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TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
 

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
 

State of California
 

DANIEL E. LUNGREN
 

Attorney General
 

OPINION : 

: No. 95-502 

of : 

: November 29, 1995 

DANIEL E. LUNGREN : 

Attorney General : 

: 

CLAYTON P. ROCHE : 

Deputy Attorney General : 

: 

THE HONORABLE JAMES L. McBRIDE, COUNTY COUNSEL, VENTURA 

COUNTY, has requested an opinion on the following question: 

Is the removal of soil, rocks, and debris from flood control channels and debris basins 

by a flood control district in order to maintain original construction contours a "surface mining 

operation" requiring a permit and the preparation of a reclamation plan? 

CONCLUSION 

The removal of soil, rocks, and debris from flood control channels and debris basins by 

a flood control district in order to maintain original construction contours is not a "surface mining 

operation" requiring a permit and the preparation of a reclamation plan. 

ANALYSIS 

The Legislature has enacted a comprehensive statutory scheme, the Surface Mining and 

Reclamation Act of 1975 (Pub. Resources Code, '' 2710-2796; "SMRA"),1 under the administration 

of the State Mining and Geology Board ("Board"), to protect lands subject to mining operations. 

Section 2711 states: 

1

All references hereafter to the Public Resources Code are by section number only. 

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"(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the extraction of minerals is 

essential to the continued economic well-being of the state and to the needs of the 

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. 

"(b) The Legislature further finds that the reclamation of mined lands as 

provided in this chapter will permit the continued mining of minerals and will provide 

for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land. 

"(c) The Legislature finds 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 therefor 

may vary accordingly." 

Section 2712 provides: 

"It is the intent of the Legislature to create and maintain an effective and 

comprehensive surface mining and reclamation policy with regulation of surface 

mining operations so as to assure 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. 

"(c) Residual hazards to the public health and safety are eliminated." 

The question presented for resolution concerns whether the removal of soil, rock, and debris from flood 

control channels and debris basins by a flood control district in order to maintain original construction 

contours is a "surface mining operation" requiring a permit and reclamation plan under SMRA. We 

conclude that it is not. 

In construing the language and requirements of SMRA, we follow well established 

rules of statutory interpretation. We are to "`ascertain the intent of the Legislature so as to effectuate 

the purpose of the law.'" (California Teachers Assn. v. San Diego Community College Dist. (1981) 28 

Cal.3d 692, 698.) Statutes "must be given a reasonable and common sense interpretation consistent 

with the apparent purpose and intention of the lawmakers, practical rather than technical in nature, 

which, upon application, results in wise policy rather than mischief or absurdity." (People Ex rel. 

Deukmejian v. Che, Inc. (1983) 150 Cal.App.3d 123, 132.) "[T]he various parts of a statutory 

enactment must be harmonized by considering the particular clause or section in the context of the 

statutory framework as a whole." (Moyer v. Workmens' Comp. Appeals Bd. (1973) 10 Cal.3d 222, 

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230.) Both the legislative history of the statute and the wider historical circumstances of its enactment 

may be considered. (California Mfrs. Assn. v. Public Utilities Com. (1979) 24 Cal.3d 836, 844.) 

Subdivision (a) of section 2770 provides: 

"Except as provided in this section, no person shall conduct surface mining 

operations unless a permit is obtained from, a reclamation plan has been submitted to 

and approved by, and financial assurances have been approved by, the lead agency . . . 

." 

The "lead agency" is defined in section 2728 as follows: 

"`Lead agency' means the city, county, San Francisco Bay Conservation and 

Development Commission, or the board which has the principal responsibility for 

approving a surface mining operation or reclamation plan pursuant to this chapter." 

Accordingly, under the terms of section 2770, a permit to conduct surface mining operations must be 

obtained which has as its predicate the filing of a reclamation plan for the mined lands and approval of 

that plan. (See Oro Fino Gold Mining Corp. v. County of El Dorado (1990) 225 Cal.App.3d 872, 883; 

59 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 641, 648, 653 (1976); see also City of Ukiah v. County of Mendocino (1987) 196 

Cal.App.3d 47, 57-58; 66 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 79, 83-85 (1983); 60 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 162, 164-165 

(1977).) 

Section 2772 sets forth the form and content of the required reclamation plan for the 

area where surface mining operations are to occur. Subdivision (c) of section 2772 states: 

"The reclamation plan shall include all of the following information and 

documents: 

"(1) The name and address of the surface mining operator and the names and 

addresses of any persons designated by the operator as an agent for the service of 

process. 

"(2) The anticipated quantity and type of minerals for which the surface mining 

operation is to be conducted. 

"(3) The proposed dates for the initiation and termination of [the] surface 

mining operation. 

"(4) The maximum anticipated depth of the surface mining operation. 

"(5) The size and legal description of the lands that will be affected by the 

surface mining operation, a map that includes the boundaries and topographic details of 

the lands, a description of the general geology of the area, a detailed description of the 

geology of the area in which surface mining is to be conducted, the location of all 

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streams, roads, railroads, and utility facilities within, or adjacent to, the lands, the 

location of all proposed access roads to be constructed in conducting the surface mining 

operation, and the names and addresses of the owners of all surface interests and 

mineral interests in the lands. 

"(6) A description of, and a plan for, the type of surface mining to be employed, 

and a time schedule that will provide for the completion of surfaced mining on each 

segment of the mined lands so that reclamation can be initiated at the earliest possible 

time on those portions of the mined lands that will not be subject to further disturbance 

by the surface mining operation. 

"(7) A description of the proposed use or potential uses of the mined lands after 

reclamation and evidence that all owners of a possessory interest in the land have been 

notified of the proposed use or potential uses. 

"(8) A description of the manner in which reclamation, adequate for the 

proposed use or potential uses will be accomplished, including both of the following: 

"(A) A description of the manner in which contaminants will be controlled, and 

mining waste will be disposed. 

"(B) A description of the manner in which affected streambed channels and 

streambanks will be rehabilitated to a condition minimizing erosion and sedimentation 

will occur. 

"(9) An assessment of the effect of implementation of the reclamation plan on 

future mining in the area. 

"(10) A statement that the person submitting the reclamation plan accepts 

responsibility for reclaiming the mined lands in accordance with the reclamation plan. 

"(11) Any other information which the lead agency may require by ordinance." 

The key statute requiring our analysis is section 2735. It defines "surface mining 

operations" for which a permit and plan are required under SMRA. Section 2735 states: 

"`Surface mining operations' means all, or any part of, the process involved in 

the mining of minerals on mined lands by removing overburden and mining directly 

from the mineral deposits, open-pit mining of minerals naturally exposed, mining by 

the auger method, dredging and quarrying, or surface work incident to an underground 

mine. Surface mining operations shall include, but are not limited to: 

"(a) In place distillation or retorting or leaching. 

"(b) The production and disposal of mining waste. 

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"(c) Prospecting and exploratory activities." 

The Board has implemented section 2735 by adopting the following regulation: 

"In addition to the provisions of Sections 2735 of the Act, borrow pitting, 

streambed skimming, segregation and stockpiling of mined materials (and recovery of 

same) are deemed to be surface mining operations unless specifically excluded under 

Section 2714 of the Act or Section 3505 of these regulations." (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 

14, ' 3501.)2 

Although the terms "mining," "minerals," and "mined lands" are not defined in SMRA, definitions 

thereof predating SMRA are found in the general provisions of the Public Resources Code. Section 

2005 defines "minerals" as follows: 

"`Minerals' means any naturally occurring chemical element or compound, or 

groups of elements and compounds, formed from inorganic processes and organic 

substances, including, but not limited to, coal, peat, and bituminous rock, but excluding 

geothermal resources, natural gas, and petroleum."3 

Section 2200 defines "mine" in the following terms: 

"For the purposes of this chapter, `mine' includes all mineral bearing properties 

of whatever kind or character, whether underground, or in a quarry or pit, or any other 

sources from which any mineral substance is or may be obtained." 

With these statutory provisions in mind, we turn to the legislative history of SMRA's 

enactment. (Stats. 1975, ch. 1131.) It discloses the Legislature's intent to encourage and regulate 

surface mining operations and to require the restoration and conservation of mined lands for future 

beneficial uses. We have found no indication that SMRA was intended to apply to the performance of 

required maintenance of flood control channels by government agencies. For example, the report of 

the Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildlife dated May 9, 1975, states with respect to the 

proposed legislation: 

"Since 1967, more than 30 states have enacted or strengthened state laws 

requiring the rehabilitation of mined lands and there has been increased discussion of 

federal legislation mandating a state program. Yet, despite the magnitude of mining 

activity, California has no regulation at the state level. Surface mining in California is, 

2

All references hereafter to title 14 of the California Code of Regulations are by regulation number only. Regulation 

3501 defines "streambed skimming" as: "Excavation of sand and gravel from stream bed deposits above the mean summer 

water level or stream bottom, whichever is higher." 

3

This definition has been adopted by the Board for purposes of SMRA. (Reg. 3501.) 

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however, subject to numerous controls, including state air- and water-pollution 

regulations and city and county ordinances governing noise, vibration, dust, slopes, 

fencing, and reclamation. However, existing controls do not (1) adequately assure that 

reclamation will in fact occur, (2) provide a mechanism to resolve jurisdictional 

problems that can result when a mineral deposit crosses city and county boundaries, 

and (3) recognize the need to protect mineral resource deposits from the effects of 

urbanization." 

We believe that the removal of soil, rocks, and debris from flood control channels to 

restore them to their original contours does not fall within the legislative purposes of SMRA. Such 

work on flood control channels is the opposite of what SMRA was intended to regulate. SMRA 

contemplates a two step process: (1) surface mining operations and (2) the requisite reclamation plan 

to restore the land to a future beneficial use. Flood control channel maintenance is a one step process: 

the removal of soil, rock, and debris to restore the channel to its prior beneficial use. In short, the 

maintenance work in question does not degrade the channels so that reclamation is needed; rather, it 

improves the channels and in effect reclaims them. 

Hence, to include flood control channel maintenance within the purview of SMRA 

would ignore much of SMRA with respect to such operations. No "reclamation" is required after the 

maintenance is performed, yet SMRA presupposes and requires reclamation as to the mining operations 

it regulates. Reclamation constitutes a major, mandatory portion of the legislation. 

Additionally, we note that subdivisions (a) and (b) of section 2714 specifically exempt 

from the requirements of SMRA: 

"(a) Excavations or grading conducted for farming or onsite construction or for 

the purpose of restoring land following a flood or natural disaster. 

"(b) Onsite excavation and onsite earthmoving activities which are an integral 

and necessary part of a construction project that are undertaken to prepare a site for 

construction of structures, landscaping, or other land improvements, including the 

related excavation, grading, compaction, or the creation of fills, road cuts, and 

embankments, whether or not surplus materials are exported from the site, subject to all 

of the following conditions: 

"(1) All required permits for the construction, landscaping, or related land 

improvements have been approved by a public agency in accordance with applicable 

provisions of state law and locally adopted plans and ordinances, including, but not 

limited to, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000). 

"(2) The lead agency's approval of the construction project included 

consideration of the onsite excavation and onsite earthmoving activities pursuant to 

Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000). 

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"(3) The approved construction project is consistent with the general plan or 

zoning of the site. 

"(4) Surplus materials shall not be exported from the site unless and until actual 

construction work has commenced and shall cease if it is determined that construction 

activities have terminated, have been indefinitely suspended, or are no longer being 

actively pursued." 

If the original construction of a flood control channel is exempt from the provisions of SMRA, it is 

reasonable to conclude that the restoration of the channel to its original contours is also exempt. (See 

Civ. Code, ' 3536; Reynolds v. State Board of Equalization (1946) 29 Cal.2d 137, 140; Hoshour v. 

County of Contra Costa (1962) 203 Cal.App.2d 602, 608.) 

We reject the argument that the specific exemptions in subdivision (i) of section 2714 

regarding the Department of Water Resources and the State Reclamation Board necessarily mean that 

the removal of soil, rocks, and debris by a flood control district constitutes "surface mining operations." 

Subdivision (i) of section 2714 exempts from SMRA: 

"(1) Surface mining operations conducted on lands owned or leased, or upon 

which easements or rights-of-way have been obtained, by the Department of Water 

Resources for the purpose of the State Water Resources Development System or flood 

control, and surface mining operations on lands owned or leased, or upon which 

easements or rights-of-way have been obtained, by the Reclamation Board for the 

purpose of flood control, if the Department of Water Resources adopts, after 

submission to and consultation with, the Department of Conservation, a reclamation 

plan for lands affected by these activities, and those lands are reclaimed in conformance 

with the standards specified in regulations of the board adopted pursuant to this chapter. 

The Department of water Resources shall provide an annual report to the Department 

of Conservation by the date specified by the Department of Conservation on these 

mining activities. 

"(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall require the Department of Water 

Resources or the Reclamation Board to obtain a permit or secure approval of a 

reclamation plan from any city or county in order to conduct surface mining operations 

specified in paragraph (1). Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude the bringing of an 

enforcement action pursuant to Section 2774.1, if it is determined that a surface mine 

operator, acting under contract with the Department of Water Resources or the 

Reclamation Board on lands other than those owned or leased, or upon which 

easements or rights-of-way have been obtained, by the Department of Water Resources 

or the Reclamation Board, is otherwise not in compliance with this chapter." 

The language of these particular exemptions was first added to SMRA in 1992 (Stats. 1992, ch. 1077, '

2.5), while SMRA has always provided in section 2715: 

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"No provision of [SMRA] or any ruling, requirement, or policy of the board is a 

limitation on any of the following: 

". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

"(c) On the power of any state agency in the enforcement or administration of 

any provision of law which it is specifically authorized or required to administer. . . ." 

We thus believe that the specific exemptions now contained in subdivision (i) of section 2714 were 

enacted out of an abundance of legislative caution and not as a declaration that the work would 

otherwise constitute "surface mining operations." (See Mono County v. Industrial Acc. Com. (1917) 

175 Cal. 752, 755; Solvang Mun. Improvement Dist. v. Board of Supervisors (1980) 112 Cal.App.3d 

545, 556.) 

We conclude that a flood control district's removal of soil, rocks, and debris from flood 

control channels and debris basins in order to maintain original construction contours is not a "surface 

mining operation" requiring a permit and the preparation of a reclamation plan under SMRA. 

* * * * * 

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