The SMGB represents the State's interest in the development, utilization and conservation of mineral resources; reclamation of mined lands; development of geologic and seismic hazard information; and to provide a forum for public redress.
Note: If you wish to be alerted to the SMGB's ongoing activities, you can be added to the mailing list and/or the e-blast list. Click here for more information.
News
- Notice of Preparation and Initial Study, Western Aggregates LLC Yuba County Operations Amended Reclamation Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), SCH# 2013042008. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (PRC Section 21000 et seq.), the California State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB), as lead agency, has released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) and an Initial Study (IS) for the project titled Western Aggregates LLC Yuba County Operations Amended Reclamation Plan (Project). The Project would involve the phased reclamation of 1,960 acres of aggregate mining operations over a 45 year period. Specific reclamation activities are described in the NOP and IS available here. All interested parties are invited to provide comments to the SMGB regarding the IS. A public scoping meeting was held on May 15, 2013 in Marysville, CA. **Please note that the public comment period for this IS has been extended to 5:00pm on May 17, 2013. The SMGB will continue to accept written comments through May 31, 2013. Questions, comments and responses regarding the IS should be provided to the SMGB office by being sent to the attention of Will J. Arcand, Senior Engineering Geologist, via regular mail, or by e-mail to smgb@consrv.ca.gov.
- On March 14, 2013, George Kenline of Yucaipa was appointed to the SMGB. Kenline has been senior environmental services supervisor at Molycorp Inc. since 2012. He was a mining and engineering geologist for San Bernardino County from 2006 to 2012 and an associate geologist at Secor International Inc. from 1993 to 2006. Kenline is a member of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. and the California Groundwater Resources Association. He is a registered engineering geologist and hydrogeologist.
- On March 14, 2013, John Lane of Butte, was reappointed to the SMGB, where he has served since 2009. Lane has been principal at Chico Environmental Science and Planning LLP since 2002. He was senior hydrogeologist at Stetson Engineers Inc. from 2000 to 2002 and staff geologist at URS Corporation from 1998 to 2000. Lane was a staff geologist at Weber Hayes and Associates from 1995 to 1996 and a staff scientist at AGEISS Environmental from 1993 to 1995. He earned a Master of Science degree in geoscience from California State University, Chico.
- On March 14, 2013, Negar Noushkam of Cerritos, was appointed to the SMGB. Noushkam has been senior principal engineer and space environment scientist at Orbital Sciences Corp. since 2012. She was lead space environment scientist and engineer at the Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems from 2006 to 2012 and senior project manager and engineer at Environmental Remediation Services Inc. from 2007 to 2011. Noushkam was lead photovoltaic design engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Technology from 2004 to 2006 and environmental compliance manager and lead security assessor at Hudson Marine Management Services from 2001 to 2004. She was environmental project manager and a process engineer at Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation from 1997 to 2001. Noushkam is a trustee at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board. She earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.
- Proposed amended regulations for designation of mineral lands in the San Bernardino Production-Consumption Region, San Bernardino County and Riverside County, have been published in the California Regulatory Notice Register 2012, Volume No. 45-Z. Public comment on the proposed regulatory text closes on December 24, 2012.
- At its March 14, 2013 meeting, the SMGB Policy and Legislation Committee reviewed and discussed proposed changes to the inspection form MRRC-1. The next meeting to discuss revisions will be on June 13, 2013.
- SMGB Designation Report No. 11 titled Designation of Regionally Significant Aggregate Resources in the Bakersfield Production-Consumption Region is now available. This report reflects the first designation in more than a decade and new regulations that were enacted on August 30, 2011.
Meeting Information
- The May 9, 2013 committee and regular business meetings have been cancelled. Agenda items will be deferred until June 13.
- NOTE: If you wish to be alerted to this Board's ongoing activities, you can be added to the mailing list and/or the e-blast list. Click here for more information.
SMGB Authorities
The SMGB is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate, for four-year terms. The SMGB serves as a regulatory, policy, and appeals body representing the State's interests in geology, geologic and seismologic hazards, conservation of mineral resources and reclamation of lands following surface mining activities.
The SMGB operates within the Department of Conservation, and is granted certain autonomous responsibilities and obligations under several statutes including the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. The SMGB's general authority is granted under Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 660-678. Specifically, PRC Section 662(b) requires all SMGB members to "represent the general public interest".
Most of the documents on this site are in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). Adobe makes a free reader available
here.