A.

The city recognizes that the extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the city 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 city 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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

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.

"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 (90) percent of the operation's previous maximum annual mineral production, with the intent to resume those surface mining operations at a future date.

"Mined lands" means the surface, subsurface and ground water 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 are located.

"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 incident 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).

(Added during 1997 codification)

The provisions of SMARA (PRC Section 2710 et seq.), PRC Section 2207, and state regulations 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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

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 city. 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 city, 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 city, public and private.

B.

This chapter shall not apply to the following activities, subject to the above-referenced exceptions:

1.

Excavations or grading conducted for farming or on-site construction or for the purpose of restoring land following a flood or natural disaster;

2.

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:

a.

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.),

b.

The city's approval of the construction project included consideration of the onsite excavation and onsite earthmoving activities pursuant to CEQA,

c.

The approved construction project is consistent with the general plan or zoning of the site,

d.

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;

3.

Operation of a plant site used for mineral processing, including associated onsite structures, equipment, machines, tools, or other materials, including the onsite stockpiling and onsite recovery of mined materials, subject to all of the following conditions:

a.

The plant site is located on lands designated for industrial or commercial uses in the city's general plan,

b.

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 city,

c.

None of the minerals being processed are being extracted onsite,

d.

All reclamation work has been completed pursuant to the approved reclamation plan for any mineral extraction activities that occurred onsite after January 1, 1976;

4.

Prospecting for, or the extraction of, minerals for commercial purposes and the removal of overburden in total amounts of less than one thousand (1,000) cubic yards in any one location of one acre or less.

5.

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;

6.

Any other surface mining operations that the city determines to be of an infrequent nature and which involve only minor surface disturbances;

7.

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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

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 city 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).

B.

All other requirements of state law and this chapter shall apply to vested mining operations.

(Added during 1997 codification)

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. The 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 (Section 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 city 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 reviewed at a duly noted public hearing before the planning commission, and pursuant to Section 2774 of the Public Resources Code.

E.

Within thirty (30) days of acceptance of a complete 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 (100) year flood plain 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.

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.

Pursuant to PRC Section 2774(d), the State Department of Conservation shall be given thirty (30) days to review and comment on the reclamation plan and forty-five (45) 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.

G.

The planning commission shall then take action to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the site approval and reclamation plan, and to approve the financial assurances pursuant to PRC Section 2770(d).

H.

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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

All reclamation plans shall comply with the provisions of SMARA (Section 2772 and Section 2773) and state regulations (CCR Section 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 Section 3700—3713).

B.

The city may impose additional performance standards as developed either in review of individual projects, as warranted, or through the formulation and adoption of citywide 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 city. 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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

Site Approvals. In addition to any findings required by the municipal 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 Section 3500-3505, and Section 3700-3713);

3.

That the reclamation plan and potential use of reclaimed land pursuant to the plan are consistent with this chapter and the city's general plan and any applicable resource plan or element;

4.

That the reclamation plan has been reviewed pursuant to CEQA and the city'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 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 city's position is at variance with the recommendations and objections raised by the State Department of Conservation, said response shall address, in detail, why specific comments and suggestions were not accepted.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

To ensure that reclamation will proceed in accordance with the approved reclamation plan, the city 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 city and the State Mining and Geology Board as specified in state regulations, and which the city 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 city 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 or the cost estimates, to the State Department of Conservation for review. If the State Department of Conservation does not comment within forty-five (45) days of receipt of these estimates, it shall be assumed that the cost estimates are adequate, unless the city 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 necessary to implement the approved reclamation plan, the unit costs for each of these 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 city 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 adjusted annually 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 director each year prior to the anniversary date for approval of the financial assurances. 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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

Within ninety (90) 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 (30) days prior to approval by the planning commission.

D.

Within sixty (60) 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 (30) 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 (60) days of receipt. If the planning commission denies the revised IMP, the operator may appeal that action to the city council/board of supervisors.

E.

The IMP may remain in effect for a period not to exceed two years, at which time the planning commission may renew the IMP for another period not to exceed two years, or require the surface mining operator to commence reclamation in accordance with its approved reclamation plan.

(Added during 1997 codification)

Surface mining operators shall forward an annual surface mining report to the State Department of Conservation and to the city 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 (30) 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.

(Added during 1997 codification)

A.

The planning department shall arrange for inspection of a surface mining operation within six months of receipt of the annual report required in Section 16.44.120, 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. The 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 (12) 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.

B.

The planning department shall notify the State Department of Conservation within thirty (30) days of completion of the inspection that the inspection has been conducted, and shall forward a copy of the inspection notice and any supporting documentation to the mining operator. The operator shall be solely responsible for the reasonable cost of such inspection.

(Added during 1997 codification)

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 city 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 city development code for revocation and/or abandonment of a site approval which are not preempted by SMARA.

(Added during 1997 codification)

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 city council, whichever is the next higher authority. An appeal shall be filed on forms provided, within fifteen (15) calendar days after the rendition, in writing, of the appealed decision.

(Added during 1997 codification)

The city shall establish by resolution 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 city, at the time of filing of the site approval application, reclamation plan application, and at such other times as are determined by the city to be appropriate in order to ensure that all reasonable costs of implementing this chapter are borne by the mining operator.

(Added during 1997 codification)