Surface mining: mineral resource management policies.

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 prohibits a person, with exceptions, from conducting surface mining operations unless a permit is obtained from, a reclamation plan is submitted to and approved by, and financial assurances for reclamation have been approved by, the lead agency for the operation. Existing law requires a lead agency, within 12 months of certain occurrences, to establish, in accordance with state policy, mineral resource management policies to be incorporated into the lead agency's general plan. Existing law requires these policies to, among other things, assist in the management of land use that affects areas of statewide and regional significance. This bill would instead require the policy to assist in the management of land use that affects access to areas of statewide and regional significance. The bill would also make technical changes.