File #: 23-690    Name: PLN090191 - Carmel Stone Mine Seizure of Financial Assurance Mechanism for Reclamation
Type: General Agenda Item Status: Passed
File created: 8/22/2023 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 9/19/2023 Final action: 9/19/2023
Title: a. Determine that the Carmel Stone Mine is abandoned by the Operator; b. Authorize the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director or his designee to seize the Financial Assurance Mechanism (FAM) put in place for the Carmel Stone Mine (PLN090191) California Mine ID# 91-27-0030 and reclaim the mine site; c. Authorize the HCD Director or his designee to proceed with all tasks necessary to complete reclamation of the Carmel Stone Mine.
Attachments: 1. Board Report, 2. Attachment 1 - Mine List, 3. Attachment 2 - Notice of Determination, 4. Attachment 3 - Reclamation Plan, 5. Attachment 4 - MRRC-1 Reports, 6. Attachment 5 - MRRC-2 Report 2015, 7. Attachment 6 - Forfeiture of FAM, 8. Attachment 7 - Notice of Violations, 9. Completed Board Order Item No. 16, 10. REVISED Completed Board Order Item No. 16
Title
a. Determine that the Carmel Stone Mine is abandoned by the Operator;
b. Authorize the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director or his designee to seize the Financial Assurance Mechanism (FAM) put in place for the Carmel Stone Mine (PLN090191) California Mine ID# 91-27-0030 and reclaim the mine site;
c. Authorize the HCD Director or his designee to proceed with all tasks necessary to complete reclamation of the Carmel Stone Mine.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Determine that the Carmel Stone Mine is abandoned by the Operator;
b. Authorize the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director or his designee to seize the Financial Assurance Mechanism (FAM) put in place for the Carmel Stone Mine (PLN090191) California Mine ID# 91-27-0030 and reclaim the mine site;
c. Authorize the HCD Director or his designee to proceed with all tasks necessary to complete reclamation of the Carmel Stone Mine.

SMARA:
The County of Monterey (County or Lead Agency) has 13 mines (Attachment 1) and participates in the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) Program through the State of California, Department of Conservation. The SMARA is incorporated by reference into the Monterey County Code of Ordinances, Title 16 - Environment / Chapter 16.04 - Surface Mining and Reclamation, section 16.04.025.

The SMARA provides a comprehensive surface mining and reclamation policy with the regulation of surface mining operations to assure that adverse environmental impacts are minimized and mined lands are reclaimed to a usable condition. The California Division of Mine Reclamation (DMR), which is under the Department of Conservation, provides oversight for local governments (Lead Agencies) that administer the SMARA Program.

Each mine is inspected once per calendar year. County inspections occur late August through September. The Surface Mine Inspection Reports (MRRC-1) are submitted to the DMR by the County through Benc...

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