This chapter is adopted pursuant to W.S.A. s. 66.038, which is adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter
as if fully set forth herein.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
NONMETALLIC MINING or NONMETALLIC MINING OPERATION
Operations or activities for the extraction from the earth, for sale
or use by the operator, of mineral aggregates such as stone, sand and gravel,
fill material and nonmetallic minerals such as asbestos, beryl, clay, feldspar,
peat and talc, related operations or activities such as excavation, grading
or dredging if the purpose of those operations or activities is the extraction
of mineral aggregates and nonmetallic minerals and related processes such
as crushing, screening, scalping, dewatering and blending.
NONMETALLIC MINING REFUSE
Waste soil, rock, mineral, liquid and vegetation and other waste
material resulting from a nonmetallic mining operation. This term does not
include merchantable by-products resulting directly from or displaced by the
nonmetallic mining operation.
NONMETALLIC MINING SITE OR SITE
The location where a nonmetallic mining operation is proposed or
conducted, including all surface areas from which materials are removed, related
storage and processing areas, areas where nonmetallic mining refuse is deposited
and areas disturbed by the nonmetallic mining operation by activities such
as the construction or improvement of roads or haulageways.
OPERATOR
Any person who is engaged in a nonmetallic mining operation or nonmetallic
mining site reclamation or who applies for or holds a nonmetallic mining permit
issued under this chapter, whether individually, jointly or through subsidiaries,
agents, employees, contractors or subcontractors.
RECLAMATION
The rehabilitation of a nonmetallic mining site, including but not
limited to removal of nonmetallic mining refuse, grading of the site, replacement
of topsoil, stabilization of soil conditions, establishment of vegetative
cover, control of surface water and groundwater, prevention of environmental
pollution, construction of fences and, if practical, restoration of plant,
fish and wildlife habitat.
REPLACEMENT OF TOPSOIL
The replacement of the topsoil which was removed or disturbed by
a nonmetallic mining operation or the provision of soil which is at least
as adequate as the topsoil which was removed or disturbed for the purposes
of providing adequate vegetative cover and stabilization of soil conditions.
This chapter shall apply to any portion of a nonmetallic mining site,
including unreclaimed portions of a site which were mined prior to the effective
date of this chapter.
This chapter shall not apply to the following activities:
A. Excavations or grading by a person solely for domestic
use at his or her residence.
B. Excavations or grading conducted for highway construction
purposes within the highway right-of-way.
C. Grading conducted for farming, preparing a construction
site or restoring land following a flood or natural disaster.
D. Excavations for building construction purposes.
E. Any mining operation, the reclamation of which is required
in a permit obtained under W.S.A. ss. 144.80 to 144.94.
F. Any activities conducted at a solid or hazardous waste
disposal site required to prepare, operate or close a solid waste disposal
facility under W.S.A. ss. 144.435 to 144.445 or a hazardous waste disposal facility under W.S.A. ss. 144.60
to 144.74, but this chapter may apply to activities related to solid or
hazardous waste disposal which are conducted at a nonmetallic site separate
from the solid or hazardous waste disposal facility, such as activities to
obtain nonmetallic minerals to be used for lining, capping, covering or constructing
berms, dikes or roads.
All applications for a license hereunder shall be made in writing upon
the written form provided by the city and distributed by the City Clerk-Treasurer.
All applications for permits hereunder shall be signed by the applicant and
filed with the City Clerk-Treasurer at least 60 days prior to the licensing
period. The Clerk-Treasurer shall immediately refer all applications for a
license hereunder to the Common Council for public hearing and approval. The
operator shall receive written notice of the public hearing. The license shall
be for a period of time as stated in the application or as modified by the
Council. Modification of the application or reclamation plan may be permitted
or additional conditions may be required upon application. The Council shall
consider the effect of the operation and the proposed reclamation upon existing
and future conditions, including streets, neighboring land development, land
use, drainage, water supply, water pollution, air pollution, soil erosion,
natural beauty and land value of the locality. The Council may approve, approve
conditionally or reject the application and reclamation plan.
Before a license and reclamation plan is approved by the Common Council,
the operator shall submit an agreement and performance bond or cash escrow
agreement to assure the following:
A. The operator shall pay for the cost of all improvements
required in the reclamation plan by the Common Council.
B. Guaranteed completion of the required reclamation within
a period determined by the Council.
C. Payment by the operator for all costs incurred by the
city for review and inspection. This would include preparation and review
of plans and specifications by the City Engineer and Attorney, as well as
other costs of a similar nature.
D. The city may elect to have stages of the reclamation
plan performed under the terms of a cash escrow agreement.
E. The required performance bond or cash escrow agreement
shall be equal to 1 1/4 times the City Engineer's estimated cost
of the required improvements.
F. If the required reclamation is not complete within the
designated period, all amounts held under the escrow agreement or performance
bond shall be turned over and delivered to the city and applied to the cost
of the required reclamation. Any balance remaining after such reclamation
has been done shall be returned to the operator. The Common Council, at its
option, may extend the bond period for additional periods.
Nonmetallic mining operations within the city are prohibited if the
nonmetallic mining site cannot be reclaimed in compliance with the standards
of this chapter or if other requirements of this chapter are not met.
If any permit is revoked, canceled, rescinded or terminated, the operator
shall be given written notice of any charges or violations against him or
her or the reasons proposed for revocation and shall have an opportunity to
be heard before the Common Council.