Source: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/chapters/PUBLIC653.asp
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 14:58:42+00:00

Document:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §550-A, as amended by PL 1985, c. 819, Pt. A, §17, is repealed.
6. Oversight. The Treasurer of State, following the payment of excise tax revenues to municipalities pursuant to subsection 4, shall annually set aside 25% of the remaining revenues from mining operations in municipalities not under the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission to be deposited in the Mining Corrective Action Oversight Fund. Money in this fund is available to municipalities to fund corrective action oversight of mining activity as defined by rule by the Department of Environmental Protection in relation to metallic mineral exploration.
Excise tax revenues remaining after municipal reimbursement and payments into the Mining Corrective Action Oversight Fund under section 2861 must be used as follows.
1. Creation of fund. The Mining Corrective Action Oversight Fund, referred to in this section as "the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing fund administered by the Mining Excise Tax Trust Fund Board of Trustees, referred to in this section as "the "board." The board shall oversee and authorize expenditures from the fund.
2. Investment. The Treasurer of State shall invest the money in the fund as authorized by Title 5, section 138.
3. Scope of corrective action. The fund may be used only for corrective action for mining operations located in municipalities.
4. Uses of fund. Money from the fund may be used only to fund corrective action oversight of mining activity as defined provided in the mining rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission under the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act, and expenses for site oversight. Corrective action includes, but is not limited to, remedial action related to: Expenses for site oversight include, but are not limited to, expenses of the department or the department's agents or contractors related to site oversight, including costs of personnel and administrative costs and expenses necessary to administer, review and monitor corrective action.
D. Pollution control at the site.
5. Restrictions and liability. Money from the fund may be used only for corrective action necessary to address problems that occur at the site following termination of mining operations and closure of the mine. Corrective action necessary during the operation of a mine must be funded by the mining company. The existence of this fund does not relieve a mining company of any liability or responsibility arising from a corrective action following termination of its mining operation in a municipality.
6. Disposition of fund. When corrective action is necessary in accordance with this section, the board shall provide funds for remedial activities at the site on a pro rata basis to ensure that funds are available for any necessary corrective action at other sites. This determination is based on the amount of excise tax revenues generated at each site.
7. Depletion of fund. Following termination of mining operations, the mining company and, in the case of a mining company that is a subsidiary of a corporation, the parent company remain liable for any corrective action determined necessary by the board. If the contributions of the mining company to the fund are insufficient to fund corrective action, the mining company or its successor, if the company has been sold, remains liable for the costs of corrective action. If the mining company ceases to exist, the parent company, if any, is liable for any necessary corrective action. Any funds expended for corrective action as provided in this section must be reimbursed in full by the mining company, its successor or its parent corporation.
Sec. 7. 38 MRSA §349-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 874, §1, is repealed.
The Maine Environmental Protection Fund, referred to in this subchapter as "the fund, " is established as a nonlapsing fund to supplement licensing programs administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. All Except as otherwise provided in this section, all fees established under this subchapter shall must be credited to the fund, and administrative expenses directly related to licensing programs shall must be charged to the fund , except that in fiscal year 1984, $41,250 shall be deposited in the General Fund.
All fees related to metallic mineral mining applications and permits under section 352, subsection 4-A must be credited to the Metallic Mining Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds account, which is established as a subaccount of the Maine Environmental Protection Fund to provide for prompt and effective planning, oversight and implementation of metallic mineral mining operations.
3. Maximum fee. The commissioner shall set the actual fees and shall publish a schedule of all fees by November 1st of each year. If the commissioner determines that a particular application, by virtue of its size, uniqueness, complexity or other relevant factors, is likely to require significantly more costs than those listed on Table I, the commissioner may designate that application as subject to special fees. Such a designation must be made at, or prior to, the time the application is accepted as complete and may not be based solely on the likelihood of extensive public controversy. The maximum fee for processing an application may not exceed $250,000 , except that the maximum fee for processing an application under chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 9 is as provided for in subsection 4-A. All staff of the department, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Marine Resources who have worked on the review of the application, including, but not limited to, preapplication consultations, shall submit quarterly reports to the commissioner detailing the time spent on the application and all expenses attributable to the application, including the costs of any appeals filed by the applicant and, after taking into consideration the interest of fairness and equity, any other appeals if the commissioner finds it in the public interest to do so. Any appeal filed by the applicant of an application fee must be to the agency of jurisdiction of the application. The costs associated with assistance to the board on an appeal before the board may be separately charged. The processing fee for that application must be the actual cost to the department, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the Department of Marine Resources. The processing fee must be distributed to each department that incurs a cost to be deposited in the account in which the expenses were incurred in that department to reimburse the actual cost to that department. The applicant must be billed quarterly and all fees paid prior to receipt of the permit. At the time of the quarterly billing by the department, the commissioner shall review the ongoing work of the department to identify, prevent and mitigate undue delays or vague requirements of the application processing. Nothing in this section limits the commissioner's authority to enter into an agreement with an applicant for payment of costs in excess of the maximum fee established in this subsection.
4-A. Fees for metallic mineral mining. Metallic mineral mining permit applications under chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 9 are subject to the following fees. Fees under this subsection must be deposited in the Metallic Mining Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds subaccount.
A. The initial processing fee is $500,000.
B. Preapplication and processing fees are special fees subject to subsection 3. The maximum fee for processing an application must be discussed by the department and the applicant during preapplication meetings. If the applicant does not agree to the maximum fee as determined by the commissioner, the refund provisions of paragraph F apply.
C. The costs associated with the department's preparation for and attendance at any application proceeding held by the board, including the costs associated with assistance to the board, must be paid by the applicant.
D. The costs associated with the department's assistance to the board on an appeal by the applicant before the board must be paid by the applicant and may be separately charged to the applicant by the department. The costs associated with the department's assistance to the board on an appeal by a person other than the applicant before the board may not be charged to the applicant.
E. The annual license fee must be at least $20,000 and may not exceed $50,000 and must be set by the department prior to the issuance of the permit.
F. If at any time the application is withdrawn by the applicant, the department shall calculate the portion of the processing fee that was expended or committed by the department or the department's agents or contractors for processing the application prior to the withdrawal and the remainder of the processing fee not expended or committed must be refunded to the applicant.
Sec. 12. 38 MRSA §353, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 874, §3, is repealed.
2. Processing fee. Except for annual air emission fees pursuant to section 353-A and annual waste discharge fees pursuant to section 353-B, a processing fee must be paid at the time of filing the application. Failure to pay the processing fee at the time of filing the application results in the application being returned to the applicant. One-half the processing fee assessed in section 352, subsection 5-A for licenses issued for a 10-year term must be paid at the time of filing the application. The remaining 1/2 of the processing fee for licenses issued for a 10-year term must be paid 5 years after issuance of the license. The commissioner may not refund the processing fee if the application is denied by the board or the commissioner. If Except as provided in section 352, subsection 4-A, if the application is withdrawn by the applicant within 30 days of the start of processing, the processing fee must be refunded, except in the case of nonferrous metal mining applications portion of the processing fee that was expended or committed by the department or the department's agents or contractors for the cost of processing the application prior to the withdrawal of the application must be calculated, and the remainder of the processing fee not expended or committed must be refunded. If an application for nonferrous metal mining is withdrawn by the applicant within 30 days of the date of filing, 1/2 of the application fee must be refunded.
5. Relationship to other laws. A storm water permit pursuant to this section is not required for a project requiring review by the department pursuant to any of the following provisions but the project may be required to meet standards for management of storm water adopted pursuant to this section: article 6, site location of development; article 7, performance standards for excavations for borrow, clay, topsoil or silt; article 8-A, performance standards for quarries; article 9, the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act; sections 631 to 636, permits for hydropower projects; and section 1310-N, 1319-R or 1319-X, waste facility licenses. When a project requires a storm water permit and requires review pursuant to article 5-A, the department shall issue a joint order unless the permit required pursuant to article 5-A is a permit-by-rule or general permit, or separate orders are requested by the applicant and approved by the department.
A storm water permit pursuant to this section is not required for a project receiving review by a registered municipality pursuant to section 489-A if the storm water ordinances under which the project is reviewed are at least as stringent as the storm water standards adopted pursuant to section 484 or if the municipality meets the requirements of section 489-A, subsection 2-A, paragraph B.
3. Harm to habitats; fisheries. The activity will not unreasonably harm any significant wildlife habitat, freshwater wetland plant habitat, threatened or endangered plant habitat, aquatic or adjacent upland habitat, travel corridor, freshwater, estuarine or marine fisheries or other aquatic life.
Sec. 17. 38 MRSA §482, sub-§2-B, as amended by PL 1995, c. 700, §4, is repealed.
4-A. Storm water management and erosion and sedimentation control. The proposed development , other than a metallic mineral mining or advanced exploration activity, meets the standards for storm water management in section 420-D and the standard for erosion and sedimentation control in section 420-C. A proposed metallic mineral mining or advanced exploration activity must meet storm water standards in department rules adopted to implement subsections 3 and 7. If exempt under section 420-D, subsection 7, a proposed development must satisfy the applicable storm water quantity standard and, if the development is located in the direct watershed of a lake included in the list adopted pursuant to section 420-D, subsection 3, any applicable storm water quality standards adopted pursuant to section 420-D. For redevelopment projects only, the standards for storm water management in section 420-D are met if the proposed development is located in a designated area served by a department-approved management system for storm water as described in section 420-D, subsection 2, as long as the owner or operator of the parcel upon which the proposed development will be located enters into or obtains and remains in compliance with all agreements, permits and approvals necessary for the proposed development to be served by such management system for storm water.
1-C. Long-term construction projects. The department shall adopt rules identifying requirements for a long-term construction project that allow approval of development within a specified area and within specified parameters such as maximum area and groundwater usage, although the specific nature and extent of the development or timing of construction may not be known at the time a permit for the long-term construction project is issued. The location and parameters of the development must meet the standards of this article. This subsection does not apply to metallic mineral mining or advanced exploration activities.
9. Development within unorganized areas. A development located entirely within an area subject to the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, other than a metallic mineral mining or advanced exploration activity, an oil terminal facility or an offshore wind power project with an aggregate generating capacity of 3 megawatts or more that is not a community-based offshore wind energy project as defined in Title 12, section 682, subsection 19, is exempt from the requirements of this article.
A. If a development is located in part within an organized area and in part within an area subject to the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, that portion of the development within the organized area is subject to review under this article if that portion is a development pursuant to this article. That portion of the development within the jurisdiction of the commission is exempt from the requirements of this article except as provided in paragraph B.
B. If a development is located as described in paragraph A, the department may review those aspects of a development within the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission if the commission determines that the development is an allowed use within the subdistrict or subdistricts for which it is proposed pursuant to Title 12, section 685-B. A permit from the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission is not required for those aspects of a development approved by the department under this paragraph.
Review by the department of subsequent modifications to a development approved by the department is required. For a development or part of a development within the jurisdiction of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, the director of the commission may request and obtain technical assistance and recommendations from the department. The commissioner shall respond to the requests in a timely manner. The recommendations of the department must be considered by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission in acting upon a development application.
11. Farm and fire ponds. A pond that is used for irrigation of field crops, water storage for cranberry operations or fire protection determined to be necessary in that location by the municipal fire department is exempt from review under this article. This provision does not provide an exemption for mining or advanced exploration activity or excavation for borrow, clay, topsoil or silt.
Sec. 22. 38 MRSA §490, as amended by PL 1995, c. 700, §11, is repealed.
This article may be known and cited as "the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act."
1. Advanced exploration. "Advanced exploration" means any metallic mineral bulk sampling or exploratory activity that exceeds those activities that are exploration activities and are specified in rules adopted by the department. Samples taken as part of exploration are not considered bulk sampling.
2. Affected area. "Affected area" means an area outside of a mining area where the land surface, surface water, groundwater, air resources, soils or existing uses are potentially affected by mining operations as determined through an environmental impact assessment.
3. Beneficiation. "Beneficiation" means the treatment of ore to liberate or concentrate its valuable constituents. "Beneficiation" includes, but is not limited to, crushing, grinding, washing, dissolution, crystallization, filtration, sorting, sizing, drying, sintering, pelletizing, briquetting, calcining, roasting in preparation for leaching to produce a final or intermediate product that does not undergo further beneficiation or processing, gravity concentration, magnetic separation, electrostatic separation, flotation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, electrowinning, precipitation, amalgamation and dump, vat, tank and in situ leaching.
4. Closure. "Closure" means activities undertaken to manage a mining area and, if necessary, an affected area, pursuant to an environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan approved by the department. "Closure" includes, but is not limited to, actions taken to contain metallic mineral wastes on site and to ensure the integrity of waste management structures and the permanent securement of pits, shafts and underground workings.
B. Demonstrated by a statistically significant change in measured parameters that indicates deterioration of water quality determined through assessment monitoring.
As applied to surface water, "contamination" means a condition created by any direct or indirect discharge that causes or contributes to nonattainment of applicable water quality or licensing standards under section 414-A or 420. The nonattainment may be attributable to the mining operation either by itself or in combination with other discharges.
6. Exploration. "Exploration" or "exploration activity" means the following activities when conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the department for the purpose of determining the location, extent and composition of metallic mineral deposits: test boring, test drilling, hand sampling, the digging of test pits, trenching or outcrop stripping for the removal of overburden having a maximum surface opening of 300 square feet per test pit or trench or other test sampling methods determined by the department to cause minimal disturbance of soil and vegetative cover.
7. Heap or percolation leaching. "Heap or percolation leaching" means a process for the primary purpose of recovering metallic minerals in an outdoor environment from a stockpile of crushed or excavated ore by percolating water or a solution through the ore and collecting the leachate.
8. Metallic mineral. "Metallic mineral" means any ore or material to be excavated from the natural deposits on or in the earth for its metallic mineral content to be used for commercial or industrial purposes. "Metallic mineral" does not include thorium or uranium.
9. Metallic mineral operator. "Metallic mineral operator" means a permittee or other person who is engaged in, or who is preparing to engage in, mining operations for metallic minerals, whether individually or jointly or through agents, employees or contractors.
10. Metallic product. "Metallic product" means a commercially salable mineral or metal produced primarily for its metallic mineral content in its final marketable form or state.
11. Mining. "Mining," "mining operation" or "mining activity" means activities, facilities or processes necessary for the extraction or removal of metallic minerals or overburden or for the preparation, washing, cleaning or other treatment of metallic minerals and includes the bulk sampling, advanced exploration, extraction or beneficiation of metallic minerals as well as waste storage and other stockpiles and reclamation activities, but does not include exploration.
12. Mining area. "Mining area" means an area of land described in a permit application and approved by the department, including but not limited to land from which earth material is removed in connection with mining, the lands on which material from that mining is stored or deposited, the lands on which beneficiating or treatment facilities, including groundwater and surface water management treatment systems, are located or the lands on which water reservoirs used in a mining operation are located.
13. Mining permit. "Mining permit" means a permit issued under this article for conducting mining and reclamation operations.
14. Permittee. "Permittee" means a person who is issued a mining permit.
15. Post-closure monitoring period. "Post-closure monitoring period" means a period following closure during which a permittee is required to conduct monitoring of groundwater and surface water and other environmental parameters as specified in a mining permit.
16. Reclamation. "Reclamation" or "reclamation operation" means the rehabilitation of the mining area, affected area and any other area of land or water body affected by mining under an environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan approved by the department. "Reclamation" includes, but is not limited to, stabilization of slopes, creation of safety benches, planting of forests, seeding of grasses and legumes for grazing purposes, planting of crops for harvest and enhancement of wildlife and aquatic resources.
17. Tailings impoundment. "Tailings impoundment" means land on which is deposited, by hydraulic or other means, material that is separated from the metallic product in the beneficiation or treatment of minerals, including any surrounding dikes constructed to contain the material.
1. Administration; jurisdiction; rules. The department shall administer and enforce this article in all areas of the State, including the unorganized territory, in order to regulate mining.
A. The provisions of articles 6, 7 and 8-A, chapter 13 and section 420-D do not apply to projects reviewed under this article. Projects reviewed under this article do not require any other permits from the department except for permits required under section 490-OO; permits required under article 5-A; waste discharge licenses required under section 413 for discharges of pollutants to groundwater via an underground injection well or discharges of pollutants to surface waters of the State, including permits for construction and industrial discharge issued by the department pursuant to 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 122.26; licenses required under chapter 4; and other permits or licenses issued pursuant to any United States Environmental Protection Agency federally delegated program. This article does not prohibit the department from adopting rules to implement standards for mining that are necessary to protect human health and the environment.
B. In addition to other powers granted to it, the department shall adopt rules to carry out its duties under this article, including, but not limited to, standards for exploration, advanced exploration, construction, operation, closure, post-closure monitoring, reclamation and remediation. Except as otherwise provided, rules adopted under this article are major substantive rules for purposes of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A and are subject to section 341-H.
B. The proposed mining meets any land use standard established by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission and applicable to the project that is not considered in the department's review.
3. Municipal authority. This article does not prevent a municipality from regulating or controlling mining or reclamation activities that are subject to this article, including, but not limited to, construction, operation, closure, post-closure monitoring, reclamation and remediation activities.
1. Permit required. A person may not engage in mining without a permit issued by the department under this article.
(12) An estimate of costs for reclamation, closure and environmental protection.
F. A list of other state and federal permits or approvals anticipated by the applicant to be required.
3. Permit issuance if violation exists. A mining permit may not be issued or transferred to a person if the department has determined that person to be in violation of this article, rules adopted under this article, a mining permit, an order of the department issued pursuant to this article or any other state law, rule, permit or order that the department determines through rulemaking is relevant to the issuance or transfer of a mining permit unless the person has corrected the violation or the person has agreed in a judicially enforceable document to correct the violation pursuant to a compliance schedule approved by the department.
4. Criteria for approval. Except as provided for in subsection 3, the department shall approve a mining permit whenever it finds the following.
A. The applicant has the financial capacity and technical ability to develop the project in a manner consistent with applicable state environmental standards and with the provisions of this article.
B. The applicant has made adequate provision for fitting the mining operation harmoniously into the existing natural environment and the development will not unreasonably adversely affect existing uses, scenic character, air quality, water quality or other natural resources.
(1) In making a determination under this paragraph regarding a mining operation's effects on natural resources regulated by the Natural Resources Protection Act, the department shall apply the same standards applied under the Natural Resources Protection Act.
(2) The applicant must demonstrate that there is reasonable assurance that public and private water supplies will not be affected by the mining operations.
(3) The applicant must demonstrate that rules to protect human health and the environment adopted by the department pursuant to this article will be met.
C. The mining operation will be located on soil types that are suitable to the nature of the mining operation.
D. There is reasonable assurance that discharges of pollutants from the mining operation will not violate applicable water quality standards. Notwithstanding sections 465-C and 470, discharges to groundwater from activities permitted under this article may occur within a mining area, but such discharges may not result in contamination of groundwater beyond each mining area. In determining compliance with this standard, the department shall require groundwater monitoring consistent with the standards established pursuant to section 490-QQ, subsection 3.
E. The mining operation will not cause a direct or indirect discharge of pollutants into surface waters or discharge groundwater containing pollutants into surface waters that results in a condition that is in nonattainment of or noncompliance with the standards in article 4-A or section 414-A or 420.
F. Withdrawals of groundwater and surface water related to the mining operation will comply with article 4-B.
G. The applicant has made adequate provision of utilities, including water supplies, wastewater facilities and solid waste disposal, required for the mining operation, and the mining operation will not have an unreasonable adverse effect on the existing or proposed utilities in a municipality or area served by those services.
H. The mining operation will not unreasonably cause or increase the flooding of the area that is altered by the mining operation or adjacent properties or create an unreasonable flood hazard to any structure. Mining operations may be placed in flood plains or flood hazard areas as long as they are designed, constructed, operated and reclaimed in a manner that complies with the approval criteria in this subsection and the Natural Resources Protection Act.
I. The applicant has made adequate provision for protection of public safety.
J. The mining operation will not use heap or percolation leaching.
5. Permit coordination. If a person submits an application for a mining permit under this article and an application to the department for any other permit required pursuant to section 490-NN, subsection 1, the department shall process the applications in a coordinated fashion and issue a joint decision. The coordinated permit process must include consolidation of public hearings.
6. Public and local participation. In addition to provisions for public participation pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375 and department rules relating to public participation in the processing of applications, the following provisions apply to an application for a mining permit.
A. At least 60 days prior to submitting an application to the department, the applicant shall notify by certified mail the municipal officers of each municipality in which the mining area or affected area may be located or, in the unorganized territory, the county commissioners for each county in which the mining area or affected area may be located. The applicant at the same time shall provide a copy of the notice to the department and the Director of the Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas within the Department of Conservation.
B. At the time an application is submitted to the department, the applicant shall provide written notice to the municipal officers of each municipality in which the mining area and affected area may be located or, in the unorganized territory, to the county commissioners for each county in which the mining area or affected area may be located and shall publish notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the area.
C. The department shall hold an adjudicatory public hearing within the municipality in which the mining operation may be located or, in the unorganized territory, in a convenient location in the vicinity of the proposed mining operation. Administrative expenses of a hearing held pursuant to this paragraph must be paid for by the applicant.
D. The municipal officers, or their designees, from each municipality in which the mining area or affected area may be located or, in the unorganized territory, the county commissioners, or their designees, for each county in which the mining area or affected area may be located have intervenor status if they request it within 60 days after notification under paragraph B. The intervenor status granted under this paragraph applies in any proceeding for a permit under this article. Immediately upon the commissioner's receipt of a request for intervenor status under this paragraph, the intervenors have all rights and responsibilities commensurate with this status.
E. The commissioner shall reimburse or make assistance grants for the direct expenses of intervention of any party granted intervenor status under paragraph D, not to exceed $50,000. The department shall adopt rules governing payment by an applicant to the department of fees necessary for the department to award intervenor assistance grants and governing the award and management of intervenor assistance grants and reimbursement of expenses to ensure that the funds are used in support of direct, substantive participation in the proceedings before the department. Allowable expenses include, without limitation, hydrogeological studies, traffic analyses, the retention of expert witnesses and attorneys and other related items. Expenses not used in support of direct, substantive participation in the proceedings before the department, including attorney's fees related to court appeals, are not eligible for reimbursement under this subsection. Expenses otherwise eligible under this subsection that are incurred by the municipality or county commissioners after notification pursuant to paragraph B are eligible for reimbursement under this paragraph only if a completed application is accepted by the department. The department shall also establish rules governing the process by which an intervenor under paragraph D may gain entry to the proposed mining site for purposes of reasonable inspection and site investigations under the auspices of the department. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
1. Duration of permit. A mining permit issued by the department remains in effect until terminated or revoked by the department. The duration of other permits issued for the mining operation must be provided for in those permits. The department shall conduct annual reviews of the mining operations and assess compliance with the permit terms.
(3) The requirements for the post-closure monitoring period have been satisfied.
3. Revocation of permit. The department may revoke a mining permit after public notice pursuant to section 490-TT.
4. Transfer of permit. After public notice and unless otherwise provided in this article, a mining permit may be transferred with prior written approval of the department in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
A. The person acquiring the mining permit shall submit to the department on forms provided by the department a request for transfer of the mining permit and shall provide the financial assurance required under section 490-RR.
B. A person acquiring a mining permit must accept the conditions of the existing mining permit and adhere to the requirements set forth in this article.
C. If a permittee is determined by the department to be in violation of this article or the rules adopted under this article at the mining site that is the subject of the transfer, the mining permit may not be transferred until the permittee has completed the necessary corrective actions or the person acquiring the mining permit has entered into a written consent agreement to correct all of the violations.
(2) Satisfy all applicable statutory and regulatory criteria, including, but not limited to, providing adequate evidence of the financial assurance required by section 490-RR.
5. Amendment of permit. After public notice, a mining permit may be amended in accordance with this subsection.
A. A permittee may submit to the department a request to amend a mining permit to address anticipated changes in the mining operation, including, if applicable, amendments to the environmental impact assessment and to the environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan.
B. The department may require a mining permit to be amended if the department determines that the terms and conditions of the mining permit are not providing reasonable protection of the environment, natural resources or public health and safety.
1. Performance standards. Standards adopted by the department through rulemaking must be performance-based to the extent feasible, and the department may require that the applicant implement control devices or measures necessary to achieve the performance standards. If the rules include standards that are not performance-based, the rules may allow a permittee to propose an alternative means of compliance that achieves equivalent environmental performance. The department is not required to approve the proposed alternative means of compliance. If the applicant proposes a control device or measure, it must demonstrate that there is reasonable assurance that the device or measure will achieve the performance standard.
2. Suspension of mining operations. If mining operations are suspended for a continuous period exceeding 90 days, the permittee shall provide notice to the department and take actions, consistent with its environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan, to maintain, monitor and secure the mining area and shall conduct any interim sloping or stabilizing of surfaces necessary to protect the environment, natural resources and public health and safety in accordance with the mining permit. If mining operations are suspended for a continuous period exceeding 365 days, the permittee is considered to have ceased mining operations and all requirements applicable to closure take effect unless the department agrees in writing to delay the implementation of the closure plan based on a written submission by the permittee that demonstrates that the mining operations are expected to recommence within a reasonable period of time as determined by the department. The department may require partial closure of mining operations.
3. Water quality monitoring. Through rulemaking the department shall establish standards for monitoring groundwater as close as practicable to any mining area that may pose a threat to groundwater. A permittee shall conduct groundwater and surface water monitoring in accordance with the provisions of a mining permit during mining operations, during suspension of mining operations, during closure and during the post-closure monitoring period. The post-closure monitoring period must be at least 30 years following cessation of mining, subject to the following conditions.
A. The permittee shall provide to the department a written request to terminate post-closure monitoring not less than 18 months before the proposed termination date and shall provide the department with technical data and information demonstrating the basis for the termination of the post-closure monitoring.
B. The department may shorten the post-closure monitoring period at any time upon determining that there is no significant potential for water contamination resulting from the mining operation.
C. The department shall extend the post-closure monitoring period in increments of up to 20 years unless the department determines, approximately one year before the end of a post-closure monitoring period or post-closure incremental monitoring period, that there is no significant potential for surface water or groundwater contamination resulting from the mining operation.
4. Reclamation. The following reclamation requirements apply.
A. Except as provided in paragraph B, a permittee shall commence and complete final reclamation of a mining area and, if necessary, any affected area consistent with mining permit conditions and the environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan approved by the department.
B. Upon written request of a permittee, the department may approve an extension of time to begin or complete final reclamation.
C. Both the mining area and the affected area must be reclaimed with the goal that the affected area be returned to the ecological conditions that approximate pre-mining conditions to the extent feasible and practicable and considering any changes caused by non-mining activities or other natural events.
D. Following closure and reclamation, the landowner or lessee of a mining area in an unorganized territory shall petition the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission for rezoning to an appropriate subdistrict designation.
5. Inspection and maintenance. A permittee shall fully comply with all inspection, maintenance and monitoring requirements contained in a mining permit. After closure, mining areas and affected areas must be inspected at least twice per year. All waste piles and impoundments or any other pile or storage facility must be inspected by a licensed civil engineer with expertise in structural stability of waste piles and impoundments. The engineer shall either certify that the mining area and affected area are in good condition and not susceptible to failure due to significant weather, seismic or other events or identify the corrective measures that must be undertaken by the permittee. The inspections must document that all permit requirements, including storm water control, sediment and erosion control, dust migration, access controls, land use restrictions, waste pile or impoundment stabilization measures and treatment systems are fully compliant with the mining permit conditions and that there are no known conditions that could present an unreasonable threat to public health and safety or the environment. A permittee shall notify the department of any recommended corrective measures as soon as practicable after the inspection. A permittee shall submit an inspection report to the department within 21 days after the inspection.
1. Duration of financial assurance. A permittee shall maintain financial assurance during mining operations until the department determines that all reclamation has been completed and during the post-closure monitoring period except that financial assurance must be reduced or released immediately upon termination of a mining permit under section 490-PP, subsection 2, paragraph A. The department may require financial assurance to remain in effect for as long as the mining operation and any associated waste material could create an unreasonable threat to public health and safety or the environment.
2. Coverage of financial assurance. The financial assurance required under subsection 1 applies to all mining and reclamation operations that are subject to a mining permit and must be sufficient to cover the cost for the department to administer, and hire a 3rd party to implement, activities necessary for the investigation, monitoring, closure, treatment, remediation, reclamation, operation and maintenance under the environmental protection, reclamation and closure plan as well as other necessary environmental protection measures, including remediation of any contamination of the air, surface water or groundwater.
3. Form of financial assurance. The financial assurance may consist of a surety bond, escrow, cash, certificate of deposit, trust, irrevocable letter of credit issued by a financial institution acceptable to the department, or other equivalent security, or combination thereof, as long as the department approves the financial assurance as proposed by the applicant. When determining the appropriate security to require, the department shall take into consideration the type and location of the mining operation and the type of security that is adequate to protect the State's financial interest. The financial assurance must be in a form that cannot be cancelled, withdrawn, revoked or otherwise reduced without the express written consent of the commissioner after a finding that the reduced amount is appropriate given the conditions related to the mining operation, including, but not limited to, the potential cost of long-term maintenance and monitoring, closure and any necessary response to episodic maintenance.
4. Updates to financial assurance. A permittee shall provide to the department an annual statement of financial responsibility, and the department may require that the financial assurance be adjusted to ensure that the financial assurance is sufficient for the purposes of subsection 2.
5. Failure to provide financial assurance. Failure to provide financial assurance under this section constitutes grounds for the department to order immediate suspension of mining activities pursuant to section 490-TT, including, but not limited to, the removal of metallic product from the mining area.
E. A list of the notifications required under subsection 2 for the preceding calendar year.
2. Notification requirement. A permittee shall promptly notify the department and each municipality in which the mining area and the affected area are located, or, in the unorganized territory, the county commissioners for each county in which the mining area and the affected area are located, of any incident, act of nature or exceedance of a permit standard or condition related to the mining operation that has created, or may create, a threat to the environment, natural resources or public health and safety.
3. Records. Records must be retained as follows.
A. Records upon which mining and reclamation reports are based must be preserved by the permittee for 6 years. The permittee shall make the records available to the department upon request.
B. Records upon which incident reports under subsection 2 are based must be preserved by the permittee for 6 years or until the end of the post-closure monitoring period, whichever is later.
1. Permittee required to correct violations. If the department determines that a permittee has violated this chapter, a rule adopted under this article, an order of the department or a mining permit issued under this article, the department shall require the permittee to correct the violation and the department may pursue enforcement action pursuant to sections 347-A, 348 and 349.
D. Issuance of an emergency order as authorized by section 347-A, subsection 3.
3. Effect of revocation or suspension. The revocation of a mining permit or suspension of mining activities under subsection 2 does not relieve a permittee of the responsibility to complete closure, reclamation, operation and maintenance and monitoring, to maintain financial assurance required under section 490-RR and to undertake all appropriate measures to protect the environment, natural resources and public health and safety.
4. Compliance with Maine Administrative Procedure Act. The department shall comply with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act in its actions under this section.
2. Exceptions. This subarticle shall does not apply to activities for which, prior to the effective date of this Act, a permit or permits have been issued pursuant to any of the following laws: Land use regulation laws, Title 12, sections 681 to 689; stream alteration laws, former sections 425 to 430; great ponds laws, former sections 391 to 394; alteration of coastal wetlands laws, former sections 471 to 478; site location of development laws, sections 481 to 490 489-E; and small hydroelectric generating facilities laws, this subarticle.
Sec. 27. 38 MRSA §1319-E, sub-§1, ¶F, as amended by PL 1993, c. 355, §54, is repealed.
Sec. 28. Mining Oversight Fund; legislative intent. It is the Legislature's intent that the Mining Oversight Fund created in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 2866 be used only for its intended purpose to fund oversight of metallic mineral mining operations by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Metallic Mineral Fund created in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 351 be used only for its intended purpose to provide for prompt and effective planning, oversight and implementation of metallic mineral mining operations and these funds should not be appropriated or allocated to any other purpose.
Sec. 29. Maine Land Use Regulation Commission rulemaking; issue screening.
1. Rulemaking; rezoning process. By January 15, 2013, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall amend its rules relating to procedures and requirements for changes to land use subdistrict boundaries for metallic mineral mining activities to remove any provisions related to the permitting of metallic mineral mining activities regulated under the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 9. The amended rules may only relate to the procedures and requirements necessary to review a rezoning application. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. Prior to adoption of rules pursuant to this subsection, when reviewing an application for changes to a land use subdistrict boundary, the commission may only apply procedures and requirements necessary to review the rezoning and may not apply procedures and requirements related to environmental permitting regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection under the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act.
2. Issue screening. Within existing resources, or as resources become available through donations, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall collect information regarding issues likely to arise in the rezoning of certain areas for metallic mineral mining for the purpose of making the rezoning process more efficient and complete.
3. Rulemaking; commission certification of mining permit applications. By January 10, 2014, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall provisionally adopt and submit to the Legislature for review rules related to commission certification of metallic mineral mining permit applications as described in the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 9. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 30. Department of Environmental Protection major substantive rulemaking.
1. Rulemaking. By January 10, 2014, the Department of Environmental Protection shall provisionally adopt and submit to the Legislature for review rules related to the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter 1, article 9. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
2. Standards. The rules adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must include standards determined by the department to be necessary to protect the public health and safety and the environment. Standards adopted by the department may include, but are not limited to, standards regarding effects on groundwater quantity, control of noise, preservation of historic sites, preservation of unusual natural areas, effects on scenic character and protection of wildlife and fisheries.
3. Maine Land Use Regulation Commission certification. The rules adopted pursuant to subsection 1 relating to the permitting process for a mining permit must provide for Maine Land Use Regulation Commission certification pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 490-NN, subsection 2 in the initial stages of the permitting process.
Sec. 31. Existing rules; exploration and advanced exploration; rulemaking.
1. Existing rules. Except as otherwise provided in this section, rules regulating metallic mineral mining adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission prior to the effective date of this section remain in effect until the Legislature approves major substantive rules provisionally adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to this Act.
2. Exploration and advanced exploration. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall jointly amend their rules related to exploration and advanced exploration activities to clarify the permitting requirements for exploration and advanced exploration. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection remain in effect until the Legislature approves major substantive rules provisionally adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to this Act. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 32. Appropriations and allocations. The Metallic Mining Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds account is established as a nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the Department of Environmental Protection. The Metallic Mining Fund is established to provide for the capacity for prompt and effective planning, oversight and implementation of metallic mining operations. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Controller shall transfer $250,000 from the Uncontrolled Sites Fund under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 1364, subsection 6 and $250,000 from the Ground Water Oil Clean-up Fund under Title 38, section 569-A to the Metallic Mining Fund, Other Special Revenue Funds account within the Department of Environmental Protection on or before September 30, 2013.
Sec. 33. Effective date. Those sections of this Act that amend the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, Title 36 and Title 38 take effect June 1, 2014.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 125th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

References: §550
 §17
 §349
 §1
 §353
 §3
 §482
 §4
 §490
 §11
 §1319
 §54