23A-1 Purpose and intent.

The city of Oroville recognizes that the extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the city and to the needs of society and that the reclamation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect the public health and safety. The city also recognizes that surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological, and social conditions are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the specifications therefore may vary accordingly.

The purpose and intent of this chapter is to ensure the continued availability of important mineral resources, while regulating surface mining operations as required by California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (Public Resources Code sections 2710 et seq.), as amended, hereinafter referred to as “SMARA”, Public Resources Code (PRC) section 2207 (relating to annual reporting requirements), and State Mining and Geology Board regulations (hereinafter referred to as “state regulations”) for surface mining and reclamation practice (California Code of Regulations [CCR], title 14, division 2, chapter 8, subchapter 1, sections 3500 et seq.), to ensure that:

(a) Adverse environmental effects are prevented or minimized and that mined lands are reclaimed to a usable condition which is readily adaptable for alternative land uses;

(b) The production and conservation of minerals are encouraged, while giving consideration to values relating to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment;