FIRSTREGULARSESSION
HOUSEBILLNO.704
103RDGENERALASSEMBLY
INTRODUCEDBYREPRESENTATIVEWOODS.
1659H.03I DANARADEMANMILLER,ChiefClerk
ANACT
Torepealsections444.070,444.090,444.100,444.110,444.352,444.765,444.770,444.771,
444.772,444.773,and444.786,RSMo,andtoenactinlieuthereofseventeennew
sectionsrelatingtomining,withpenaltyprovisions.
BeitenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyofthestateofMissouri,asfollows:
SectionA.Sections444.070,444.090,444.100,444.110,444.352,444.765,444.770,
2444.771,444.772,444.773,and444.786,RSMo,arerepealedandseventeennewsections
3enactedinlieuthereof,tobeknownassections444.070,444.090,444.100,444.110,444.352,
4444.765,444.770,444.771,444.772,444.773,444.786,444.791,444.991,444.992,444.993,
5444.994,and444.995,toreadasfollows:
444.070.Whenanyowner,tenantorsubtenantofalotorlotsortractsofland,shall
2filewithanyassociatecircuitjudgewithinthecountyinwhichsaidlotorlotsortractofland
3maybesituated,hisorheraffidavit,ortheaffidavitofanyothercrediblepersonforthem,
4statingthatfromknowledge,informationorbelief,thepartyorpartiesowning,controllingor
5workingtheadjoininglotorlotsortractofland,anduponwhichsaidpartyorpartiesare
6sinkingshafts,mining,excavatingandrunningdrifts,andthatsaiddriftsinwhichsaidparties
7aredigging,miningandexcavatingmineraloreorveinsofcoaloranyothermineralas
8definedbysection444.765extendbeyondthelinesandboundariesofsaidlotorlotsortract
9ofland,owned,controlledorworkedbythem,andhaveenteredinanduponthepremisesof
10thepartyorpartiesmakingsaidaffidavit,orforwhomsaidaffidavitismade,theassociate
11circuitjudge,afterfirstbeingtenderedhislawfulfees,shallissuehiswrittenorderanddeliver
12orcausethesametobedeliveredtothecountysurveyororhisdeputy,commandinghim,after
13hisreasonablefeeshavebeentendered,toproceedwithoutdelaytosurveysaiddriftby
EXPLANATION—Matterenclosedinbold-facedbrackets[thus] intheabovebillisnotenactedandis
intendedtobeomittedfromthelaw.Matterinbold-facetypeintheabovebillisproposedlanguage. 14enteringanyandallshaftsuponsaidlotorlotsortractoflandthathe(thesurveyor)maysee
15fit,forthepurposeofascertainingthecourseanddistanceofsaiddriftordrifts,andtolocate
16thesameuponthesurface.
444.090.Ifsaidpartyorpartiesowning,controllingorworkingsaidshaftorshaftson
2saidlotorlotsortractoflandshallrefuse,hinderorpreventsaidcountysurveyororhis
3deputyandhisassistantfromenteringsaidshaftorshaftsordrifts,tomakethesurveyso
4orderedbytheassociatecircuitjudge,andeverypersonsooffendingshall,onconviction,be
5adjudgedguiltyofamisdemeanor,andpunishedbyimprisonmentinthecountyjailforaterm
6ofnotexceedingoneyear,orbyfinenotexceeding[threehundred] onethousanddollars,or
7bybothsaidfineandimprisonment.
444.100.Noperson,companyorcorporationshallhereaftersinkashaft,mine,
2tunnel,excavateordriftforcoal,cobalt,rareearthelements,orsilicasandortakeoutany
3coal,cobalt,rareearthelements,orsilicasandofanykindwithinthecorporatelimitsor
4designatedboundariesofanycity,townorvillageinthisstatecontainingonethousand
5inhabitantsormore,withouthavingfirstappliedandfiled,andhaveapproved,anindemnity
6bondasprovidedforinthischapter;andanypersonorpersonsviolatingtheprovisionsofthis
7section,andanymemberorstockholderorofficerofanycompanyorcorporationwhoshall
8violatetheprovisionsofthissection,shallbedeemedguiltyofamisdemeanor,andon
9convictionthereofshallbepunishedbyfineofnotlessthan[fivehundred] onethousand
10dollars,orimprisonmentinthecountyjailfornotlessthan[sixmonths] oneyear,orbyboth
11suchfineandimprisonment.
444.110.1.Inadditiontotherequirementsinsubsections2and3ofthissection,
2thedepartmentofnaturalresourcesshallprovidenotice,asrequiredundersection
3444.773,forallpermitstomineminerals,assuchtermisdefinedundersection444.765.
4 2.Everyperson,companyorcorporationdesiringtocarryonanyofthemining
5operationsprovidedforinsection444.100shallgiveatleastthirtydays'noticeofsuch
6intentionbynoticeprintedandpublishedinsomenewspaperprintedinsuchtown,cityor
7villagewhereinsuchminingoperationsareproposedtobecarriedon,orifnonewspaperbe
8printedinsuchcity,townorvillage,theninsomenewspaperprintedinsaidcounty,orifno
9newspaperbeprintedinsuchcounty,thenbywrittenorprintedhandbillspostedupinsix
10publicplacesinthecity,townorvillagewhereinsuchminingoperationsareproposedtobe
11carriedon.
12 [2.]3.Suchnoticeshallcontainanaccuratedescriptionofthelocalitywheresuch
13miningoperationsaretobecarriedon,givingthenumberoflotandblock,andshallalsostate
14thenatureofsuchminingoperations,andnamesomedaythecircuitcourtinsaidcountyisin
15sessionwhensuchperson,companyorcorporationwillofferforfilingandapprovalthe
16indemnitybondprovidedforinthischapter.
HB704 2 444.352.Asusedinsections444.352to444.380,thefollowingwordsandtermsshall
2mean:
3 (1)"Beneficiation",theprocessofconcentratingmineralsfromore;
4 (2)"Closure",thoseactionstakenpursuanttoacomprehensiveplantocontain
5metallicmineralwastesonsite,ensuretheintegrityofwastemanagementstructuresand
6achievethedesignatedfinalusesofthemetallicmineralswastemanagementarea;
7 (3)"Conference,conciliationandpersuasion",aprocessofverbalorwritten
8communicationsconsistingofmeetings,reports,correspondenceortelephoneconferences
9betweenauthorizedrepresentativesofthedepartmentandtheallegedviolator.Theprocess
10shall,ataminimum,consistofoneoffertomeetwiththeallegedviolatortenderedbythe
11department.Duringanysuchmeeting,thedepartmentandtheallegedviolatorshallnegotiate
12ingoodfaithtoeliminatetheallegedviolationandshallattempttoagreeuponaplanto
13achievecompliance;
14 (4)"Director",thedirectorofthedepartmentofnaturalresources;
15 (5)"Disposal",theplacingofmetallicmineralwastesonorundertheground;
16 (6)"Facility",anintegratedmetallicmineralmineormillcomplexorprimarymetal
17smelterorrefinerycomplex;
18 (7)"Inspection-maintenance",thoseactionstakenafterclosuretomaintainthewaste
19managementareainaccordancewithaclosureplan;
20 (8)"Metallicmineralwaste",minewasterock,minewater,tailings,chat,blast
21furnaceslagfromprimaryleadsmeltersandpotlinersfromprimaryaluminumsmelters,
22whichisdisposedofandnotputtobeneficialuse;
23 (9)"Metallicminerals",mineralsormineralorescontaininglead,iron,zinc,
24aluminum,copper,goldandsilver;
25 (10)"Metallicmineralswastemanagementareas"or"wastemanagementareas",
26thoseareasdesignatedandusedforthedisposalofmetallicmineralwastesfrommetallic
27mineralsmining,beneficiationandprocessing;
28 (11)"Mining",anyactivityconductedonorunderthesurfaceoftheearthforthe
29extractionofmetallicmineralsormineraloresfromtheearth;
30 (12)"Minorviolation",aviolationwhichpossessesasmallpotentialtoharmthe
31environmentorhumanhealthorcausepollution,wasnotknowinglycommitted,andisnot
32definedbytheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyasotherthanminor;
33 (13)"Operator",anyperson,firm,orcorporationengagedinandcontrollinga
34facility;
35 (14)"Person",anyindividual,partnership,copartnership,firm,company,publicor
36privatecorporation,association,jointstockcompany,trust,estate,politicalsubdivision,or
HB704 3 37anyagency,board,departmentorbureauofthestateorfederalgovernment,oranyotherlegal
38entitywhatever,whichisrecognizedbylawasthesubjectofrightsandduties.
444.765.Whereverusedorreferredtoinsections444.760to[444.790] 444.791,
2unlessadifferentmeaningclearlyappearsfromthecontext,thefollowingtermsmean:
3 (1)"Affectedland",thepitareaorareafromwhichoverburdenshallhavebeen
4removed,oruponwhichoverburdenhasbeendepositedafterSeptember28,1971.When
5miningisconductedunderground,affectedlandmeansanyexcavationorremovalof
6overburdenrequiredtocreateaccesstomineopenings,exceptthatareasofdisturbance
7encompassedbytheactualundergroundopeningsforairshafts,portals,aditsandhaulroads
8inadditiontodisturbanceswithinfiftyfeetofanyopeningsforhaulroads,portalsoradits
9shallnotbeconsideredaffectedland.Siteswhichexceedtheexcludedareasbymorethan
10oneacreforundergroundminingoperationsshallobtainapermitforthetotalextentof
11affectedlandswithnoexclusionsasrequiredundersections444.760to444.790;
12 (2)"Beneficiation",thedressingorprocessingofmineralsforthepurposeof
13regulatingthesizeofthedesiredproduct,removingunwantedconstituents,andimprovingthe
14qualityorpurityofadesiredproduct;
15 (3)"Commercialpurpose",thepurposeofextractingmineralsfortheirvalueinsales
16tootherpersonsorforincorporationintoaproduct;
17 (4)"Commission",theMissouriminingcommissioninthedepartmentofnatural
18resourcescreatedbysection444.520;
19 (5)"Construction",construction,erection,alteration,maintenance,orrepairofany
20facilityincludingbutnotlimitedtoanybuilding,structure,highway,road,bridge,viaduct,
21waterorsewerline,pipelineorutilityline,anddemolition,excavation,landclearance,and
22movingofmineralsorfilldirtinconnectiontherewith;
23 (6)"Department",thedepartmentofnaturalresources;
24 (7)"Director",thestaffdirectoroftheMissouriminingcommissionorhisorher
25designee;
26 (8)"Excavation",anyoperationinwhichearth,minerals,orothermaterialinoron
27thegroundismoved,removed,orotherwisedisplacedforpurposesofconstructionatthesite
28ofexcavation,bymeansofanytools,equipment,orexplosivesandincludes,butisnot
29limitedto,backfilling,grading,trenching,digging,ditching,drilling,well-drilling,auguring,
30boring,tunneling,scraping,cableorpipeplowing,plowing-in,pulling-in,ripping,driving,
31demolitionofstructures,andtheuseofhigh-velocityairtodisintegrateandsuctiontoremove
32earthandothermaterials.Forpurposesofthissection,excavationorremovalofoverburden
33forpurposesofminingforacommercialpurposeorforpurposesofreclamationofland
34subjectedtosurfaceminingisnotincludedinthisdefinition.Neithershallexcavationsof
HB704 4 35sandandgravelbypoliticalsubdivisionsusingtheirownpersonnelandequipmentorprivate
36individualsforpersonalusebeincludedinthisdefinition;
37 (9)"Filldirt",materialremovedfromitsnaturallocationthroughminingor
38constructionactivity,whichisamixtureofunconsolidatedearthymaterial,whichmay
39includesomeminerals,andwhichisusedtofill,raise,orlevelthesurfaceofthegroundatthe
40siteofdisposition,whichmaybeatthesiteitwasremovedoronotherproperty,andwhichis
41notprocessedtoextractmineralcomponentsofthemixture.Backfillmaterialforusein
42completingreclamationisnotincludedinthisdefinition;
43 (10)"Landimprovement",workperformedbyorforapublicorprivateowneror
44lessorofrealpropertyforpurposesofimprovingthesuitabilityofthepropertyfor
45constructionatanundeterminedfuturedate,wherespecificplansforconstructiondonot
46currentlyexist;
47 (11)"Mineral",aconstituentoftheearthinasolidstatewhich,whenextractedfrom
48theearth,isusableinitsnaturalformoriscapableofconversionintoausableformasa
49chemical,anenergysource,orrawmaterialformanufacturingorconstructionmaterial.For
50thepurposesofthissection,thisdefinitionincludesmetallicmineralsasdefinedunder
51section444.352,barite,tarsands,oilshales,cadmium,barium,nickel,cobalt,molybdenum,
52germanium,gallium,tellurium,selenium,vanadium,indium,mercury,uranium,rareearth
53elements,platinumgroupelements,manganese,phosphorus,sodium,titanium,zirconium,
54lithium,thorium,[or]tungsten, andsilicasandasdefinedundersection444.991; butdoes
55notinclude[iron,lead,zinc,gold,silver,]coal,surfaceorsubsurfacewater,filldirt,natural
56oil,orgastogetherwithotherchemicalsrecoveredtherewith;
57 (12)"Mining",theremovalofoverburdenandextractionofunderlyingmineralsor
58theextractionofmineralsfromexposednaturaldepositsforacommercialpurpose,asdefined
59bythissection;
60 (13)"Operator",anyperson,firmorcorporationengagedinandcontrollingasurface
61miningoperation;
62 (14)"Overburden",alloftheearthandothermaterialswhichlieabovenatural
63depositsofminerals;andalsomeanssuchearthandothermaterialsdisturbedfromtheir
64naturalstateintheprocessofsurfaceminingotherthanwhatisdefinedinsubdivision(10)of
65thissection;
66 (15)"Peak",aprojectingpointofoverburdencreatedinthesurfaceminingprocess;
67 (16)"Pit",theplacewheremineralsarebeingorhavebeenminedbysurfacemining;
68 (17)"Politicalsubdivision",anycity,town,village,county,orotherpolitical
69entitycreatedbylaw;
HB704 5 70 (18)"Publicentity",thestateoranyofficer,official,authority,board,orcommission
71ofthestateandanycounty,city,orotherpoliticalsubdivisionofthestate,oranyinstitution
72supportedinwholeorinpartbypublicfunds;
73 [(18)] (19)"Rareearthelement",anyofagroupofseventeenelementsonthe
74periodictable,includingyttrium,lanthanum,scandium,cerium,dysprosium,terbium,
75praseodymium,neodymium,promethium,ytterbium,europium,samarium,lutetium,
76gadolinium,holmium,thulium,anderbium;
77 (20)"Refuse",allwastematerialdirectlyconnectedwiththecleaningandpreparation
78ofsubstanceminedbysurfacemining;
79 [(19)] (21)"Ridge",alengthenedelevationofoverburdencreatedinthesurface
80miningprocess;
81 [(20)] (22)"Site"or"miningsite",anylocationorgroupofassociatedlocations
82separatedbyanaturalbarrierwheremineralsarebeingsurfaceminedbythesameoperator;
83 [(21)] (23)"Surfacemining",theminingofmineralsforcommercialpurposesby
84removingtheoverburdenlyingabovenaturaldepositsthereof,andminingdirectlyfromthe
85naturaldepositstherebyexposed,andshallincludeminingofexposednaturaldepositsof
86suchmineralsoverwhichnooverburdenliesand,afterAugust28,1990,thesurfaceeffectsof
87undergroundminingoperationsforsuchminerals.Forpurposesoftheprovisionsofsections
88444.760to444.790,surfaceminingshallnotincludeexcavationstomovemineralsorfilldirt
89withintheconfinesoftherealpropertywhereexcavationoccursortoremovemineralsorfill
90dirtfromtherealpropertyinpreparationforconstructionatthesiteofexcavation.No
91excavationoffilldirtshallbedeemedsurfaceminingregardlessofthesiteofdispositionor
92whetherconstructionoccursatthesiteofexcavation;
93 (24)"Wildliferefuges",specificareaswithinthestatethatcontainphysicalor
94biologicalfeaturesthatareessentialtotheconservationofendangeredandthreatened
95speciesandthatmayneedspecificmanagementorprotection.
444.770.1.Itshallbeunlawfulforanyoperatortoengageinsurfaceminingwithout
2firstobtainingfromthecommissionapermittodoso,insuchformasishereinafterprovided,
3includinganyoperatorinvolvedinanygravelminingoperationwheretheannualtonnageof
4gravelminedbysuchoperatorislessthanfivethousandtons,exceptasprovidedin
5subsection2ofthissection.
6 2.(1)Apropertyowneroroperatorconductinggravelremovalattherequestofa
7propertyownerfortheprimarypurposeofmanagingseasonalgravelaccretiononproperty
8notusedprimarilyforgravelmining,orapoliticalsubdivisionwhocontractswithanoperator
9forexcavationtoobtainsandandgravelmaterialsolelyfortheuseofsuchpolitical
10subdivisionshallbeexemptfromobtainingapermitasrequiredinsubsection1ofthis
11section.Suchgravelremovalshallbeconductedsolelyonthepropertyowner'sorpolitical
HB704 6 12subdivision'spropertyandshallbeinaccordancewithdepartmentguidelines,rules,and
13regulations.Thepropertyownershallnotifythedepartmentbeforeanypersonoroperator
14conductsgravelremovalfromthepropertyowner'spropertyifthegravelissold.Notification
15shallincludethenatureoftheactivity,nameofthecountyandstreaminwhichthesiteis
16locatedandthepropertyowner'sname.Thepropertyownershallnotberequiredtonotifythe
17departmentregardinganygravelremovalateachsitelocationforuptooneyearfromthe
18originalnotificationregardingthatsite.Thepropertyownershallrenotifythedepartment
19beforeanypersonoroperatorconductsgravelremovalatanysiteaftertheexpirationofone
20yearfromthepreviousnotificationregardingthatsite.Atthetimeofeachnotificationtothe
21department,thedepartmentshallprovidethepropertyownerwithacopyofthedepartment's
22guidelines,rules,andregulationsrelevanttotheactivityreported.Saidguidelines,rulesand
23regulationsmaybetransmittedeitherbymailorviatheinternet.
24 (2)Theannualtonnageofgravelminedbysuchpropertyowneroroperator
25conductinggravelremovalattherequestofapropertyownershallbelessthantwothousand
26tons,withasitelimitationofonethousandtonsannually.Anyoperatorconductinggravel
27removalattherequestofapropertyownerthathasremovedtwothousandtonsofsandand
28gravelmaterialwithinonecalendaryearshallhaveawatershedmanagementpracticeplan
29approvedbythecommissioninordertoremoveanyfuturesandorgravelmaterialthe
30remainderofthecalendaryear.Theapplicationforapprovalshallbeaccompaniedbyan
31applicationfeeequivalenttothefeepaidundersection444.772andshallcontainthenameof
32thewatershedfromwhichtheoperatorwillbeconductingsandandgravelremoval,the
33locationwithinthewatersheddistrictthatthesandandgravelwillberemoved,andthe
34descriptionofthevehiclesandequipmentusedforremoval.Uponapprovalofthewatershed
35managementpracticeplan,thedepartmentshallprovideacopyoftherelevantcommission
36regulationstotheoperator.
37 (3)Nopropertyowneroroperatorconductinggravelremovalattherequestofa
38propertyownerfortheprimarypurposeofmanagingseasonalgravelaccretiononproperty
39notusedprimarilyforgravelminingshallconductgravelremovalfromanysitelocated
40withinadistance,tobedeterminedbythecommissionandincludedintheguidelines,rules,
41andregulationsgiventothepropertyowneratthetimeofnotification,ofanybuilding,
42structure,highway,road,bridge,viaduct,waterorsewerline,andpipelineorutilityline.
43 3.Sections444.760to444.790shallapplyonlytothoseareaswhichareopenedonor
44afterJanuary1,1972,ortotheextendedportionofaffectedareasextendedafterthatdate.
45Theeffectivedateofthissectionformineralsnotpreviouslycoveredundertheprovisionsof
46sections444.760to444.790shallbeAugust28,1990.
47 4.AllsurfaceminingoperationswherelandisaffectedafterSeptember28,1971,
48whichareunderthecontrolofanygovernmentagencywhoseregulationsareequaltoor
HB704 7 49greaterthanthoseimposedbysection444.774,arenotsubjecttothefurtherprovisionsof
50sections444.760to444.790,exceptthatsuchoperationsshallberegisteredwiththeMissouri
51miningcommission.
52 5.Anyportionofasurfaceminingoperationwhichissubjecttotheprovisionsof
53sections260.200to260.245andtheregulationspromulgatedthereunder,shallnotbesubject
54totheprovisionsofsections444.760to444.790,andanybondsorportionsthereofapplicable
55tosuchoperationsshallbepromptlyreleasedbythecommission,andtheassociatedpermits
56cancelledbythecommissionuponpresentationtoitofsatisfactoryevidencethattheoperator
57hasreceivedapermitpursuanttosection260.205andtheregulationspromulgated
58thereunder.Anylandreclamationbondassociatedwithsuchreleasedpermitsshallbe
59retainedbythecommissionuntilpresentationtothecommissionofsatisfactoryevidencethat:
60 (1)Theoperatorhascompliedwithsections260.226and260.227,andtheregulations
61promulgatedthereunder,pertainingtoclosureandpostclosureplansandfinancialassurance
62instruments;and
63 (2)Theoperatorhascommencedoperationofthesolidwastedisposalareaorsanitary
64landfillasthosetermsaredefinedinchapter260.
65 6.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubsection1ofthissection,anypolitical
66subdivisionwhichusesitsownpersonnelandequipmentoranyprivateindividualfor
67personalusemayconductin-streamgraveloperationswithoutobtainingfromthecommission
68apermittoconductsuchanactivity.
69 7.Anypersonfilingacomplaintofanallegedviolationofthissectionwiththe
70departmentshallidentifythemselfbynameandtelephonenumber,providethedateand
71locationoftheviolation,andprovideadequateinformation,asdeterminedbythedepartment,
72thattherehasbeenaviolation.[Any] Records,statements,orcommunicationssubmittedby
73anypersontothedepartmentrelevanttothecomplaintshall[remainconfidentialandused
74solelybythedepartmenttoinvestigatesuchallegedviolation] beavailablebyrequestunder
75theMissourisunshinelawcontainedinchapter610withpersonallyidentifiable
76informationofthecomplainantredacted.
77 8.BeginningAugust28,2025,nopersonshallengageinorcarryoutamining
78operationformineralswithinthestateunlessthepersonhasfirstobtainedapermit
79fromthedirector.Anypersonwhoisengagedinorcarryingoutaminingoperation
80beforeAugust28,2025,andwhowillcontinuesuchoperationaftersuchdateshallbe
81requiredtoapplyforapermitbeforeMarch1,2026.Anysuchminingoperationmay
82continuetominemetallicmineralswhilesuchapplicationispending.Personsengaged
83inorcarryingoutaminingoperationwithanexistingpermitshallbeexemptfromthe
84newpermitconditionsuntiltheirnewpermitexpiresandtheyseekrenewal.Theperson
85applyingforapermitshallapplyonformsprescribedbythedirectorandshallsubmit
HB704 8 86suchinformationasthedirectormayrequireincluding,butnotlimitedto,aproposed
87planforthereclamationorrestoration,orboth,ofanyminingareaaffectedbythe
88miningoperationstobeconducted.
89 9.BeforeOctober1,2025,thedirector,inconsultationwiththedepartmentof
90conservationandpoliticalsubdivisions,shalldevelopmodelstandardsandcriteriafor
91mining,processing,andtransportingmineralsasdefinedinsection444.765.The
92standardsandcriteriamaybeusedbypoliticalsubdivisionsindevelopinglocal
93ordinancesthatreflecttheneedsofdifferentgeographicareasofthestate.The
94standardsandcriteriadevelopedshallreflectthosedifferencesinvaryingregionsofthe
95state.Thestandardsandcriteriashallinclude:
96 (1)Recommendationsforsetbackorbufferdistances,inadditiontoanysetback
97orbufferdistancesrequiredundersection444.771,thatshallapplywithrespecttothe
98following:
99 (a)Anyresidenceorresidentialzoningdistrictboundary;
100 (b)Anypropertylineorright-of-waylineofanyexistingorproposedstreetor
101highway;
102 (c)Ordinaryhigh-waterlevelsofpublicwaters;
103 (d)Bluffs;
104 (e)Surfacewaters;
105 (f)Privatewells;
106 (g)Wildliferefuges;and
107 (h)Anaturalresourceeasementpaidwhollyorinpartbypublicfunds;
108 (2)Standardsforhoursofoperation;
109 (3)Airmonitoringanddatasubmissionrequirements;
110 (4)Dustcontrolrequirements;
111 (5)Noisetestingandmitigationplanrequirements;
112 (6)Blastmonitoringplanrequirements;
113 (7)Lightingrequirements;
114 (8)Inspectionrequirements;
115 (9)Containmentrequirementsforsilicasandintemporarystoragetoprotectair
116andwaterquality;
117 (10)Containmentrequirementsforchemicalsusedinprocessing;
118 (11)Financialassurancerequirements;
119 (12)Roadandbridgeimpactsandrequirements;and
120 (13)Reclamationplanrequirementsasrequiredundertherulesadoptedbythe
121directorofnaturalresources.
HB704 9 122 10.Notwithstandinganyprovisionoflawtothecontrary,apoliticalsubdivision
123mayenactorextendalocalordinancethatprohibitsneworexpandedmining
124operationswithoutchallengefromthestateasitisinthebestinterestoflocalpublic
125welfaretoallowlocalgovernmentstomakesuchdeterminations.
126 11.Permitholdersshallsubmitareportannuallytothedepartmentthat
127includes,butisnotlimitedto:
128 (1)Thenameandbusinessaddressofthepermitholder;
129 (2)Theaddressesofeachtractoflandfromwhichthepermitholderconducted
130miningactivities;
131 (3)Thevolumeofeachtypeofmineralminedfromeachtractoflandgoverned
132bythepermit;
133 (4)Thepracticesusedtominimizelightandnoisepollution,andminimize
134degradationtothesurroundingcommunity'sairquality,waterquality,publicroads,
135scenicbluffs,andotherlandscapes;
136 (5)Datacollectedfromgroundwater,surfacewater,andairmonitoringplansas
137requiredbysection444.771;
138 (6)Thetotalannualvolumeofemissionsreleasedofeachgreenhousegasfrom
139theminingfacilities;and
140 (7)Thetotalannualvolumeofdischargeintoadjacentbodiesofwaterby
141pollutanttype.
444.771.[Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionoflawtothecontrary,thecommission
2andthedepartmentshallnotissueanypermitsunderthischapterorunderchapters643or644
3toanypersonwhosemineplanboundaryiswithinonethousandfeetofanyrealproperty
4whereanaccreditedschoolhasbeenlocatedforatleastfiveyearspriortosuchapplicationfor
5permitsmadeundertheseprovisions,exceptthattheprovisionsofthissectionshallnotapply
6toanyrequestforanexpansiontoanexistingmineortoanyundergroundminingoperation]
7Noexcavationorminingofanymineral,including,butnotlimitedto,digging,
8excavating,mining,drilling,blasting,tunneling,dredging,stripping,orshafting,shall
9occurwithinonemileofanywildliferefugedesignatedbytheMissouriconservation
10commissionunder3CSR10-12.105,surfacewaterasdefinedundersection640.403,
11stateconservationarea,statepark,publiclandasdefinedby43U.S.C.Section1702(e),
12parkintheNationalParksSystempursuantto16U.S.C.Section1a-1,residence,or
13school.Nooperationthatrefinescobalt,lithium,rareearthelements,lead,zinc,nickel,
14cadmium,manganese,iron,orsilver,ormanufacturersorrecyclesproductsthatcontain
15theseelementsmayoccurwithinonemileofanywildliferefugedesignatedbythe
16Missouriconservationcommissionpursuantto3CSR10-12.105,surfacewateras
17definedundersection640.403,stateconservationarea,statepark,publiclandasdefined
HB704 10 18by43U.S.C.Section1702(e),parkintheNationalParksSystempursuantto16U.S.C.
19Section1a-1,residence,orschool.Thissubsectionshallnotapplytomines,refineries,
20manufacturingplants,orrecyclingplantsinfulloperationonAugust28,2025.
444.772.1.Anyoperatordesiringtoengagein[surface] miningshallmakewritten
2applicationtothedirectorforapermit.
3 2.Thedirectorshallrequireproofofnoticeasrequiredundersection444.110
4uponacceptinganapplicationforaneworexpandingminingpermit.Thedepartment
5shallacceptwrittencommentsfromthepublicforsixtydaysafterreceiptofan
6applicationforanysuchpermit.
7 3.Applicationforpermitshallbemadeonaformprescribedbythecommissionand
8shallinclude:
9 (1)Thenameofallpersonswithanyinterestinthelandtobemined;
10 (2)Thesourceoftheapplicant'slegalrighttominethelandaffectedbythepermit;
11 (3)Thepermanentandtemporarypostofficeaddressoftheapplicant;
12 (4)Whethertheapplicantoranypersonassociatedwiththeapplicantholdsorhas
13heldanyotherpermitspursuanttosections444.500to444.790,andanidentificationofsuch
14permits;
15 (5)Thewrittenconsentoftheapplicantandanyotherpersonsnecessarytogrant
16accesstothecommissionorthedirectortotheareaoflandaffectedunderapplicationfrom
17thedateofapplicationuntiltheexpirationofanypermitgrantedundertheapplicationand
18thereafterforsuchtimeasisnecessarytoassurecompliancewithallprovisionsofsections
19444.500to444.790oranyruleorregulationpromulgatedpursuanttothem.Permit
20applicationssubmittedbyoperatorswhomineanannualtonnageoflessthantenthousand
21tonsshallberequiredtoincludewrittenconsentfromtheoperatortograntaccesstothe
22commissionorthedirectortotheareaoflandaffected;
23 (6)Adescriptionofthetractortractsoflandandtheestimatednumberofacres
24thereoftobeaffectedbythe[surface] miningoftheapplicantforthenextsucceedingtwelve
25months;[and]
26 (7)Thenatureandextentoftheproposedwork,includingthetypeofminerals
27soughttobeminedandtheminingpracticessoughttobeusedforeachtypeofmineral;
28and
29 (8)Suchotherinformationthatthecommissionmayrequireassuchinformation
30appliestolandreclamation.
31 [3.]4.Theapplicationforapermitshallbeaccompaniedbyamapinascaleandform
32specifiedbythecommissionbyregulation.
33 5.Anyminingpermitapplicantshallsubmitamineplanwithitspermit
34applicationwiththefollowinginformation:
HB704 11 35 (1)Ahydrogeologicalevaluationandanyotherinformationnecessaryforthe
36directortoassesspotentialimpactstohydrogeologicalfeatures,includingprivateand
37publicdrinkingwatersupplywells;
38 (2)Theresultsofanassessmentofthewaterresourcesneededfortheoperation,
39howmuchofthatwaterneedisavailableon-site,andtheimpactsthosewaterneedswill
40haveonthesurroundingsurfaceandgroundwaterresources;
41 (3)Anyadverseshort-termandlong-termenvironmentalconsequencesthat
42cannotbeavoidedshouldtheworkbeperformed;
43 (4)Potentialhazardsoftheproposedmine,includingdust,minegases,ortoxic
44vaporsescapingfromthemine,andthepotentialforminefiresandwater
45contaminationthatmayresultfromoperationofthemine;
46 (5)Aconservationplanasrequiredbysection444.772detailingthemethods,
47usingbestavailabletechnology,theproposedoperationwilluseto:
48 (a)Minimizelightandnoisepollution,andminimizedegradationtothe
49surroundingcommunity'sairquality,waterquality,waterquantity,publicroads,scenic
50bluffs,andotherlandscapes;
51 (b)MinimizetheimpactontheHUC-8watershedinwhichtheproposedmining
52operationislocated;
53 (c)Reduceandmitigateimpactsonbiodiversityandgreenhousegasemissions
54fromminingactivities;and
55 (d)Reduceandmitigateotherpublichealthandworkerharmsthatcanresult
56fromminingthespecificmineralsintendedbytheminingpermitapplicant;and
57 (6)Plansformonitoringairqualityandgroundwaterandsurfacewaterquality
58andquantity.
59 [4.]6.Theapplicationshallbeaccompaniedbyabond,securityorcertificatemeeting
60therequirementsofsection444.778,ageologicresourcesfeeauthorizedundersection
61256.700,andapermitfeeapprovedbythecommissionnottoexceedonethousanddollars.
62Thecommissionmayalsorequireafeeforeachsitelistedonapermitnottoexceedfour
63hundreddollarsforeachsite.Ifminingoperationsarenotconductedatasiteforsixmonths
64ormoreduringanyyear,thefeeforsuchsiteforthatyearshallbereducedbyfiftypercent.
65Thecommissionmayalsorequireafeeforeachacrebondedbytheoperatorpursuantto
66section444.778nottoexceedtwentydollarsperacre.Ifsuchfeeisassessed,theper-acrefee
67onallacresbondedbyasingleoperatorthatexceedatotaloftwohundredacresshallbe
68reducedbyfiftypercent.Innocaseshallthetotalfeeforanypermitbemorethanthree
69thousanddollars.Permitandrenewalfeesshallbeestablishedbyrule,exceptfortheinitial
70feesassetforthinthissubsection,andshallbesetatlevelsthatrecoverthecostof
71administeringandenforcingsections444.760to444.790,makingallowancesforgrantsand
HB704 12 72othersourcesoffunds.Thedirectorshallsubmitareporttothecommissionandthepublic
73eachyearthatdescribesthenumberofemployeesandtheactivitiesperformedtheprevious
74calendaryeartoadministersections444.760to444.790.Foranyoperatorofagravelmining
75operationwheretheannualtonnageofgravelminedbysuchoperatorislessthanfive
76thousandtons,thetotalcostofsubmittinganapplicationshallbethreehundreddollars.The
77issuedpermitshallbevalidfromthedateofitsissuanceuntilthedatespecifiedinthemine
78planunlesssoonerrevokedorsuspendedasprovidedinsections444.760to444.790.
79BeginningAugust28,2007,thefeesshallbesetatapermitfeeofeighthundreddollars,asite
80feeoffourhundreddollars,andanacrefeeoftendollars,withamaximumfeeofthree
81thousanddollars.Feesmayberaisedasallowedinthissubsectionafteraregulationchange
82thatdemonstratestheneedforincreasedfees.
83 [5.]7.Anoperatordesiringtohavehisorherpermitamendedtocoveradditional
84landmayfileanamendedapplicationwiththecommission.Uponreceiptoftheamended
85application,andsuchadditionalfeeandbondasmayberequiredpursuanttotheprovisionsof
86sections444.760to444.790,thedirectorshall,iftheapplicantcomplieswithallapplicable
87regulatoryrequirements,issueanamendmenttotheoriginalpermitcoveringtheadditional
88landdescribedintheamendedapplication.
89 [6.]8.Anoperationmaywithdrawanylandcoveredbyapermit,exceptingaffected
90land,bynotifyingthecommissionthereof,inwhichcasethepenaltyofthebondorsecurity
91filedbytheoperatorpursuanttotheprovisionsofsections444.760to444.790shallbe
92reducedproportionately.
93 [7.]9.Whereminingorreclamationoperationsonacreageforwhichapermithas
94beenissuedhavenotbeencompleted,thepermitshallberenewed.Theoperatorshallsubmit
95apermitrenewalformfurnishedbythedirectorforanadditionalpermityearandpayafee
96equaltoanapplicationfeecalculatedpursuanttosubsection4ofthissection,butinnocase
97shalltherenewalfeeforanyoperatorbemorethanthreethousanddollars.Foranyoperator
98involvedinanygravelminingoperationwheretheannualtonnageofgravelminedbysuch
99operatorislessthanfivethousandtons,thepermitastosuchacreageshallberenewedby
100applyingonapermitrenewalformfurnishedbythedirectorforanadditionalpermityearand
101paymentofafeeofthreehundreddollars.Uponreceiptofthecompletedpermitrenewal
102formandfeefromtheoperator,thedirectorshallapprovetherenewal.Withapprovalofthe
103directorandoperator,thepermitrenewalmaybeextendedforaportionofanadditionalyear
104withacorrespondingproratingoftherenewalfee.
105 [8.]10.Whereoneoperatorsucceedsanotheratanyuncompletedoperation,eitherby
106sale,assignment,leaseorotherwise,thecommissionmayreleasethefirstoperatorfromall
107liabilitypursuanttosections444.760to444.790astothatparticularoperationifboth
108operatorshavebeenissuedapermitandhaveotherwisecompliedwiththerequirementsof
HB704 13 109sections444.760to444.790andthesuccessoroperatorassumesaspartofhisorher
110obligationpursuanttosections444.760to444.790allliabilityforthereclamationofthearea
111oflandaffectedbytheformeroperator.
112 [9.]11.Theapplicationforapermitshallbeaccompaniedbyaplanofreclamation
113thatmeetstherequirementsofsections444.760to444.790andtherulesandregulations
114promulgatedpursuantthereto,andshallcontainaverifiedstatementbytheoperatorsetting
115forththeproposedmethodofoperation,reclamation,andaconservationplanfortheaffected
116areaincludingapproximatedatesandtimeofcompletion,andstatingthattheoperationwill
117meettherequirementsofsections444.760to444.790,andanyruleorregulationpromulgated
118pursuanttothem.
119 [10.Atthetimethatapermitapplicationisdeemedcompletebythedirector,]12.
120Withinoneweekofthesubmissionofapermitapplicationtothedirector,theproposed
121operatorshallpublishanoticeof[intenttooperateasurfacemine] thepermitapplication:
122 (1)Inanynewspaperqualifiedpursuanttosection493.050topublishlegalnoticesin
123anycountywherethelandislocated; or
124 (2)Ontheofficialwebsiteofthecountywherethelandislocated. [Ifthedirector
125doesnotrespondtoapermitapplicationwithinforty-fivecalendardays,theapplicationshall
126bedeemedtobecomplete.]
127
128Noticeinthenewspapershallbepostedonceaweekforfourconsecutiveweeksbeginningno
129morethantendaysaftertheapplicationis[deemedcomplete] submittedtothedirectoror,
130ifnoticeispublishedonthecountywebsite,suchnoticeshallremainonthewebsitefora
131periodoffourweeks. Theoperatorshallalsosendnoticeof[intenttooperateasurface
132mine] thepermitapplicationbycertifiedmailtothegoverningbodyofthecountiesorcities
133inwhichtheproposedareaislocated,andtothelastknownaddressesofallrecord
134landownerswhosepropertyis:
135 [(1)](a)Within[twothousandsixhundredfortyfeet,orone-half] onemilefromthe
136borderoftheproposedmineplanarea;and
137 [(2)](b)Adjacenttotheproposedmineplanarea,landuponwhichthemineplanarea
138islocated,oradjacentlandhavingalegalrelationshipwitheithertheapplicantortheowner
139ofthelanduponwhichthemineplanareaislocated.
140
141Thenoticesshallincludethenameandaddressoftheoperator,alegaldescriptionconsisting
142ofcounty,section,townshipandrange,thenumberofacresinvolved,astatementthatthe
143operatorplanstomineaspecifiedmineralduringaspecifiedtime,andtheaddressofthe
144commission.Thenoticesshallalsocontainastatementthatanypersonwithadirect,personal
145interestinoneormoreofthefactorsthedirectormayconsiderinissuingapermitmay
HB704 14 146requestapublicmeeting[orfilewrittencomments] tothedirectornolaterthan[fifteen]
147thirtydaysfollowingthefinalpublicnoticepublicationdate.Ifanypersonrequestsapublic
148meeting,theapplicantshallcooperatewiththedirectorinmakingallnecessaryarrangements
149forthepublicmeetingtobeheldinareasonablyconvenientlocationandatareasonabletime
150forinterestedparticipants,andtheapplicantshallbeartheexpenses.
151 [11.]13.Thedirectormayapproveapermitapplicationorpermitamendmentwhose
152operationorreclamationplandeviatesfromtherequirementsofsections444.760to444.790
153ifitcanbedemonstratedbytheoperatorthattheconditionspresentatthe[surface] mining
154locationwarrantanexception.Thecriteriaacceptedforconsiderationwhenevaluatingthe
155meritsofanexceptionorvariancetotherequirementsofsections444.760to444.790shallbe
156establishedbyregulations.
157 [12.]14.FeesimposedpursuanttothissectionshallbecomeeffectiveAugust28,
1582007,andshallexpireonDecember31,2030.Nootherprovisionsofthissectionshall
159expire.
444.773.1.Allapplicationsforapermitshallbefiledwiththedirector[,whoshall
2promptlyinvestigatetheapplicationandmakeadecisionwithinsixweeksaftercompletionof
3theprocessprovidedinsubsection10ofsection444.772toissueordenythepermit] withall
4materialsrequiredundersection444.772. Ifthedirectordeterminesthattheapplication
5hasnotfullycompliedwiththeprovisionsofsection444.772oranyruleorregulation
6promulgatedpursuanttothatsection,thedirectormayseekadditionalinformationfromthe
7applicantbeforemakingadecisiontoissueordenythepermit.Thedirectorshallpublish
8thepermitapplicationandallowforpubliccommentundersection444.110.Thedirector
9shallconsider[any] allpubliccommentswhenmakingthedecisiontoissueordenythe
10permit.Inissuingapermit,thedirectormayimposereasonableconditionsconsistentwiththe
11provisionsofsections444.760to444.790.Thedirector'sdecisionshallbedeemedtobethe
12decisionofthedirectorofthedepartmentofnaturalresourcesandshallbesubjecttoappealto
13theadministrativehearingcommissionasprovidedbysections640.013and621.250.
14 2.Whenevera[surface] miningoperationpermitprovidedundersection444.772is
15issued,denied,suspended,orrevokedbythedepartmentofnaturalresources,anyaggrieved
16person,bypetitionfiledwiththeadministrativehearingcommissionwithinthirtydaysofthe
17decision,mayappealsuchdecisionasprovidedbysections621.250and640.013.For
18purposesofanappeal,theadministrativehearingcommissionmayconsider,basedon
19competentandsubstantialscientificevidenceontherecord,whetheraninterestedparty's
20health,safetyorlivelihoodwillbeundulyimpairedbytheissuance,denial,suspension,or
21revocationofthepermit.Theadministrativehearingcommissionmayalsoconsider,basedon
22competentandsubstantialscientificevidenceontherecord,whethertheoperatorhas
23demonstrated,duringthefive-yearperiodimmediatelyprecedingthedateofthepermit
HB704 15 24application,apatternofnoncomplianceatotherlocationsinMissourithatsuggestsa
25reasonablelikelihoodoffutureactsofnoncompliance.Indeterminingwhetherareasonable
26likelihoodofnoncompliancewillexistinthefuture,theadministrativehearingcommission
27maylooktopastactsofnoncomplianceinMissouri,butonlytotheextenttheysuggesta
28reasonablelikelihoodoffutureactsofnoncompliance.Suchpastactsofnoncompliancein
29Missouri,inandofthemselves,areaninsufficientbasistosuggestareasonablelikelihoodof
30futureactsofnoncompliance.Inaddition,suchpastactsshallnotbeusedasabasisto
31suggestareasonablelikelihoodoffutureactsofnoncomplianceunlessthenoncompliancehas
32causedorhasthepotentialtocause,arisktohumanhealthortotheenvironment,orhas
33causedorhaspotentialtocausepollution,orwasknowinglycommitted,orisdefinedbythe
34UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyasotherthanminor.Ifahearingpetitioner
35demonstratesortheadministrativehearingcommissionfindseitherpresentactsof
36noncomplianceorareasonablelikelihoodthatthepermitseekerortheoperationsof
37associatedpersonsorcorporationsinMissouriwillbeinnoncomplianceinthefuture,sucha
38showingwillsatisfythenoncompliancerequirementinthissubsection.Inaddition,such
39basismustbedevelopedbymultiplenoncompliancesofanyenvironmentallawadministered
40bytheMissouridepartmentofnaturalresourcesatanysinglefacilityinMissourithatresulted
41inharmtotheenvironmentorimpairedthehealth,safetyorlivelihoodofpersonsoutsidethe
42facility.ForanypermitseekerthathasnotbeeninbusinessinMissouriforthepastfive
43years,theadministrativehearingcommissionmayreviewtherecordofnoncomplianceinany
44statewheretheapplicanthasconductedbusinessduringthepastfiveyears.The
45administrativehearingcommissionshallissuearecommendeddecisiontothecommissionon
46permitissuance,denial,suspension,orrevocation.Thecommissionshallissueitsown
47decision,basedontheappeal,forpermitissuance,denial,suspension,orrevocation.Ifthe
48commissionchangesafindingoffactorconclusionoflawmadebytheadministrative
49hearingcommission,ormodifiesorvacatesthedecisionrecommendedbytheadministrative
50hearingcommission,itshallissueitsowndecision,whichshallincludefindingsoffactand
51conclusionsoflaw.Thecommissionshallmailcopiesofitsfinaldecisiontothepartiestothe
52appealortheircounselofrecord.Thecommission'sdecisionshallbesubjecttojudicial
53reviewpursuanttochapter536,exceptthatthecourtofappealsdistrictwithterritorial
54jurisdictioncoextensivewiththecountywherethemineislocatedoristobelocatedshall
55haveoriginaljurisdiction.Nojudicialreviewshallbeavailableuntilandunlessall
56administrativeremediesareexhausted.
444.786.Anypersonrequiredbysections444.760to444.790tohaveapermitwho
2engagesintheminingofmineralswithoutpreviouslysecuringapermittodosoasprescribed
3bysections444.760to444.790,isguiltyofamisdemeanor,anduponconvictionthereofshall
4befinednotlessthan[fifty] fivethousanddollarsnormorethan[one]tenthousanddollars.
HB704 16 5Eachdayofoperationwithoutthepermitrequiredbysections444.760to444.790willbe
6deemedaseparateviolation.
444.791.BeforeOctober1,2026,thedirector,inconsultationwithpolitical
2subdivisions,shallestablishandmaintainadatabaseonpoliticalsubdivisionordinances
3andpoliticalsubdivisionpermitsthathavebeenapprovedforregulationofmining
4projectsforreferencebyotherpoliticalsubdivisionsandthepublic.
444.991.Asusedinsections444.991to444.995,thefollowingtermsmean:
2 (1)"Department",thedepartmentofnaturalresources;
3 (2)"Director",thestaffdirectoroftheMissouriminingcommissionorhisor
4herdesignee;
5 (3)"Processing",washing,cleaning,screening,crushing,filtering,sorting,
6processing,stockpiling,andstoringsilicasand,eitherattheminingsiteoratanyother
7site;
8 (4)"Silicasand",well-rounded,sand-sizedgrainsofquartz(silicondioxide)
9withfewimpuritiesintermsofotherminerals.Theterm"silicasand"forthepurposes
10ofsections444.070to444.995referstoquartzthatiscommerciallyvaluableforusein
11thehydraulicfracturingofshaletoobtainoilandnaturalgas.Silicasanddoesnot
12includecommonrock,stone,aggregate,gravel,sandwithalowquartzlevel,orsilica
13compoundsrecoveredasaby-productofmetallicmining;
14 (5)"Silicasandproject",themining,processing,andtransportationofsilica
15sandbyrail,barge,truck,orothermeans;
16 (6)"Temporarystorage",thestorageofstockpilesofsilicasandthathavebeen
17transportedandawaitfurthertransport;
18 (7)"Transporting",haulingandtransportingsilicasandbyanycarrier:
19 (a)Fromtheminingsitetoaprocessingortransfersite;or
20 (b)Fromaprocessingorstoragesitetoarailcar,barge,ortransfersitefor
21transportingtodestinations.
444.992.1.BeginningAugust28,2026,anyminingpermitapplicantfora
2projectinvolvingsilicasandshallprepareandsubmittothedirectoranenvironmental
3assessmentworksheetiftheproject:
4 (1)Excavatestwentyormoreacresoflandtoameandepthoftenfeetormore
5duringitsexistence;or
6 (2)Isdesignedtostoreoriscapableofstoringmorethanseventhousandfive
7hundredtonsofsilicasandorhasanannualthroughputofmorethantwohundred
8thousandtonsofsilicasand.
HB704 17 9 2.Thedirectorshalldevelopanenvironmentalassessmentworksheetthatthe
10applicantshallcompleteandtheapplicantshallprovidethefollowinginformationinthe
11worksheet:
12 (1)Ahydrogeologicinvestigationassessingpotentialgroundwaterandsurface
13watereffectsandgeologicconditionsthatcouldcreateanincreasedriskofpotentially
14significanteffectsongroundwaterandsurfacewater;
15 (2)Anairqualityimpactassessmentthatincludesanassessmentofthepotential
16effectsfromairborneparticulatesanddust;
17 (3)Atrafficimpactanalysis,includingdocumentationofexistingtransportation
18systems,analysisofthepotentialeffectsoftheprojectontransportation,andmitigation
19measurestoeliminateorminimizeadverseimpacts;
20 (4)Anassessmentofcompatibilityoftheprojectwithotherexistinguses;and
21 (5)Mitigationmeasuresthatcouldeliminateorminimizeadverseenvironmental
22effectsfortheproject.
23
24Theprovisionsofthissubsectionshallapplytonewapplicationsandanyapplicationfor
25apermitrenewalsubmittedonorafterAugust28,2025.
444.993.1.BeginningAugust28,2026,anyapplicantforaminingpermitfora
2projectthatinvolvestheminingofcobaltshallprepareandsubmittothedirectoran
3environmentalassessmentworksheetunderthissectionduetothesignificanthealthand
4environmentalimpactsofcobaltextraction,includingcancerousandnoncancerous
5humantoxicity,eutrophication,freshwaterecotoxicity,landdegradation,ozone
6depletion,andincreasedoccurrenceofextremeweatherevents.
7 2.Thedirectorshalldevelopanenvironmentalassessmentworksheetthatall
8applicantsforcobaltminingprojectsshallcompleteandtheapplicantsshallprovide
9informationintheworksheetincluding,butnotlimitedto:
10 (1)Ahydrogeologicinvestigationassessingpotentialgroundwaterandsurface
11watereffectsandgeologicconditionsthatcouldcreateanincreasedriskofpotentially
12significanteffectsongroundwaterandsurfacewater;
13 (2)Anassessmentoutliningtoxicityexposureriskstoallmineemployeesandto
14allresidentswithinthreemilesoftheproposedminingsite,consideringthetransportof
15toxinsintheair,surfacewater,andgroundwater;
16 (3)Anairqualityimpactassessmentthatincludesanassessmentofthepotential
17effectsfromairborneparticulatesanddust;
18 (4)Atrafficimpactanalysis,includingdocumentationofexistingtransportation
19systems,analysisofthepotentialeffectsoftheprojectontransportation,andmitigation
20measurestoeliminateorminimizeadverseimpacts;
HB704 18 21 (5)Anassessmentofcompatibilityoftheprojectwithotherexistinguses;and
22 (6)Mitigationmeasuresthatcouldeliminateorminimizeanyadverse
23environmentaleffectsoftheproject.
444.994.1.BeginningAugust28,2026,anyapplicantforaminingpermitfora
2projectthatinvolvestheminingofarareearthelementshallprepareandsubmittothe
3directoranenvironmentalassessmentworksheetunderthissectionduetothe
4significanthealthandenvironmentalimpactsofrareearthelementextraction,
5includinghumantoxicityduetoexposuretocarcinogensinairemissionsandheavy
6metalsandradioactivecompoundsinwastewaterdischarge.
7 2.Thedirectorshalldevelopanenvironmentalassessmentworksheetthatall
8applicantsforrareearthelementminingprojectsshallcompleteandtheapplicantsshall
9provideinformationintheworksheetincluding,butnotlimitedto:
10 (1)Ahydrogeologicinvestigationassessingpotentialgroundwaterandsurface
11watereffectsandgeologicconditionsthatcouldcreateanincreasedriskofpotentially
12significanteffectsongroundwaterandsurfacewater;
13 (2)Anassessmentoutliningtoxicityexposureriskstoallmineemployeesandto
14allresidentswithinthreemilesoftheproposedminingsite,consideringthetransportof
15toxinsintheair,surfacewater,andgroundwater;
16 (3)Anairqualityimpactassessmentthatincludesanassessmentofthepotential
17effectsfromairborneparticulatesanddust;
18 (4)Atrafficimpactanalysis,includingdocumentationofexistingtransportation
19systems,analysisofthepotentialeffectsoftheprojectontransportation,andmitigation
20measurestoeliminateorminimizeadverseimpacts;
21 (5)Anassessmentofcompatibilityoftheprojectwithotherexistinguses;and
22 (6)Mitigationmeasuresthatcouldeliminateorminimizeanyadverse
23environmentaleffectsoftheproject.
444.995.1.Thedirectorshalladoptrulespertainingtothecontrolofparticulate
2emissionsfromminingoperationsinvolvingsilicasand,cobalt,rareearthelements,
3iron,andlead.
4 2.Thedirectorshalladoptrulespertainingtothereclamationofminesinvolving
5silicasand,cobalt,rareearthelements,iron,andlead.
6 3.BeforeJanuary1,2026,thedepartmentofhealthandseniorservicesshall
7adoptanairqualityhealth-basedvalueforsilicasand,cobalt,rareearthelements,iron,
8andlead.
9 4.BeforeJanuary1,2026,thedirectorshalladoptrulespertainingtothe
10liabilityofmineoperatorsandminelandownersforradioactivewastetransportinto
11soils,air,andwatersourcesthatcanharmhumanhealth.
HB704 19 12 5.Thedirectorshallpromulgateallnecessaryrulesandregulationsforthe
13administrationofthissection.Anyruleorportionofarule,asthattermisdefinedin
14section536.010,thatiscreatedundertheauthoritydelegatedinthissectionshall
15becomeeffectiveonlyifitcomplieswithandissubjecttoalloftheprovisionsofchapter
16536and,ifapplicable,section536.028.Thissectionandchapter536arenonseverable
17andifanyofthepowersvestedwiththegeneralassemblypursuanttochapter536to
18review,todelaytheeffectivedate,ortodisapproveandannularulearesubsequently
19heldunconstitutional,thenthegrantofrulemakingauthorityandanyruleproposedor
20adoptedafterAugust28,2025,shallbeinvalidandvoid.
âś”
HB704 20