Assigned to NREW FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2685
mine inspector; geological survey; authority
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Geological Survey to establish, and the State Geologist to update on
request of the State Mine Inspector (Inspector), a map and inventory of all known areas that contain
aggregate resources and all existing aggregate mining facilities in Arizona. Outlines content and
reporting requirements for a submitted reclamation plan.
Background
An owner or operator of an aggregate mining facility may submit a single reclamation plan
that covers multiple aggregate mining units of an aggregate mining facility. The proposed
reclamation plan must include outlined information, including ownership information of the area,
a statement that the owner or operator assumes responsibility for the reclamation of surface
disturbances, outlined descriptions of the aggregate mining unit, proposed surface disturbances
and reclamation measures necessary, the estimated cost and a tentative schedule for the
disturbances and reclamation measures (A.R.S. § 27-1271).
The Inspector must approve a reclamation plan for aggregate mining units if the plan
provides for reclamation measures for outlined surface disturbances. In evaluating the reclamation
plan, the Inspector must consider the technical and economic practicability of the proposed
reclamation measures, taking into account the site-specific circumstances at the aggregate mining
unit and the proposed postaggregate mining land use objectives as stated in the reclamation plan.
The postaggregate mining land use objective stated in the reclamation plan need not be the same
use of the land that existed before the aggregate mining facility was located on the site (A.R.S.
§ 27-1273).
Aggregate means cinder, crushed rock or stone, decomposed granite, gravel, pumice,
pumicite and sand (A.R.S. § 27-101).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Arizona Geological Survey to establish a map and inventory of all known areas
that contain aggregate resources and all existing aggregate mining facilities in the state
according to county.
2. Requires the State Geologist, on request of the Inspector, to update the maps and inventories
of the aggregate resources of the state and include areas of aggregate resources discovered
since the previous publication. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2685
Page 2
3. Requires a submitted reclamation plan to include:
a) the distance in feet and the direction from the closest occupied residential structures and
aggregate mining facility, to be measured from the exterior of the occupied residential
structure to the closest crest of excavation and include any intermediate rights of way
between the structure and proposed facility; and
b) a statement that the owner or operator of the mining units has provided a notice of the
proposed reclamation plan to each residential property owner whose property is located
within a one-half mile radius of the aggregate mining operation as shown on the current
property tax roll.
4. Requires the notice of the proposed reclamation plan to be sent at least 15 days before
submitting the reclamation plan and include a statement that the residential property owner
may request a copy of the proposed reclamation plan from the Inspector.
5. Allows the Inspector, in evaluating the reclamation plan, to consider comments from the State
Geologist or any elected official.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/6/24 DP 10-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/20/24 57-0-2-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 19, 2024
RA/SDR/slp