§ 26A-13-010. Monitoring program.

The Sonoma County permit and resource management department (PRMD) and qualified personnel under their direction and supervision shall be responsible for monitoring surface mining operations in the county and their effects on the environment. The scope of monitoring activities shall include mitigation monitoring, compliance inspections, data collection, and analysis, enforcement actions and related administration activities required by SMARA, the ARM plan, site-specific permit approvals, or the board of supervisors. The costs of the monitoring and inspection shall be paid by mining operators pursuant to Section 26A-09-010(s).

(a)

Intent. The intent of monitoring activities shall be conducted to:

(1)

Provide data on aggregate supply and demand which can be considered when making policy and permit decisions related to aggregate resources;

(2)

Assure that permit requirements and regulatory standards and procedures are adhered to; and

(3)

Monitor the effect of surface mining activities on river systems, groundwater aquifers, biotic resources, traffic, etc., so that any environmental impacts are recognized and the ARM plan's mitigation standards and the site-specific mitigation requirements can be evaluated and revised if necessary.

(b)

Production reports and data on individual operations submitted pursuant to Section 26A-09-010 (h) will be considered and handled as proprietary, confidential information consistent with the handling, storage, and disclosure guidelines formally adopted by the board of supervisors pursuant to Section 26-17-010 of this chapter.

(c)

Monitoring Compliance with Permit and Reclamation Requirements. Compliance with operation standards, permit conditions, and approved reclamation plans will be monitored during announced and/or unannounced site inspections of each mining operation by the PRMD staff or qualified professionals under the direction of PRMD. Each active quarry operation will be inspected at least once every ninety (90) days during the mining season. Each active instream and terrace operation will be inspected at least once every sixty (60) days during the mining season. PRMD records the findings of an annual inspection at each site on a state approved inspection form which and shall forward a copy of the inspection report form to the operator and state department of conservation.

(Ord. No. 5909, § XII, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 5165, § 1, 1999.)