Plumas County has 16 active mines that fall under state regulations for mining and reclamation. Only 10 of them are in compliance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, Plumas County Planning Director Tracey Ferguson told county supervisors Feb. 6.
She recommended hiring Land Logistics Inc. to manage these mining permits and help bring the county up to date.
A proposal to expand mining operations on a portion of the historic Engels Mine in Indian Valley has brought attention to mining generally, and to the permit status of the county’s 16 active mines. Most involve gravel and aggregate extraction, Ferguson said.
The reclamation of mining land wasn’t addressed in state law before 1975. SMARA, administered by the California Department of Conservation, is the link between producing the mineral products important to California and protecting the environment. Under SMARA, every mining operation must have a permit to mine, an approved reclamation plan (the mined land must be restored or altered to a condition agreed upon prior to mining), and a sound financial ability to ensure reclamation.
In addition to permitting, the focus in Plumas County is on reclamation, Ferguson said: “When all operations are finished, how will the land be restored? My lens is looking at reclamation.”
Ferguson and a panel, which included Supervisor Dwight Ceresola, reviewed applications from three companies after a fourth applicant withdrew. The preferred consultant was Land Logistics. Based in Davis, it offers a full range of services in the field of planning, project management, environmental analysis and SMARA compliance, Ferguson said.
Land Logistics will conduct pre-inspection analyses, review technical reports submitted by mining operators, analyze financial estimates and assurance mechanisms, and prepare environmental documents. Ferguson recommended a contract not to exceed $50,000 through June, with the possibility of up to three one-year extensions.
Supervisor Tom McGowan’s motion to hire Land Logistics passed unanimously, approving a contract not to exceed $50,000.
