HB982--ENVIRONMENTALCONTROL
SPONSOR: Francis
Thisbillauthorizesacountycommissionorhealthboardtoenact
reasonableordinances,orders,orregulationsapplicabletoany
miningorsurfaceminingconductedintheLamotteSandstone
geologicformationinthecounty.Theordinances,orders,or
regulationsmayimposerequirementsandstandardsdeemednecessary
bylocalelectedofficialstoprotectthepublichealth,public
safety,propertyvalues,ortheenvironment.
Thebillalsorequiresanyoperatordesiringtoengageinminingof
theLamotteSandstonegeologicformation,andnotactivelymining
thereasofAugust28,2023,tosubmitapermitapplicationtothe
DepartmentofNaturalResources,whichmustincludeevidenceofthe
applicant'slegalrighttominethelandandanyotherinformation
requiredbytheLandReclamationCommission. Theapplicantmust
demonstratethatthepropertylinesofthemineplanareameetthe
setbackdistancessetoutinthebill.Theapplicationmustalso
includetheapplicationfeeof$5,000andafeeforeachacre
bondedbytheoperatorof$1,000peracre.
Theoperatormustalsosendnoticeofintenttooperateasurface
minetothecertainindividualsandentitiesspecifiedinthebill.
Anypersonwithdirect,personalinterestinfactorstheDirector
oftheDepartmentofNaturalResourcesmayconsiderinissuinga
permitmayrequestapublicmeetingorfilewrittencommentsno
laterthan15daysfollowingthefinalpublicnoticeofthepermit
application.
AllapplicationsforapermitmustbefiledwiththeDirector,who
mustinvestigatetoensuretheapplicationcomplieswithallpermit
requirementsandmakeadecisionwithinsixweeksafterthepublic
meeting. IftheDirectordeterminesthattheapplicationcomplies
withallpermitrequirements,heorshemustissuethepermit.If
heorshedeterminestheapplicationdoesnotfullycomply,heor
shemustdenythepermit.Thedecisionissubjecttoappealbyany
affectedpartytotheAdministrative HearingCommission.
PermitfeesauthorizedinthebillexpireDecember31,2028.