Title 30—Mineral Resources--Volume 1
PART 905—CALIFORNIA
§ 905.700   California Federal Program.
(a) This part contains all rules that are applicable to surface coal mining operations in California which have been adopted under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
(b) Certain of the rules in this part cross-reference pertinent parts of the permanent program regulations in this Chapter. The full text of a cross-referenced rule is in the permanent program rule cited under the relevant section of the California Federal program.
(c) This part applies to all coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations in California conducted on non-Federal and non-Indian lands. To the extent required by 30 CFR part 740, this part also applies to operations on Federal lands in California.
(d) The information collection requirements contained in this part have already been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3507 in its approval of the information collection requirements contained in the permanent regulatory program.
(e) The following provisions of California law generally provide for more stringent land use and environmental control and regulation of some aspects of surface coal mining operations than do the provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, and the regulations in this chapter. Therefore, pursuant to section 505(b) of SMCRA, these provisions shall not generally be considered to be inconsistent with SMCRA unless, in a particular instance, the Federal program regulations establish more stringent environmental or land use controls:
(1) The California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 21000 et seq. (West 1986).
(2) The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal. Water Code section 13000 et seq. (West 1971).
(3) California Hazardous Waste Control Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25100 et seq. (West 1984).
(4) The State Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25280 et seq. (West 1984).
(5) California Coastal Act of 1976, Cal. Pub. Res. Code Section 30000 et seq. (West 1986).
(6) The Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 4511 et seq. (West 1984).
(7) Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 4656 (West 1984), requiring a permit for mining in State forests.
(f) The following are the California laws that generally interfere with the achievement of the purposes and requirements of SMCRA and are, in accordance with section 504(g) of SMCRA, preempted and superseded. Other California laws may in an individual situation interfere with the purposes and achievements of SMCRA and may be preempted and superseded with respect to the performance standards of §§ 905.815 through 905.828 as they affect a particular coal exploration or surface mining operation by publication of a notice to that effect in the Federal Register.
(1) The California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 2710 et seq. (West 1984), as it relates to coal mining, except to the extent that it regulates other activities that are not regulated by SMCRA.
(2) Cal. Labor Code section 7990 et seq. (West Supp. 1988) (licensing of blasters), except as it applies to other activities that are not regulated by SMCRA.
(3) California Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act of 1972, Cal. Gov. Code section 66770 et seq. (West 1983), except to the extent that it regulates other activities that are not regulated by SMCRA.
§ 905.701   General.
(a) Sections 700.5, 700.11, 700.12, 700.13, 700.14, 700.15 and part 701 of this chapter shall apply to coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations in California.
(b) Beginning on the effective date of this program, each surface coal mining and reclamation operation in California shall comply with subchapter B of this chapter until issuance of a permanent program permit under the provisions of subchapter C of this chapter.
(c) Records required by § 700.14 of this chapter to be made available locally to the public shall be made available in the OSMRE Albuquerque Field Office.
§ 905.702   Exemption for coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals.
Part 702 of this chapter, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incidental to the Extraction of Other Minerals, shall apply to any person who conducts coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals for purposes of commercial use or sale.
§ 905.707   Exemption for coal extraction incident to government-financed highway or other construction.
Part 707 of this chapter, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incident to Government-Financed Highway or Other Construction, shall apply to surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
§ 905.761   Areas designated unsuitable for surface coal mining by act of Congress.
Part 761 of this chapter, Areas Designated by Act of Congress, shall apply to surface coal mining operations.
§ 905.762   Criteria for designating areas as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.
Part 762 of this chapter, Criteria for Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations, shall apply to surface coal mining operations.
§ 905.764   Process for designating areas unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.
Part 764 of this chapter, State Processes for Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations, pertaining to petitions, initial processing, hearing requirements, decisions, data base and inventory systems, public information, and regulatory responsibilities shall apply to surface coal mining operations beginning one year after the effective date of this program.
§ 905.772   Requirements for coal exploration.
(a) Part 772 of this chapter, Requirements for Coal Exploration, shall apply to any person who conducts coal exploration. For applications where § 772.12 applies, the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (d) apply in place of § 772.12(c) (1) and (3) and § 772.12(d)(1).
(b) Upon submission of an administratively complete application for an exploration permit, the applicant shall publish one public notice of the filing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the proposed exploration area, and provide proof of this publication to the regulatory authority within one week after the newspaper notice is published.
(c) Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected, shall have the right to file written comments for 10 days after the advertisement appears in the newspaper.
(d) The regulatory authority shall act upon an administratively complete application for a coal exploration permit and any written comments within 15 days from the close of the comment period. The approval of a coal exploration permit shall be based only on a complete and accurate application.
§ 905.773   Requirements for permits and permit processing.
(a) Part 773 of this chapter, Requirements for Permits and Permit Processing, shall apply to any person who applies for a permit for surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(b) The Secretary shall coordinate, to the extent practicable, his responsibilities under the following Federal laws with the relevant California State laws to avoid duplication:
(c) Where applicable, no person shall conduct coal exploration operations which result in the removal of more than 250 tons in one location or surface coal mining and reclamation operations without a permit issued by the Secretary pursuant to 30 CFR parts 772 and 773 and permits, leases and/or certificates required by the State of California, including compliance with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 13000 et seq. ; the California Water Code section 1200 et seq. ; the California Air Pollution Control Laws, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 39000 et seq. ; the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25100 et seq.; the State Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25280 et seq. ; the Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act of 1972, Cal. Gov. Code section 66770 et seq. ; the California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 21000; the California Coastal Act of 1976, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 30000 et seq. ; the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 4511 et seq. ; and the California Public Resources Code section 4656.
(d) In addition to the requirements of part 773, the following permit application review procedures shall apply:
(1) Any person applying for a permit shall submit five copies of the application to the Western Field Operations office (WFO) in Denver, Colorado.
(2) The WFO shall review an application for administrative completeness and acceptability for further review and shall notify the applicant in writing of the findings. The WFO may:
(i) Reject a flagrantly deficient application, notifying the applicant of the findings;
(ii) Request additional information required for completeness stating specifically what information must be supplied; or
(iii) Judge the application administratively complete and acceptable for further review.
(3) When the application is judged administratively complete, the applicant shall be advised by the WFO to file the public notice required by § 773.6 of this chapter.
(4) A representative of the WFO shall visit the proposed permit area to determine whether the operation and reclamation plans are consistent with actual site conditions. The applicant will be notified in advance of the time of the visit. At the time of the visit, the applicant shall have the locations of the proposed permit boundaries, topsoil storage areas, sediment control structures, roads, and other significant features contained in the application marked by flags.
(5) Adequacy of information to allow the WFO to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4332, and the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq. , shall be considered in the determination of a complete application. The WFO may require specific additional information from the applicant as any environmental review progresses when such specific information is needed.
(e) In addition to the information required by subchapter G of this chapter, the WFO may require an applicant to submit supplemental information to ensure compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations other than the Act.
(f) The regulatory authority shall review the application for a permit, written comments and objections submitted; and records of any informal conference or hearing held on the application and, where there is no environmental impact statement (EIS) and the WFO has found, pursuant to 36 WFO 800.4(d) and 800.5(b), that the operation will not affect historic properties, issue a written decision within 60 days from the close of the comment period or if an informal conference is held under § 773.6(c), 60 days from the close of the informal conference. Where an EIS has been prepared for the application and/or the WFO must comply with 36 CFR 800.5 (d) or (e), the written decision shall be issued within 60 days from the Environmental Protection Agency's publication of the notice of availability of the final EIS in the Federal Register or the completion of OSMRE's responsibilities under 36 CFR part 800, whichever is later.
(g) Only application information that is labeled confidential by the applicant and submitted separately from the remainder of the application will be reviewed by OSMRE for withholding from disclosure under § 773.6(d).
(1) If the application contains information identified as confidential by the applicant, the public notice required by § 905.773(d)(3) must identify the type of information considered to be confidential.
(2) OSMRE shall determine in regard to qualification of any application information labeled confidential within 10 days of the last publication of the notice required under § 905.773(d)(3) of this chapter, unless additional time is necessary to obtain public comment or in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
§ 905.774   Revision; renewal; and transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights.
(a) Part 774 of this chapter, Revision; Renewal; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights, shall apply to any such actions involving surface coal mining and reclamation operations permits, except as specified below.
(b) Any revision to the approved mining or reclamation plan will be subject to review and approval by the WFO. A significant revision to the reclamation plan will be subject to the public notice and hearing provisions of §§ 905.773(d)(3) and 773.6 (b) and (c) prior to approval and implementation. A revision to the reclamation plan will be considered significant if it has the potential to adversely affect the achievement of reclamation as specified in the approved plan.
(c) The regulatory authority will approve or disapprove non-significant permit revisions within 30 days of receipt of the administratively complete revision. Significant revisions and renewals will be approved or disapproved under the provisions of § 905.773(f).
(d) In addition to the requirements of part 774 of this chapter, any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by a decision on the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights, including an official of any Federal, State, or local government agency, may submit written comments on the application to the Office within 30 days of the publication of the newspaper advertisement required by § 774.17(b)(2) of this chapter, or receipt of an administratively complete application, whichever is later.
(e) Within 30 days from the last publication of the newspaper notice, written comments or objections on an application for significant revision, or renewal of a permit under § 774.15 of this chapter may be submitted to the regulatory authority by any person having an interest that is or may be adversely affected by the decision on the application, or by public entities notified under § 773.6(a)(3) of this chapter with respect to the effects of the proposed mining operations on the environment within their areas of responsibility.
§ 905.775   Administrative and judicial review of decisions.
Part 775 of this chapter, Administrative and Judicial Review of Decisions, shall apply to all decisions on permits.
§ 905.777   General content requirements for permit applications.
(a) Part 777 of this chapter, General Content Requirements for Permit Applications, shall apply to any person who makes application for a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(b) Any person who wishes to conduct new surface coal mining and reclamation operations shall file a complete application as early as possible prior to the date permit issuance is desired and shall pay to the Secretary a permit fee in accordance with 30 CFR 777.17.
(c) Any person who wishes to revise a permit shall submit a complete application as early as possible prior to the date approval of the permit revision is desired and to pay a permit fee in accordance with 30 CFR 777.17.
§ 905.778   Permit application—Minimum requirements for legal, financial, compliance, and related information.
Part 778 of this chapter, Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information, shall apply to any person who makes application for a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
§ 905.779   Surface mining permit applications—Minimum requirements for information on environmental resources.
(a) Part 779 of this chapter, Surface Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(b) In addition to the requirements of part 779, the permit application shall contain a map that delineates existing vegetative types and a description of the plant communities within the proposed permit area and within any proposed reference area.
§ 905.780   Surface mining permit applications—Minimum requirements for reclamation and operation plan.
Part 780 of this chapter, Surface Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Reclamation and Operation Plan, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
§ 905.783   Underground mining permit applications—Minimum requirements for information on environmental resources.
(a) Part 783 of this chapter, Underground Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct underground coal mining operations.
(b) In addition to the requirements of part 783, the permit application shall contain a map that delineates existing vegetative types and a description of the plant communities within the area affected by surface operations and facilities and within any proposed reference area.
§ 905.784   Underground mining permit applications—Minimum requirements for reclamation and operation plan.
Part 784 of this chapter, Underground Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Reclamation and Operation Plan, shall apply to any person who makes application for a permit to conduct underground coal mining operations.
§ 905.785   Requirements for permits for special categories of mining.
Part 785 of this chapter, Requirements for Permits for Special Categories of Mining, shall apply to any person who makes application for a permit to conduct certain categories of surface coal mining and reclamation operations as specified therein.
§ 905.795   Small operator assistance program.
Part 795 of this chapter, Small Operator Assistance Program, shall apply to any person making application for assistance under the small operator assistance program.
§ 905.800   Bond and insurance requirements for surface coal mining and reclamation operations under regulatory programs.
(a) Part 800 of this chapter, Bond and Insurance Requirements for Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Under Regulatory Programs, shall apply to all surface coal mining and reclamation operations, except for § 800.40(a)(1) regarding the bond release application, for which paragraph (b) of this section substitutes and except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
(b) The permittee may file an application with the regulatory authority for the release of all or part of a performance bond. The application shall be filed no later than 30 days prior to the end of the vegetation growing season in order to evaluate properly the completed reclamation operations. The appropriate season for evaluating reclaimed operations shall be identified in the mining and reclamation plan required by subchapter G of this chapter approved by the regulatory authority.
(c) The following bonds are acceptable for compliance with the California Federal Program.
(1) A surety bond;
(2) A collateral bond;
(3) A self-bond; or
(4) A combination of these bonding methods.
(d) A permittee may replace existing bonds with other bonds that provide equivalent coverage.
§ 905.815   Performance standards—Coal exploration.
Part 815 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards—Coal Exploration, shall apply to any person who conducts coal exploration.
§ 905.816   Performance standards—Surface mining activities.
(a) Part 816 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards—Surface Mining Activities, shall apply to any person who conducts surface mining activities, except for § 816.116(a)(1) regarding revegetation success standards, for which paragraph (c) of this section substitutes.
(b) All operators shall comply with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 13000 et seq.; the California Water Code section 1200 et seq.; the California Air Pollution Control Laws, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 39000 et seq.; the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25100 et seq.; the State Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25280 et seq.; the Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act of 1972, Cal. Gov. Code section 66770 et seq.; the California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 21000; the California Coastal Act of 1976, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 30000 et seq.; the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 4511 et seq.; the California Public Resources Code section 4656; and regulations promulgated pursuant to these laws.
(c) Standards for success shall be those identified in § 816.116(a)(2) of this chapter. Statistically valid sampling techniques for measuring success shall be included in the mining and reclamation plan, and approved by the regulatory authority.
§ 905.817   Performance standards—Underground mining activities.
(a) Part 817 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards—Underground Mining Activities, shall apply to any person who conducts underground mining activities, except for § 817.116(a)(1) regarding revegetation success standards, for which paragraph (c) of this section substitutes.
(b) All operators shall comply with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 13000 et seq.; the California Water Code section 1200 et seq.; the California Air Pollution Control Laws, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 39000 et seq.; the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25100 et seq.; the State Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Law, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25280 et seq.; the Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act of 1972, Cal. Gov. Code section 66770 et seq.; the California Environmental Quality Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 21000; the California Coastal Act of 1976, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 30000 et seq.; the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Cal. Pub. Res. Code section 4511 et seq.; the California Public Resources Code section 4656; and regulations promulgated pursuant to these laws.
(c) Standards for success shall be those identified in § 817.116(a)(2) of this chapter. Statistically valid sampling techniques for measuring success shall be included in the mining and reclamation plan, and approved by the regulatory authority.
§ 905.819   Special performance standards—Auger mining.
Part 819 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards—Auger Mining, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining operations which include auger mining.
§ 905.822   Special performance standards—Operations in alluvial valley floors.
Part 822 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards—Operations in Alluvial Valley Floors, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations on alluvial valley floors.
§ 905.823   Special performance standards—Operations on prime farmland.
Part 832 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards—Operations on Prime Farmland, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations on prime farmland.
§ 905.824   Special performance standards—Mountaintop removal.
Part 824 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards—Mountaintop Removal, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations constituting mountaintop removal mining.
§ 905.827   Special performance standards—Coal preparation plants not located within the permit area of a mine.
Part 827 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards—Coal Preparation Plants Not Located Within the Permit Area of a Mine, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations which include the operation of a coal preparation plant not located within the permit area of a mine.
§ 905.828   Special performance standards—In situ processing.
Part 828 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards—In Situ Processing, shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations which include the in situ processing of coal.
§ 905.842   Federal inspections.
(a) Part 842 of this chapter, Federal Inspections, shall apply to all coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(b) In addition to the requirements of part 842, copies of inspection reports will be furnished, upon request, to the California Division of Mining and Geology.
§ 905.843   Federal enforcement.
(a) Part 843 of this chapter, Federal Enforcement, shall apply regarding enforcement action on coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
(b) In addition to the requirements of part 843, copies of enforcement actions and orders to show cause will be furnished, upon request, to the California Division of Mining and Geology.
§ 905.845   Civil penalties.
Part 845 of this chapter, Civil Penalties, shall apply to the assessment of civil penalties for violations on coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations.
§ 905.846   Individual civil penalties.
Part 846 of this chapter, Individual Civil Penalties, shall apply to the assessment of individual civil penalties under section 518(f) of SMCRA.
§ 905.955   Certification of blasters.
Part 955 of this chapter, Certification of Blasters in Federal Program States and on Indian Lands, shall apply to the training, examination and certification of blasters for surface coal mining operations.