Title 19 SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION OF MINED LANDS
Chapter 19.01 SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION OF MINED LANDS
19.01.010 Purpose and intent.
19.01.020 Definitions.
19.01.030 Incorporation by reference.
19.01.040 Scope.
19.01.050 Vested rights.
19.01.060 Process.
19.01.070 Standards for reclamation.
19.01.080 Statement of responsibility.
19.01.090 Findings for approval.
19.01.100 Financial assurances.
19.01.110 Interim management plans.
19.01.120 Annual report requirements.
19.01.130 Inspections.
19.01.140 Violations and penalties.
19.01.150 Appeals.
19.01.160 Fees.
19.01.170 Mineral resource protection.
19.01.180 Severability.
19.01.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The county of Madera recognizes that the extraction of minerals is
essential to the continued economic well-being of the county and to the needs of
society and that the reclamation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or
minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect the public health and
safety. The county also recognizes that surface mining takes place in diverse
areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological and social
conditions are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the
specifications therefore may vary accordingly.
B. The purpose and intent of
this chapter is to ensure the continued availability of important mineral
resources, while regulating surface mining operations as required by
California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (Public Resources
Code Sections 2710 et seq.), as amended, hereinafter referred to as
“SMARA,” Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 2207 (relating to
annual reporting requirements), and State Mining and Geology Board regulations
(hereinafter referred to as “State regulations”) for surface mining
and reclamation practice (California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14,
Division 2, Chapter 8, Subchapter 1, Sections 3500 et seq.), to ensure
that:
1. Adverse environmental effects are prevented or minimized and that
mined lands are reclaimed to a usable condition which is readily adaptable for
alternative land uses;
2. The production and conservation of minerals are
encouraged, while giving consideration to values relating to recreation,
watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment;
3. Residual
hazards to the public health and safety are eliminated. (Ord. 614
§2(part), 2006).
19.01.020 Definitions.
The definitions set forth in this section shall govern the construction of
this chapter.
“Area of regional significance” means an area
designated by the State Mining and Geology Board which is known to contain a
deposit of minerals, the extraction of which is judged to be of prime importance
in meeting future needs for minerals in a particular region of the state within
which the minerals are located and which, if prematurely developed for alternate
incompatible land uses, could result in the premature loss of minerals that are
of more than local significance.
“Area of statewide
significance” means an area designated by the board which is known to
contain a deposit of minerals, the extraction of which is judged to be of prime
importance in meeting future needs for minerals in the state and which, if
prematurely developed for alternate incompatible land uses, could result in the
permanent loss of minerals that are of more than local or regional
significance.
“Borrow pits” means excavations created by the
surface mining of rock, unconsolidated geologic deposits or soil to provide
material (borrow) for fill elsewhere.
“Compatible land uses”
means land uses inherently compatible with mining and/or that require a minimum
public or private investment in structures, land improvements, and which may
allow mining because of the relative economic value of the land and its
improvements. Examples of such uses may include, but shall not be limited to,
very low density residential, geographically extensive but low impact
industrial, recreational, agricultural, silvicultural, grazing and open
space.
“Haul road” means a road along which material is
transported from the area of excavation to the processing plant or stock pile
area of the surface mining operation.
“Idle” means surface
mining operations curtailed for a period of one year or more, by more than
ninety percent of the operation’s previous maximum annual mineral
production, with the intent to resume those surface mining operations at a
future date.
“Incompatible land uses” means land uses inherently
incompatible with mining and/or that require public or private investment in
structures, land improvements and landscaping and that may prevent mining
because of the greater economic value of the land and its improvements.
Examples of such uses may include, but shall not be limited to, high density
residential, low density residential with high unit value, public facilities,
geographically limited but impact intensive industrial and
commercial.
“Mined lands” means the surface, subsurface and
groundwater of an area in which surface mining operations will be, are being, or
have been conducted, including private ways and roads appurtenant to any such
area, land excavations, workings, mining waste, and areas in which structures,
facilities, equipment, machines, tools, or other materials or property which
result from, or are used in, surface mining
operations.
“Minerals” means any naturally occurring chemical
element or compound, or groups of elements and compounds, formed from inorganic
processes and organic substances, including, but not limited to, coal, peat, and
bituminous rock, but excluding geothermal resources, natural gas and
petroleum.
“Operator” means any person who is engaged in surface
mining operations, or who contracts with others to conduct operations on his/her
behalf, except a person who is engaged in surface mining operations as an
employee with wages as his/her sole compensation.
“Reclamation”
means the combined process of land treatment that minimizes water degradation,
air pollution, damage to aquatic or wildlife habitat, flooding, erosion, and
other adverse effects from surface mining operations, including adverse surface
effects incidental to underground mines, so that mined lands are reclaimed to a
usable condition which is readily adaptable for alternate land uses and create
no danger to public health or safety. The process may extend to affected lands
surrounding mined lands, and may require backfilling, grading, resoiling,
revegetation, soil compaction, stabilization, or other
measures.
“Stream bed skimming” means excavation of sand and
gravel from stream bed deposits above the mean summer water level or stream
bottom, whichever is higher.
“Surface mining operations” means
all, or any part of, the process involved in the mining of minerals on mined
lands by removing overburden and mining directly from the mineral deposits,
open-pit mining of minerals naturally exposed, mining by the auger method,
dredging and quarrying, or surface work incidental to an underground mine.
Surface mining operations include, but are not limited to, in place distillation
or retorting or leaching, the production and disposal of mining waste,
prospecting and exploratory activities, borrow pitting, streambed skimming, and
segregation and stockpiling of mined materials (and recovery of same). (Ord.
614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.030 Incorporation by reference.
The provisions of SMARA (PRC Section 2710 et seq.), PRC Section 2207, and
CCR Section 3500 et seq., as those provisions and regulations may be amended
from time to time, are made a part of this chapter by reference with the same
force and effect as if the provisions therein were specifically and fully set
out herein, excepting that when the provisions of this chapter are more
restrictive than correlative state provisions, this chapter shall prevail.
(Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.040 Scope.
Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall conduct surface mining
operations unless a permit, reclamation plan, and financial assurances for
reclamation have first been approved by the county. Any applicable exemption
from this requirement does not automatically exempt a project or activity from
the application of other regulations, ordinances or policies of the county,
including but not limited to, the application of CEQA, the requirement of site
approvals or other permits, the payment of development impact fees, or the
imposition of other dedications and exactions as may be permitted under the law.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all lands within the county,
public and private.
This chapter shall not apply to the following
activities, subject to the above-referenced exceptions:
A. Excavations or
grading conducted for farming or on-site construction or for the purpose of
restoring land following a flood or natural disaster;
B. On-site excavation
and on-site earthmoving activities which are an integral and necessary part of a
construction project that are undertaken to prepare a site for construction of
structures, landscaping or other land improvements, including the related
excavation, grading, compaction or the creation of fills, road cuts and
embankments, whether or not surplus materials are exported from the site,
subject to all of the following conditions:
1. All required permits for the
construction, landscaping or related land improvements have been approved by a
public agency in accordance with applicable provisions of state law and locally
adopted plans and ordinances, including, but not limited to, the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA,” Public Resources Code, Division
13, Section 21000 et seq.),
2. The county’s approval of the
construction project included consideration of the on-site excavation and
on-site earthmoving activities pursuant to CEQA,
3. The approved
construction project is consistent with the general plan or zoning of the
site,
4. Surplus materials shall not be exported from the site unless and
until actual construction work has commenced and shall cease if it is determined
that construction activities have terminated, have been indefinitely suspended,
or are no longer being actively pursued;
C. Operation of a plant site used
for mineral processing, including associated on-site structures, equipment,
machines, tools or other materials, including the on-site stockpiling and
on-site recovery of mined materials, subject to all of the following
conditions:
1. The plant site is located on lands designated for industrial
or commercial uses in the county’s general plan,
2. The plant site is
located on lands zoned industrial or commercial, or are contained within a
zoning category intended exclusively for industrial activities by the
county,
3. None of the minerals being processed are being extracted
on-site,
4. All reclamation work has been completed pursuant to the approved
reclamation plan for any mineral extraction activities that occurred on-site
after January 1, 1976;
D. Prospecting for, or the extraction of, minerals
for commercial purposes and the removal of overburden in total amounts of less
than one thousand cubic yards in any one location of one acre or
less;
E. Surface mining operations that are required by federal law in order
to protect a mining claim, if those operations are conducted solely for that
purpose;
F. Any other surface mining operations that the State Mining and
Geology Board determines to be of an infrequent nature and which involve only
minor surface disturbances;
G. The solar evaporation of sea water or bay
water for the production of salt and related minerals;
H. Emergency
excavations or grading conducted by the department of water resources or the
reclamation board for the purpose of averting, alleviating, repairing, or
restoring damage to property due to imminent or recent floods, disasters, or
other emergencies;
I. Road construction and maintenance for timber or forest
operations if the land is owned by the same person or entity, and if the
excavation is conducted adjacent to timber or forest operation roads. This
exemption is only available if slope stability and erosion are controlled in
accordance with board regulations and, upon closure of the site, the person
closing the site implements, where necessary, revegetation measures and post
closure uses in consultation with the department of forestry and fire
protection. This exemption does not apply to on-site excavation or grading that
occurs within one hundred feet of a Class One watercourse or seventy-five feet
of a Class Two watercourse, or to excavations for materials that are, or have
been, sold for commercial purposes. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.050 Vested rights.
No person who obtained a vested right to conduct surface mining operations
prior to January 1, 1976, shall be required to secure a permit to mine, so long
as the vested right continues and as long as no substantial changes have been
made in the operation except in accordance with SMARA, State regulations and
this chapter. Where a person with vested rights has continued surface mining in
the same area subsequent to January 1, 1976, he shall obtain county approval of
a reclamation plan covering the mined lands disturbed by such subsequent surface
mining. In those cases where an overlap exists (in the horizontal and/or
vertical sense) between pre- and post-Act mining, the reclamation plan shall
call for reclamation proportional to that disturbance caused by the mining after
the effective date of the Act (January 1, 1976). All other requirements of
state law and this chapter shall apply to vested mining operations. (Ord. 614
§2(part), 2006).
19.01.060 Process.
A. Applications for a site approval or reclamation plan for surface mining
or land reclamation projects shall be made on forms provided by the planning
department. Such application shall be filed in accord with this chapter and
procedures to be established by the planning director. The forms for
reclamation plan applications shall require, at a minimum, each of the elements
required by SMARA (Sections 2772-2773) and State regulations, and any other
requirements deemed necessary to facilitate an expeditious and fair evaluation
of the proposed reclamation plan, to be established at the discretion of the
planning director. As many copies of the site approval application as may be
required by the planning director shall be submitted to the planning
department.
B. As many copies of a reclamation plan application as may be
required shall be submitted in conjunction with all applications for site
approvals for surface mining operations. For surface mining operations that are
exempt from a site approval pursuant to this chapter, the reclamation plan
application shall include information concerning the mining operation that is
required for processing the reclamation plan. All documentation for the
reclamation plan shall be submitted to the county at one
time.
C. Applications shall include all required environmental review forms
and information prescribed by the planning director.
D. Upon completion of
the environmental review procedure and filing of all documents required by the
planning director, consideration of the site approval or reclamation plan for
the proposed or existing surface mine shall be completed pursuant to Chapter
18.92 of the zoning ordinance at a public hearing before the planning
commission, and pursuant to Section 2774 of the Public Resources
Code.
E. Within thirty days of acceptance of an application for a site
approval for surface mining operations and/or a reclamation plan as complete,
the planning department shall notify the State Department of Conservation of the
filing of the application(s). Whenever mining operations are proposed in the
one hundred-year floodplain of any stream, as shown in “Zone A” of
the flood insurance rate maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
and within one mile, upstream or downstream, of any state highway bridge, the
planning department shall also notify the State Department of Transportation
that the application has been received.
F. The planning department shall
process the application(s) through environmental review pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et
seq.) and the county’s environmental review guidelines.
G. Subsequent
to the appropriate environmental review, the planning department shall prepare a
staff report with recommendations for consideration by the planning
commission.
H. The planning commission shall hold at least one noticed
public hearing on the site approval and/or reclamation plan.
1. Prior to
final approval of a reclamation plan, financial assurances (as provided in this
chapter), or any amendments to the reclamation plan or existing financial
assurances, the planning commission shall certify to the State Department of
Conservation that the reclamation plan and/or financial assurance complies with
the applicable requirements of state law, and submit the plan, assurance, or
amendments to the State Department of Conservation for review. The planning
commission may conceptually approve the reclamation plan and financial assurance
before submittal to the State Department of Conservation. If a site approval is
being processed concurrently with the reclamation plan, the planning commission
may simultaneously also conceptually approve the site approval. However, the
planning commission may defer action on the site approval until taking final
action on the reclamation plan and financial assurances. If necessary to comply
with permit processing deadlines, the planning commission may conditionally
approve the site approval with the condition that the planning department shall
not issue the site approval for the mining operations until cost estimates for
financial assurances have been reviewed by the State Department of Conservation
and final action has been taken on the reclamation plan and financial
assurances.
2. Pursuant to PRC Section 2774(d), the State Department of
Conservation shall be given thirty days to review and comment on the reclamation
plan and forty-five days to review and comment on the financial assurance. The
planning commission shall evaluate written comments received, if any, from the
State Department of Conservation during the comment periods. Staff shall
prepare a written response describing the disposition of the major issues raised
by the state for the planning commission’s approval. In particular, when
the planning commission’s position is at variance with the recommendations
and objections raised in the state’s comments, the written response shall
address, in detail, why specific comments and suggestions were not accepted.
Copies of any written comments received and responses prepared by the planning
commission shall be promptly forwarded to the operator/applicant.
J. The
planning commission shall then take action to approve, conditionally approve, or
deny the site approval and/or reclamation plan, and to approve the financial
assurances pursuant to PRC Section 2770(d).
K. The planning department shall
forward a copy of each approved site approval for mining operations and/or
approved reclamation plan, and a copy of the approved financial assurances to
the State Department of Conservation. By July 1st of each year, the planning
department shall submit to the State Department of Conservation for each active
or idle mining operation a copy of the site approval or reclamation plan
amendments, as applicable, or a statement that there have been no changes during
the previous year. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.070 Standards for reclamation.
A. All reclamation plans shall comply with the provisions of SMARA
(Sections 2772 and 2773) and State regulations (CCR Sections 3500-3505).
Reclamation plans approved after January 15, 1993, reclamation plans for
proposed new mining operations, and any substantial amendments to previously
approved reclamation plans, shall also comply with the requirements for
reclamation performance standards (CCR Sections 3700-3713).
B. The county
may impose additional performance standards as developed either in review of
individual projects, as warranted, or through the formulation and adoption of
county-wide performance standards.
C. Reclamation activities shall be
initiated at the earliest possible time on those portions of the mined lands
that will not be subject to further disturbance. Interim reclamation may also
be required for mined lands that have been disturbed and that may be disturbed
again in future operations. Reclamation may be done on an annual basis, in
stages compatible with continuing operations, or on completion of all
excavation, removal or fill, as approved by the county. Each phase of
reclamation shall be specifically described in the reclamation plan and shall
include: (1) the beginning and expected ending dates for each phase; (2) all
reclamation activities required; (3) criteria for measuring completion of
specific reclamation activities; and (4) estimated costs for completion of each
phase of reclamation. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.080 Statement of responsibility.
The person submitting the reclamation plan shall sign a statement
accepting responsibility for reclaiming the mined lands in accordance with the
reclamation plan. The statement shall be kept by the planning department in the
mining operation’s permanent record. Upon sale or transfer of the
operation, the new operator shall submit a signed statement of responsibility to
the planning department for placement in the permanent record. (Ord. 614
§2(part), 2006).
19.01.090 Findings for approval.
A. Site Approvals. In addition to any findings required by the County
Code, site approvals for surface mining operations shall include a finding that
the project complies with the provisions of SMARA and State
regulations.
B. Reclamation Plans. For reclamation plans, the following
findings shall be required:
1. That the reclamation plan complies with SMARA
Sections 2772 and 2773, and any other applicable provisions;
2. That the
reclamation plan complies with applicable requirements of State regulations (CCR
Sections 3500-3505, and 3700-3713);
3. That the reclamation plan and
potential use of reclaimed land pursuant to the plan are consistent with this
chapter and the county’s general plan and any applicable resource plan or
element;
4. That the reclamation plan has been reviewed pursuant to CEQA and
the county’s environmental review guidelines, and all significant adverse
impacts from reclamation of the surface mining operations are mitigated to the
maximum extent feasible;
5. That the land and/or resources such as water
bodies to be reclaimed will be restored to a condition that is compatible with,
and blends in with, the surrounding natural environment, topography and other
resources, or that suitable off-site development will compensate for related
disturbance to resource values;
6. That the reclamation plan will restore
the mined lands to a usable condition which is readily adaptable for alternative
land uses consistent with the general plan and applicable resource
plan;
7. That a written response to the State Department of Conservation has
been prepared, describing the disposition of major issues raised by that
department. Where the county’s position is at variance with the
recommendations and objections raised by the State Department of Conservation,
the response shall address, in detail, why specific comments and suggestions
were not accepted. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.100 Financial assurances.
A. To ensure that reclamation will proceed in accordance with the approved
reclamation plan, the county shall require as a condition of approval security
which will be released upon satisfactory performance. The applicant may pose
security in the form of a surety bond, trust fund, irrevocable letter of credit
from an accredited financial institution, or other method acceptable to the
county and the State Mining and Geology Board as specified in State regulations,
and which the county reasonably determines are adequate to perform reclamation
in accordance with the surface mining operation’s approved reclamation
plan. Financial assurances shall be made payable to the county of Madera and
the State Department of Conservation.
B. Financial assurances will be
required to ensure compliance with elements of the reclamation plan, including
but not limited to, revegetation and landscaping requirements, restoration of
aquatic or wildlife habitat, restoration of water bodies and water quality,
slope stability and erosion and drainage control, disposal of hazardous
materials, and other measures, if necessary.
C. Cost estimates for the
financial assurance shall be submitted to the planning department for review and
approval prior to the operator securing financial assurances. The planning
director shall forward a copy of the cost estimates, together with any
documentation received supporting the amount of the cost estimates, to the State
Department of Conservation for review. If the State Department of Conservation
does not comment within forty-five days of receipt of these estimates, it shall
be assumed that the cost estimates are adequate, unless the county of Madera has
reason to determine that additional costs may be incurred. The planning
director shall have the discretion to approve the financial assurance if it
meets the requirements of this chapter, SMARA and State regulations.
D. The
amount of the financial assurance shall be based upon the estimated costs of
reclamation for the years or phases stipulated in the approved reclamation plan,
including any maintenance of reclaimed areas as may be required, subject to
adjustment for the actual amount required to reclaim lands disturbed by surface
mining activities since January 1, 1976, and new lands to be disturbed by
surface mining activities in the upcoming year. Cost estimates should be
prepared by a California registered professional engineer and/or other similarly
licensed and qualified professionals retained by the operator and approved by
the planning director. The estimated amount of the financial assurance shall be
based on an analysis of physical activities, the number of units of each of
these activities, and the actual administrative costs. Financial assurances to
ensure compliance with revegetation, restoration of water bodies, restoration of
aquatic or wildlife habitat, and any other applicable element of the approved
reclamation plan shall be based upon cost estimates that include, but may not be
limited to, labor, equipment, materials, mobilization of equipment,
administration, and reasonable profit by a commercial operator other than the
permittee. A contingency factor of ten percent shall be added to the cost of
financial assurances.
E. In projecting the costs of financial assurances, it
shall be assumed without prejudice or insinuation that the surface mining
operation could be abandoned by the operator and, consequently, the county or
State Department of Conservation may need to contract with a third party
commercial company for reclamation of the site.
F. The financial assurances
shall remain in effect for the duration of the surface mining operation and any
additional period until reclamation is completed (including any maintenance
required).
G. The amount of financial assurances required of a surface
mining operation for any one year shall be reviewed annually after their initial
approval and acceptance, and adjusted as necessary to account for new lands
disturbed by surface mining operations, inflation, and reclamation of lands
accomplished in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. The financial
assurances shall include estimates to cover reclamation for existing conditions
and anticipated activities during the upcoming year, excepting that the
permittee may not claim credit for reclamation scheduled for completion during
the coming year.
H. Revisions to financial assurances shall be submitted to
the planning department within thirty days of notification by the planning
director that an adjustment is required. The financial assurance shall cover
the cost of existing disturbance and anticipated activities for the next
calendar year, including any required interim reclamation. If revisions to the
financial assurances are not required, the operator shall explain, in writing,
why revisions are not required. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.110 Interim management plans.
A. Within ninety days of a surface mining operation becoming idle, the
operator shall submit to the planning department a proposed interim management
plan (“IMP”). The proposed IMP shall fully comply with the
requirements of SMARA, including but not limited to all site approval
conditions, and shall provide measures the operator will implement to maintain
the site in a stable condition, taking into consideration public health and
safety. The proposed IMP shall be submitted on forms provided by the planning
department, and shall be processed as an amendment to the reclamation plan.
IMPs shall not be considered a project for the purposes of environmental
review.
B. Financial assurances for idle operations shall be maintained as
though the operation were active, or as otherwise approved through the idle
mine’s IMP.
C. Upon receipt of a complete proposed IMP, the planning
department shall forward the IMP to the State Department of Conservation for
review. The IMP shall be submitted to the State Department of Conservation at
least thirty days prior to approval by the planning commission.
D. Within
sixty days of receipt of the proposed IMP, or a longer period mutually agreed
upon by the planning director and the operator, the planning commission shall
review and approve or deny the IMP in accordance with this chapter. The
operator shall have thirty days, or a longer period mutually agreed upon by the
operator and the planning director, to submit a revised IMP. The planning
commission shall approve or deny the revised IMP within sixty days of receipt.
If the planning commission denies the revised IMP, the operator may appeal that
action to the county board of supervisors.
E. The IMP may remain in effect
for a period not to exceed five years, at which time the planning commission may
renew the IMP for another period not to exceed five years, or require the
surface mining operator to commence reclamation in accordance with its approved
reclamation plan. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.120 Annual report requirements.
Surface mining operators shall forward an annual surface mining report to
the State Department of Conservation and to the county planning department on a
date established by the State Department of Conservation, upon forms furnished
by the State Mining and Geology Board. New mining operations shall file an
initial surface mining report and any applicable filing fees with the State
Department of Conservation within thirty days of permit approval, or before
commencement of operations, whichever is sooner. Any applicable fees, together
with a copy of the annual inspection report, shall be forwarded to the State
Department of Conservation at the time of filing the annual surface mining
report. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.130 Inspections.
The planning department shall arrange for inspection of a surface mining
operation within six months of receipt of the annual report required in Section
19.01.120 of this chapter to determine whether the surface mining operation is
in compliance with the approved site approval and/or reclamation plan, approved
financial assurances, and State regulations. In no event shall less than one
inspection be conducted in any calendar year. Such inspections may be made by a
state-registered geologist, state-registered civil engineer, state-licensed
landscape architect, or state-registered forester, who is experienced in land
reclamation and who has not been employed by the mining operation in any
capacity during the previous twelve months, or other qualified specialists, as
selected by the planning director. All inspections shall be conducted using a
form approved and provided by the State Mining and Geology Board.
The
planning department shall notify the State Department of Conservation within
thirty days of completion of the inspection that such inspection has been
conducted, and shall forward a copy of such inspection notice and any supporting
documentation to the mining operator. The operator shall be solely responsible
for the reasonable cost of such inspection. (Ord. 614 §2(part),
2006).
19.01.140 Violations and penalties.
If the planning director, based upon an annual inspection or otherwise
confirmed by an inspection of the mining operation, determines that a surface
mining operation is not in compliance with this chapter, the applicable site
approval, any required permit and/or the reclamation plan, the county shall
follow the procedures set forth in Public Resources Code, Sections 2774.1 and
2774.2 concerning violations and penalties, as well as those provisions of the
county development code for revocation and/or abandonment of a site approval
which are not preempted by SMARA. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.150 Appeals.
Any person aggrieved by an act or determination of the planning department
in the exercise of the authority granted herein, shall have the right to appeal
to the planning commission or the board of supervisors, whichever is the next
higher authority. The appeal shall be filed within fifteen days after the date
of the act or determination in question, in accordance with the rules on appeal,
Sections 18.108.110 through 18.108.180. An appeal shall be filed by submitting
a letter stating the items being appealed, the reasons for the appeal, and
through the payment of an appeal fee established in the fee schedule adopted by
the board of supervisors and amended from time to time. (Ord. 614
§2(part), 2006).
19.01.160 Fees.
The county shall establish such fees as it deems necessary to cover the
reasonable costs incurred in implementing this chapter and the State
regulations, including but not limited to, processing of applications, annual
reports, inspections, monitoring, enforcement and compliance. Such fees shall
be paid by the operator, as required by the county, at the time of filing of the
site approval application, reclamation plan application, and at such other times
as are determined by the county to be appropriate in order to ensure that all
reasonable costs of implementing this chapter are borne by the mining operator.
(Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.170 Mineral resource protection.
A. Mine development is encouraged in compatible areas before encroachment
of conflicting uses. Mineral resource areas that have been classified by the
State Department of Conservation’s Division of Mines and Geology or
designated by the State Mining and Geology Board, as well as existing surface
mining operations that remain in compliance with the provisions of this chapter,
shall be protected from intrusion by incompatible land uses that may impede or
preclude mineral extraction or processing, to the extent possible for
consistency with the county’s general plan.
B. In accordance with PRC
Section 2762, the county’s general plan and resource maps will be updated
to reflect mineral information (classification and/or designation reports)
within twelve months of receipt from the State Mining and Geology Board of such
information. Land use decisions within the county will be guided by information
provided on the location of identified mineral resources of regional
significance. Conservation and potential development of identified mineral
resource areas will be considered and encouraged. Recordation on property
titles of the presence of important mineral resources within the identified
mineral resource areas may be encouraged as a condition of approval of any
development project in the impacted area. Prior to approving a use that would
otherwise be incompatible with mineral resource protection, conditions of
approval may be applied to encroaching development projects to minimize
potential conflicts. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
19.01.180 Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is
for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of a court
of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect the remaining portions of this
chapter. (Ord. 614 §2(part), 2006).
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