17.62.010 Purpose and intent.
A. The city 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 health and safety. The city also recognizes that the reclamation of mined lands will provide for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the land. Since surface mining operations may take place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological, and social conditions are significantly different, reclamation operations may also vary accordingly.
B. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to safeguard the continued availability of important mineral resources while regulating surface mining operations as required by the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA). These regulations will assure that:
1. 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.
2. The production and conservation of minerals are encouraged while giving consideration to value relating to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment.
3. Residual hazards to the public health and safety are eliminated. (Ord. 3943 § 5, 1999; prior code § 17.75.010)