The Division of Mine Reclamation (DMR) was created in 1991 to administer the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) in partnership with local governments (typically cities and counties), the State Mining and Geology Board, and the California Geologic Survey. DMR's primary focus under SMARA is to ensure surface mines can and are reclaimed to a usable and safe condition for the benefit of people and wildlife. In 1997, the Abandoned Mine Lands program was developed within DMR to protect humans, habitat, and mining history while remediating hazards associated with legacy (pre-SMARA) mines.
DMR Org Chart
DMR Supervisor
Lindsay Whalin was named Supervisor of Division of Mine Reclamation in February 2024. Prior to Conservation, Whalin worked as an environmental consultant and Engineering Geologist at the San Francisco Bay Water Board overseeing landfill design and construction, toxic site cleanup, and managing the Mine Cleanup and Dredge and Disposal programs. There she trained extensively in collaborative leadership and was highly engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Whalin joined Conservation to lead Division of Mine Reclamation's Abandoned Mine Lands Unit before becoming Supervisor.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences from University of California Santa Cruz and a master's degree in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland.
SMARA Technical Unit
A team of technical specialists including, geologists, environmental scientists, landscape architects, and civil engineers provide technical guidance to partners. Staff perform site inspections, as well as reclamation plan and financial assurance cost estimate report reviews and written comments to local lead agencies. Staff may take enforcement action against operators out of compliance with SMARA or reclamation plan requirements and engage in appeals to the State Mining and Geology Board.
In addition, staff conduct Inspection Training Workshops in different regions of the state to provide information to individuals performing SMARA inspections of surface mines.
SMARA Reporting Unit
Analysts develop and maintain data and document processing systems of mining operations and produce standardized compliance policies and procedures to ensure uniform and effective enforcement of SMARA statutes and regulations and annual reporting requirements. The Reporting Unit also reviews and analyzes financial assurance mechanisms, annual mining operator reports for compliance, and collects mine fees to cover program costs. Staff also take enforcement action against operators that are out of compliance with reporting requirements and engage in appeals to the State Mining and Geology Board.
In addition, analysts work in conjunction with the SMARA Technical Unit to offer Inspection Training Workshops in different regions of the state to provide instruction to inspectors on performing inspections of surface mines.
Abandoned Mine Lands Unit
Geologists, Environmental Scientists, and GIS professionals employ special expertise to collected desktop and field data on abandoned mines. In addition to health and safety hazards, staff evaluate the use of abandoned mine lands by wildlife, then assists public agencies with science-based solutions to design, contract, and install remediations that are compatible, either permitting safe use (e.g., by bats and owls) or preventing it (e.g., fencing vertical shafts to stop desert tortoises from falling in). Staff broaden their impact by collaborating and coordinating with people nationwide working on abandoned mine land issues in academia, government, and advocacy groups.
