Mines and quarries include the removal of copper,
zinc, or other metallic material from the earth by excavating, underground
mining, stripping, leveling, or any other process and shall be restricted
as follows.
Application requesting County Land Use and UW
Extension Committee approval of a proposed mine or quarrying activity
shall be accompanied by:
A. A description of all phases of the contemplated operation,
including types of machinery and equipment which will or might be
necessary to carry on the operation.
B. A legal description of the proposed site.
C. A restoration plan as hereinafter required.
In reviewing a proposal for a mine or quarrying
activity, the County Land Use and UW Extension Committee shall take
into consideration:
A. The effect of the proposed operation on the environment.
B. The most suitable land use for the area.
No grant to carry on a mining or quarrying operation
shall be given until the County Land Use and UW Extension Committee
approves a restoration plan and the owner agrees to restore the mined
or quarried area to a condition of practical usefulness and reasonable
physical attractiveness as soon as practicable after the operations
have ceased. The owner shall provide sufficient financial guarantee
to secure the performance of the restoration agreement. The agreement
and financial guarantee shall be in a form approved by the County
District Attorney.
The County Land Use and UW Extension Committee
may set forth conditions regarding appropriate setback and other dimensional
requirements, particularly with reference to avoiding a nuisance effect
on surrounding residential and other land uses. Suitable fencing and
landscaping may be required.
The initial grant to carry on a mining or quarrying
operation shall not be effective for more than 50 years. Authorization
may be extended for ten-year periods, subject to conditions specified
by the County Land Use and UW Extension Committee.