Mineral resource management policies.

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 prohibits a person, with exceptions, from conducting surface mining operations unless, among other things, a permit is obtained from, a specified reclamation plan is submitted to and approved by, and financial assurances for reclamation have been approved by the lead agency, as defined, for the operation of the surface mining operation. The act requires a lead agency, within 12 months of receiving specified mineral information and within 12 months of the designation of an area of statewide or regional significance within its jurisdiction, to establish mineral resource management policies to be incorporated in the lead agency's general plan, as specified. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.