To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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2025 Financial Assurances for Reclamation of Surface Mining Operations
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the annual adjustment of funds pledged by the Humboldt County Department of Public Works to complete reclamation of the department's surface mining operations as required by state law; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a certified copy of the Resolution to the Humboldt County Department of Public Works for further processing.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1009 - Expand county infrastructure resilience
DISCUSSION:
On Nov. 7, 1995, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 95-97a, which authorized the Humboldt County Planning Department or the California Department of Conservation to use funds pledged by the Humboldt County Department of Public Works ("Public Works") to reclaim any surface mining operations left un-reclaimed by Public Works. The amounts pledged for the listed quarries must be updated annually in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 2773.1(a)(3). Public Works staff prepared the attached updated resolution for the Board's consideration.
California's Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) requires that all surface mining operations are reclaimed after rock removal is completed and that all mining agencies pledge funds in the form of a financial assurance to guarantee that reclamation will occur. The attached resolution states that Public Works shall pledge funds in the form of gas tax revenues in amounts necessary to reclaim upland quarries and gravel quarries, which are active, and in use by Public Works. Public Works has never failed to complete reclamation of one of its surface...
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