The Reporting, Compliance, and Review Unit (RCRU) reviews annual reports submitted by mine operations and annual inspections submitted by lead agencies. The RCRU monitors mining operations for compliance with the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) and can take administrative action against mines that do not have lead-agency approved reclamation plans or financial assurances.
Compliance activities of the RCU include:
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Enforce compliance with annual mine reporting requirements (PRC 2207)
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Review annual reports for deficiencies
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Investigate complaints of non-compliance with SMARA
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Selective reviews of lead agency annual inspections
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Exercise SMARA duties for lead agencies that the Mining Board finds deficient in implementing SMARA.
Annual Reports
Annual reports are required from all mines subject to SMARA from the time they’re permitted until they are certified reclaimed, even if they have not begun operation or have ceased operation with no intent to resume. The Office of Mine Reclamation mails annual report forms to each reporting mining operation during May of each year. Reports must be postmarked on or before July 1 of that year. For more information, click here.
Annual Inspections
Lead agencies must conduct an inspection of each surface mining operation within six months of receiving its annual report, and in no event less than once in any calendar year. These inspections must be conducted using a form developed by the Department of Conservation and approved by the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB). For the inspection form, click here.
AB3098 List
SMARA requires State agencies to purchase mined material only from operations with approved reclamation plans and financial assurances, if the operation is subject to SMARA. OMR maintains a list of such operations, the AB3098 List, which can be downloaded here.
Database Requests
The Database Access Request Form is available for download from this site. For more information, click here.
National Association of Abandoned Mine Programs | California Geological Survey | State Mining & Geology Board
Department of Toxic Substances Control | California State Lands Commission
Bureau of Land Management | Mine Safety & Health Administration
Office of Surface Mining | | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Forest Service | U.S. Geological Survey