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This section explains why these rules are in the Humboldt County Code. If there is something in these sections that is not clear, and that needs to be interpreted, the purposes and intent of the Board as explained in this section should be used so that any interpretation follows these purposes and carries out these intentions.

(a) Purpose and Intent:. The purpose of this Chapter is to implement the provisions of the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975, as most recently amended. The State law is found in the Public Resources Code, at section 2207 and section 2710 and following. In this ordinance, this State law will be referred to as the “Act,” or as “SMARA.” The State Regulations are found in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, at sections 3500 and following, and in this ordinance are referred to as the “state regulations.” As stated in the Act, and also hereby stated by this Board, it is the intent of the Board of Supervisors to:

(1) protect the quality of the County’s environment;

(2) encourage the conservation and production of known or potential mineral deposits for the economic health and well- being of society;

(3) regulate surface mining operations so as to prevent or minimize adverse environmental effects of surface mining;

(4) provide for the reclamation of mined lands; and

(5) reduce or eliminate hazards to public health and safety due to surface mining operations.

(b) Findings:. The Board hereby finds and declares that:

(1) the extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the County and the needs of society;

(2) the rehabilitation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect The public health and safety.

(3) the reclamation of mined lands as provided in this ordinance will allow the continued mining of minerals and will provide for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land.

(4) that surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological, and cultural requirements are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the specifications, therefore, may vary accordingly. (Ord. 2117, 5/28/1996)