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Planning commission presses for clearer fees, enforcement steps for mine reclamation
Summary
Planning staff told the commission they will issue more notices of violation (NOVs) for mines with unrealistic reclamation plans; commissioners asked staff to add NOV and fee information to operator application packets and recommended a staff-developed penalty matrix be presented to the board of supervisors for adoption.
Planning staff told the county Planning Commission that they expect to issue more notices of violation for mining reclamation plans that are not realistic and that the department will seek clearer fee and penalty guidance from the board of supervisors.
The discussion opened with staff asking the commission for guidance after a presentation about current reclamation issues and whether existing county code and the adopted general plan address enforcement and fees under SMARA. Commissioners and counsel discussed how enforcement, appeals and penalties flow between planning staff, the commission and the board of supervisors.
Commissioners emphasized that operators should receive clearer upfront information. A commissioner asked that the annual fee and the possibility of billing for staff time after an NOV be included in the operator application packet so new operators cannot say they were unaware. Planning staff confirmed a cover letter is currently sent…
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