Washington Administrative Code › Title 365 - Commerce, Department of (Community Development) › Chapter 365-190 - Minimum guidelines to classify agriculture, forest, mineral lands and critical areas › Part THREE - GUIDELINES › Section 365-190-070 - Mineral resource lands

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) In
						designating mineral resource lands, counties and cities must approach the
						effort as a county-wide or regional process, with the exception of
						owner-initiated requests for designation. Counties and cities should not review
						mineral resource lands designations solely on a parcel-by-parcel
						basis.
(2) Counties and cities must
						identify and classify mineral resource lands from which the extraction of
						minerals occurs or can be anticipated. Counties and cities may consider the
						need for a longer planning period specifically to address mineral resource
						lands, based on the need to assure availability of minerals for future uses,
						and to not inadvertently preclude access to available mineral resources due to
						incompatible development. Other proposed land uses within these areas may
						require special attention to ensure future supply of aggregate and mineral
						resource material, while maintaining a balance of land uses.
(3) Classification criteria.
(a) Counties and cities classify mineral
						resource lands based on geologic, environmental, and economic factors, existing
						land uses, and land ownership. It is expected that mineral resource lands will
						be depleted of minerals over time, and that subsequent land uses may occur on
						these lands after mining is completed. Counties and cities may approve and
						permit land uses on these mineral resource lands to occur after mining is
						completed.
(b) Counties and cities
						should classify lands with potential long-term commercial significance for
						extracting at least the following minerals: Sand, gravel, and valuable metallic
						substances. Other minerals may be classified as appropriate.
(c) When classifying these areas, counties
						and cities should use maps and information on location and extent of mineral
						deposits provided by the department of natural resources, the United States
						Geological Service and any relevant information provided by property owners.
						Counties and cities may also use all or part of a detailed minerals
						classification system developed by the department of natural
						resources.
(d) Classifying mineral
						resource lands should be based on the geology and the distance to market of
						potential mineral resource lands, including:
(i) Physical and topographic characteristics
						of the mineral resource site, including the depth and quantity of the resource
						and depth of the overburden;
(ii)
						Physical properties of the resource including quality and type;
(iii) Projected life of the
						resource;
(iv) Resource
						availability in the region; and
(v)
						Accessibility and proximity to the point of use or market.
(e) Other factors to consider when
						classifying potential mineral resource lands should include three aspects of
						mineral resource lands:
(i) The ability to
						access needed minerals may be lost if suitable mineral resource lands are not
						classified and designated; and
(ii)
						The effects of proximity to population areas and the possibility of more
						intense uses of the land in both the short and long-term, as indicated by the
						following:
(A) General land use patterns in
						the area;
(B) Availability of
						utilities, including water supply;
(C) Surrounding parcel sizes and surrounding
						uses;
(D) Availability of public
						roads and other public services; and
(E) Subdivision or zoning for urban or small
						lots.
(iii) Energy costs
						of transporting minerals.