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Committee approves mined land reclamation rules under Zero Based Regulation review
Summary
The committee approved Docket No. 20-0302-2401 (Rules Governing Mined Land Reclamation) after a presentation by Andrew Smyth, who said the rules focus on post‑mining reclamation and included definitional and organizational changes under Executive Order 2020‑01.
Andrew Smyth, Resource Protection and Assistance Bureau Chief at the Idaho Department of Lands, presented Docket No. 20-0302-2401, a Zero Based Regulation rewrite of rules implementing the Idaho Mined Land Reclamation Act (Idaho Code § 47‑15). Smyth said the rule changes reduced total word count, removed restrictive language, added definitions for "coarse and durable rock armor" and "authorized land," and reorganized reclamation plan application requirements to improve clarity.
Senators asked whether the rules applied to active mine sites; Smyth clarified they concern reclamation after mining rather than regulation of active operations. There was also a request for data on the breakdown of mining on federal, private and State land; Smyth did not have those figures and said he would follow up. Chairman Burtenshaw moved approval; the motion carried by voice vote.
