The County of Trinity 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.

The purpose and intent of this section 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, Section 8, Subchapter 1, Sections 3500 et seq.), to ensure that:

A.

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.

B.

The production and conservation of minerals are encouraged, while giving consideration to values relating to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment.

C.

Residual hazards to the public health and safety are eliminated.

"Abandon" or "abandonment" means cessation of surface mining operations prior to completion of required reclamation, or to cease surface mining whether or not actual reclamation has commenced, or both. Unless review of an interim management plan is pending before the planning department, or an appeal is pending, a surface mining operation which remains idle for over one year after becoming idle as defined in PRC Section 2727.1, without obtaining approval of an interim management plan shall be considered abandoned.

"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 stockpile 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.

"Indigenous plants" means plants occurring naturally in an area, not introduced.

"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.

"Reclamation plan" means the plan of operations for a surface mine that describes the conduct and operating procedures for the mine during all phases of operation until reclamation has been deemed complete by the lead agency.

"Stream bed skimming" means excavation of sand and gravel from streambed 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, inplace 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).

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

Surface mines shall be allowed in any zoning district with approval of a use permit and reclamation plan, except for the following zoning districts:

Single-family residential (R-1); duplex residential (R-2); multi-family residential (R-3); highway commercial (HC); retail commercial (C-1); general commercial (C-2); and heavy commercial (C-3).

Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall conduct surface mining operations unless a use 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 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.

Onsite excavation and onsite 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, § 21000 et seq.).

2.

The county's approval of the construction project included consideration of the onsite excavation and onsite 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 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:

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 onsite.

4.

All reclamation work has been completed pursuant to the approved reclamation plan for any mineral extraction activities that occurred onsite 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 over the life of the mine.

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.

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.

H.

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 State Mining and Geology 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 onsite 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.

I.

Excavations, grading, or other earthmoving activities in an oil or gas field that are integral to, and necessary for, ongoing operations for the extraction of oil or gas that comply with all of the following conditions:

a.

The operations are being conducted in accordance with Division 3 (commencing with Section 3000) of the State Mining and Geology Board's regulations;

b.

The operations are consistent with the county's general plan or zoning applicable to the site;

c.

The earthmoving activities are within oil or gas field properties under a common owner or operator; and

d.

No excavated materials are sold for commercial purposes.

J.

An exemption under this title 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 (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.), the requirement of use permits, grading permits, or other permits or the imposition of monitoring fees or exactions as may be permitted by law.

K.

Any person desiring a determination of exemption from this chapter may request such a written determination by submitting a complete written description of the proposed project or activity and its location together with a filing fee to the planning department.

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 section. 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).

No new vested right operations shall be recognized after January 2001.

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

A.

Applications for a use permit and/or reclamation plan for surface mining or land reclamation projects shall be made on forms provided by the planning department. Said application shall be filed in accordance with this chapter and procedures established by the planning director.

B.

The forms for reclamation plan applications shall require, at a minimum, each of the elements required by SMARA (§ 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 reclamation plan as may be required by the planning director shall be submitted to the planning department.

C.

As many copies of a reclamation plan application as may be required shall be submitted in conjunction with all applications for use permits for surface mining operations. For surface mining operations that are exempt from a use permit pursuant to this section, 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.

D.

Applications shall include all required environmental review forms and information prescribed by the planning director and shall be accompanied by aerial photographs. The information shall include a site plan and benchmark elevations. These benchmarks shall be maintained throughout the life of the project. Applications for operations located in areas that may potentially be unstable due to geology, soils, or slope; and applications for operations located in areas with ultramafic soils or soils that may contain naturally occurring asbestos shall submit a geotechnical report that describes possible geological hazards and recommends mitigation to minimize potential impacts from any hazard identified. The geotechnical report shall meet the standards stated in Recommended Procedures for Implementation of DMG Special Publication 117: Guidelines for Analyzing and Mitigating Landslide Hazards in California, published by the American Society of Civil Engineering and Southern California Earthquake Center for slope stability analysis. Asbestos shall be evaluated as required by the Air Resources Board Guidelines.

E.

Upon completion of the environmental review procedure and filing of all documents required by the planning director, consideration of the use permit or reclamation plan for the proposed or existing surface mine shall be completed pursuant to Chapter 17.32 of the Trinity County Zoning Ordinance at a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and pursuant to Section 2774 of the Public Resources Code.

F.

Within thirty days of acceptance of an application for a use permit 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 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. Whenever mining operations are proposed within one mile, upstream or downstream, of any county bridge, the planning department shall also notify the Trinity County Department of Transportation that the application has been received.

G.

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.

H.

Subsequent to the appropriate environmental review, the planning department shall prepare a staff report with recommendations for consideration by the planning commission.

I.

The planning commission shall hold at least one noticed public hearing on the use permit and/or reclamation plan.

J.

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 use permit is being processed concurrently with the reclamation plan, the planning commission may simultaneously also conceptually approve the use permit. However, the planning commission may defer action on the use permit 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 use permit with the condition that the planning department shall not issue the use permit 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.

K.

Pursuant to PRC § 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.

L.

Copies of any written comments received and responses prepared by the planning commission shall be promptly forwarded to the operator/applicant.

M.

The planning commission shall then take action to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the use permit and/or reclamation plan, and to approve the financial assurances pursuant to PRC § 2770(d).

N.

The planning department shall forward a copy of each approved use permit for mining operations and/or approved reclamation plan, and a copy of the approved financial assurances to the State Department of Conservation. By July 1 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 use permit or reclamation plan amendments, as applicable, or a statement that there have been no changes during the previous year.

O.

Reclamation plan and use permit amendments shall be submitted to the planning department for review and approval prior to implementation. Substantial deviations from the approved reclamation plan or use permit, as determined by the planning director, shall require planning commission approval. Minor amendments from the approved reclamation plan may be approved by the planning director. All amendments to reclamation plans shall be forwarded to the department of conservation for comment prior to approval. The department of conservation shall have thirty days to comment on the amendment prior to approval by the planning director or the planning commission. If an amendment is approved, the financial assurances shall be amended accordingly prior to implementation of the reclamation plan or use permit amendment.

A.

All reclamation plans shall comply with the provisions of SMARA (§ 2772 and § 2773) and state regulations (CCR §§ 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 §§ 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 countywide 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;

4.

Estimated costs for completion of each phase of reclamation.

D.

Reclamation shall commence within thirty days after operations have ceased in any area which will not be subject to additional mining, or in any section of a mining operation which has become idle, unless an interim reclamation plan has been submitted to the county for review.

The person submitting the reclamation plan shall sign a statement accepting responsibility for reclaiming the mined lands in accordance with the reclamation plan. Said 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, which is dated to correspond with the change in ownership.

The mine operator and owner of the property to be mined shall sign an agreement which holds the County of Trinity and the State of California harmless from any and all claims, litigation, and damages, including costs of repair, related to and/or arising from environmental contamination from hazardous materials caused by the mining operations. The form of said document shall be approved by county counsel prior to submittal. The hold harmless agreement shall be submitted to the county prior to commencement of mining operations and shall become part of the permanent record for the mine operation.

A.

Use Permits. In addition to any findings required by the Trinity County Zoning Ordinance, use permits 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 §§ 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, said response shall address, in detail, why specific comments and suggestions were not accepted.

8.

That adequate financial assurances exist to implement the reclamation plan and any additional conditions of approval required by the use permit.

All conditions of approval shall be incorporated into the operating plan and reclamation plan for the mining operation prior to commencement.

The following conditions shall be incorporated as conditions of approval for use permits for every mining operation:

A.

All mining operations and activities; method of mining and equipment used; and area to be mined shall be those described in the approved final reclamation plan.

The limits of the mine area (described in the reclamation plan, and identified on the aerial map included in the plan) shall be flagged and posted on the site and benchmarks shall be established. The mine operation boundaries and benchmarks shall be maintained throughout the life of the mine for easy identification during operations and annual inspections.

B.

The reclamation plan shall be amended if site conditions, mining operations, or other activities necessitate a re-evaluation of mine operations and reclamation in relation to standards contained in Section 3700 et Seq. (Article 9, Reclamation Standards) of the California Code of Regulations, including any amendments to the standards.

C.

A copy of the approved reclamation plan and all use permit conditions shall be maintained on the mine site during active mining operations.

D.

Operations shall comply with all local, state and federal regulations.

E.

Copies of all required local, state, and federal permits associated with the project, or verification that a permit is not required, shall be submitted to the planning department prior to mining operations. Subsequent updates of permits shall also be supplied to the planning department and shall be maintained as part of the active mine's file.

F.

Materials safety data sheets shall be maintained on site for all hazardous materials. A map showing the location of any hazardous materials storage areas shall also be maintained on site. A copy of this information shall be submitted to the Trinity County Planning Department and the local fire department. Absorbent materials for cleanup of hazardous materials shall be maintained on site at all times. The location of these materials shall be identified on the hazardous materials storage map. Any spillage of hazardous materials including fuels, lubricants, solvents, etc. shall be immediately contained. Cleaning materials and contaminated materials shall be disposed of according to state regulations.

G.

Fuel storage on the project site shall be in approved fuel storages containers. All fuel storage containers shall have a non-permeable, secondary containment system.

H.

Any other conditions deemed necessary by the planning commission.

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 Trinity 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 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, and new lands to be disturbed by surface mining activities in the upcoming year. Cost estimates shall be prepared by a qualified professional, with experience in preparing financial assurance estimates, 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 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 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.

I.

Financial assurances shall include the cost of removal of all structures and equipment associated with the surface mine operation. Salvage value for equipment and structures shall not be used in calculations for financial assurances.

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 use permit 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, unless the IMP substantially deviates from the approved reclamation plan.

B.

Financial assurances for idle operations shall be maintained as though the operation were active.

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 director 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 director shall approve or deny the revised IMP within sixty days of receipt. If the planning director denies the revised IMP, the operator may appeal that action to the planning commission.

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.

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.

The planning department shall arrange for inspection of a surface mining operation within six months of receipt of the annual report required in Section 12.14, to determine whether the surface mining operation is in compliance with the approved use permit and/or reclamation plan, approved financial assurances, and state regulations. In no event shall less than one inspection be conducted in any calendar year. Said 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 said inspection has been conducted, and shall forward a copy of said inspection notice and any supporting documentation to the mining operator. The operator shall be solely responsible for the reasonable cost of such inspection.

Additional inspections may be performed by the planning department throughout the year. These inspections may be performed at the request of the operator, the planning department, or in response to a written complaint.

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 use permit, 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 Trinity County Zoning Ordinance for revocation and/or abandonment of a use permit which are not preempted by SMARA.

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 use permit 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.

Inspection fees shall be due and payable within ninety days of the inspection date. Failure to pay inspection fees shall be grounds for revocation of the use permit, in addition to any other remedies available to the county.

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.

In accordance with PRC § 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.