committee's Charter.  Such criteria and qualifications  include:


  • the prospective nominee's commitment to the long-term growth and profitability of the Company; and
  • the prospective nominee's ability to qualify as an independent director as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards.
a general understanding of management, marketing, accounting, finance and other elements relevant to the Company's success in today's business environment;
an understanding of the principal operational, financial and other plans, strategies and objectives of the Company;
an understanding of the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company and its significant business segments for recent periods;
an understanding of the relative standing of the Company's significant business segments vis-à-vis competitors;
the educational and professional background of the prospective candidate;
the prospective nominee's standards of personal and professional integrity;
the demonstrated ability and judgment necessary to work effectively with other members of the Board to serve the long-term interests of the stockholders;
the extent of the prospective nominee's business or public experience that is relevant and beneficial to the Board and the Company;
the prospective nominee's willingness and ability to make a sufficient time commitment to the affairs of the Company in order to effectively perform the duties of a director, including regular attendance at Board and committee meetings;
the prospective nominee's commitment to the long-term growth and profitability of the Company; and
the prospective nominee's ability to qualify as an independent director as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards.
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However, as determining the specific qualifications or criteria against which to evaluate the fitness or eligibility of potential director candidates is necessarily dynamic and an evolving process, the Board believes that it is not always in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders to attempt to create an exhaustive list of such qualifications or criteria.  Appropriate flexibility is needed to evaluate all relevant facts and circumstances in context of the needs of the Board and the Company at a particular point in time.
 
The Nominating Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition and diversity of age, background and experience of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the need for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees.  In connection with this evaluation, the Nominating Committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Nominating Committee, and others as appropriate, interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone.  After completing this evaluation and interview, the Nominating Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Nominating Committee.
 
Leadership Structure of the Board
 
The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines do not require the separation of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as the Board believes that an effective board leadership structure can be highly dependent on the experience, skills and personal interaction between persons in leadership roles.  Since 1992, the Company has separated the positions of chairman and chief executive officer.  David A. B. Brown serves as the independent chairman and Andrew B. Schmitt serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer.  The Board believes this structure provides strong leadership for the Board, while also positioning the Chief Executive Officer as the leader of the Company in the eyes of our customers, employees and other stakeholders.  The Board also believes that this structure has afforded the Company an effective combination of internal and external experience, continuity and independence that has served the Board and the Company well.
 
Communications with the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has approved a formal policy for stockholders to send communications to the Board or its individual members. Stockholders can send communications to the Board and specified individual Directors by mailing a letter to the attention of the Board or a specific Director (c/o the General Counsel) at Layne Christensen Company, 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, Kansas 66205 or by sending a message through the Company's website at http://www.laynechristensen.com/contactus.html.
Upon receipt of a communication for the Board or an individual Director, the General Counsel will promptly forward any such communication to all the members of the Board or the individual Director, as appropriate. If a communication to an individual Director deals with a matter regarding the Company, the General Counsel will forward the communication to the entire Board, as well as the individual Director. Neither the Board nor a specific Director is required to respond to stockholder communications and when responding shall do so only in compliance with the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Risk Oversight
 
The Board considers oversight of Layne Christensen's risk management efforts to be a responsibility of the entire Board. The Board’s role in risk oversight includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, or to the success of a particular project or endeavor under consideration, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. The full Board (or the appropriate Committee, in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular Committee) receives these reports from the appropriate members of management to enable the Board (or Committee) to understand the Company's risk identification, risk management, and risk mitigation strategies. When a report is vetted at the Committee level, the chairperson of that Committee subsequently reports on the matter to the full Board. This enables the Board and its Committees to coordinate the Board’s risk oversight role. The Board also believes that risk management is an integral part of Layne Christensen's annual strategic planning process, which addresses, among other things, the risks and opportunities facing the Company.
 
Part of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities, as set forth in its charter, is to review with corporate management, the independent auditors and the internal auditors, if applicable, any legal matters, risks or exposures that could have a significant impact on the financial statements and the steps management has taken to minimize the Company’s exposure.  In this regard, Layne Christensen's Internal Audit Director prepares annually a comprehensive risk assessment report and reviews that report with the Audit Committee. This report identifies the material business risks for the Company, and identifies the Company's internal controls that respond to and mitigate those risks. The Company's management regularly evaluates these controls, and the Audit Committee is provided regular updates regarding the effectiveness of the controls. The Audit Committee regularly reports to the full Board.
 


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Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies
In March 2011, the Company conducted a risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices.  The Company’s compensation policies and practices were evaluated to ensure that they do not foster risk-taking above the level of risk associated with the Company’s business model.  The Company considered the design and operation of its compensation arrangements, including the performance objectives and target levels used in connection with incentive awards, and evaluated the relationship between the Company’s risk management and these arrangements.  The results of the assessment were then reported to the Compensation Committee.  Based on this assessment, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company has a balanced pay and performance program that does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking and that any risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Other Corporate Governance Matters
 
All of the members of the Board are independent within the meaning of SEC regulations and the Nasdaq listing standards, with the exception of Andrew B. Schmitt and Jeffrey J. Reynolds.  Mr. Schmitt and Mr. Reynolds are considered inside directors because of their employment as executives of the Company.
 
Transactions with Management/Related Party Transactions
 
The Company considers any transaction that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K to be a related-party transaction.  To date, the Company has not adopted a formal written policy with respect to related-party transactions.  However, the Company has established an informal, unwritten policy whereby all such related-party transactions are reported to, and approved by, the full Board of Directors (other than any interested Director).
 
The Company was not a party to any transactions with any directors or executive officers of the Company during the last fiscal year requiring disclosure under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     On November 25, 2003, theThe Company adoptedhas a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors and employees of the Company, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and controller.  The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available free of charge on the Company's website under the heading "Governance” on the Investor Relations page (http:(http://investor.laynechristensen.com/governance.cfm)governance.cfm).
 
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISCompensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Objectives of Compensation ProgramExecutive Summary
 
     The objectives of our executiveOur compensation program for the five "Namedour Chief Executive Officers"Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers listed on page 17 (the13 (which we refer to collectively as our "Executives") are:
  To achieve these objectives, our executive compensation program emphasizes performance-based incentive compensation under our annual incentive compensation plan and our long-term equity incentive plan payable through stock-based awards, which expose executives to the risks of downside stock prices and provide an incentive for them to maximize stockholder value.
Our Compensation Committee (the "Committee") is responsible for establishing and overseeing the administration of annual and long-term performance goals for our Executives, as well as setting the overall compensation philosophy for the Company, subject to approval by the Board.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, stock-based awards were granted to the Executives taking into account the recommendations of the Company’s third-party compensation consultant, the general economic environment that existed at that time and the Company’s forecasted performance for fiscal 2011.  The Committee set the incentive compensation targets for fiscal 2011 at the same time based on the same factors.
Based on our overall financial performance, business unit performances and the individual performance of each of our Executives, in early fiscal 2012, the Committee approved the maximum level of awards (subject to Board discretion) for each of our Executives for fiscal 2011 under our annual incentive compensation plan.
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The remainder of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses the following topics in greater detail:
the objectives of our compensation program;
the role others play in designing and implementing our compensation program, including compensation consultants, peer groups and our Chief Executive Officer;
the components of compensation for our Executives, including the determination of base salary, annual bonuses under our annual incentive compensation plan and equity grants under our long-term equity incentive plan; and
the manner in which the Company addresses Internal Revenue Code limits on deductibility of compensation.
The compensation tables appear immediately following this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Objectives of Compensation Program
The objectives of our executive compensation program for our Executives are:
to attract and retain top-quality executives;
to tie annual and long-term equity incentives to achievement of measurable corporate, business unit and individual performance objectives; and
to align the Executives' incentives with stockholder value creation.
To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") implements and maintains compensation plans that tie a significant portion of the Executives' overall compensation to our financial performance. The Committee generally believes that the Company's total compensation program should be set at, or near, the 50th percentile of competitive general industry companies.
 
Role of Compensation Consultants
 
The Committee engaged the third-party compensation consulting firm of Towers Perrin in 2007 and 2008. In its June 2007 report, Towers Perrin (i) performed a competitive review and analysis of base salary and other components of the Company's compensation program, relative to survey market data and the Company's identified peer group, and (ii) advised the Committee on its annual incentive plan design. In its August 2008 report, Towers Perrin built upon its 2007 analysis, assessing the competitiveness of pay for the top eight members of the corporate staff, as well as 13 executive positions at the business unit level.
 
In its 2007 study, Towers Perrin performed a competitive review and analysis of the base salary and other components of the Company’s compensation program. Towers Perrin compiled actual competitive salary data from two sources: general industry survey data from Towers Perrin's 2006 Executive Compensation Database and proxy data from peer group companies selected from industries comparable to the Company.
 
In its 2008 study, Towers Perrin compiled actual competitive salary data from two sources: general industry survey data from Towers Perrin's 2007 Executive Compensation Database, and proxy data from an updated list of peer group companies selected from industries comparable to the Company. The 2008 Towers Perrin report contained detailed information about base salaries, total cash compensation (base salary plus annual incentives), target annual incentives (as a percentage of base salary), the value of long-term incentives, and total direct compensation for all of the Executives, as well as Towers Perrin’s overall findings and recommendations. Towers Perrin also compared year-over-year changes in market data for Executives who were included in the 2007 study. The Committee considered the information and recommendations of Towers Perrin, but all decisions on executive compensation were made solely by the Committee.Committee taking into account variations in job responsibilities, experience and overall job performance.
 


Towers Perrin advised the Committee to place more emphasis on the general industry survey data, rather than the Company’s peer group, when making compensation decisions for the Executives because (i) the Company’s diverse mix of business and holding-company-type structure is difficult to capture within a peer group; and (ii) the general industry data provides a larger sample of companies and can be adjusted to the Company’s size using regression analysis. Towers Perrin told the Committee, however, that the peer group data provides valuable additional perspective on compensation and human resource issues, such as severance policies and succession planning.
 
While compiling its June 2007 and August 2008 reports, Towers Perrin took direction from the Committee, but also worked with the Company's Vice President of Human Resources to learn about our business operations and the job responsibilities of each of the Executives. For its June 2007 report, Towers Perrin also conducted background interviews with the Executives to obtain additional background information about the business and operations of the Company. Mr. Schmitt and Mr. Fanska also attended Committee meetings in fiscal 2008 where Towers Perrin was present.
 
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Due to the significant work that Towers Perrin had recently performed and the Committee's decision to generally not make any changes to base salaries for the Executives for fiscal 2010,2011, the Committee engaged Towers Perrin to provide only limited advice with respect to the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for fiscal 2010.2011. Towers Perrin recommended that the Committee should set the performance targets and payout amounts under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for fiscal 2011 in a manner consistent with prior years.
 
For fiscal 2012, the Committee has engaged the third-party compensation consulting firm of Pay Governance to (i) perform a competitive review and analysis of executive officer base salary and other components of the Company's compensation program, relative to survey market data and the Company's identified peer group, (ii) advise the Committee with respect to evaluating whether any changes should be made to the Company's identified peer group and (iii) advise the Committee on its annual incentive plan design.
Role of the Peer Group
 
In its August 2008 report, Towers Perrin provided the Committee with proxy data for 21 peer companies. The peer group data provided additional insights regarding competitive pay data and pay mix. Towers Perrin selected the group of peer companies on the basis of comparable size and operating activities to the Company. All of the peer group companies had a significant portion of revenues in drilling or drilling-related businesses. The peer group companies were:
 
Hecla Mining Co.SJW Corp.
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp.Sterling Construction Co. Inc.
Stillwater Mining Co.Insituform Technologies Inc.
Parker Drilling Co.AMCOL International Corp.
St. Mary Land & Exploration Co.Penn Virginia Corp.
Grey Wolf Inc.Unit Corp.
Cimarex Energy Co.Newfield Exploration Co.
Calgon Carbon Corp.Team Inc.
Michael Baker Corp.Perini Corp.
Pioneer Drilling Co.Helmerich & Payne Inc.
Southwest Water Co.

Since the Committee did not generally increase the Executive's base salaries or incentive compensation for fiscal 2010,2011, the Committee determined that it was not necessary to engage Towers Perrin to provide a peer group comparison during the fiscal year.
 
Role of Executive Officers
 
Mr. Schmitt submitted written compensation recommendations to the Committee for each of the Executives. Based on the general business climate and outlook for the Company, Mr. Schmitt recommended that the Company make no salary increases for the second year in a row for any Executive, other thanExecutive.  Mr. Reynolds as discussed below under "—Compensation Components—Base Salary.”was the only Executive to receive a salary increase in the prior fiscal year.  In addition, Mr. Schmitt recommended additional subjective performance criteria for himself and each of the other Executives to be taken into account when deciding the actual cash incentive awards to be paid to each Executive.  Mr. Schmitt also recommended that the Company's long-term equity incentive grants be comprised entirely of 50% stock options in order to provide a more competitive incentive for the Executives in the current economic environment.and 50% restricted stock. Mr. Schmitt regularly attendedattends meetings of the Committee, in 2009 and 2010, but is not a member of the Committee and does not vote on Committee matters. Mr. Schmitt, however, was not present for certain portions of Committee meetings, such as when the Committee held executive sessions or discussed his individual compensation.
 
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Compensation Components
 
Our compensation program consists of the following components:
 
Base Salary. The Committee recommends, and the Board approves, a base salary for each Executive based on his scope of responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. The Committee annually reviews base salaries, and recommends adjustments from time to time to realign our salaries with market levels after taking into account individual performance, responsibilities, experience, autonomy, strategic perspectives and marketability, as well as the recommendation of the chief executive officer.
 
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Generally, the Committee believes that Executive base salaries should be targeted at, or slightly above, the 50th percentile for executives at competitive general industry companies in similar positions and with similar responsibilities. As shown in the table below, however, because of currentthe challenging economic conditions and the outlook for the Company in early fiscal 2011, the Committee, based on Mr. Schmitt's recommendation, recommended to the Board that fiscal 20102011 base salaries of the Executives not be increased, except for Mr. Reynolds. With respect to Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Schmitt recommended a salary increase effective July 1, 2009, based on Towers Perrin’s prior year recommendation as to the appropriate salary for Mr. Reynolds, his increased job responsibilities resulting from recent business acquisitions and the commencement of his participation in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for fiscal year 2010 in lieu of the Reynolds, Inc. Cash Bonus Plan. The Committee agreed with Mr. Schmitt's recommendation and recommended to the Board a salary increase for Mr. Reynolds.increased. The Board approved the Committee's recommendations with respect to the Executive's salaries for fiscal 2010.2011. The table below sets forth the Executives base salaries for 20092010 and 2010.2011.
 
Executive           Fiscal 2009           Fiscal 2010 Fiscal 2010  Fiscal 2011 
Andrew B. Schmitt, President and Chief Executive Officer$620,000$620,000  $ 620,000   $ 620,000 
Jerry W. Fanska, Senior Vice President—Finance $365,000 $365,000  $ 365,000   $ 365,000 
Jeffrey J. Reynolds, Executive Vice President of Operations$247,000$350,000
Jeffrey J. Reynolds, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  $ 350,000   $ 350,000 
Steven F. Crooke, Senior Vice President—General Counsel$310,000$310,000  $ 310,000   $ 310,000 
Eric R. Despain, Senior Vice President and President, Mineral Exploration Division$300,000$300,000
Eric R. Despain, President—Mineral Exploration Division  $ 300,000   $ 300,000 

Annual Incentives.
 
Targets for Fiscal 20102011
 
Our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is intended to provide additional incentives for Executives to promote the best interests and profitable operation of the Company. All of the Executives participated in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in fiscal 2010.2011.
 
The Committee believes, based on competitive market information provided by Towers Perrin, that the award determination method under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan should provide larger increases in bonus compensation (expressed as a percentage of base salary) if the Executives exceed established targets and larger decreases in bonus compensation if the Executives fail to meet established targets. In setting the targets, the Committee considered information in the Company’s business plans and preliminary recommendations from Mr. Schmitt. For Messrs.Mr. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds and Crooke, the Committee based the annual incentive on the achievement of targeted Company consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) of $38,615,000.$34,145,000. For Messrs. Fanska, Reynolds and Crooke, the Committee based the annual incentive on the achievement of targeted Company consolidated EBIT of $27,972,000.  The EBIT target for Mr. Schmitt was increased by $6,173,000 for additional stretch projections for the Minerals Exploration Division.  The EBIT target for Messrs Fanska, Reynolds and Crooke assumed a spot natural gas price of $5.50 per Mcf and actual results were adjusted to the extent that actual average natural gas sales prices for the year were more or less than $5.50 per Mcf.  For Mr. Despain, the Committee based the annual incentive on the achievement of targeted mineralminerals exploration division EBIT of $9,493,000.$13,091,000, excluding the Company's share of after tax earnings for the Company's Latin American affiliates.
 
If Mr. Schmitt achieved 100% of his target goal, his incentive award under the plan would be 80% of his base salary. If Mr. Schmitt achieved more than 100% of his target goal, then for each 1% increase above the target, Mr. Schmitt’s base salary percentage would be increased by 5% but his base salary percentage cannot be increased by more than 100%. If Mr. Schmitt achieved less than 100% of his target goal, then for each 1% decrease below the target, the 80% base salary percentage would be decreased by 2.5%, but if Mr. Schmitt achieves 80% or less of the target, his base salary percentage would be zero.
 
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For each Executive other than Mr. Schmitt, if he achieved 100% of his target goals, his incentive award under the plan would be 60% of his base salary. If he achieved more than 100% of his target goals, then for each 1% increase above the target goals, the Executive’s base salary percentage would be increased by 5%, but such base salary percentage cannot be increased by more than 100%. If such Executive achieved less than 100% of his target goals, then for each 1% decrease below the targets, the 60% base salary percentage would be decreased by 2.5%; provided, however that if the Executive achieved 80% or less of the targets, his base salary percentage would be zero.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of the incentive compensation award for fiscal 20102011 for each Executive under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan could have been increased or decreased in the sole discretion of the Committee (acting on behalf of the Board) by an amount not greater than one third50% of the incentive compensation award.  In making decisions whether to increase or decrease an incentive compensation award for an individual Executive, the Committee took into account the Executive’s performance relative to their subjective performance criteria and determined not to make any such adjustments.
 
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Incentive compensation awards may be paid in the form of cash, common stock or a combination of both, in the discretion of the Committee (acting on behalf of the Board), and are based on an Executive's performance during the fiscal year as compared to the targets, although Executives may choose to defer all or a portion of their incentive compensation awards under this plan. This deferral option is separate from deferrals that may be made under the Company's Key Management Deferred Compensation Plan described below. If an Executive elects to defer such an award under this plan, the Executive will not be entitled to receive his deferred amount for six months after separation from service. In the event an Executive's employment with the Company terminates (for reasons other than retirement, disability or death) said termination being instituted by the Executive or by the Company for cause, prior to the close of a fiscal year, such Executive shall not be entitled to any incentive compensation award for that fiscal year.
 
If an Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, the Executive will not be entitled to an incentive compensation award for that fiscal year, unless such termination is by the Company without cause or because of the Executive's retirement, disability or death. In such event, the Executive shall be entitled to an incentive compensation award, pro ratedprorated as of the date of termination.
 
Awards for Fiscal 20102011
 
In January and March of 2010,2011, the Committee discussed fiscal 20102011 awards under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.  TheBased on the Company’s performance during the fiscal year, the Committee discussedapproved incentive compensation payments at the impact of two items that negatively affectedmaximum level provided for under the Company's performance that were largely outside the control of management: (i) low natural gas prices during fiscal 2010, which resulted in a non-cash impairment charge to the Company's earnings and (2) the expense due to the termination during fiscal 2010 of the Company's defined benefit pension plan for hourly employees.Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
     The impairment charge resulted from the application of the “ceiling test” under the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas operations. Under full cost accounting requirements, the carrying value of the Company’s oil and gas properties is limited to the present value of expected after-tax net future cash flows of proved reserves using a 10% discount rate based on average monthly prices during the period and costs at the end of the period, plus the cost of unevaluated oil and gas properties (i.e., the cost center ceiling).
     A ceiling test charge occurs when the carrying value of the oil and gas properties exceeds the cost center ceiling. The Company’s impairment charge was primarily attributable to lower average monthly prices for natural gas for fiscal 2010 compared to natural gas prices at January 31, 2009. The ceiling test impairment charge is a non-cash item.
     During fiscal 2010, the Company decided to terminate its frozen defined benefit pension plan for its hourly workers. At the time of termination, the pension plan was under-funded and the Company incurred an expense in order to fully fund the defined benefit pension plan and to recognize previously deferred costs as part of the termination.
Mr. Fanska advised the Committee that without the ceiling test impairment charge and the expense associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plan, each of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds and Crooke achieved 92.2% of his target goal. With the ceiling test impairment charge and the expense associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plan, none of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds or Crooke would have achieved 80% of their target goals and as a result would not receive a bonus. Mr. Despain was not impacted by the ceiling test impairment charge or the expense associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plan, because his targets were based solely on the performance of the Company's mineral exploration division. Mr. Despain did not achieve 80% of his target goals even if those two items were ignored and as a result would not receive a bonus.


     The Committee then considered and discussed the ceiling test impairment charge, the expense associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plan, the Company's EBIT as measured against the Company's business plan, and the performance of the Executives, as described by Mr. Schmitt. The Committee then considered and agreed to recommend to the Board the payment of a discretionary bonus to the Executives which in the aggregate approximated the bonus they would have earned if the Company did not have a ceiling test impairment charge or the expense associated with the termination of the defined benefit pension plan, since those items were largely outside the Executive's control. Mr. Schmitt noted the contributions of Mr. Despain in managing the economic downturn and moving quickly to reduce costs during fiscal 2010 and recommended that the Committee authorize a discretionary bonus to Mr. Despain. The Committee discussed and accepted this proposal and then unanimously agreed to recommend that the Board approve the payment of discretionary bonuses in the table below.
The Board approved the Committee’s recommended discretionary bonus paymentsincentive compensation awards for fiscal 20102011 on March 26, 2010,30, 2011, and the Executives received the following amounts in cash (except for Messrs. ReynoldsFanska and Fanska,Reynolds, who deferred a portion of their bonuses, as explained in footnote (2)(4) to the Summary Compensation Table on page 18 below):
 
ExecutiveTotal Bonus Award
Andrew B. Schmitt, CEOPresident and Chief Executive Officer$363,362 992,000
Jerry W. Fanska, Senior Vice President—Finance$ 438,000
Jeffrey J. Reynolds, Executive Vice President of OperationsPresident—Chief Operating Officer$140,505
Jerry W. Fanska, CFO 420,000$176,465
Steven F. Crooke, Senior Vice President—General Counsel$149,874 372,000
Eric R. Despain, Senior Vice PresidentPresident—Mineral Exploration Division$ 50,000360,000
 
Equity Compensation
 
The Committee believes that aligning the interests of stockholders and its Executives is achieved through ownership of stock-based awards, such as stock options and restricted stock, which exposeexposes Executives to the risks of downsidelower stock prices and provideprovides an incentive for Executives to maximize stockholder value.
 
2006 Equity Incentive Plan
 
Awards under the Company's 2006 Equity Plan are designed to encourage Executives to acquire a proprietary and vested interest in the growth and performance of the Company, as well as to assist the Company in attracting and retaining Executives by providing them with the opportunity to participate in the success and profitability of the Company. The 2006 Equity Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units.
 
Fiscal 20102011 Grants under 2006 Equity Plan
 
In fiscal 2008, Towers Perrin recommended to the Committee that the Company adopt a framework to make equity grants on an annual basis to certain key employees. The Committee would grant awards of both stock options and performance-contingent restricted stock in amounts initially established (but subject to the Committee's discretion to modify) on objective long-term incentive plan targets with 50% of the total long-term incentive target level of award made in stock options and 50% of the total long-term incentive level of award made in performance-contingent restricted stock.
 
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Towers Perrin recommended that the stock options vest ratably over three years, while the performance-contingent restricted stock have a three-year cliff vesting if the Executives achieve certain preestablishedpre-established performance metrics. Towers Perrin also recommended that the performance metrics be tied to the achievement of a corporate return on net assets ("RONA") threshold recommended by the Committee and approved by the Board based on average RONA over the entire three-year period beginning on February 1 of the year the performance-contingent restricted stock is granted.
 
At a meeting in January 2009,February 2010, the Committee reviewed the 2008 recommended proposals provided by Towers Perrin and based on the recommendations ofCompany’s forecasted performance for fiscal 2011 and modifications proposed by management of the Company (including Mr. Schmitt). The Committee determined that because ofthen current economic conditions, and in order to provide a competitive incentivethe Committee reduced the value of the long-term equity awards to the Executives the entire long-term incentive award would be granted in the form of stock options and that the amount of the awards for fiscal 2010 would be the same as for fiscal 2009.2011 by 15%.
 
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Stock Options. The Committee recommended, and the Board approved, grants of nonqualified stock options under the 2006 Equity Plan to the following Executives for the purchase of that number of shares of Company common stock determined by dividing the Option Long-Term Incentive Amount set forth opposite the respective Executive's name by the value of such option determined by the Company's option pricing model as of February 1, 200919, 2010 (the date of grant).
 
Name of Executive       Option Long-Term Incentive Amount
A.B. Schmitt$  880,000 
J.W. Fanska$440,000
J.J. Reynolds$  410,000
S.F. Crooke$  325,000
E.R. Despain$  250,000

     Due to a limited number of shares being available for issuance under the 2006 Equity Plan, each such grant was prorated based on each Executive's individual award of stock options as compared to the total award of long-term equity compensation to all employees and the non-employee directors. As a result, the Executives initially received stock option shares for approximately 50% of the incentive award amounts shown above. Following the stockholders approval at the 2009 Annual Meeting of an amendment to the 2006 Equity Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance, the Company made additional stock option grants in June 2009 so that the Executives received the full value of their incentive awards.
Name of ExecutiveOption Long-Term Incentive Amount
Andrew B. Schmitt$ 374,000
Jerry W. Fanska$ 187,000
Jeffrey J. Reynolds$ 174,250
Steven F. Crooke$ 138,125
Eric R. Despain$ 106,250
 
The Committee recommended, and the Board approved, an exercise price for such options in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2006 Equity Plan) of the Company's common stock as of the date of grant, with vesting to occur over a period of three (3) years from the date of grant. The nonqualified stock options granted under the 2006 Equity Plan expire 10ten years from the date of grant. If the Executive's employment is terminated for cause, the option will be forfeited as of the time of the Executive's removal. If the Executive resigns or is terminated by the Company without cause, the Executive may exercise vested options for a period of 30 days following his termination. If the Executive dies or is disabled, the option may be exercised for a period of 90 days following termination of employment. Upon an Executive's qualified retirement (defined as a termination of all employment after age 60 and after having accrued at least five years of service with the Company), all unvested stock options would become exercisable and would continue to be exercisable until the earlier of the third anniversary of the Executive's retirement or the expiration of the option's original term.
 
     AlthoughRestricted Shares.  The Committee also recommended, and the Board approved, grants of performance-contingent restricted shares of Company common stock options represent fixed Company costs regardlessdetermined by dividing the Restricted Stock Incentive Amount set forth opposite the respective Executive's name by the closing stock price as of February 19, 2010 (the date of grant).
Name of ExecutiveRestricted Stock Incentive Amount
Andrew B. Schmitt$ 374,000
Jerry W. Fanska$ 187,000
Jeffrey J. Reynolds$ 174,250
Steven F. Crooke$ 138,125
Eric R. Despain$ 106,250
The restricted shares will vest as set forth below:
Average RONA for the Three Years
Ending January 31, 2013, Equals or Exceeds
Percentage of Restricted Shares Vesting
 6% 20%
 7% 40%
 8% 60%
 9% 80%
 10% 100%
Upon an Executive's qualified retirement (defined as a termination of all employment after age 60 and after having accrued at least five years of service with the Company), the Executive will receive a pro-rata portion of the actual value to Executives,restricted stock (depending on the Committee believed that intime of his retirement) if the current economic environment, stock options would provide a more effective incentive to the Executive than performance-vesting restricted shares.requisite performance metrics are satisfied.
 
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Benefits. Our employees who meet minimum service requirements are entitled to receive medical, dental, life and short-term and long-term disability insurance benefits and may participate in a capital accumulation plan, as described below. Such benefits are provided equally to all Company employees, other than where benefits are provided pro rata based on the respective Executive's salary (such as the level of disability insurance coverage).
 
Capital Accumulation Plan. The Company has adopted a capital accumulation plan (the "Capital Accumulation Plan"). Each of the Company's executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers,Executives, and substantially all other employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the Capital Accumulation Plan. The Capital Accumulation Plan is a defined contribution plan qualified under Section 401, including Section 401(k), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Capital Accumulation Plan provides for two methods of Company contributions, a Company matching contribution tied to and contingent upon participant deferrals and a Company profit sharing contribution which is not contingent upon participant deferrals. The amount, if any, of Company paid contributions, both matching and profit sharing, for each fiscal year under the Capital Accumulation Plan is determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion. Each eligible employee meeting certain service requirements and electing to defer a portion of his or her compensation under the Capital Accumulation Plan participates in the Company's matching contribution program pursuant to a formula as designated by the Board of Directors. Currently, the Company makes a matching contribution that is equal to 100% of a participant's salary deferrals that do not exceed 3% of the participant's compensation plus 50% of a participant's salary deferrals between 3% and 5% of the participant's compensation. This form of matching contribution qualifies as what is known as a "safe harbor" matching contribution under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In addition, each eligible employee meeting certain service requirements participates in Company profit sharing contributions to the Capital Accumulation Plan in the proportion his or her eligible compensation bears to the aggregate compensation of the group participating in the Capital Accumulation Plan. At the option of the Board of Directors, all or any portion of Company contributions to this plan may be made in the Company's common stock. Furthermore, each participant can voluntarily contribute, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of his or her compensation (which cannot exceed $16,500 for participants who are 49 or younger, or $22,000 for participants who are 50 or older, for the calendar year 2009)2010) under the Capital Accumulation Plan. A participant's account will be placed in a trust and invested at the participant's direction in any one or more of a number of available investment options. Each participant may receive the funds in his or her Capital Accumulation Plan account upon termination of employment. For services rendered in fiscal 2010,2011, total Company contributions under the Capital Accumulation Plan of $9,778, $10,065,$9,791, $9,800, $9,800, $9,800 and $9,800 accrued for the accounts of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively.
 
15SERP for Mr. Schmitt.  The Company has agreed to pay Mr. Schmitt an annual retirement benefit pursuant to his SERP.  For additional information, see Executive Compensation and Other Information—Potential Payments Upon Change of Control, Retirement, Death or Disability—SERP for Mr. Schmitt.
 


Deferred Compensation. The Company's Key Management Deferred Compensation Plan was designed to provide additional retirement benefits and income tax deferral opportunities for a select group of management and highly compensated employees. The plan allows such key executives, including the Executives, to defer the receipt of up to 25%50% of base salary and 50%100% of performance-based awards. The Company matches contributions to this plan in an amount determined annually by the Committee, generally based on recommendations from Company management. Currently, the matching contribution is 100% of deferrals up to $5,000. In addition, the Company may make contributions on a discretionary basis. Company contributions to the plan are subject to a five-year vesting schedule, with 50% of all such contributions becoming vested after three years of completed plan participation and 100% of all such contributions becoming vested after five years of completed plan participation.participation or upon a participant turning 60 years of age. However, Company contributions become fully vested if a participant is involuntarily terminated by the Company within one year after a change of control of the Company. If a plan participant is not employed by the Company as of the last day of the plan year other than by reason of his or her retirement, death or disability, the Company contributions, if any, for such plan year shall be zero. In the event of an Executive's retirement, disability or death, he or she shall be credited with the Company contribution, if any, for such plan year.
 
The deferred compensation plan is a nonqualified and unfunded plan, and participants have only an unsecured promise from the Company to pay the amounts when they become due from the general assets of the Company. The Committee offers this benefit to provide Executives with an opportunity to save, on a tax deferred basis, amounts in addition to what they can save under the Company's qualified retirement plans for retirement or future dates. The Committee believes this plan is important as a retention and recruitment tool because most of the companies with which the Company competes for executive talent provide a deferral plan for their executives.
 
Perquisites. The Company believes its executive compensation program described above is sufficient for attracting talented executives and that providing significant perquisites is neither necessary nor in the stockholders' best interests. Accordingly, none of the executive officersExecutives received any perquisites that have a value in the aggregate in excess of $10,000 during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.
 
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Adjustments to Compensation Plan
 
The Company has no formal policy on recapturing salary or incentive awards (equity or cash) granted to an Executive, in the event that the Company were to have to restate its financial statements (whether arising from conduct or actions of the Executive, or otherwise). However, the discretion retained by the Committee to make adjustments in all types of compensation, permits it to decrease an Executive's compensation under such circumstances if such compensation has not already been paid or become final. There is currently no procedure to recover ("claw back") an element of compensation that has been paid and become final.  However, the Company intends to adopt such a policy after the Securities and Exchange Commission adopts final rules related to compensation claw backs pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act.  To date, the Company has never been required to restate its financial statements.
 
Tax and Accounting Treatment of Compensation
 
Deductibility of Compensation. The Committee has taken, and it intends to continue to take, reasonable steps necessary to assure the Company's ability to deduct for federal tax purposes compensation provided to senior executives. However, such steps may not always be practical or consistent with the Committee’s compensation objectives. Given that the earnings limit for deductibility has remained fixed since 1993, and the value of some compensation elements cannot be determined until year-end, there are circumstances in which some executive compensation may not meet tax deductibility requirements. The Company can deduct all of the compensation shown in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2010,2011, excluding the value of equity-based awards which are subject to taxation in a later period.period, other than the portion of Mr. Schmitt’s aggregate salary and bonus in excess of $1 million.
 
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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. Certain of the Company's nonqualified compensation and benefits arrangements, incentive programs and corporate practices (such as severance, relocation and expense reimbursements) are considered nonqualified deferred compensation and subject to IRC Section 409A and the related regulations. In general, Code Section 409A restricts the timing and manner of payment (as well as the timing of participant elections) under these types of taxable compensation programs. The Company has amended these arrangements, programs and practices to cause them to be in compliance with the statutory and regulatory provisions. The changes have no financial impact on the Company, nor do they have any material impact on the way in which it compensates the Executives.
 
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718, which requires the Company to expense the estimated value of certain stock-based compensation.
 
Stock Ownership Guidelines and Hedging Policies
 
The Board has not adopted stock ownership guidelines for executive officers or a policy with respect to hedging the economic risks of stock ownership.
 
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEEReport of the Compensation Committee
 
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement beginning at page 10.
 
Based on the review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for the Company's 20102011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and be incorporated by reference into the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.
 
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
 
Anthony B. Helfet, Chairman
David A.B. Brown,  Rene J. Robichaud,  Nelson Obus
 
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the preceding section. During the most recent fiscal year, no Layne Christensen executive officer served onas a (i) member of the compensation committee (or equivalent), or the board of directors, of another entity, one of whose executive officer(s)officers served on the Company'sCompany’s Compensation Committee.Committee or (ii) member of the compensation committee (or equivalent) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATIONExecutive Compensation and Other Information
 
Executive Compensation
 
The following table sets forth for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively, the compensation of the Company's chief executive officer, chief financial officer and of each of the Company's three other most highly compensated executive officers whose remuneration for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, exceeded $100,000 for services to the Company and its subsidiaries in all capacities (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):
 

Summary Compensation Table
 
Change in
Pension
Non-EquityValue and
IncentiveNonqualified
PlanCompen-All Other
StockOptionCompen-sationCompen-
FiscalSalary(1)Bonus(2) Awards(3)Awards(3)sation(4)Earningssation(6)(7)Total
Name and Principal Position     Year     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)
Andrew B. Schmitt2010$620,000$363,362$879,761$889,130$17,639$2,769,892
President, Chief Executive2009618,462$439,983440,000$562,437353,106(5)26,0472,440,035
Officer and Director2008519,770633,900728,000645,000182,03026,4282,735,128
 
Jerry W. Fanska2010$365,000$176,465$439,880$15,835$997,180
Senior Vice President—2009363,231$219,974219,992$248,33428,5371,080,067
Finance and Treasurer2008249,885316,950364,000238,66926,5291,196,033
 
Jeffrey J. Reynolds2010$319,826$140,505$409,881$16,168$886,380
Executive Vice President2009252,109$375,00024,734651,843
of Operations and Director2008246,350375,00024,598645,948
 
Steven F. Crooke2010$310,000$149,874$324,908$16,373$801,155
Senior Vice President—2009308,692$162,481162,493$210,91425,257869,836
General Counsel and Secretary2008224,885316,950364,000214,80225,1001,145,737
 
Eric R. Despain2010$300,000$50,000$249,934$19,156$619,090
Senior Vice President2009299,230$97,48897,486$272,09827,286793,588
2008249,885316,950250,00026,346843,181
                   Change in       
                   Pension       
                Non-Equity  Value and       
                Incentive  Nonqualified       
                Plan  Compen-  All Other    
          Stock  Option  Compen-  sation  Compen-    
  Fiscal 
Salary(1)
  
Bonus(2)
  
Awards(3)
  
Awards(3)
  
sation(4)
  Earnings  
sation(6)(7)
  Total 
Name and Principal Position Year ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($) 
                           
Andrew B. Schmitt 2011  $620,000      $  74,800   $374,000   $992,000   $675,207   $19,344   $2,755,350 
President, Chief Executive 2010  620,000   $363,362      879,761      889,130   17,639   2,769,892 
Officer and Director 2009  618,462      439,983   440,000   562,437   353,106(5)  26,047   2,440,035 
                                   
Jerry W. Fanska 2011  $365,000      $  37,400   $186,992   $438,000      $21,686   $1,049,077 
Senior Vice President— 2010  365,000   $176,465      439,880         15,835   997,180 
Finance and Treasurer 2009  363,231      219,974   219,992   248,334      28,537   1,080,067 
                                   
Jeffrey J. Reynolds 2011  $350,000      $  34,849   $174,257   $420,000      $15,613   $   994,718 
Executive Vice President, Chief 2010  319,826   $140,505      409,881         16,168   886,380 
Operating Officer and Director 2009  252,109            375,000      24,734   651,843 
                                   
Steven F. Crooke 2011  $310,000      $  27,623   $138,132   $372,000      $18,373   $   866,129 
Senior Vice President— 2010  310,000   $149,874      324,908         16,373   801,155 
General Counsel and Secretary 2009  308,692      162,481   162,493   210,914      25,257   869,836 
                                   
Eric R. Despain 2011  $300,000      $  21,248   $106,247   $360,000      $20,906   $   808,401 
Division President— 2010  300,000   $  50,000      249,934         19,156   619,090 
Mineral Exploration 2009  299,230      97,488   97,486   272,098      27,286   793,588 
____________________

(1)Reflects salary earned for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The salary amounts in 2011 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke, and 2008,Despain include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $12,231, $5,000, $34,999, $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.  The salary amounts in 2010 for Messrs, Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke, and Despain include amounts deferred under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan of $5,538, $84,616, $30,774, $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.  The salary amounts in 2009 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke, and Despain include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $17,508, $90,807, $25,211, $14,231 and $14,615, respectively.  The salary amounts in 2008 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke, and Despain include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $15,046, $62,472, $24,635, $15,000 and $15,000, respectively. All amounts deferred are also reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table appearing on page 2122 in this Proxy Statement.
  
(2)The incentive compensation paid with respect to fiscal 2010 is reported in the “Bonus” column rather than the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column since the Named Executive Officers did not meet the target performance goals set under the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan due to the ceiling test impairment charge and the expense associated with the settlement of the terminated defined benefit pension plan.  As a result, the incentive awards for fiscal 2010 were discretionary bonuses, as explained in detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 10 of this Proxy Statement.bonuses.  The incentive amounts in 2010 for Messrs. Fanska and Reynolds include amounts deferred under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan of $44,116 and $70,253, respectively.  All amounts deferred are also reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table appearing on page 22 in this Proxy Statement.
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(3)Amounts reported in the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns represent the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.  Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the amounts shown assumefor the fiscal 2011 Stock Awards report the value at the grant date based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions that affect the vesting of awards granted tosuch awards.  Furthermore, even though the named executive officers will be met, whichamounts shown for the fiscal 2009 Stock Awards reflect the full grant date fair value of such awards, the Company determined was the probable outcome on the grant date. However, the Company has subsequently determined the achievement ofdid not achieve the performance conditions affecting the vesting of the fiscal 2009 stockrequired for such awards is unlikelyto vest and, as a result, such awards are unlikely to vest.were forfeited on February 5, 2011.  These amounts do not include an estimate of forfeitures related to any time-based vesting conditions, and assume that the named executive officer will perform the requisite service to vest in the award.  For assumptions used in determining these values, refer to Note 15 of the Company’s financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2010,2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  For additional information regarding stock awards for the named executive officers, refer to the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Last Fiscal Year” and “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End” tables included in this Proxy Statement beginning on page 20.

(4)Reflects incentive plan compensation earned for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2010,2011, and 2009, respectively.  The incentive amounts in 2011 for Messrs. Fanska and 2008,Reynolds include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $109,500 and $210,000, respectively.  The incentive amounts in 2009 for Messrs. Fanska and Reynolds include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $124,167 and $187,500, respectively.  The incentive amounts in 2008 for Messrs. Fanska and Reynolds include amounts deferred under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan of $119,335 and $187,500, respectively. All amounts deferred are also reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table appearing on page 2122 in this Proxy Statement.
 
(5)During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, the pension measurement date was changed from December 31 to January 31 in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)ASC Topic 715 creating a thirteen month change in pension value equal to $382,531.  The $353,106 amount reported was calculated by multiplying $382,531 by 12/13 to arrive at a twelve month change in pension value.
 
(6)Excludes perquisites and other benefits, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation exceeds $10,000.
 
(7)All Other Compensation for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, includes Layne Christensen contributions in the amounts of $9,778, $10,065,$9,791, $9,800, $9,800, $9,800 and $9,800, which accrued during such fiscal year for the accounts of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively, under the Company's Capital Accumulation Plan andPlan; the cost of term life insurance paid by the Company for the benefit of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain in the amounts of $2,322, $5,386, $578,$813, $1,573 and $4,356, respectively; and Company matching contributions to the accounts of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan in the amounts of $5,539, $384, $5,790,$5,231, $5,000, $5,000, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively; and Company matching contributions to the health savings accounts of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Crooke and Despain in the amounts of $2,000, $1,500, $2,000 and $1,750, respectively.
 
19

Grants of Plan-Based Awards during Fiscal 20102011
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to each Named Executive Officer concerning grants during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, of awards under both the Company's equity and non-equity plans.
 
Payouts Under Non-Equity IncentiveEstimated Future Payouts UnderAll OtherAll Other
Plan Awards(1)Equity Incentive Plan AwardsStockOption
Awards:Awards:Exercise
Number ofNumber ofor Base
Shares ofSecuritiesPrice of
Stock orUnderlyingOption
ThresholdTargetMaximumThresholdTargetMaximumUnitsOptionsAwards
Name     Grant Date     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     (#)     (#)     ($/Sh)
Andrew B. Schmitt02/01/09$248,000$496,000$992,00057,612$15.78
06/03/09          31,074$21.99
Jerry W. Fanska02/01/09$109,500$219,000$438,00028,806$15.78
06/03/09          15,537$21.99
Jeffrey J. Reynolds02/01/09$105,000$210,000$420,00026,842$15.78
06/03/09          14,477$21.99
Steven F. Crooke02/01/09$93,000$186,000$372,00021,277$15.78
06/03/09          11,476$21.99
Eric R. Despain02/01/09$90,000$180,000$360,00016,367$15.78
06/03/09       8,828$21.99
____________________

    Estimated Possible Payouts Under Estimated Future Payouts Under All Other All Other     Grant 
    Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards  Stock Option     Date Fair 
    ��           Awards: Awards:  Exercise  Value of 
                Number of Number of  or Base  Stock 
                Shares of Securities  Price of  and 
                Stock or Underlying  Option  Option 
Name 
Grant
Date
 
Threshold    ($)
 
Target
($)
 
Maximum
($)
 
Threshold
(#)
 
Target
(#)
 
Maximum 
(#)
 
Units
 (#)
 
Options
(#)
  
Awards
($/Sh)
  
Awards (3)
($)
 
Andrew B. Schmitt 02/19/10  $248,000  $496,000  $992,000  2,691    13,458    23,201   $27.79   $374,000 
  02/19/10                               74,800 
                                    
Jerry W. Fanska 02/19/10  $109,500  $219,000  $438,000  1,345    6,729    11,600   $27.79   $186,992 
  02/19/10                               37,400 
                                    
Jeffrey J. Reynolds 02/19/10  $105,000  $210,000  $420,000  1,254    6,270    10,810   $27.79   $174,257 
  02/19/10                               34,849 
                                    
Steven F. Crooke 02/19/10  $  93,000  $186,000  $372,000  994    4,970    8,569   $27.79   $138,132 
  02/19/10                               27,623 
                                    
Eric R. Despain 02/19/10  $  90,000  $180,000  $360,000  764    3,823    6,591   $27.79   $106,247 
  02/19/10                               21,248 
(1)The amounts reported under the Threshold, Target and Maximum columns in this table are the possible incentive compensation awards calculated in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.  The Threshold column reports the awards that would have been paid if 80% of the performance targets were met.  If less than 80% of a performance target is met, no incentive award is paid with respect to that target.  The Target column reports the awards that would have been paid if 100% of the performance targets were met and the Maximum column reports the maximum awards available under the plan regardless of the amount by which the performance targets are exceeded.  For fiscal 2010,2011, the minimummaximum performance threshold set by the Board was not met.  As discussedThe non-equity incentive plan awards actually paid to the Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2011 are listed in detailthe Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 18 of this Proxy Statement.
(2)
The grant of shares of restricted stock reported under the Threshold and Maximum columns in this table will vest, if at all, in various percentages only if the Company achieves a corporate return on net assets (“RONA”) threshold based on average RONA over the entire three-year period beginning on February 1, 2010, and ending on January 31, 2013, within a range between 6% and 10%.  See the discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginningunder the heading “Compensation Components—Restricted Shares on page 1015 of this Proxy Statement for a complete explanation of the Named Executive Officers did receive discretionary bonusesvesting of the shares of restricted stock reported in this table.  The Threshold column reports the number of shares that will vest if a 6% average RONA is achieved during the vesting period and the Maximum column reports the number of shares that will vest if a 10% average RONA is achieved during the vesting period.  No specific target within the 6% - 10% range was set by the Board.
(3)Amounts reported in the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718.  Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the amounts shown for theirthe Stock Awards report the value at the grant date based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions that affect the vesting of such awards.  The amounts shown for the Option Awards do not include an estimate of forfeitures related to time-based vesting conditions, and assume that the named executive officer will perform the requisite service to vest in the award.  For assumptions used in determining these values, refer to Note 15 of the Company’s financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  For additional information regarding stock awards for the named executive officers, refer to the “Summary Compensation” and “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2010.Year End” tables included in this Proxy Statement on pages 18 and 21, respectively.
 


20

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
The following table lists all outstanding equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of January 31, 2010.2011.
 
Option AwardsStock Awards
Equity
EquityIncentive
EquityIncentivePlan Awards:
IncentivePlanMarket Value
PlanAwards:or Payout
 Awards:NumberMarketNumber ofValue of
Number ofNumber ofNumber ofof SharesValue ofUnearnedUnearned
SecuritiesSecuritiesSecuritiesor UnitsShares orShares, UnitsShares, Units
UnderlyingUnderlyingUnderlyingof StockUnits ofor Otheror Other
UnexercisedUnexpiredUnexercisedOptionOptionthat HaveStock thatRights thatRights that
Options (#)Options (#)UnearnedExerciseExpirationNotHave NotHave NotHave Not
Name     Exercisable     Unexercisable     Options (#)     Price ($)     Date     Vested (#)        Vested ($) (6)     Vested (#)     Vested ($) (7)
Andrew B. Schmitt15,000(1)$16.6506/28/20147,500$189,97512,321$312,091
52,500(2)17,500(2)$29.2906/08/2016
17,500(3)17,500(3)$42.2606/07/2017
8,869(4)17,738(4)$35.7102/05/2018
57,612(5)$15.7802/01/2019
31,074(6)$21.9906/03/2019
 
Jerry W. Fanska35,000(1)$27.8701/20/20163,750$94,9886,160$156,033
8,750(3)8,750(3)$42.2606/07/2017
4,434(4)8,869(4)$35.7102/05/2018
28,806(5)$15.7802/01/2019
15,537(6)$21.9906/03/2019
 
Jeffrey J. Reynolds 57,500(1)$23.0509/28/2015
 26,842(5)$15.7802/01/2019
14,477(6)$21.9906/03/2019
 
Steven F. Crooke17,500(1)$27.8701/20/20163,750$94,9884,550$115,252
4,375(3)8,750(3)$42.2606/07/2017 
3,275(4)6,551(4)$35.7102/05/2018
21,277(5)$15.7802/01/2019
11,476(6)$21.9906/03/2019
 
Eric R. Despain35,000(1)$27.8701/20/20163,750$94,9882,730$69,151
1,965(4)3,930(4)$35.7102/05/2018
16,367(5)$15.7802/01/2019
8,828(6)$21.9906/03/2019
                                             Option Awards                                                                                            Stock Awards                                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              Name               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options (#)  Exercisable 
 
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned
Options (#)
 
Option
Exercise
Price ($) 
 
Option
Expiration       Date     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
that Have
Not
Vested (#)
 
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested ($) (7)
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested (#)(8)
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards: Market
Value or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested ($) (7)
                     
Andrew B. Schmitt 
15,000 (1)
70,000 (1)
26,250 (2)
17,738 (3)
19,204 (4)
10,358 (5)
 
8,750 (2)
8,869 (3)
38,408 (4)
20,716 (5)
23,201 (6)
 
 
$16.65
$29.29
$42.26
$35.71
$15.78
$21.99
$27.79
 
06/28/2014
06/08/2016
06/07/2017
02/05/2018
02/01/2019
06/03/2019
02/19/2020
 3,750  $118,425 25,779  
$814,101
 
 
 
                     
Jerry W. Fanska 
  35,000 (1)
13,125 (2)
8,868 (3)
9,602 (4)
5,179 (5)
 
  4,375 (2)
4,435 (3)
19,204 (4)
10,358 (5)
11,600 (6)
 
 
$27.87
$42.26
$35.71
$15.78
$21.99
$27.79
 
01/20/2016
06/07/2017
02/05/2018
02/01/2019
06/03/2019
02/19/2020
 1,875    $  59,213 12,889  
$407,035
 
 
 
                     
Jeffrey J. Reynolds 
  57,500 (1)
  8,947 (4)
  4,825 (5)
 
17,895 (4)
9,652 (5)
10,810 (6)
 
 
$23.05
$15.78
$21.99
$27.79
 
09/28/2015
02/01/2019
06/03/2019
02/19/2020
 
 
  
 
 
6,270
 
  
$198,007
 
                     
Steven F. Crooke 
17,500 (1)
9,843 (2)
6,550 (3)
7,092 (4)
3,825 (5)
 
3,282 (2)
3,276 (3)
14,185 (4)
2,651 (5)
8,569 (6)
 
 
$27.87
$42.26
$35.71
$15.78
$21.99
$27.79
 
01/20/2016
06/07/2017
02/05/2018
02/01/2019
06/03/2019
02/19/2020
 1,875    $  59,213 9,520  
$300,642
 
 
 
                     
Eric R. Despain 
35,000 (1)
3,930 (3)
5,455 (4)
2,942 (5)
 
1,965 (3)
10,912 (4)
5,886 (5)
6,591 (6)
 
 
$27.87
$35.71
$15.78
$21.99
$27.79
 
01/20/2016
02/05/2018
02/01/2019
06/03/2019
02/19/2020
 1,875    $  59,213 6,553  
$206,944
 
 
 
____________________

(1)The options are fully vested and exercisable.
(2)The options vest in 4 equal annual installments on June 8 of each year. If they have not yet been exercised, the options in the grant were 75% vested and 25% unvested on January 31, 2010.
(3)The options vest in 4four equal annual installments on June 7 of each year.  If they have not yet been exercised, the options in the grant were 50%3/4 vested and 50%1/4 unvested on January 31, 2010.2011.
(4)(3)The options vest in 3three equal annual installments on February 5 of each year.  If they have not yet been exercised, the options in the grant were 2/3 vested and 1/3 unvested on January 31, 2011.
(4)The options vest in three equal annual installments on February 1 of each year.  If they have not yet been exercised, the options in the grant were 1/3 vested and 2/3 unvested on January 31, 2010.2011.
(5)The options vest in three equal annual installments on June 3 of each year.  If they have not yet been exercised, the options in the grant were 1/3 vested and 2/3 unvested on January 31, 2011.
(6)The options vest in three equal annual installments on February 119 of each year.  All of the options in the grant were unvested on January 31, 2010.2011.
(6)The options vest in 3 equal annual installments on June 3 of each year. All of the options in the grant were unvested on January 31, 2010.
(7)The market value of the shares of restricted stock, either earned or unearned, that have not vested was calculated by multiplying $25.33,$31.58, which was the closing market price of the Company's common stock on January 31, 2010,2011, by the number of unvested shares.
 

(8)Of the shares of restricted stock reported in this column as unearned on January 31, 2011, on behalf of Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Crooke and Despain, 12,321, 6,160, 4,550 and 2,730 shares, respectively, were subsequently cancelled on February 5, 2011, after the Company failed to meet the required RONA threshold for the three-year vesting period.

21

Option Exercises and Stock Vested
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to each Named Executive Officer concerning the exercise of options and the vesting of stock during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.
 
Option AwardsStock Awards
Number of SharesValue RealizedNumber of Shares AcquiredValue Realized on Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name     Acquired on Exercise (#)     on Exercise ($)     on Vesting (#)     Vesting ($)(1) 
Number of Shares
  Acquired on Exercise (#)
  
Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
  
Number of Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)
  
Value Realized on
 Vesting ($)(1)
 
Andrew B. Schmitt3,750$82,800        3,750   $95,025 
Jerry W. Fanska1,875$41,400        1,875   $47,513 
Jeffrey J. Reynolds   —       —            
Steven F. Crooke1,875$41,400        1,875   $47,513 
Eric R. Despain1,875$41,400        1,875   $47,513 
____________________


(1)The value realized upon vesting was calculated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the day prior to the date the shares vested ($22.08)25.34) multiplied by the number of shares vested.  All shares reported in this column vested on June 7, 2009.2010.

Pension Benefits
 
The following table shows the number of years of credited service earned through January 31, 2010,2011, and the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits for Mr. Andrew B. Schmitt, our President and Chief Executive Officer, under his Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP").  The accumulated benefit present values were determined using a discount rate of 5.93%5.44% and mortality assumptions based on RP2000 (made with white collar adjustment) mortality tables.  The values shown are estimates only.  The actual benefit payable will be determined upon Mr. Schmitt's retirement or termination from the Company.  The terms of Mr. Schmitt's SERP are set forth below under the heading "Potential Payments Upon Change of Control, Retirement, Death or Disability."  Mr. Schmitt is the only Named Executive Officer that is entitled to receive any such pension benefit.  No payments were made under the SERP to Mr. Schmitt during the last fiscal year.
 
Name Plan Name 
Number of Years
Credited Service (#)
  
Present Value of
Accumulated Benefit ( $)
  
Payments During
  Last Fiscal Year ($)
 
Number of YearsPresent Value ofPayments During           
Name     Plan Name     Credited Service (#)     Accumulated Benefit( $)     Last Fiscal Year ($)
Andrew B. SchmittSupplemental Executive Retirement Plan16$2,993,658$0 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan  17   $3,668,865   $0 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
 
The following table sets forth the contributions made by our Named Executive Officers and the earnings accrued on all such contributions under our Key Management Deferred Compensation Plan during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.2011.
 
ExecutiveRegistrantAggregate EarningsAggregateAggregate Balance
Contributions in LastContributions in Last(Losses) inWithdrawals/at Last Fiscal Year
Name       Fiscal Year(1) ($)     Fiscal Year(2) ($)     Last Fiscal Year(3) ($)     Distributions ($)     End(4) ($) 
Executive
Contributions in Last
Fiscal Year(1) ($)
 
Registrant
Contributions in Last
Fiscal Year(2) ($)
 
Aggregate Earnings
(Losses) in
Last Fiscal Year(3) ($)
 
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions ($)
  
Aggregate Balance
at Last Fiscal Year
End(4) ($)
Andrew B. Schmitt$5,538$5,539$22$76,831  $  12,231   $5,231   $           6      $  94,299 
Jerry W. Fanska208,783384110,980638,051  49,116   5,000   82,060      774,227 
Jeffrey J. Reynolds218,2745,790162,015653,810  105,252   5,000   160,156      924,218 
Steven F. Crooke5,0005,00024,95693,042  5,000   5,000   28,237      131,279 
Eric R. Despain10,0005,00010,091166,578  10,000   5,000   7,630      189,208 
____________________

22

(1)The salary deferrals reported in this column are included in the salary of each executiveNamed Executive Officer for fiscal 20102011 as indicated in footnote (1) to the Summary Compensation Table.  However, the incentive compensation deferrals reported in this column are included in the incentive compensation of each executiveNamed Executive Officer for fiscal 20092010 as indicated in footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table, since, due to the timing of the payments, they are not credited to the account of the executive until the succeeding fiscal year.
 
(2)The amounts reported in this column are included in the All Other Compensation column for each executive as indicated in footnote (7) to the Summary Compensation Table.
 
(3)The earnings reportingreported in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table as they are not above-market or preferential.


(4)Includes amounts reported as salary in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2011 of $12,231, $5,000, $34,999, $5,000 and $10,000 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively; amounts reported as salary in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2010 of $5,538, $84,616, $30,774, $5,000 and $10,000 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively; and amounts reported as salary in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2009 of $17,508, $90,807, $25,211, $14,231 and $14,615 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke, and Despain, respectively; andrespectively.  Also includes amounts reported as salarya bonus in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 20082010 of $15,046, $62,472, $24,635, $15,000$44,116 for Mr. Fanska and $15,000$70,253 for Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, CrookeMr. Reynolds; and Despain, respectively. Also includes amounts reported as incentive compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2009 and 2008 of $124,167 and $119,335, respectively, for Mr. Fanska and $187,500 and $187,500, respectively for Mr. Reynolds.
 
Potential Payments Upon Change of Control, Retirement, Death or Disability
 
Employment Agreement with Mr. Schmitt. Pursuant to an employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Schmitt dated October 12, 1993, Mr. Schmitt is entitled to a lump sum payment of 24 months' salary in the event that his employment is terminated in connection with a change of control of the Company.  Under the 1993 letter agreement, Mr. Schmitt is entitled to (i) 24-months salary continuation after a termination (other than for cause) and (ii) a lump sum severance payment of equivalent value in the event of a change of control.  The Company has entered into a new Severance Agreement with Mr. Schmitt dated March 13, 2008 (as described below) that is intended to replace this agreement.  However, thisthe 1993 letter agreement will again become effective if Mr. Schmitt's Severance Agreement is terminated.
 
SERP for Mr. Schmitt. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Schmitt, pursuant to his SERP, an annual retirement benefit, beginning six months after Mr. Schmitt's separation from service with the Company, equal to 40% of the average of his total compensation (as defined in the annual retirement benefit agreement) received during the highest five consecutive years out of his last ten years of employment, less 60% of his annual primary Social Security benefit (the "Annual Benefit"). The Annual Benefit is to be reduced, however, by the annual annuity equivalent of the value of all funds, including earnings, in the Company funded portion of Mr. Schmitt's Capital Accumulation Plan account as of the date of his retirement (the "Annuity Equivalent").  As of January 31, 2010,2011, the Company funded balance in Mr. Schmitt's account under the Capital Accumulation Plan was $107,061.$132,933. To the extent the Annual Benefit is not satisfied by the Annuity Equivalent, payments will be made out of the general funds of the Company. If Mr. Schmitt separates from service prior to age 65, his Annual Benefit will be reduced further by multiplying the Annual Benefit by the percentage (referred to under the Plan as the "Early Retirement Reduction Factor" and set forth below in the following table) depending on Mr. Schmitt's age at the time of his separation from service.
 
Age at Separation from Service Percentage of Annual Benefit 
55 48.81% 
56 52.06% 
57 55.59% 
58 59.45% 
59 63.68% 
60 68.32% 
61 73.43% 
62 79.06% 
63 85.31% 
64 92.26% 

If Mr. Schmitt were to have separated from service on January 31, 2010,2011, his Annual Benefit would have been $253,551.$293,049.
 
Mr. Schmitt is entitled to a disability benefit determined in the same manner as the Annual Benefit as of the date of termination of his service resulting from total and permanent disability (the "Disability Benefit"). The Disability Benefit will also be reduced by the Annuity Equivalent but is not subject to the Early Retirement Reduction Factor. Mr. Schmitt is deemed to have become "disabled" if he (a) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (b) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under a Company-sponsored accident and health plan. If Mr. Schmitt were to have become disabled on January 31, 2010,2011, his annual Disability Benefit would have been $353,023.$378,529.
 


 
23

Mr. Schmitt's surviving spouse, if any, will be entitled to receive a death benefit (the "Death Benefit") upon Mr. Schmitt's death which will be equal to the Annual Benefit his surviving spouse would have received if (i) he had retired at the date of his death and had received an Annual Benefit in the form of a monthly joint and survivor benefit and (ii) he subsequently died. The Death Benefit will be reduced by the Annuity Equivalent.  If Mr. Schmitt had died on January 31, 2010,2011, his spouse's annual Death Benefit would have been $223,272.$256,395.
 
Severance Agreements. On March 13, 2008, the Company entered into severance agreements with Messrs. Schmitt, Reynolds, Fanska and Crooke and on July 10, 2008, entered into the same form of severance agreement with Mr. Despain.  Each of the severance agreements are the same except that Mr. Schmitt's severance agreement reflects that, if his severance agreement is terminated, the severance benefits that Mr. Schmitt was entitled to receive under the 1993 letter agreement (described above) will again become effective.  The severance agreements generally provide:
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon their termination by the Company without cause, or their voluntary termination due to their constructive termination (assuming such termination occurred on January 31, 2010)
If before a change of control, the Company terminates the Executive's employment without "cause" or if the Company constructively terminates the Executive's employment (i.e., the Executive leaves for "good reason"), the Executive is entitled to receive severance benefits that include (i) 24 months of continued base salary, (ii) continued vesting of equity-based awards and a continued right to exercise outstanding stock options during this 24-month severance period, (iii) for any performance-based equity award that is exercisable, payable or becomes vested only if the applicable performance-based criteria is satisfied, such performance-based award will become exercisable, payable or become vested at the time of and only if the underlying performance criteria is satisfied, (iv) for any performance-based stock options that become exercisable after the end of the 24-month severance period, such stock options will remain exercisable until the earlier of the original expiration date of the option or 90 days after the end of the 24 month severance period, (v) continued participation in the Company's welfare benefit plans (or comparable arrangements) throughout the 24 month severance period, and (vi) payment of any applicable COBRA premiums.
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon their termination by the Company without cause, or their voluntary termination due to their constructive termination (assuming such termination occurred on January 31, 2011):
 
Unvested Equity
Name     Base Salary     Compensation(2)     Benefits(3)     Total
     A.B. Schmitt (1)  $  1,240,000   $   625,962  $   24,799$1,890,761
J.W. Fanska730,000312,982 24,7991,067,781
J.J. Reynolds700,000203,12232,644935,766
S.F. Crooke620,000255,99632,644908,640
E.R. Despain600,000218,84424,799843,643
Name Base Salary 
Unvested Equity
Compensation(2)
 
Benefits(3)
 Total
                 
A.B. Schmitt (1)
  $1,240,000   $1,067,557   $30,638   $2,338,195 
J.W. Fanska  750,000   533,776   30,638   1,314,414 
J.J. Reynolds  750,000   442,224   41,536   1,233,759 
S.F. Crooke  690,000   409,759   41,536   1,141,294 
E.R. Despain  600,000   328,868   30,638   959,506 
____________________


(1)(1)For Mr. Schmitt, amounts are assumed to be paid under his severance agreement, and accordingly, no amounts would be payable under his employment agreement.
 
(2)(2)Represents value of unvested awards at January 31, 20102011, that would become vested in the 24-month period following January 31, 2010.2011.  Stock options are valued based on the positive difference, if any, between the closing stock price of the Company's common stock on January 31, 20102011, and the exercise price for such options.  Shares of time vested restricted stock are valued based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011.  The Company has determined that achievement ofit will not achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 5, 2008, is unlikely.2008.  Since it is unlikely that such awards will not vest, no value has been assigned to such restricted stock for the purpose of this table.  The Company has also determined that there is a 20% likelihood that the Company will achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 19, 2010.  Accordingly, those shares of performance vesting restricted stock have been assigned a value that is 20% of the value of the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011.
 
(3)(3)Assumes the executive earns the maximum Company match with respect to his health savings account for each year during the 24-month period.

  • If the Executive's employment is terminated due to death, the Executive's estate or his beneficiaries will be entitled to receive (i) immediate acceleration of the vesting of the Executive's service-based equity awards and the right to exercise the service-based stock options until the earlier of the original expiration date of the options or 12 months after the Executive's date of death, (ii) for any performance-based equity award that is exercisable, payable or becomes vested only if the applicable performance-based criteria is satisfied, such performance-based award will become exercisable, payable or become vested at the time of and only if the underlying performance criteria is satisfied, and (iii) for any performance-based stock option that becomes exercisable due to the satisfaction of the underlying performance criteria, the continued right to exercise the option until the earlier of the option's original expiration date or 12 months after the Executive's date of death.


The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements (assuming their death occurred on January 31, 2010):
24

 
If the Executive's employment is terminated due to death, the Executive's estate or his beneficiaries will be entitled to receive (i) immediate acceleration of the vesting of the Executive's service-based equity awards and the right to exercise the service-based stock options until the earlier of the original expiration date of the options or 12 months after the Executive's date of death, (ii) for any performance-based equity award that is exercisable, payable or becomes vested only if the applicable performance-based criteria is satisfied, such performance-based award will become exercisable, payable or become vested at the time of and only if the underlying performance criteria is satisfied, and (iii) for any performance-based stock option that becomes exercisable due to the satisfaction of the underlying performance criteria, the continued right to exercise the option until the earlier of the option's original expiration date or 12 months after the Executive's date of death.
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements (assuming their death occurred on January 31, 2011):
Name 
Unvested Equity Compensation(2)
A.B. Schmitt (1)
 $771,2471,215,293 
J.W. Fanska548,431421,979
J.J. Reynolds455,883304,694
S.F. Crooke 336,514420,587
E.R. Despain337,195280,779
____________________

(1) 
(1)For Mr. Schmitt, amounts are assumed to be paid under his severance agreement, and accordingly, no amounts would be payable under his employment agreement.
 
(2)(2)Represents value of unvested awards at January 31, 20102011, that would become vested upon death.  Stock options are valued based on the positive difference, if any, between the closing stock price of the Company's common stock on January 31, 20102011, and the exercise price for such options.  Shares of time vested restricted stock are valued based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011.  The Company has determined that achievement ofit will not achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 5, 2008, is unlikely.2008.  Since it is unlikely that such awards will not vest, no value has been assigned to such restricted stock for the purpose of this table.  The Company has also determined that there is a 20% likelihood that the Company will achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 19, 2010.  Accordingly, those shares of performance vesting restricted stock have been assigned a value that is 20% of the value of the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011
  • If the Executive's employment is terminated due to disability, the Executive will be entitled to (i) payment of a lump sum disability benefit equal to 12 months base salary, (ii) immediate acceleration of the vesting of his service-based equity awards and a continuation of his right to exercise any service-based stock options for a period of 12 months after the termination, (iii) for any performance-based equity award that is exercisable, payable or becomes vested only if the applicable performance-based criteria is satisfied, such performance-based award will become exercisable, payable or become vested at the time of and only if the underlying performance criteria is satisfied, and (iv) for any performance-based stock options that have become exercisable due to the satisfaction of the underlying performance criteria, the continued right to exercise the options until the earlier of the option's original expiration date or 12 months after the Executive's termination.
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon their disability (assuming they became disabled on January 31, 2010):
 
Unvested Equity
     Name     Base Salary     Compensation(2)     Total
 A.B. Schmitt (1) $620,000 $771,247 $1,391,247
 J.W. Fanska365,000 421,979786,979
 J.J. Reynolds350,000304,694654,694
 S.F. Crooke310,000336,514646,514
 E.R. Despain300,000280,779580,779
____________________

(1)If the Executive's employment is terminated due to disability, the Executive will be entitled to (i) payment of a lump sum disability benefit equal to 12 months base salary, (ii) immediate acceleration of the vesting of his service-based equity awards and a continuation of his right to exercise any service-based stock options for a period of 12 months after the termination, (iii) for any performance-based equity award that is exercisable, payable or becomes vested only if the applicable performance-based criteria is satisfied, such performance-based award will become exercisable, payable or become vested at the time of and only if the underlying performance criteria is satisfied, and (iv) for any performance-based stock options that have become exercisable due to the satisfaction of the underlying performance criteria, the continued right to exercise the options until the earlier of the option's original expiration date or 12 months after the Executive's termination.
25

The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon their disability (assuming they became disabled on January 31, 2011):
Name Base Salary 
Unvested Equity
Compensation(2)
 Total
             
A.B. Schmitt (1)
  $620,000   $1,215,293   $1,835,293 
J.W. Fanska  375,000   548,431   923,431 
J.J. Reynolds  375,000   455,883   830,883 
S.F. Crooke  345,000   420,587   765,587 
E.R. Despain  300,000   337,195   637,195 
 
(1)For Mr. Schmitt, amounts are assumed to be paid under his severance agreement, and accordingly, no amounts would be payable under his employment agreement.
 
(2)(2)Represents value of unvested awards at January 31, 20102011, that would become vested upon a termination without cause or constructive termination.  Stock options are valued based on the positive difference if any between the closing stock price of the Company's common stock on January 31, 20102011, and the exercise price for such options.  Shares of time vested restricted stock are valued based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011.  The Company has determined that achievement ofit will not achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 5, 2008, is unlikely.2008.  Since it is unlikely that such awards will not vest, no value has been assigned to such restricted stock for the purpose of this table.  The Company has also determined that there is a 20% likelihood that the Company will achieve the performance conditions associated with the restricted stock awards issued on February 19, 2010.  Accordingly, those shares of performance vesting restricted stock have been assigned a value that is 20% of the value of the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2011.
 


  • Upon a change of control of the Company, all of the Executive's equity awards will become immediately vested on the effective date of the change. Following a change of control of the Company and for a three-year period following the change of control, the successor Company is obligated to both (i) continue to employ the Executive in a substantially similar position (at an equal or greater base salary as before the change of control) and (ii) provide the Executive with certain welfare benefits and bonus compensation opportunities similar to those of other similarly situated employees.
Upon a change of control of the Company, all of the Executive's equity awards will become immediately vested on the effective date of the change.  Following a change of control of the Company and for a three-year period following the change of control, the successor Company is obligated to both (i) continue to employ the Executive in a substantially similar position (at an equal or greater base salary as before the change of control) and (ii) provide the Executive with certain welfare benefits and bonus compensation opportunities similar to those of other similarly situated employees.
If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without "cause" or is constructively terminated (i.e., the Executive leaves for "good reason") during the three-year period following a change of control of the Company, he is entitled to: (i) a special lump-sum severance payment equal to the present value of the remaining base salary he would receive if he remained an employee until the later of the end of the third anniversary of the change of control or the second anniversary of his termination date; (ii) coverage under all employee benefit plans that covered him prior to termination until the later of the end of the third anniversary of the change of control or the second anniversary of his termination date; and (iii) for any payments made pursuant to the Severance Agreement that are subject to the Internal Revenue Code's penalty tax provisions for excessive "golden parachute payments", then the Company will reimburse (on an after tax basis) the Executive for the amount of any such penalty tax.
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon a change of control (assuming the change of control occurred on January 31, 2011, and the termination by the Company without cause, or their voluntary termination due to their constructive termination, on such date):
 
The following table summarizes the severance benefits due Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain under their severance agreements upon a change of control (assuming the change of control occurred on January 31, 2010 and the termination by the Company without cause, or their voluntary termination due to their constructive termination, on such date):
26

 
Unvested Equity
     Name     Base Salary(2)     Compensation(3)     Benefits(4)     Tax Gross-up     Total
A.B. Schmitt (1)$1,663,461 $1,083,338 $37,198$2,783,997
J.W. Fanska $979,296$578,012 $37,198$1,594,506
J.J. Reynolds$939,050 $304,694 $48,966$1,292,710
S.F. Crooke$831,730$451,766 $48,966$1,332,462
E.R. Despain$804,900$349,930 $37,198$1,192,028
____________________

Name 
Base Salary(2)
 
Unvested Equity Compensation(3)
 
Benefits(4)
 Tax Gross-up  Total
                     
A.B. Schmitt (1)
  $1,663,461   $1,555,296   $45,957      $3,264,714 
J.W. Fanska  1,006,126   718,433   45,957      1,770,516 
J.J. Reynolds  1,006,126   614,288   62,304      1,682,718 
S.F. Crooke  925,636   546,149   62,304      1,534,089 
E.R. Despain  804,901   433,780   45,957      1,284,638 
(1) 
(1)For Mr. Schmitt, amounts are assumed to be paid under his severance agreement, and accordingly, no amounts would be payable under his employment agreement.
 
(2)Represents the present value of three times the base salary of the executive on January 31, 2010,2011, paid out in bi-weekly installments over a three-year period using a discount rate of 7.5%.
 
(3)Represents value of unvested awards at January 31, 20102011, that would become vested upon a change of control, including all awards subject to performance conditions.  Stock options are valued based on the positive difference, if any, between the closing price of the Company's common stock on January 31, 20102011, and the exercise price for such options.
 
(4)Assumes the executive earns the maximum Company match with respect to his health savings account for each year during the three year period.

 ��  
Generally, all severance payments under the agreements will begin following the Executive's termination of employment. However, as is provided for in the Severance Agreements, certain delays in payment timing may occur in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
 


OWNERSHIP OF LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMMON STOCKOwnership of Layne Christensen Common Stock
 
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 31, 2010,2011, except as otherwise provided, regarding the beneficial ownership of Layne Christensen common stock by each person known to the Board of Directors to own beneficially 5% or more of the Company's common stock, by each director or nominee for director of the Company, by each Named Executive Officer, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the respective directors, officers or 5% or more stockholders, as the case may be.
 
Amount and
Nature ofPercentage of
BeneficialShares
Name      Ownership (1)     Outstanding (1)
Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2)2,699,58313.8%
Keeley Asset Management Corp. (3)1,497,5007.7%
Invesco Ltd. (4)1,469,6367.5%
BlackRock, Inc. (5)1,281,8156.6%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (6)1,001,0595.1%
Jeffrey J. Reynolds475,292(7)2.4%
Andrew B. Schmitt279,613(7)1.4%
Jerry W. Fanska80,145(7)*
Steven F. Crooke50,073(7)*
Eric R. Despain63,260(7)*
Nelson Obus (8)15,688*
J. Samuel Butler15,359(9)*
Anthony B. Helfet12,789(9)*
David A. B. Brown24,399(9)*
Rene J. Robichaud10,789(9)*
Robert R. Gilmore8,844(9)*
All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons)1,165,762(10)5.8%
  Amount and  
  Nature of Percentage of
  Beneficial Shares
Name 
Ownership (1)
 
Outstanding (1)
Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2)
 2,169,174   11.1%
Keeley Asset Management Corp. (3)
 1,221,645   6.2%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (4)
 1,208,924   6.2%
BlackRock, Inc. (5)
 1,173,338   6.0%
Invesco Ltd. (6)
 1,077,657   5.5%
Jeffrey J. Reynolds 499,298 (7) 2.5%
Andrew B. Schmitt 355,533 (7) 1.8%
Jerry W. Fanska 109,555 (7) * 
Steven F. Crooke 74,703 (7) * 
Eric R. Despain 78,152 (7) * 
Nelson Obus 17,198 (8) * 
J. Samuel Butler 16,369 (9) * 
Anthony B. Helfet 13,492 (9) * 
David A. B. Brown 18,213 (9) * 
Rene J. Robichaud 12,299 (9) * 
Robert R. Gilmore 10,354 (9) * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) 1,367,843 (10) 6.8%
        
____________________

* 
*  Less than 1%
 
27

(1)Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission which generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power and/or investment power with respect to those securities and includes shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010.2011. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage ownership calculations are based on 19,520,85319,568,720 shares of common stock outstanding plus 477,701643,098 options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010,2011, where said options are considered deemed shares attributed to a given beneficial owner.
 
(2)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2010,14, 2011, by Neuberger Berman Group LLC, on behalf of itself and the other members of its group, including Neuberger Berman LLC, Neuberger Berman Management LLC and Neuberger Berman Equity Funds.  Neuberger Berman, LLC is deemed to be a beneficial owner of the Company's stock since it has shared power to make decisions whether to retain or dispose, and in some cases the sole power to vote, the securities of many unrelated clients.  Neuberger Berman, LLC does not, however, have any economic interest in the securities of those clients.  Neuberger Berman, LLC and Neuberger Berman Management LLC are deemed to be beneficial owners of the Company's stock since they both have shared power to make decisions whether to retain or dispose of and vote the securities.  Neuberger Berman, LLC and Neuberger Berman Management LLC serve as a sub-advisor and investment manager, respectively, of Neuberger Berman's various Mutual Funds which hold such shares in the ordinary course of their business and not with the purpose nor with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer.  The holdings of Lehman Brothers AssetNeuberger Berman Trust Co. N.A., Neuberger Berman Trust Co. of Delaware N.A., NB Alternative Fund Management LLC, NB Alternative Advisers LLC and Lehman Brothers Asset Management Inc.,Neuberger Berman Fixed Income LLC, affiliates of Neuberger Berman, LLC, are also aggregated to comprise the holdings referenced herein.  The principal business address of Neuberger Berman Group LLC is 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.


(3)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2010,17, 2011, by Keeley Asset Management Corp. and Keeley Small Cap Value Fund, a series of Keeley Funds, Inc.  The principal business address of both of these entities is 401 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605.
 
(4)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2010, by Invesco Ltd. on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC and Invesco National Trust Company. The principal business address of these entities is 1555 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
 
(5)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2010, by BlackRock, Inc., with a principal business address of 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. BlackRock, Inc. became the beneficial owner of these shares upon its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors, NA and certain of its affiliates on December 1, 2009.
(6)(4)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 201011, 2011 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, with a principal business address of Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas, 78746.  Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate account (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the “Funds”).  In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds.  However, all securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds.  Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.  To the knowledge of Dimensional, the interest of any one such Fund does not exceed 5% of the class of securities.
 
(5)
The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2011, by BlackRock, Inc., with a principal business address of 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022.  BlackRock, Inc. became the beneficial owner of these shares upon its acquisition of Barclays Global Investors, NA and certain of its affiliates on December 1, 2009.
(6)The ownership reported is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2011, by Invesco Ltd. on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC and Invesco National Trust Company.  The principal business address of these entities is 1555 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
(7)Includes options for the purchase of 121,942194,356 shares, 62,22089,677 shares, 66,44783,822 shares, 35,51758,034 shares and 44,38556,945 shares of the Company's common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010,2011, granted to Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively.  Also includes 12,6423,750 shares, 5,0361,875 shares, 5,0361,875 shares and 6,3221,875 shares of restricted stock of the Company held by Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Crooke and Despain, respectively, all of which will vest 25% per year beginningon June 7, 2008. Also includes 12,321, 6,160, 4,550 and 2,730 shares of restricted stock of2011, as long as such individuals are still employed by the Company held by Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Crooke and Despain, respectively, all of which vest at the end of a three-year period, providedon that the Company meets certain performance targets during that period.date.  Also includes 13,458, 6,729, 6,270, 6,729, 4,970 and 3,823 shares of restricted stock of the Company held by Messrs. Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively, which vest, if at all, at the end of a three-year period ending February 19, 2013 in various percentages based on the level of certain performance targets achieved by the Company during that period.  Also includes 13,293, 6,827, 6,631, 5,377 and 3,776 shares of restricted stock of the Company held by Messrs, Schmitt, Fanska, Reynolds, Crooke and Despain, respectively, all of which vest, if at all, at the end of a three-year period ending February 1, 2014, in various percentages based on the level of certain performance targets achieved by the Company during that period.
28

(8)Mr. Obus is president of Wynnefield Capital, Inc. and a managing member of Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC. Both companies have indirect beneficial ownership in securities held in the name of Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P., Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. I, Wynnefield Small Cap Value Offshore Fund, Ltd., Channel Partnership II, L.P. and the Wynnefield Capital, Inc. Profit Sharing & Money Purchase Plan, which, combined, own 690 of the indicated shares.  Also includes options for the purchase of 10,007 shares of the Company's common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010.2011.  Also includes 605 shares of restricted stock that will vest on June 3, 2010, and 1,5721,510 shares of restricted stock that will vest on February 1, 2011.2012.
 
(9)Includes options for the purchase of 13,000 shares, 13,030 shares, 9,000 shares, 3,000 shares and 7,736 shares of the Company's common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010,2011, granted to Messrs. Brown, Butler, Helfet, Robichaud and Gilmore, respectively.  Also includes 1,513, 807, 8072,265, 1,510, 1,510, 1,510 and 403 shares of restricted stock that will vest on June 3, 2010, granted to Messrs. Brown, Helfet, Robichaud and Gilmore, respectively, and 2,948, 1,572, 1,572 and 1,5721,510 shares of restricted stock that will vest on February 1, 2011,2012, granted to Messrs. Brown, Butler, Helfet, Robichaud and Robichaud,Gilmore, respectively.
 
(10)Includes options for the purchase of 477,701643,098 shares of the Company's common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2010,2011, granted to all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.  Also includes 108,801 shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested that have been granted to all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.



ITEM
Item 2
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.
As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain top-quality executives, tie annual and long-term equity incentives to achievement of measurable corporate, business unit and individual performance objectives, and align the executives' incentives with stockholder value creation.  The overall compensation program is designed to reward a combination of strong individual performance, strong performance by the Company in meeting its long-term strategic goals and stock price appreciation.
Our compensation package for executive officers consists of a balance of base salary, annual bonuses under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, performance-based equity grants and certain employee benefits.  To serve the best interests of stockholders, the Compensation Committee follows an executive compensation philosophy that emphasizes performance-based compensation, including stock options and performance-vesting restricted shares.  The Compensation Committee periodically reviews our executive compensation practices to ensure they achieve our desired goals.
 
RWe are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our Named Executive Officer compensation as described in this proxy statement.  This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers’ compensation.  This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.  Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the following resolution:
ATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative disclosure.
29

 
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors.  However, our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future executive compensation decisions.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative disclosure.
Item 3
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The Dodd-Frank Act also enables our stockholders to indicate how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.  By voting on this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation once every one, two or three years.
After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every three years (triennial) is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote for a three-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation for reasons that include:
We have a consistent record of full and transparent disclosures regarding our executive compensation philosophy, programs and practices and the amounts paid to our executive officers.
Our compensation programs are designed to support long-term value creation and to incentivize and reward performance over a multi-year period.  Consequently, a three-year vote cycle will allow stockholders to better judge the Company's compensation program relative to our long-term performance.
Triennial votes will provide us with adequate time to thoughtfully consider the results of the say-on-pay votes, respond to stockholder sentiments and implement changes.
A three-year advisory vote cycle will provide our stockholders sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of the short- and long-term components of our compensation program and our performance.
As a practical matter, any changes to our executive compensation program that were responsive to stockholder concerns would not be fully disclosed and reflected in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis of the proxy statement  until the second year following an unfavorable say-on-pay vote.
Stockholders who have concerns about executive compensation during the interval between "say-on-pay" votes are welcome to bring their specific concerns to the attention of the Board of Directors at any time, by mail, telephone or email.  Information on how to contact the Board of Directors can be found on page 9 of this Proxy Statement under the heading “Communications with the Board of Directors.”
The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four advisory options (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the Board of Directors' recommendation.  You may cast your advisory vote by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years, or abstaining from voting in response to the resolution set forth below:
RESOLVED, that the option of one year, two years, or three years that receives the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on such matter for this resolution will be determined to be the stockholders’ preferred frequency with which the Company is to hold an advisory vote by stockholders to approve the compensation paid to the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company's proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative disclosure.
The option of one year, two years or three years, if any, that receives the approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual meeting and entitled to vote on such matter will be the frequency of the vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers that has been approved by stockholders on an advisory basis.  Although this advisory vote on the frequency of the “say-on-pay” vote is non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.
30

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the advisory vote on executive compensation be conducted every THREE YEARS.
Item 4
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accountants
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the independent registered public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP  to audit the books, records and accounts of the Company for the year ending January 31, 2011.2012.  Stockholders will have an opportunity to vote at the Annual Meeting on whether to ratify the Audit Committee's decision in this regard.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm since fiscal 1990.  Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.  Such representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
During fiscal 20092010 and 2010,2011, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, "Deloitte & Touche") provided various audit and non-audit services to the Company as follows:
 
 (a)
Audit Fees: Aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and assessment of internal controls over financial reporting, and review of financial statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q reports, as well as statutory audits for international entities and procedures for registration statements.

Fiscal 2009                 Fiscal 2010
$  2,122,300 $  1,584,300

Fiscal 2010 Fiscal 2011
$1,584,300 $1,730,720
 (b)
Audit-Related Fees: Audit-related fees include benefit plan audits and consultation on various matters.

Fiscal 2009                 Fiscal 2010
$       50,000 $       40,250

Fiscal 2010 Fiscal 2011
$     40,250 $   155,250
 (c)
Tax Fees: Tax fees include income tax consultation.

Fiscal 2009                 Fiscal 2010
$     252,400 $     241,500

Fiscal 2010 Fiscal 2011
$   241,500 $   201,100
 (d)
All Other Fees: All other fees relate to licensing of access to an on-line accounting research facility and miscellaneous fees for services in certain foreign jurisdictions.services. The Company did not incur any fees relating to the design and implementation of financial information systems in either fiscal 20092010 or fiscal 2010.2011.

Fiscal 2009                 Fiscal 2010
$         9,000 $         7,500

 
Fiscal 2010 Fiscal 2011
$       7,500 $     18,200

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether provision of the services described in sections (b), (c) and (d) above is compatible with maintaining the registered public accounting firm's independence and has determined that such services have not adversely affected Deloitte & Touche's independence.
 
The Audit Committee's Policy for the Approval of Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Services provided by the Independent Auditor provides for the pre-approval of the scope and estimated fees associated with the current year audit.  The policy also requires pre-approval of audit-related, tax and other services specifically described by management on an annual basis and, furthermore, additional services anticipated to exceed the specified pre-approval limits for such services must be separately approved by the Audit Committee.  Finally, the policy outlines nine specific restricted services outlined in the SEC's rule on auditor independence that are not to be performed by the independent auditor.  None of the services performed by Deloitte & Touche, as described above, were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.
 
All of the services described in sections (b), (c) and (d) above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
 
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Submission of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification will not limit the authority of the Audit Committee to appoint another independent registered public accounting firm to serve as independent auditors if the present auditors resign or their engagement otherwise is terminated.  If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche at the Annual Meeting, the Company intends to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held as soon as practicable after the Annual Meeting to ratify the selection of another independent registered public accounting firm as independent auditors for the Company.
 


The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR approval of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
Item 35
 
Stockholder Proposal
 
The Company has been notified by Walden Asset Management, 1a division of Boston Trust & Investment Management Company, One Beacon Street, Boston, MAMassachusetts 02108 and one of its clients("Walden"), that they intendit intends to present the following proposal for consideration at the Annual Meeting.  Walden Asset Management and its client havehas submitted documentation indicating that theyit owned a total of 13,00041,000 shares of the Company's common stock as of NovemberSeptember 10, 2009.2010.  The Company will provide to any stockholder upon request the names, addresses andexact number of sharesvoting securities held by each proponent.Walden will be provided to stockholders promptly upon receiving an oral or written request.  The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote againstfor this proposal for the reasons stated after the proposal.
 
Sustainability Report Resolution
 
WHEREAS:
WInternationally recognized index leader Dow Jones defines sustainable business as "encouraging long lasting social well being in communities where [companies] operate, interacting with different stakeholders (e.g.HEREAS, clients, suppliers, employees, government, local communities, and non-governmental organizations), and responding to their specific and evolving needs, thereby securing a long-term 'license to operate,' superior customer and employee loyalty, and ultimately superior financial returns.":
 
     Walden Asset Management believesWe believe reporting on significant environmental, social and governance (ESG) business practicesfactors makes a company more adaptableresponsive to the global business environment, one withcharacterized by finite natural resources, shiftingchanging legislation, and changingheightened public expectations offor corporate behavior.accountability.  Reporting also helps companies better integrate and gain strategic value from existing corporate social responsibilitysustainability efforts, identify gaps and opportunities in products and processes, develop company-wide communications, publicize innovative practices, and receive constructive feedback.
 
Companies such as Bloomberg provide information on ESG performance that investors including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley utilize to assist in investment decisions.
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), representing 534 institutional investors globally with $64 trillion in assets, requests greater disclosure from companies on their climate change management programs.  The 2010 company response rate to the CDP for the S&P 500 was more than 70% and at least 82% for the FTSE Global Equity Index Series.
Company disclosure of sustainability factors is on the rise.  According to a 2008 KPMG report on sustainability reporting, 79% of the 250 Global Fortune 250 companies produce reports compared to 52% in 2005.  Of the 100 top 100 U.S. companies by revenue, 73% produceproduced reports compared to 32% in 2005. Small and medium sized companies are beginning to follow this trend.
 
     Critical ESG considerations include environmental impact, occupational safety and health, diversity, and community relations, as these areas can pose significant regulatory, legal, reputational and financial risks to business. We believe that Layne Christensen has a positive story to tell and benefits from understanding the risks and opportunities of various sustainability issues.
     As stated by the CEO Water Mandate: Water scarcity and related problems pose material risks but can also, when well managed, create opportunities for improvement and innovation.1 JPMorgan Chase expects that more companies will be under increasing pressure from investors to provide detailed statements on their water-related risks.2
     The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), representing 475 institutional investors globally with $55 trillion in assets, has for years requested greater disclosure from companies on their climate change management programs. The 2009 response rate to the CDP for S&P 500 and the FTSE Global 500 was 66% and 82%, respectively.
In contrast, Layne Christensen does not report in any detaildetails on its sustainability efforts and does not outline sustainable water use policies or greenhouse gas emissions data and reduction plans.has declined to participate in the CDP.  Transparency on climate change is particularly crucial as itabatement goals is one of the most financially significant environmental issues currently facing investors.
 
     RMoreover, last year this resolution received majority investor support, fully 60% of votes cast, the highest vote ever for a resolution on sustainability reporting.  Yet the board has not moved forward in response to this shareholder mandate.
ESOLVEDGiven Layne Christensen's business focus is providing water-related services and products, we believe that evaluation of the company's exposure to water scarcity can help manage risks.  Water scarcity risk assessments can, when well managed, create opportunities for improvement and innovation.  JPMorgan Chase expects more companies will face increasing investor pressure to provide detailed statements on water-related risks.
32

RESOLVED:
: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors issue a sustainability report describing the company's ESG performance, including a discussion on water risk and goals, along with sustainable water managementGHG reduction targets and greenhouse gas emissions and management plans for their reduction.goals.  The report willshould be prepared at reasonable cost, omitting proprietary information, to be available to investors by November 1, 2010.2011.
 
     SUPPORTING STATEMENT
SUPPORTING STATEMENT:
 
We recommend that the report include a company-wide review of policies, practices, and metrics related to ESG performance and that Layne Christensen commit to continuous improvement in reporting.  We encourage Layne Christensen to useusing the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (G3)3 to prepare the report describing corporate strategies to sustainably manage water use and addressing other environmental and social impacts such as energy use, waste management, and employee and community relations and to use the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)4 as a means to specifically report on its greenhouse gas emissions and reduction efforts.. The GRI (www.globalreporting.org) is an international organization developed with representatives froma globally accepted reporting framework considered the business, environmental, human rights and labor communities.gold standard of reporting.  The G3 provide guidance on report content, addressing, among other issues, direct economic impacts, environmental performance, international labor standards and practices, and product responsibility. The Guidelines provide a flexible reporting system that allows companies to report incrementallypromotes incremental improvement over time.
____________________

1http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/Environment/CEO_Water_Mandate;
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/news_events/8.1/Ceo_water_mandate.pdf
2Watching Water: A Guide to Evaluating Corporate Risks in a Thirsty World, JPMorgan Chase, March 31, 2008
3http://www.globalreporting.org/ReportingFramework/G3Guidelines/
4https://www.cdproject.net/en-US/Respond/Pages/CDP-Investors.aspx
 


Statement of Board of Directors' Statement AgainstDirectors for Stockholder Proposal
 
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST FOR this stockholder proposal. The Board believes that the approval of the proposed resolution would not be in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.
The Company recognizes the importance, as both an ethical and a business responsibility, of addressing the environmental and social impacts of our business.  We are genuinely concerned aboutThe Board recognizes the issues that would be covered in theimportance to shareholders of environmental and social sustainability report requested by the proponent. However, the amount of time, effort and money required to produce such a sustainability report would divert significant resources that we believe could be better used in strengthening the Company’s business. We feel strongly that preparing a Global Reporting Initiative-based sustainability report is unnecessary and would not be a prudent use of the Company’s assets.
     The basic tenor of the proponent’s proposal relating to the preparation of a sustainability report creates the impression that the report would center upon climate change, sustainable water management and greenhouse gas emissions and their reduction. However, the proponent’s recommendation that the Company use the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (the "Guidelines") reflectsbelieves that the content of the requested report is in fact intended to be far more comprehensive and well beyond environmental considerations. For example, the Guidelines recommend that the social impacts of sustainability to be addressed by management are to include international labor standards and practices, human rights, society, and product responsibility. More, the proponent's supporting statement indicates that occupational safety and health, diversity and community relations are all critical Environmental, Social and Governance considerations.
     Overall, the Guidelines and its appendices total one hundred thirty-seven (137) pages and include substantial detail, yet at the same time are, in some cases, unclear. The Guidelines require extensive and detailed scientific and technical analyses, requiring substantial funds, personnel time and, most likely, the employment of consultants with specialized expertise. Both the proponent and the Global Reporting Initiative tout the flexibility of the Guidelines, but such “flexibility” only serves to make it even more difficult for the Company to determine how to construct and prepare a sustainability report that would be satisfactory to the proponent and, more importantly, beneficial to our stockholders as a whole. It is abundantly clear to us that adoption of the proponent’s resolution will require an extraordinary amount of the Company’s time, effort and money and would divert valuable resources from where they are most needed at the present time. The proposal does not convey the burden involved in preparing a report using the Guidelines other than to note that the sustainability report should be prepared "at a reasonable cost.”
     We believe that the Company has demonstrated a long history of dedication to strong, sustained business performance, good corporate citizenship environmentally, socially, charitably and otherwise. Preparing the requested report would deplete limited humanenvironmental and financial resources without providing meaningful additional benefit to our stockholders, employees or the communities in which we operate. We believe that it is not in our best interest or the best interests of our stockholders to develop a report that lacks an immediate and tangible return for our stockholders.social responsibility.
 
Because the Company is genuinely concerned about the issues covered in this stockholder proposal and because a similarly-proposed stockholder resolution received a 60% vote in favor at last year's annual meeting, the Company has undertaken to prepare a sustainability report.  The Company expects the report will be available in the near future.
For all of the above reasons, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINSTFOR this stockholder proposal.Stockholder Proposal.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
SECTION 16(a)BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") requires the Company's directors and executive officers, and certain persons who own more than 10% of the Company's outstanding common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership in Layne Christensen common stock and other equity securities. SEC regulations require directors, executive officers and certain greater than 10% stockholders to furnish Layne Christensen with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
 
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to Layne Christensen and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders were met.met, except for Mr. Gilmore’s Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 reporting the payout of certain Phantom Stock Units to Mr. Gilmore on January 31, 2011, under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.  Such report was filed on April 29, 2011.
 

Other Business of the Meeting

OTHER BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
 
The Board of Directors is not aware of, and does not intend to present, any matter for action at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. If, however, any other matter properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment, it is intended that the holders of the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will vote on such matters in their discretion in accordance with their best judgment.
 
AAnnual ReportNNUAL REPORT
 
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders, containing financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010,2011, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Such Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material.
 
     A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY for the fiscal year ended January 31,2010(THE "FORM 2011 (the "Form 10-K"), excluding Exhibits, will be furnished without charge to any stockholder of record as of April 11, 2011, upon written request addressed to the attention of the Secretary of Layne Christensen Company at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, Kansas 66205 EXCLUDING EXHIBITS, WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD AS OF APRIL 22,2010, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SECRETARY OF LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMPANY AT 1900SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY,MISSION WOODS,KANSAS 66205.. The Company's Form 10-K is also available on its website at www.laynechristensen.com.www.laynechristensen.com. Layne Christensen will provide a copy of any exhibit to the Form 10-K to any such person upon written request and the payment of the Company's reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibits.
 
ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES/
STOCKHOLDER NOMINATION SUBMISSION PROCESS
33

Advance Notice Procedures/
Stockholder Nomination Submission Process
 
Under the Company's bylaws, no business may be brought before an annual meeting unless it is specified in the notice of the meeting or is otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or by a stockholder entitled to vote who has delivered written notice to the Company's Secretary (containing certain information specified in the bylaws about the stockholder and the proposed action) not less than 120 or more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting—that is, with respect to the 20112012 annual meeting, between January 410 and February 3, 2011.9, 2012.  In addition, any stockholder who wishes to submit to the Board a potential candidate for nomination to the Board must deliver written notice of the nomination within this time period.  Such stockholder's notice shall set forth as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director:
 
(a)the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated;
 
(b)a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice;
 
(c)the name and address of such stockholder, as it appears on the Company's books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made;
 
(d)the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by the nominating stockholder and each nominee proposed by such stockholder;
 
(e)a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder;
 
(f)such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would have been required to be included in a Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A (17 C.F.R. Section 240.14a-1 et seq.) as then in effect under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and
 
(g)the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected.
 
The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as director of the Company.
 
These requirements are separate from and in addition to the SEC's requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to have a stockholder proposal included in the Company's Proxy Statement.
 

Stockholder Proposals for 2012 Annual Meeting

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2011ANNUAL MEETING
 
It is presently anticipated that the 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on June 2, 2011.7, 2012. Stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 20112012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received at the Company's offices, located at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, Kansas 66205, no later than January 3, 2011.9, 2012.  Such proposals must also comply with the other requirements of the proxy solicitation rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to the attention of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Layne Christensen.
 
HOUSEHOLDING
34

 
Householding
If you and other residents at your mailing address own shares in street name, your broker, bank or other nominee may have sent you a notice that your household will receive only one annual report and Proxy Statement for each company in which you hold shares through that broker, bank or nominee. This practice is called "householding." If you did not respond that you did not want to participate in householding, you are deemed to have consented to that process. If these procedures apply to you, your broker, bank or other nominee will have sent one copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement to your address. You may revoke your consent to householding at any time by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee. If you did not receive an individual copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement, we will send copies to you if you contact us at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods, Kansas 66205, (913) 362-0510, Attention: Corporate Secretary.  If you and other residents at your address have been receiving multiple copies of our Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement and desire to receive only a single copy of these materials, you may contact your broker, bank or other nominee or contact us at the above address or telephone number.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors.
 
 
Steven F. Crooke
Senior Vice President—PresidentGeneral Counsel and Secretary

May 5, 2010
Mission Woods, Kansas


May 10, 2011 
Mission Woods, Kansas
35


LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMPANY
 
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

 A  Proposals — THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ITEMS 1 AND 2 AND “AGAINST” ITEM 3.
Item 1: Election of eight directors to hold office for terms expiring at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.
                
 01 - David A.B. Brown       02 - J. Samuel Butler       03 - Robert R. Gilmore       04 - Anthony B. Helfet
05 - Nelson Obus 06 - Jeffrey J. Reynolds07 -Rene J. Robichaud08 -Andrew B. Schmitt
                    
¨     Mark here to vote FOR all nominees.
 
¨Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees.
  01 02 030405060708
¨For All EXCEPT - To withhold a vote for one or more nominees, mark the box to the left and the corresponding numbered box(es) to the right.¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
      
    For   Against   Abstain                                                                                 For   Against    Abstain
Item 2: Proposal to ratify the selection of the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Layne Christensen’s independent sustainability report. auditors for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2011.¨ ¨ ¨Item 3: Stockholder proposal regarding the preparation of a sustainability report.¨¨¨ 
 
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as properly may come before the Annual Meeting.
 B Non-Voting Items 
Change of Address — Please print new address below.



 C Authorized SignaturesThis section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
Please sign this proxy exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.
      /      /
Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.
Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.




YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you can be sure your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 

 
 
Proxy — LAYNE CHRISTENSEN COMPANY
2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints David A.B. Brown, Andrew B. Schmitt and Steven F. Crooke, and each of them, each with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution and revocation, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Layne Christensen Company (“Layne Christensen”) to be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza hotel, located at 401 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, June 3, 2010, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at all adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of capital stock of Layne Christensen which the undersigned is entitled to vote with respect to the matters on the reverse side, all as set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, dated May 5, 2010.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder(s). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ITEMS 1 AND 2 AND “AGAINST” ITEM 3.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE.
(Continued, and to be signed, on other side)