Surface Mining and Reclamation
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 ("SMARA")
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA, Public Resources Code Section 2710 et. seq.) declared that the extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the State and to the needs of the society, and that the reclamation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect the public health and safety (SMARA P710). As such, SMARA has three primary goals:
- Ensure adverse environmental effects of mining is prevented or minimized and that mined lands are reclaimed to a usable end use;
- Encourage the production and conservation of minerals; and,
- Eliminate residual hazards to the public health and safety.
The County of Ventura is the lead agency for enforcing SMARA regulations on all mining operations located within the County. As the lead agency, the County is required to annually inspect each mining operation, ensure adequate financial assurances are secured for reclamation, and oversee mining and reclamation activities such that the goals of SMARA are met.
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