Surface mining: idle mines: low gross exemption.

Existing law prohibits, with exceptions, a person from conducting a surface mining operation unless, among other things, a reclamation plan has been submitted to and approved by the lead agency for the operation. Existing law requires an operator, within 90 days of a surface mining operation becoming idle, as defined, to submit to the lead agency for review and approval, an interim management plan. Existing law requires the State Mining and Geology Board to impose an annual reporting fee on each active and idle mine. Existing law establishes an exemption to the fee for certain low grossing mines. This bill would provide that a single operator of a mining operation or a mining company with a single mining operation that becomes idle, and that is operating under an interim management plan because of its minimum annual production level, shall qualify, on a calendar year basis, for the low gross exemption, if the mining operation is also in compliance with applicable sections of the Public Resources Code, including the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, as well as with the regulations adopted thereunder.