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PqU I fy �O.EL;.CAG SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FILE NUMBER: PA- .c gCic ORN`P RECLAMATION PLAN GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Introduction The California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act(SMARA) requires that mining applicants submit a reclamation plan to, and receive approval of the plan by, San Joaquin County prior to commencement of operations. SMARA defines reclamation as "...the combined process,of land treatment that minimizes water degradation, air pollution, damage to aquatic or wildlife habitat, flooding, erosion,and other adverse effects from surface mining operations, including adverse surface effects incidental-tor underground mines, so that mined lands are reclaimed to a usable condition which is readily adaptable for alternate land uses and create no danger to public health and safety." The statute goes on to explain that"The reclamation plan shall be applicable to a specific piece of property or properties, and shall be based upon the character of the surrounding area and such characteristics of the property as type of overburden, soil stability, topography, geology, climate, stream characteristics, and principal mineral commodities." A reclamation plan represents a legal commitment by the applicant. The plan should clearly describe how reclamation will be accomplished in terms that can be easily understood. Deviations from the approved plan must not be undertaken until such amendment has been filed with, and approved by,the Community Development Department. General Instructions When preparing a reclamation plan, it is important to provide the County and other agencies with adequate information to review the proposal. The reclamation plan should describe how potential adverse environmental impacts will be prevented or minimized and how the mined lands will be successfully reclaimed to a useable condition which is readily adaptable for alternative land uses. By providing adequate information initially, applicants can lessen the chance of requests for additional information that will slow the approval process. SMARA requires that a reclamation plan include: (1)a description of the environmental setting of the proposed operation, (2)a description of the proposed mining plan, and (3)a plan for reclaiming the site. SECTION l: DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Include a description of the environmental setting of the proposed mining operation. Describe the environmental conditions of the area prior to mining in sufficient detail to permit the impacts of the proposed mining operation to be assessed. Please refer to the attached checklist for developing a description of the environmental setting (use the outline format for easy reference.) SECTION II: DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED MINING OPERATION Include a description of the proposed surface mining operation. Sufficient detail should be provided to permit the environmental impacts of the proposed mining operation to be assessed. Please refer to the attached checklist for developing a description of the mining operation. SECTION III: DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED RECLAMATION Include a description of how adverse environmental impacts will be prevented or minimized and the manner in which reclamation, adequate for the proposed use or potential uses,will be accomplished. Please refer to the attached checklist for developing a reclamation plan. Conditions of approval imposed by the administering agency should become part of the reclamation plan by incorporation or attachment. Deviations from the approved reclamation plan shall not be undertaken until an amendment has been filed with, and approved by, the Community Development Department. Any successor or assignees in interest of a surface mining operation are required to assume responsibility for meeting the terms of the approved reclamation plan. F:\DEVSMPlanningApplication Forms\ Page 6 of 15 Agricultural Excavation.doc.(Revised 02-03-10)