2005 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1169 – Ore processing by cyanidation

SENATE BILL NO. 1169

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Bill Status



S1169......................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
ORE PROCESSING - Amends existing law relating to practices governing ore
processing by cyanidation to specify requirements for a permit from the
Director of the Department of Environmental Quality for a facility to
conduct ore processing by cyanidation; to include closure of cyanidation
facilities within duties of the Board of Land Commissioners; to enumerate
duties of a cyanidation facility operator; to govern approval or rejection
of a permanent closure plan; to provide application or closure
requirements; to govern submission of a bond; to provide forfeiture of bond
and penalties for operator's failure to comply with a permanent closure
plan of a cyanidation facility; to provide for appeal from an order; to
specify requirements for conduct of a cyanidation facility; and to govern
application of the act.
                                                                        
03/01    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/02    Rpt prt - to Res/Env
03/03    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/04    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/08    3rd rdg - PASSED - 33-0-1, 1 vacancy
      AYES -- Andreason, Brandt, Broadsword, Bunderson, Burkett,
      Burtenshaw, Cameron, Coiner, Compton, Corder, Darrington, Davis,
      Gannon, Geddes, Goedde, Hill, Jorgenson, Kelly, Keough, Little,
      Lodge, Malepeai, Marley, McGee, McKenzie, Pearce, Richardson,
      Schroeder, Stegner, Stennett, Sweet, Werk, Williams
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- Langhorst, (District 21 seat vacant)
    Floor Sponsors - Cameron, Little, & Stennett
    Title apvd - to House
03/09    House intro - 1st rdg - to Res/Con
03/16    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/17    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/21    3rd rdg - PASSED - 64-2-4
      AYES -- Anderson, Andrus, Barraclough, Bastian, Bayer, Bedke, Bell,
      Bilbao, Block, Boe, Bolz, Bradford, Cannon, Chadderdon, Clark,
      Collins, Crow, Deal, Edmunson(Barker), Ellsworth, Field(18),
      Field(23), Garrett, Hart, Henbest, Henderson, Jaquet, Jones, Kemp,
      Lake, LeFavour, Loertscher, Martinez, Mathews, McGeachin, McKague,
      Miller, Mitchell, Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Pasley-Stuart, Pence,
      Raybould, Ring, Ringo, Roberts, Rusche, Rydalch, Sali, Sayler,
      Schaefer, Shepherd(2), Shepherd(8), Shirley, Skippen, Smith(30),
      Smith(24), Smylie, Snodgrass, Stevenson, Trail, Wills, Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- Barrett, Wood
      Absent and excused -- Black, Denney, Eskridge, Harwood
    Floor Sponsors - Moyle & Ellsworth
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/22    To enrol
03/23    Rpt enrol - Pres signed
03/24    Sp signed
03/25    To Governor
03/28    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 167
         Effective: 07/01/05

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   First Regular Session - 2005
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1169
                                                                        
                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO PRACTICES GOVERNING ORE PROCESSING BY CYANIDATION;  AMENDING  SEC-
  3        TION  39-103,  IDAHO CODE, TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL
  4        CORRECTION; AMENDING SECTION 39-118A, IDAHO CODE, TO SPECIFY  REQUIREMENTS
  5        FOR  A PERMIT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
  6        FOR A FACILITY TO CONDUCT ORE PROCESSING  BY  CYANIDATION  AND  TO  GOVERN
  7        APPLICATION  OF  PROVISIONS  DURING  TRANSITION; AMENDING SECTION 47-1501,
  8        IDAHO CODE, TO INCLUDE CLOSURE OF CYANIDATION FACILITIES  WITHIN  PURPOSES
  9        OF  THE  CHAPTER  AND  TO  MAKE  A  TECHNICAL CORRECTION; AMENDING SECTION
 10        47-1502, IDAHO CODE, TO SPECIFY SCOPE OF THE CHAPTER AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL
 11        CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 47-1503, IDAHO CODE, TO FURTHER DEFINE TERMS
 12        AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 47-1505,  IDAHO  CODE,
 13        TO  INCLUDE  CLOSURE ACTIVITIES OF A CYANIDATION FACILITY WITHIN DUTIES OF
 14        THE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;  AMEND-
 15        ING  SECTION  47-1506,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO ENUMERATE DUTIES OF A CYANIDATION
 16        FACILITY OPERATOR AND TO  MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORRECTIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION
 17        47-1507,  IDAHO  CODE, TO GOVERN APPROVAL OR REJECTION OF A PERMANENT CLO-
 18        SURE PLAN AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL  CORRECTIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION  47-1508,
 19        IDAHO  CODE,  TO  GOVERN SUBMISSION OF AN AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN, TO
 20        PROVIDE APPLICATION OF CLOSURE REQUIREMENTS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL  CORREC-
 21        TIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION  47-1512,  IDAHO CODE, TO GOVERN SUBMISSION OF A
 22        BOND AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING  SECTION  47-1513,  IDAHO
 23        CODE,  TO  PROVIDE FORFEITURE OF BOND AND PENALTIES FOR OPERATOR'S FAILURE
 24        TO COMPLY WITH PERMANENT CLOSURE PLAN OF A CYANIDATION FACILITY,  TO  PRO-
 25        VIDE  FOR  REVIEW AND REVISION OF PLANS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;
 26        AMENDING SECTION 47-1514, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPEAL FROM AN  ORDER
 27        AND  TO  MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 47-1517, IDAHO CODE,
 28        TO SPECIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR CONDUCT OF A  CYANIDATION  FACILITY;  AMENDING
 29        SECTION  47-1518,  IDAHO CODE, TO GOVERN APPLICATION OF THE CHAPTER AND TO
 30        MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 42-202B, IDAHO  CODE,  TO
 31        PROVIDE A CORRECT CODE REFERENCE.
                                                                        
 32    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 33        SECTION  1.  That  Section  39-103, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 34    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 35        39-103.  DEFINITIONS. Whenever used or referred to in  this  act  chapter,
 36    unless  a  different  meaning  clearly appears from the context, the following
 37    terms shall have the following meanings:
 38        (1)  "Air contaminant" or "air contamination" means the  presence  in  the
 39    outdoor atmosphere of any dust, fume, mist, smoke, radionuclide, vapor, gas or
 40    other  gaseous fluid or particulate substance differing in composition from or
 41    exceeding in concentration the natural components of the atmosphere.
 42        (2)  "Air pollution" means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere  of  any
 43    contaminant  or  combination thereof in such quantity of such nature and dura-
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    tion and under such conditions as would be injurious to human health  or  wel-
  2    fare,  to  animal  or plant life, or to property, or to interfere unreasonably
  3    with the enjoyment of life or property.
  4        (3)  "Board" means the board of environmental quality.
  5        (4)  "Cyanidation" means the method of extracting target  precious  metals
  6    from  ores  by  treatment with cyanide solution, which is the primary leaching
  7    agent for extraction.
  8        (5)  "Cyanidation facility" means that portion of  a  new  ore  processing
  9    facility,  or  a material modification or a material expansion of that portion
 10    of an existing ore  processing  facility  that  utilizes  cyanidation  and  is
 11    intended to contain, treat, or dispose of cyanide containing materials includ-
 12    ing spent ore, tailings, and process water.
 13        (6)  "Department" means the department of environmental quality.
 14        (57)  "Director"  means  the  director  of the department of environmental
 15    quality or the director's designee.
 16        (68)  "Emission" means any controlled or uncontrolled release or discharge
 17    into the outdoor atmosphere of any air  contaminant  or  combination  thereof.
 18    Emission  also includes any release or discharge of any air contaminant from a
 19    stack, vent or other means into the outdoor atmosphere that originates from an
 20    emission unit.
 21        (79)  "Laboratory" means not only facilities for biological,  serological,
 22    biophysical,  cytological  and pathological tests, but also facilities for the
 23    chemical or other examination of materials from water or other substances.
 24        (810) "Medical waste combustor" means any  device,  incinerator,  furnace,
 25    boiler  or  burner,  and  any  and  all  appurtenances thereto, which burns or
 26    pyrolyzes medical waste consisting of human or animal  tissues,  medical  cul-
 27    tures,  human blood or blood products, materials contaminated with human blood
 28    or tissues, used or unused surgical wastes, used or unused  sharps,  including
 29    hypodermic needles, suture needles, syringes and scalpel blades.
 30        (911) "Person" means any individual, association, partnership, firm, joint
 31    stock  company, trust, estate, political subdivision, public or private corpo-
 32    ration, state or federal governmental department, agency  or  instrumentality,
 33    or any other legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject  of rights
 34    and duties.
 35        (102) "Public  water supply" means all mains, pipes and structures through
 36    which water is obtained and distributed to the  public,  including  wells  and
 37    well structures, intakes and cribs, pumping stations, treatment plants, reser-
 38    voirs,  storage  tanks  and appurtenances, collectively or severally, actually
 39    used or intended for use for the purpose of furnishing water for  drinking  or
 40    general  domestic use in incorporated municipalities; or unincorporated commu-
 41    nities where ten (10) or more separate premises or households are being served
 42    or intended to be served; or any other supply which serves water to the public
 43    and which the department declares to have potential health significance.
 44        (113) "Solid waste" means garbage, refuse, radionuclides  and  other  dis-
 45    carded  solid materials, including solid waste materials resulting from indus-
 46    trial, commercial and agricultural operations and  from  community  activities
 47    but  does not include solid or dissolved materials in domestic sewage or other
 48    significant pollutants in water resources, such as  silt,  dissolved  or  sus-
 49    pended  solids  in  industrial  waste  water effluents, dissolved materials in
 50    irrigation return flows or other common water pollutants.
 51        (124) "Solid waste disposal" means  the  collection,  storage,  treatment,
 52    utilization, processing or final disposal of solid waste.
 53        (135) "State" means the state of Idaho.
 54        (146) "Substantive"  means  that  which  creates, defines or regulates the
 55    rights of any person or implements, interprets or prescribes  law  or  policy,
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    but does not include statements concerning only the internal management of the
  2    department  and  not  affecting  private rights or procedures available to the
  3    public.
  4        (157) "Water pollution" is such alteration of the physical, thermal, chem-
  5    ical, biological or radioactive properties of any waters of the state, or such
  6    discharge of any contaminant into the waters of the state as will or is likely
  7    to create a nuisance or render  such waters harmful or detrimental or  injuri-
  8    ous  to  public  health,  safety or welfare or to domestic, commercial, indus-
  9    trial, recreational, esthetic or other legitimate uses or to  livestock,  wild
 10    animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life.
 11        (168) "Waters"  means all accumulations of water, surface and underground,
 12    natural and artificial, public and private or parts thereof which  are  wholly
 13    or partially within, flow through or border upon this state except for private
 14    waters as defined in section 42-212, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 15        SECTION  2.  That  Section 39-118A, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 16    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 17        39-118A.  ORE PROCESSING BY CYANIDATION. (1) All plans and  specifications
 18    for  the  construction  of  that part of a new ore-processing facility, or for
 19    modification or expansion to an  existing  ore-processing  facility,  that  is
 20    intended  to  contain, treat, or dispose process water or process-contaminated
 21    water containing cyanide a cyanidation facility  shall  be  submitted  to  and
 22    approved by the department before construction may begin, and all construction
 23    shall  be  in compliance therewith.  Within thirty (30) days of the completion
 24    of such construction, modification or expansion, complete and  accurate  plans
 25    and  specifications depicting that actual construction, modification or expan-
 26    sion does not deviate from the original  approved  plans  and  specifications,
 27    shall  be  submitted to the department. All plans and specifications submitted
 28    to satisfy the requirements of this section shall be certified  by  registered
 29    professional engineers.
 30        (2)  That  portion  of a new ore-processing facility, or a modification or
 31    expansion of an existing ore-processing facility, which  utilizes  cyanidation
 32    and  is  intended  to  contain,  treat  or  dispose  process water or process-
 33    contaminated water containing cyanide
 34        (a)  A cyanidation facility shall not be constructed, operated, or  closed
 35        prior to a permit being obtained from the department.
 36        (b)  Weather permitting, the director shall deliver to the operator within
 37        one  hundred  eighty  (180)  days  after  the receipt of a complete permit
 38        application the notice of rejection or notice of approval of  the  permit,
 39        as  the  case may be, provided however, that, subject to the provisions of
 40        subsection (3) of this section, if the director fails to deliver a  notice
 41        of approval or notice of rejection within the time period, the permit sub-
 42        mitted  shall  be deemed to comply with this chapter, and the operator may
 43        commence to build, operate or close the cyanidation  facility  covered  by
 44        the  permit,  as the case may be, as if a notice of approval of the permit
 45        had been received from the director. Provided  however,  that  if  weather
 46        conditions  prevent  the director from inspecting the cyanidation facility
 47        to obtain information needed to approve or reject a submitted  permit,  he
 48        may, in writing to the operator, extend the time not to exceed thirty (30)
 49        days after weather conditions permit such inspection.
 50        (c)  The  director  may  require  a  reasonable  fee for processing permit
 51        applications, and financial assurance for permanent closure of a new  ore-
 52        processing  facility,  or  a modification or expansion to an existing ore-
 53        processing facility.
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1        (3)  An existing facility which utilizes  cyanidation  water  or  process-
  2    contaminated  water  containing cyanide shall not be subject to the provisions
  3    of subsections (1) and (2) of this section if such facility  shall  be  regis-
  4    tered  by  the  owner or operator using a form provided by the director of the
  5    department. Failure to register an existing facility shall subject such facil-
  6    ity to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
  7        (a)  Prior to the effective date of rules promulgated  under  chapter  15,
  8        title 47, Idaho Code, the department is authorized to issue a permit under
  9        subsection  (2)  of  this section if the cyanidation facility has provided
 10        financial assurance under the provisions of IDAPA 58.01.13  in  an  amount
 11        determined  by the department to be the estimated reasonable costs to com-
 12        plete the activities specified in the permanent closure plan  required  in
 13        IDAPA  58.01.13,  in  the  event of the failure of an operator to complete
 14        those activities, plus ten percent (10%) of such  costs.  In  setting  the
 15        amount of financial assurance, the department shall avoid duplication with
 16        any  financial  assurance, bonds and sureties deposited with other govern-
 17        mental agencies.
 18        (b)  After the effective date of rules promulgated under chapter 15, title
 19        47, Idaho Code, the department shall not issue a permit  under  subsection
 20        (2)  of  this  section  unless  the cyanidation facility has satisfied the
 21        financial assurance requirements of chapter  15,  title  47,  Idaho  Code,
 22        relating to ore processing by cyanidation.
 23        (4)  A  cyanidation  facility  with  an  existing  permit  approved by the
 24    department prior to July 1, 2005, shall be subject to the applicable laws  and
 25    rules  for  ore processing by cyanidation in effect on June 30, 2005. If there
 26    is a material modification or a material expansion of a  cyanidation  facility
 27    after June 30, 2005, all provisions of this chapter shall apply to the modifi-
 28    cation  or  expansion;  provided  however, that reclamation or closure related
 29    activities at a facility with an existing cyanidation permit approved  by  the
 30    department  that did not actively add cyanide after January 1, 2005, shall not
 31    be considered to be material modifications or  a  material  expansion  of  the
 32    facility.
 33        (5)  The department shall promulgate temporary rules by August 1, 2005, to
 34    implement the provisions of this act; however, no rulemaking is necessary, nor
 35    shall  be  required, to increase the amount of financial assurance provided by
 36    the department's interim authority under subsection (3)(a) of this section.
                                                                        
 37        SECTION 3.  That Section 47-1501, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 38    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 39        47-1501.  PURPOSE  OF  CHAPTER.  It  is the purpose of this act chapter to
 40    provide for the protection of the public health, safety and  welfare,  through
 41    measures to reclaim the surface of all the lands within the state disturbed by
 42    exploration  and  surface  mining operations and measures to assure the proper
 43    closure of cyanidation facilities and thereby conserve natural resources,  aid
 44    in the protection of wildlife, domestic animals, aquatic resources, and reduce
 45    soil erosion.
                                                                        
 46        SECTION  4.  That  Section 47-1502, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 47    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 48        47-1502.  SHORT TITLE. This act may be known and cited as "the Idaho  sur-
 49    face  mining  act." The reclamation provisions of tThis act shall not apply to
 50    surface mining operations regulated by the Idaho Ddredge and  Pplacer  Mmining
 51    Pprotection Aact.
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1        SECTION  5.  That  Section 47-1503, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  2    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  3        47-1503.  DEFINITIONS. Wherever used or referred to in this  act  chapter,
  4    unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
  5        (1.)  "Board"  means the state board of land commissioners or such depart-
  6    ment, commission, or agency as may lawfully succeed to the powers  and  duties
  7    of such board.
  8        (2.)  "Cyanidation"  means the method of extracting target precious metals
  9    from ores by treatment with cyanide solution, which is  the  primary  leaching
 10    agent for the extraction.
 11        (3)  "Cyanidation  facility"  means  that  portion of a new ore processing
 12    facility, or a material modification or a material expansion of  that  portion
 13    of  an  existing  ore  processing  facility,  that utilizes cyanidation and is
 14    intended to contain, treat, or dispose of cyanide containing materials includ-
 15    ing spent ore, tailings, and process water.
 16        (4)  "Director" means the head of the department of lands or such  officer
 17    as may lawfully succeed to the powers and duties of said director.
 18        3.(5)  "Affected land" means the land area included in overburden disposal
 19    areas,  mined areas, mineral stockpiles, roads, tailings ponds and other areas
 20    disturbed at the surface mining operation site.
 21        4.(6)  "Mineral" shall mean coal, clay, stone, sand, gravel, metalliferous
 22    and nonmetalliferous type of ores, and any other  similar  solid  material  or
 23    substance  of  commercial value to be excavated from natural deposits on or in
 24    the earth.
 25        5.(7)  "Surface mining operations" means the  activities  performed  on  a
 26    surface  mine  in  the  extraction  of minerals from the ground, including the
 27    excavating of pits, removal of minerals, disposal of overburden, and the  con-
 28    struction  of  haulage roads, exclusive of exploration operations, except that
 29    any exploration operations which, exclusive of exploration roads, (1a)  result
 30    during  a  period of twelve (12) consecutive months in more than five (5) con-
 31    tiguous acres of newly affected land, or (2b) which, exclusive of  exploration
 32    roads,  result  during  a  period  of  twelve (12) consecutive months in newly
 33    affected land consisting of more than ten (10) noncontiguous  acres,  if  such
 34    affected  land  constitutes  more  than  fifteen per cent percent (15%) of the
 35    total area of any circular tract which includes such affected land,  shall  be
 36    deemed to be a surface mining operation for the purposes of this act chapter.
 37        6.(8)  "Exploration  operations" means activities performed on the surface
 38    of lands to locate mineral bodies and to determine the  mineability  and  mer-
 39    chantability thereof.
 40        7.(9)  "Surface mine" means an area where minerals are extracted by remov-
 41    ing  the  overburden  lying above and adjacent to natural deposits thereof and
 42    mining directly from the natural deposits thereby exposed.
 43        8.(10) "Mined area" means surface of land from which  overburden  or  min-
 44    erals have been removed other than by drilling of exploration drill holes.
 45        9.(11) "Overburden" means material extracted by an operator which is not a
 46    part of the material ultimately removed from a surface mine and marketed by an
 47    operator, exclusive of mineral stockpiles.
 48        10.(12)  "Overburden disposal area" means land surface upon which overbur-
 49    den is piled or planned to be piled.
 50        11.(13) "Exploration  drill holes" means holes drilled from the surface to
 51    locate mineral bodies and to determine  the  mineability  and  merchantability
 52    thereof.
 53        12.(14) "Exploration roads" means roads constructed to locate mineral bod-
 54    ies and to determine the mineability and merchantability thereof.
                                                                        
                                           6
                                                                        
  1        13.(15) "Exploration  trenches"  means trenches constructed to locate min-
  2    eral bodies and to determine the mineability and merchantability thereof.
  3        14.(16) "Peak" means a projecting point of overburden.
  4        15.(17) "Mine panel" means that portion of a mine designated by an  opera-
  5    tor  as  a  panel  of  a surface mine on the map submitted pursuant to section
  6    47-1506, Idaho Code.
  7        16.(18) "Mineral stockpile" means minerals extracted during surface mining
  8    operations and retained at the surface mine for future rather  than  immediate
  9    use.
 10        (19) "Permanent closure plan" means a description of the procedures, meth-
 11    ods,  and schedule that will be implemented to meet the intent and purposes of
 12    this chapter in treating and disposing of cyanide containing materials includ-
 13    ing spent ore, tailings, and process water and in controlling  and  monitoring
 14    discharges  and  potential discharges for a reasonable period of time based on
 15    site specific conditions.
 16        17.(20) "Pit" means an excavation created by the extraction of minerals or
 17    overburden during surface mining operations.
 18        18.(21) "Ridge" means a lengthened elevation of overburden.
 19        19.(22) "Road" means a way constructed on a surface mine for  the  passage
 20    of vehicles, including the bed, slopes and shoulders thereof.
 21        20.(23) "Operator"  means  any person or persons, any partnership, limited
 22    partnership, or corporation, or any association of persons, either natural  or
 23    artificial, including, but not limited to, every public or governmental agency
 24    engaged  in  surface  mining  or  exploration  operations  or  in  operating a
 25    cyanidation facility, whether individually, jointly, or through  subsidiaries,
 26    agents,  employees,  or  contractors  and shall mean every governmental agency
 27    owning or controlling the use of any surface mine when the  mineral  extracted
 28    is  to  be used by or for the benefit of such agency. It shall not include any
 29    such governmental agency with respect to those surface mining  or  exploration
 30    operations as to which it grants mineral leases or prospecting permits or sim-
 31    ilar  contracts, but nothing herein shall relieve the operator acting pursuant
 32    to a mineral lease, prospecting permit or similar contract from the  terms  of
 33    this act chapter.
 34        21.(24) "Hearing  officer" means that person selected by the board to hear
 35    proceedings under section 47-1513, Idaho Code.
 36        22.(25) "Final order of the board" means a written  notice  of  rejection,
 37    the  order  of  a hearing officer at the conclusion of a hearing, or any other
 38    order of the board where additional administrative remedies are not available.
 39        23.(26) "Tailings pond" means an area on a surface mine inclosed  enclosed
 40    by a man-made or natural dam onto which has been discharged the waste material
 41    resulting  from  the primary concentration of minerals in ore excavated from a
 42    surface mine.
                                                                        
 43        SECTION 6.  That Section 47-1505, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 44    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 45        47-1505.  DUTIES  AND POWERS OF BOARD. In addition to the other duties and
 46    powers of the board prescribed by law, the board is granted and shall be enti-
 47    tled to exercise the following authority and powers and perform the  following
 48    duties:
 49        (1)  To  administer and enforce the provisions of this act chapter and the
 50    rules and orders promulgated thereunder as provided in this act chapter.
 51        (2)  To conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research,
 52    studies, surveys, experiments, demonstrations and training in carrying out the
 53    provisions of this act chapter. In carrying out the activities  authorized  by
                                                                        
                                           7
                                                                        
  1    this  section,  the  board  may  enter  into contracts with and make grants to
  2    institutions, agencies, organizations and individuals, and shall  collect  and
  3    make available any information obtained therefrom.
  4        (3)  To  adopt  and promulgate reasonable rules respecting the administra-
  5    tion of this act chapter and such rules as may be necessary to carry  out  the
  6    intent  and  purposes  of  this  act  chapter, provided that no rules shall be
  7    adopted which require reclamation activities in addition to those set forth in
  8    this act chapter. All such rules shall be adopted in accordance with and  sub-
  9    ject to the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.
 10        (4)  To enter upon affected lands at all reasonable times, for the purpose
 11    of  inspection,  to  determine whether the provisions of this act chapter have
 12    been complied with. Such inspections shall be conducted in the presence of the
 13    operator or his duly authorized employees or representatives, and the operator
 14    shall make such persons available for the purpose of inspections.
 15        (5)  To reclaim affected land with respect to which a bond has  been  for-
 16    feited,  and, in the board's discretion, with the permission of the landowner,
 17    to reclaim such other land which becomes affected land.
 18        (6)  To complete closure activities with respect to a cyanidation facility
 19    for which a permanent closure bond has been forfeited.
 20        (7)  (a) Upon receipt of a proposed reclamation or permanent closure  plan
 21        or amended or supplemental reclamation plan, the director shall notify the
 22        cities  and  counties in which the surface mining operation or cyanidation
 23        facility is proposed. The notice shall include the name and address of the
 24        operator and shall describe the procedure and the schedule  by  which  the
 25        plan  may  be  approved or denied. This notification requirement shall not
 26        apply to exploration operations.
 27        (b)  Cities and counties may review the nonconfidential  portions  of  the
 28        plan  at  the department's office and may provide comments to the director
 29        concerning the plan. Nothing in this section shall extend the  time  limit
 30        for the board to deliver to the operator a notice of rejection or approval
 31        of  the  plan or affect the confidentiality provisions of section 47-1515,
 32        Idaho Code.
 33        (c)  No city or county shall enact or adopt any ordinance, rule or resolu-
 34        tion to regulate exploration or surface mining operations or  a  permanent
 35        closure  plan  in  this  state  which conflicts with any provision of this
 36        chapter or the rules promulgated thereunder. This subpart shall not affect
 37        the planning and zoning authorities available to cities and counties  pur-
 38        suant to chapter 65, title 67, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 39        SECTION  7.  That  Section 47-1506, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 40    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 41        47-1506.  OPERATOR -- DUTIES PRIOR TO OPERATION -- SUBMISSION OF MAPS  AND
 42    PLANS.  (a)  Any operator desiring to conduct surface mining operations within
 43    the state of Idaho for the purpose of immediate or ultimate sale of  the  min-
 44    erals  in  either  the  natural  or processed state, shall submit to the board
 45    prior to commencing such surface mining operations  a  reclamation  plan  that
 46    contains the following:
 47        (1)  A  map  of  the  mine panel on which said operator desires to conduct
 48        surface mining operations, which sets forth with respect to said panel the
 49        following:
 50             (i)    The location of existing roads and anticipated access and main
 51             haulage roads planned to be constructed  in  conducting  the  surface
 52             mining operations.
 53             (ii)   The  approximate boundaries of the lands to be utilized in the
                                                                        
                                           8
                                                                        
  1             process of surface mining operations.
  2             (iii)  The approximate location and,  if  known,  the  names  of  all
  3             streams,  creeks,  or  bodies  of water within the area where surface
  4             mining operations shall take place.
  5             (iv)   The name and address of the person to  whom  notices,  orders,
  6             and  other  information required to be given to the operator pursuant
  7             to this act chapter may be sent.
  8             (v)    The drainage adjacent to the area where the surface  is  being
  9             utilized by surface mining operations.
 10             (vi)   The  approximate  boundaries  of  the  lands  that will become
 11             affected lands as a result of surface mining  operations  during  the
 12             year  immediately  following  the  date  that  a  reclamation plan is
 13             approved as to said panel, together with the number of acres included
 14             within said boundaries.
 15             (vii)  A description of foreseeable, site-specific  nonpoint  sources
 16             of  water  quality impacts upon adjacent surface waters, and the best
 17             management practices that will  be  used  to  control  such  nonpoint
 18             source impacts.
 19             (viii) A  description of foreseeable, site-specific impacts from acid
 20             rock drainage and the best management practices that will be used  to
 21             mitigate the impacts, if any, from such acid rock drainage.
 22        (2)  Diagrams  showing  the  planned location of pits, mineral stockpiles,
 23        overburden piles and tailings ponds on said panel.
 24        (3)  A description of the action which said operator intends  to  take  to
 25        comply  with  the  provisions of this act chapter as to the surface mining
 26        operations conducted on such mine panel.
 27        (b)  Any operator who is not required to submit an operating  plan  for  a
 28    surface  mining  operation to an entity of the federal government shall submit
 29    to the board, as part of the reclamation plan, an operating plan with  regards
 30    to that surface mining operation. The operating plan shall include:
 31        (1)  Maps  showing  the  location of existing roads and anticipated access
 32        and main haulage roads planned to be constructed for surface mining opera-
 33        tions.
 34        (2)  The boundaries and acreage of the lands to be utilized in the process
 35        of surface mining operations.
 36        (3)  Maps showing the planned location of pits, mineral  stockpiles,  over
 37        burden  overburden  piles and tailings ponds for the surface mining opera-
 38        tions.
 39        (4)  The location and, if known, the names of all streams, creeks, or bod-
 40        ies of water within the area where surface mining  operations  shall  take
 41        place.
 42        (5)  The drainage adjacent to the area where the surface is being utilized
 43        by surface mining operations.
 44        (6)  The  approximate boundaries and acreage of the lands that will become
 45        affected during the first year of construction of  surface  mining  opera-
 46        tions.
 47        (7)  The  board  shall promulgate rules or guidelines to allow the content
 48        of a nonfederal operating plan to be determined based upon  the  type  and
 49        size of the surface mining operation.
 50        (c)  No operator who is required to submit an operating plan for a surface
 51    mining  operation  to an entity of the federal government shall be required to
 52    submit an operating plan to the board.  This  provision  shall  apply  to  all
 53    lands,  regardless  of  surface or mineral ownership, covered by the operating
 54    plan submitted to the entity of the federal government.
 55        (d)  No operator shall commence surface  mining  operations  on  any  mine
                                                                        
                                           9
                                                                        
  1    panel  without  first having a reclamation plan approved by the state board of
  2    land commissioners.
  3        (e)  Any operator desiring to conduct exploration  operations  within  the
  4    state  of Idaho using motorized earth-moving equipment in order to locate min-
  5    erals for immediate or ultimate sale in either the natural  or  the  processed
  6    state  shall notify the board by certified mail as soon after beginning explo-
  7    ration operations as possible and in any event within  seven  (7)  days  after
  8    beginning exploration operations. The letter shall include the following:
  9        (1)  The name and address of the operator;
 10        (2)  The  location  of  the  operation and the starting date and estimated
 11        completion date;
 12        (3)  The anticipated size of the operation,  and  the  general  method  of
 13        operation.
 14    The  letter  shall  be  subject to disclosure according to chapter 3, title 9,
 15    Idaho Code.
 16        (f)  Any operator desiring to operate a cyanidation  facility  within  the
 17    state  of  Idaho  shall  submit  to the board prior to the operation of such a
 18    facility a permanent closure plan that contains the following:
 19        (1)  The name and address of the operator;
 20        (2)  The location of the operation;
 21        (3)  The objectives, methods and  procedures  the  operator  will  use  to
 22        attain permanent closure;
 23        (4)  An  estimate of the cost of attaining permanent closure as well as an
 24        estimate of the costs to achieve critical phases of the closure plan;
 25        (5)  Any other information specified in the rules adopted to carry out the
 26        intent and purposes of this chapter.
 27        (g)  The board may require a reasonable fee for reviewing and approving  a
 28    permanent  closure  plan.  The fee may include the reasonable cost to employ a
 29    qualified independent party, acceptable to the operator and the board, to ver-
 30    ify the accuracy of the cost estimate required in subsection  (f)(3)  of  this
 31    section.
 32        (h)  The  board shall coordinate its review of activities in the permanent
 33    closure plan under the statutory responsibility of the department of  environ-
 34    mental  quality  with  that department, but that coordination shall not extend
 35    the time limit in which the board must act on a plan submitted.
 36        (i)  No operator shall commence operation of a cyanidation facility  with-
 37    out first having a permanent closure plan approved by the board.
                                                                        
 38        SECTION  8.  That  Section 47-1507, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 39    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 40        47-1507.  RECLAMATION PLAN -- APPROVAL OR REJECTION BY BOARD  --  HEARING.
 41    (a)  Upon  determination  by the board that a reclamation or permanent closure
 42    plan or any amended plan submitted by an operator meets  the  requirements  of
 43    this  act  chapter,  the  board  shall  deliver to the operator, in writing, a
 44    notice of approval of such reclamation plan, and thereafter  said  plan  shall
 45    govern  and  determine the nature and extent of the reclamation obligations of
 46    the operator for compliance with this act chapter, with respect  to  the  mine
 47    panel or cyanidation facility for which the plan was submitted.
 48        (b)  If  the board determines that a reclamation or permanent closure plan
 49    or amended plan fails to fulfill the requirements  of  this  act  chapter,  it
 50    shall deliver to the operator, in writing, a notice of rejection of the recla-
 51    mation  plan  and  shall set forth in said notice of rejection the reasons for
 52    such rejection, the factual findings upon which such rejection is  based,  the
 53    manner  in which the plan fails to fulfill said requirements, and the require-
                                                                        
                                           10
                                                                        
  1    ments necessary to comply with this act chapter. Upon receipt of  said  notice
  2    of  rejection, said operator may submit amended plans. Upon further determina-
  3    tion by the board that the amended plan still does not  fulfill  the  require-
  4    ments  of said section, it shall deliver to the operator, in writing, a notice
  5    of rejection of the amended reclamation plan in  the  same  form  as  set  out
  6    above.
  7        (c)  Weather  permitting,  the  board shall deliver to the operator within
  8    sixty (60) days after the receipt of any reclamation plan or amended  reclama-
  9    tion  plan,  or  within one hundred eighty (180) days after the receipt of any
 10    permanent closure plan or amended permanent closure plan the notice of  rejec-
 11    tion  or  notice  of approval of said plan, as the case may be, provided, how-
 12    ever, that if the board fails to deliver a notice of  approval  or  notice  of
 13    rejection  within said time period, the plan submitted shall be deemed to com-
 14    ply with this act chapter, and the operator may commence and conduct his  sur-
 15    face  mining  operations on the mine panel or operate the cyanidation facility
 16    covered by such plan as if a notice of approval of said plan had been received
 17    from the board; provided, however, that  if  weather  conditions  prevent  the
 18    board  from inspecting the mine panel or cyanidation facility to obtain infor-
 19    mation needed to approve or reject a submitted plan, it may, in writing to the
 20    operator, extend the time not to exceed thirty (30) days after weather  condi-
 21    tions permit such inspection.
 22        (d)  For the purpose of determining whether a proposed reclamation plan or
 23    amended  or  supplemental  reclamation  plan complies with the requirements of
 24    this act chapter, the board may, in its discretion, call for a public hearing.
 25    The hearing shall be held under such rules as promulgated by  the  board.  Any
 26    interested person may appear at the hearing and give testimony. At the discre-
 27    tion of the board, the director may conduct the hearing and transmit a summary
 28    thereof  to  the  board.  Any hearing held shall not extend the period of time
 29    limit in which the board must act on a plan submitted.
                                                                        
 30        SECTION 9.  That Section 47-1508, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 31    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 32        47-1508.  AMENDED RECLAMATION PLAN -- SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN -- SUBMISSION. (a)
 33    In  the  event that a material change in circumstances arises which the opera-
 34    tor, or the board, believes requires a change in an approved reclamation plan,
 35    including any amended reclamation plan, then the operator shall submit to  the
 36    board  a  supplemental  plan  setting forth the proposed changes and the board
 37    shall likewise set forth its proposed changes and stating the  reasons  there-
 38    for.  Upon  determination by the board that a supplemental reclamation plan or
 39    any amended supplemental plan submitted by the operator meets the requirements
 40    of this act chapter, it shall deliver to the operator, in writing, a notice of
 41    approval of said supplemental plan,  and  thereafter  said  supplemental  plan
 42    shall  govern  and  determine the nature and extent of the reclamation obliga-
 43    tions of the operator for  compliance  with  respect  to  the  mine  panel  or
 44    cyanidation facility for which the plan was submitted.
 45        (b)  If the board determines that a supplemental reclamation plan fails to
 46    fulfill  the  requirements of this act chapter, it shall deliver to the opera-
 47    tor, in writing, a notice of rejection of the  supplemental  reclamation  plan
 48    and  shall set forth in said notice of rejection the manner in which said plan
 49    fails to fulfill said requirements and shall stipulate the corrective require-
 50    ments necessary to comply with said sections. Upon receipt of said  notice  of
 51    rejection,  the  operator  may submit amended supplemental plans. Upon further
 52    determination by the board that an amended supplemental plan does not  fulfill
 53    the  requirements of said sections, it shall deliver to the operator, in writ-
                                                                        
                                           11
                                                                        
  1    ing, a notice of rejection of amended supplemental plan, and shall  set  forth
  2    in said notice of rejection the manner in which such amended supplemental plan
  3    fails  to fulfill said requirements, and shall stipulate the requirements nec-
  4    essary to comply with said sections.
  5        (c)  The board shall, weather permitting, deliver to the  operator  within
  6    sixty  (60)  days  after  the  receipt of any supplemental reclamation plan or
  7    amended supplemental reclamation plan, or within one hundred eighty (180) days
  8    after the receipt of any supplemental permanent closure plan or  amended  sup-
  9    plemental  permanent  closure  plan, the notice of rejection, setting forth in
 10    detail the reasons for such rejection and the factual findings upon which such
 11    rejection is based, or notice of approval of said plan as  the  case  may  be,
 12    provided,  however, that if the board fails to deliver a notice of approval or
 13    notice of rejection within said time  period,  the  plan  submitted  shall  be
 14    deemed  to comply with this act chapter and the operator may commence and con-
 15    duct or continue, as the case may be, his surface mining operations or operate
 16    the cyanidation facility as if a notice of approval  of  said  plan  had  been
 17    received from the board. If weather conditions prevent the board from inspect-
 18    ing  the  mine  panel  or cyanidation facility to obtain information needed to
 19    approve or reject a submitted plan, it may, in writing to the operator, extend
 20    the time not to exceed thirty (30) days after weather conditions  permit  such
 21    inspection.
 22        (d)  If an operator determines that unforeseen events or unexpected condi-
 23    tions  require immediate changes in or additions to an approved reclamation or
 24    permanent closure plan, the operator may continue surface mining operations in
 25    accordance with the procedures dictated by  the  changed  conditions,  pending
 26    submission and approval of a supplemental plan, even though such operations do
 27    not  comply  with  the  approved  plan, provided, however, that nothing herein
 28    stated shall be construed to excuse the operator from complying with the  rec-
 29    lamation requirements of sections 47-1509 and 47-1510, Idaho Code, of this act
 30    chapter  or  from the applicable closure requirements of a permit issued under
 31    section 39-118A, Idaho Code. Notice of such unforeseen  events  or  unexpected
 32    conditions  shall  be  given to the board within ten (10) days after discovery
 33    thereof, and a proposed supplemental plan shall  be  submitted  within  thirty
 34    (30) days after discovery thereof.
                                                                        
 35        SECTION  10.  That Section 47-1512, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 36    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 37        47-1512.  PERFORMANCE BOND -- REQUISITES. (a) Prior to conducting any sur-
 38    face mining operations on a mine panel covered by an approved reclamation plan
 39    or operating a cyanidation facility covered by an approved  permanent  closure
 40    plan, an operator shall submit to the board a bond meeting the requirements of
 41    this section.
 42        (1)  The penalty of the initial reclamation bond filed prior to conducting
 43        any surface mining operations on a mine panel shall be in an amount deter-
 44        mined  by  the  board  to be the estimated reasonable costs of reclamation
 45        required in this chapter, in the event of failure to reclaim by an  opera-
 46        tor,  of affected lands proposed to be mined during the next calendar year
 47        plus ten percent (10%) of such costs as to the acreage  of  affected  land
 48        designated  by  the  operator pursuant to section 47-1506(a)(1)(vi), Idaho
 49        Code, and subsection (b) of this section.
 50        (2)  The penalty of the initial permanent  closure  bond  filed  prior  to
 51        operating  a  cyanidation facility shall be in an amount determined by the
 52        board to be the estimated reasonable  costs  to  complete  the  activities
 53        specified  in  the permanent closure plan required in this chapter, in the
                                                                        
                                           12
                                                                        
  1        event of the failure of an operator to complete those activities, plus ten
  2        percent (10%) of such costs. In setting the bond amount, the  board  shall
  3        avoid  duplication with bonds and sureties deposited with other governmen-
  4        tal agencies.
  5        (3)  The determination of the bond amount shall constitute a  final  deci-
  6        sion  subject to judicial review as set forth in subsection (a) of section
  7        47-1514, Idaho Code. In lieu of any bond required hereunder, the  operator
  8        may  deposit cash and governmental securities with the board, in an amount
  9        equal to that of the required bond, on the  conditions  as  prescribed  in
 10        this section.
 11        (b)  Prior to the time that lands designated to become affected lands on a
 12    mine   panel,   in   addition   to   those   designated  pursuant  to  section
 13    47-1506(a)(1)(vi), Idaho Code, become affected land, the operator shall submit
 14    to the board a bond meeting the  requirements  of  section  47-1512(c),  Idaho
 15    Code,  and the penalty of such bond shall be in the amount necessary to insure
 16    the performance of the duties of the operator under this  act  chapter  as  to
 17    such  affected  lands  actually  proposed to be mined within the next calendar
 18    year. If additional acreage is subsequently proposed to be mined by an  opera-
 19    tor, the penalty of such bond shall be in an amount determined by the board to
 20    be  the estimated reasonable costs of reclamation required by this chapter, in
 21    the event of failure to reclaim by an operator, of affected lands proposed  to
 22    be mined during the next calendar year plus ten percent (10%) of such costs.
 23        (c)  Except  as  provided in this subsection, no bond for reclamation sub-
 24    mitted pursuant to this act chapter shall exceed  two  thousand  five  hundred
 25    dollars  ($2,500)  for  any  given  acre  of such affected land. The board may
 26    require a bond in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for any
 27    given acre of affected land only when the following conditions have been met:
 28        (1)  The board has determined that such bond  is  necessary  to  meet  the
 29        requirements  of  sections  47-1506,  47-1509,  47-1510 and 47-1511, Idaho
 30        Code.
 31        (2)  The board has delivered to the operator, in writing, a notice setting
 32        forth the reasons it believes such bond is necessary.
 33        (3)  The board has conducted a hearing where the operator  is  allowed  to
 34        give  testimony  to  the board concerning the amount of the proposed bond.
 35        The hearing shall be held under such rules as promulgated  by  the  board.
 36        This requirement for a hearing may be waived, in writing, by the operator.
 37        Any  hearing held shall, not at the discretion of the director, extend the
 38        period of time, limit up to thirty (30) days, in which the board must  act
 39        on a plan submitted.
 40        (d)  Except  as  provided in this subsection, no bond submitted for perma-
 41    nent closure of a cyanidation facility pursuant to this chapter  shall  exceed
 42    five  million  dollars ($5,000,000). The board may require a bond in excess of
 43    five million dollars ($5,000,000) for a cyanidation  facility  only  when  the
 44    following conditions have been met:
 45        (1)  The  board  has  determined  that  such bond is necessary to meet the
 46        requirements of this chapter.
 47        (2)  The board has delivered to the operator, in writing, a notice setting
 48        forth the reasons it believes such bond is necessary.
 49        (3)  The board has conducted a hearing where the operator  is  allowed  to
 50        give  testimony  to  the board concerning the amount of the proposed bond.
 51        The hearing shall be held under such rules as promulgated  by  the  board.
 52        This requirement for a hearing may be waived, in writing, by the operator.
 53        Any  hearing  held  shall,  at  the discretion of the director, extend the
 54        time, up to sixty (60) days, in which the board must act on the  permanent
 55        closure plan submitted.
                                                                        
                                           13
                                                                        
  1        (e)  Any  bond  required under this act chapter to be filed and maintained
  2    with the board shall be in such form as the board prescribes, payable  to  the
  3    state  of  Idaho,  conditioned  that the operator shall faithfully perform all
  4    requirements of this act chapter and comply with all rules  of  the  board  in
  5    effect  as  of  the date of approval of the reclamation plan approved for said
  6    lands made in accordance with the provisions of this act chapter. An  operator
  7    may  at  any  time file a single bond in lieu of separate bonds filed or to be
  8    filed pursuant to this act chapter, provided that the penalty of  such  single
  9    bond  shall be equal to the total of the penalties of the separate bonds being
 10    combined into a single bond. Further, any bond provided to an  entity  of  the
 11    federal  government  another  governmental agency that also meets the require-
 12    ments in this section shall be deemed to be sufficient surety for the purposes
 13    of this act chapter.
 14        (ef)  A bond filed as above  prescribed  shall  not  be  canceled  by  the
 15    surety, except after not less than ninety (90) days' notice to the board. Upon
 16    failure  of the operator to make substitution of surety prior to the effective
 17    date of cancellation of the bond or within thirty (30) days  following  notice
 18    of  cancellation  by  the  board, whichever is later, the board shall have the
 19    right to issue a cease and desist order and seek injunctive relief to stop the
 20    operator from conducting operations upon the lands covered by such bond  until
 21    such substitution has been made.
 22        (fg)  If  the  license  to do business in this state of any surety, upon a
 23    bond filed with the board pursuant to this act chapter, shall be suspended  or
 24    revoked,  the operator, within thirty (30) days after receiving notice thereof
 25    from the board, shall substitute for such surety a good and sufficient  corpo-
 26    rate  surety  licensed to do business in this state or other surety acceptable
 27    to the board. Upon failure of the operator to make substitution of surety, the
 28    board shall have the right to issue a cease and desist order and seek  injunc-
 29    tive  relief  to  stop  the operator from conducting operations upon the lands
 30    covered by such bond until such substitution has been made.
 31        (gh)  When an operator shall have completed all  reclamation  requirements
 32    under  the  provisions  of  this act chapter as to any affected land, he shall
 33    notify the board. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt  of  such  notice,
 34    the  board shall notify the operator as to whether or not the reclamation per-
 35    formed meets the requirements of the reclamation plan pertaining to  the  land
 36    in  question. Upon the determination by the board that the requirements of the
 37    reclamation plan in question have been met as to said  lands,  the  amount  of
 38    bond  in  effect  as to such lands shall be reduced by an amount designated by
 39    the board to reflect the reclamation done.
 40        (i)  When an operator shall have completed an  activity  specified  in  an
 41    approved  permanent  closure  plan he may notify the board. Within thirty (30)
 42    days after the receipt of such notice, the board shall notify the operator  as
 43    to  whether or not the activity performed meets the requirements of the perma-
 44    nent closure plan. In determining whether or not an activity under the  statu-
 45    tory  responsibility  of  the  department  of  environmental quality meets the
 46    requirements of the permanent closure plan, the board shall consult with  that
 47    department.  Upon  the  determination by the board that the activity meets the
 48    requirements of the permanent closure plan, the  bond  for  permanent  closure
 49    shall be reduced by an amount designated by the board  to reflect the activity
 50    completed.
 51        (hj)  An  operator may withdraw any land previously designated as affected
 52    land within a mine panel, provided that it is not already affected  land,  and
 53    in  such event, he shall notify the board and the amount of the bond in effect
 54    as to the lands in that mine panel shall be reduced by an amount designated by
 55    the board as the amount which would have been necessary to reclaim such lands.
                                                                        
                                           14
                                                                        
  1        SECTION 11.  That Section 47-1513, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
  2    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  3        47-1513.  OPERATOR'S  FAILURE TO COMPLY -- FORFEITURE OF BOND -- PENALTIES
  4    -- RECLAMATION FUND. (a) Whenever the board determines that  an  operator  has
  5    not complied with the provisions of this act chapter, the board may notify the
  6    operator  of  such noncompliance, and may by private conference, conciliation,
  7    and persuasion, endeavor to remedy such violation. In the event of a violation
  8    referred to in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, the board may  proceed
  9    without an administrative action, hearing or decision to exercise the remedies
 10    set forth in said subsections. Additionally, no administrative action, hearing
 11    or  decision  shall  be required from the Idaho board of environmental quality
 12    prior to the board proceeding under subsections (d) and (e) of  this  section.
 13    In  the event of the failure of any conference, conciliation and persuasion to
 14    remedy any alleged violation, the board may cause to have  issued  and  served
 15    upon  the operator alleged to be committing such violation, a formal complaint
 16    which shall specify the provisions of this  act  chapter  which  the  operator
 17    allegedly  is  violating,  and  a statement of the manner in and the extent to
 18    which said operator is alleged to be violating  the  provisions  of  this  act
 19    chapter.  Such  complaint  may be served by certified mail, and return receipt
 20    signed by the operator, an officer of a corporate operator, or the  designated
 21    agent  of the operator shall constitute service. The operator shall answer the
 22    complaint and request a hearing before a  designated  hearing  officer  within
 23    thirty (30) days from receipt of the complaint if matters asserted in the com-
 24    plaint are disputed. If the operator fails to answer the complaint and request
 25    a  hearing,  the matters asserted in the complaint shall be deemed admitted by
 26    the operator, and the board may proceed to cancel the reclamation or permanent
 27    closure plan and forfeit the bond in the amount necessary to reclaim  affected
 28    lands or complete the permanent closure activities. Upon request for a hearing
 29    by  an  operator,  the board shall schedule a hearing before a hearing officer
 30    appointed by the board at a time not less than thirty (30) days after the date
 31    the operator requests a hearing.  The  board  shall  issue  subpoenas  at  the
 32    request  of  the director of the department of lands and at the request of the
 33    charged operator, and the matter shall be otherwise handled and  conducted  in
 34    accordance  with  chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code. The hearing officer shall,
 35    pursuant to said hearing, enter an order in accordance with chapter 52,  title
 36    67,  Idaho  Code,  which,  if  adverse to the operator, shall designate a time
 37    period within which corrective action should be taken. The time period  desig-
 38    nated  shall  be long enough to allow the operator, in the exercise of reason-
 39    able diligence, to rectify any failure to comply designated in said order.  In
 40    the  event  that the operator takes such action as is necessary to comply with
 41    the order within the time period designated in said order, no  further  action
 42    shall be taken by the board to compel performance under the act.
 43        (b)  Upon  request of the board, the attorney general shall institute pro-
 44    ceedings to have the bond of an operator forfeited for the  violation  by  the
 45    operator of an order entered pursuant to this section.
 46        (c)  The  forfeiture  of  such bond shall fully satisfy all obligations of
 47    the operator to reclaim the affected land or complete permanent closure activ-
 48    ities under the provisions of this act chapter. If the violation  involves  an
 49    operator  that  has  not  furnished a bond required by this act chapter, or an
 50    operator that is not required to furnish a bond pursuant to this act  chapter,
 51    or an operator who violates this act chapter by performing an act not included
 52    in  the  original approved reclamation plan or the original approved permanent
 53    closure plan, and such departure from the plan is not  subsequently  approved,
 54    such  operator  shall  be subject to a civil penalty for his failure to comply
                                                                        
                                           15
                                                                        
  1    with such order in the amount determined by the board to  be  the  anticipated
  2    cost  of  reasonable reclamation of affected lands or permanent closure of the
  3    cyanidation facility. Nothing in this subsection shall relieve the operator of
  4    any obligation, including the obligation  to  complete  closure  requirements,
  5    pursuant  to  a permit issued by the department of environmental quality under
  6    section 39-118A, Idaho Code, or limit that department's authority  to  require
  7    compliance with such permit requirements.
  8        (d)  Notwithstanding  any  other provisions of this act chapter, the board
  9    may commence an action without bond or undertaking, in the name of  the  state
 10    of  Idaho  to  enjoin  any  operator  who  is conducting operations without an
 11    approved reclamation plan required by section 47-1506, Idaho Code, or  without
 12    the  bond required by this act chapter. The court, or a judge thereof at cham-
 13    bers, if satisfied from the complaint or by affidavits  that  such  acts  have
 14    been or are being committed, shall issue a temporary restraining order without
 15    notice  or  bond, enjoining the defendant, his agents, and employees from con-
 16    ducting such operations without said reclamation plan or bond. Upon a  showing
 17    of  good  cause  therefor,  the  temporary  restraining  order may require the
 18    defendant to perform reclamation of the mined area in conformity with sections
 19    47-1509 and 47-1510, Idaho Code, or to complete permanent closure  activities,
 20    pending  final  disposition of the action. The action shall then proceed as in
 21    other cases for injunctions. If it is established at trial that the  defendant
 22    has  operated  without  an  approved reclamation plan or bond, the court shall
 23    enter, in addition to any other order, a decree enjoining the  defendant,  his
 24    agents  and  employees  from  thereafter conducting such activities or similar
 25    actions in violation of this act chapter. The board may, in  conjunction  with
 26    its  injunctive  procedures,  proceed  in  the same or in a separate action to
 27    recover from an operator who is conducting surface mining or exploration oper-
 28    ations or operating a cyanidation facility without the required plan or  bond,
 29    the cost of performing the reclamation activities required by sections 47-1509
 30    and  47-1510, Idaho Code, or the cost of permanent closure activities from any
 31    such operator who has not filed a bond to cover the cost  of  the  reclamation
 32    required activities.
 33        (e)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision of this act chapter, the board
 34    may, without bond or undertaking and without any administrative action,  hear-
 35    ing  or  decision, commence an action in the name of the state of Idaho (1) to
 36    enjoin a permitted surface mining  operation  or  cyanidation  facility  when,
 37    under  an  existing  approved plan, an operator violates the terms of the plan
 38    and where immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage may result  to  the
 39    state  and  (2) to recover the penalties and to collect civil damages provided
 40    for by law.
 41        (f)  In addition to the procedures set forth in subsections (a),  (d)  and
 42    (e)  of this section, and in addition to the civil penalty provided in subsec-
 43    tion (c) of this section, any operator who violates any of the  provisions  of
 44    this  act  chapter  or rules adopted pursuant thereto, or who fails to perform
 45    the duties imposed by these provisions, or who violates any  determination  or
 46    order  promulgated  pursuant  to  the provisions of this act chapter, shall be
 47    liable to a civil penalty of not less than five  hundred  dollars  ($500)  nor
 48    more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each day during which
 49    such violation continues, and in addition may be enjoined from continuing such
 50    violation.  Such  penalties  shall  be recoverable in an action brought in the
 51    name of the state of Idaho by the attorney general in the district  court  for
 52    the  county  where the violation, or some part thereof, occurs, or in the dis-
 53    trict court for the county wherein the defendant resides. All  sums  recovered
 54    shall  be placed in the state treasury and credited to the surface mining rec-
 55    lamation fund, which is hereby created, to be used to reclaim  affected  lands
                                                                        
                                           16
                                                                        
  1    and to administer this act chapter.
  2        (g)  Any  person  who  wilfully  willfully  and  knowingly  falsifies  any
  3    records,  information,  plans,  specifications,  or other data required by the
  4    board or wilfully willfully fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any  of
  5    the  provisions of this act chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall
  6    be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000)  and  not
  7    more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment not to exceed one (1)
  8    year or both.
  9        (h)  Reclamation  plans approved by the board as of January 1, 1997, shall
 10    be deemed to be in full compliance with the requirements of this act  chapter.
 11    However,  the  board  may periodically review, and revise if necessary to meet
 12    the requirements of sections 47-1506,  47-1509,  47-1510  and  47-1511,  Idaho
 13    Code,  the  amount,  terms and conditions of any bond when there is a material
 14    change in the reclamation plan or a material change in the  estimated  reason-
 15    able  costs of reclamation determined pursuant to section 47-1512, Idaho Code.
 16    Any revision to the amount, terms and conditions of a bond due to  a  material
 17    change  in the reclamation plan shall apply only to the affected lands covered
 18    by the material change in the reclamation plan.
 19        (i)  A cyanidation facility  with  an  existing  permit  approved  by  the
 20    department  of  environmental quality under section 39-118A, Idaho Code, as of
 21    July 1, 2005, shall be deemed to be in full compliance with  the  requirements
 22    of  this  chapter. If there is a material modification or a material expansion
 23    of a cyanidation facility after July 1, 2005, the provisions of  this  chapter
 24    shall  apply to the modification or expansion. Provided however, that reclama-
 25    tion or closure related activities at a facility with an existing  cyanidation
 26    permit  that  did not actively add cyanide after January 1, 2005, shall not be
 27    considered to be material modifications or a material expansion of the  facil-
 28    ity.
 29        (j)  For  a  permanent  closure  plan  approved by the board after July 1,
 30    2005, the board shall periodically review, and revise if necessary to meet the
 31    requirements of this chapter, the amount, terms and  conditions  of  any  bond
 32    when  there  is  a material change in the permanent closure plan or a material
 33    change in the estimated reasonable costs of permanent closure determined  pur-
 34    suant  to  section 47-1512, Idaho Code. The board may require a fee sufficient
 35    to employ a qualified independent party, acceptable to the  operator  and  the
 36    board,  to  verify  any  revised estimate of the reasonable costs of permanent
 37    closure.
                                                                        
 38        SECTION 12.  That Section 47-1514, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 39    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 40        47-1514.  APPEAL FROM FINAL ORDER -- PROCEDURE. (a) Any operator dissatis-
 41    fied  with any final order of the board made pursuant to this act chapter may,
 42    within sixty (60) days after notice of  such  order,  obtain  judicial  review
 43    thereof  by  appealing  to  the  district  court of the state of Idaho for the
 44    county wherein the operator resides or has a place of business, or to the dis-
 45    trict court for the county in which the cyanidation facility or  the  land  or
 46    any  portions  thereof  affected by the order is located. Such appeal shall be
 47    perfected by filing with the clerk of such court, in duplicate,  a  notice  of
 48    appeal, together with a complaint against the board, in duplicate, which shall
 49    recite  the  prior  proceedings before the board or hearing officer, and shall
 50    state the grounds upon which the petitioner claims he is entitled to relief. A
 51    copy of the summons and complaint shall be delivered to the board or such per-
 52    son or persons as the board may designate to receive service of  process.  The
 53    clerk  of  the  court shall immediately forward a copy of the notice of appeal
                                                                        
                                           17
                                                                        
  1    and complaint to the board, which shall forthwith prepare, certify and file in
  2    said court, a true copy of any decision,  findings  of  fact,  conclusions  or
  3    order, together with any pleadings upon which the case was heard and submitted
  4    to  the  board or hearing officer, and shall, upon order of the court, provide
  5    transcripts of any record, including all exhibits and testimony  of  any  pro-
  6    ceedings in said matter before the board or any of its subordinates. Such suit
  7    in  the  district  court  shall  be  a  trial de novo and shall proceed in all
  8    respects like other civil suits, including, but not limited to, the rights  of
  9    appeal to the Ssupreme Ccourt of the state of Idaho.
 10        (b)  When  the  board  finds that justice so requires, it may postpone the
 11    effective date of a final order made, pending judicial review.  The  reviewing
 12    court,  including  the court to which a case may be taken on appeal, may issue
 13    all necessary and appropriate orders to postpone the  effective  date  of  any
 14    final order pending conclusion of the review proceedings.
 15        (c)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision of this act chapter concerning
 16    administrative or judicial proceedings, whenever the board determines that  an
 17    operator  has  not complied with the provisions of this act chapter, the board
 18    may file a civil action in the district  court  for  the  county  wherein  the
 19    violation,  or  some  part  thereof,  occurs, or in the district court for the
 20    county wherein the defendant resides. The board may request the court to issue
 21    an appropriate order to remedy the violation.  The  right  of  appeal  to  the
 22    Ssupreme Ccourt of the state of Idaho shall be available.
                                                                        
 23        SECTION  13.  That Section 47-1517, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 24    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 25        47-1517.  CONDUCT OF EXPLORATIONS ACTIVITIES. (a)  An operator shall  con-
 26    duct  all  exploration and mining operations in accordance with all applicable
 27    statutes and regulations pertaining to water use and mining safety  applicable
 28    to exploration and surface mining operations.
 29        (b)  An  operator  desiring  to  operate a cyanidation facility within the
 30    state of Idaho shall conduct all related activities  in  accordance  with  all
 31    applicable  statutes and  rules related to cyanidation including, but not lim-
 32    ited to, section 39-118A, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 33        SECTION 14.  That Section 47-1518, Idaho Code, be, and the same is  hereby
 34    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 35        47-1518.  EFFECTIVE  DATE -- APPLICATION OF ACT CHAPTER. This act The rec-
 36    lamation provisions of this chapter shall be in full force and effect  on  and
 37    after  May 31, 1971. An operator shall not be required to perform the reclama-
 38    tion activities referred to in this act chapter as to any surface mining oper-
 39    ations performed prior to May 31, 1972, and further, shall not be required  to
 40    perform  such  reclamation  activities  as to any pit or overburden pile as it
 41    exists prior to May 31, 1972. The cyanidation provisions of this chapter shall
 42    be in full force and effect on and after July 1, 2005. The board shall promul-
 43    gate temporary rules by August 1, 2005, to implement the  provisions  of  this
 44    act.
                                                                        
 45        SECTION  15.  That Section 42-202B, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 46    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 47        42-202B.  DEFINITIONS. Whenever used in this title, the term:
 48        (1)  "Consumptive use" means that portion of the annual  volume  of  water
 49    diverted  under a water right that is transpired by growing vegetation, evapo-
                                                                        
                                           18
                                                                        
  1    rated from soils, converted to nonrecoverable water vapor,  incorporated  into
  2    products, or otherwise does not return to the waters of the state. Consumptive
  3    use  is  not an element of a water right. Consumptive use does not include any
  4    water that falls as precipitation directly on the place of use.  Precipitation
  5    shall  not  be  considered  to  reduce  the  consumptive use of a water right.
  6    "Authorized consumptive use" means the maximum consumptive  use  that  may  be
  7    made  of  a  water  right.  If the use of a water right is for irrigation, for
  8    example, the authorized consumptive use reflects irrigation of the  most  con-
  9    sumptive vegetation that may be grown at the place of use. Changes in consump-
 10    tive use do not require a transfer pursuant to section 42-222, Idaho Code.
 11        (2)  "Digital  boundary"  means  the boundary encompassing and defining an
 12    area consisting of or incorporating the place of use or permissible  place  of
 13    use  for  a  water  right  prepared  and maintained by the department of water
 14    resources using a  geographic  information  system  in  conformance  with  the
 15    national standard for spatial data accuracy or succeeding standard.
 16        (3)  "Local  public  interest" is defined as the interests that the people
 17    in the area directly affected by a proposed water use have in the  effects  of
 18    such use on the public water resource.
 19        (4)  "Municipality"  means a city incorporated under section 50-102, Idaho
 20    Code, a county, or the state of Idaho acting through a department or  institu-
 21    tion.
 22        (5)  "Municipal provider" means:
 23        (a)  A municipality that provides water for municipal purposes to its res-
 24        idents and other users within its service area;
 25        (b)  Any  corporation  or  association holding a franchise to supply water
 26        for municipal purposes, or a political subdivision of the state  of  Idaho
 27        authorized  to  supply water for municipal purposes, and which does supply
 28        water, for municipal purposes to users within its service area; or
 29        (c)  A corporation or association which supplies water for municipal  pur-
 30        poses  through a water system regulated by the state of Idaho as a "public
 31        water supply" as described in section 39-103(102), Idaho Code.
 32        (6)  "Municipal purposes" refers to  water  for  residential,  commercial,
 33    industrial,  irrigation of parks and open space, and related purposes, exclud-
 34    ing use of water from geothermal sources for heating, which a  municipal  pro-
 35    vider  is entitled or obligated to supply  to all those users within a service
 36    area, including those located outside the boundaries of a municipality  served
 37    by a municipal provider.
 38        (7)  "Planning  horizon"  refers to the length of time that the department
 39    determines is reasonable for a municipal provider to hold water rights to meet
 40    reasonably anticipated future needs. The length of the  planning  horizon  may
 41    vary according to the needs of the particular municipal provider.
 42        (8)  "Reasonably  anticipated future needs" refers to future uses of water
 43    by a municipal provider for municipal purposes within a service area which, on
 44    the basis of population and other planning data, are reasonably expected to be
 45    required within the planning horizon of each municipality within  the  service
 46    area  not  inconsistent  with  comprehensive  land  use plans approved by each
 47    municipality. Reasonably anticipated future needs shall not  include  uses  of
 48    water within areas overlapped by conflicting comprehensive land use plans.
 49        (9)  "Service  area"  means that area within which a municipal provider is
 50    or becomes entitled or obligated to provide water for municipal purposes.  For
 51    a  municipality, the service area shall correspond to its corporate limits, or
 52    other recognized boundaries, including changes therein  after  the  permit  or
 53    license  is issued. The service area for a municipality may also include areas
 54    outside its corporate limits, or other recognized boundaries, that are  within
 55    the  municipality's established planning area if the constructed delivery sys-
                                                                        
                                           19
                                                                        
  1    tem for the area shares a common water distribution system with lands  located
  2    within the corporate limits. For a municipal provider that is not a municipal-
  3    ity,  the  service  area shall correspond to the area that it is authorized or
  4    obligated to serve, including changes therein after the permit or  license  is
  5    issued.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                      STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                                
                          RS 15038C1 
                                
Ore-processing facilities using cyanide are regulated by the
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under Section 39-118A,
Idaho Code.  That law allows DEQ to require financial assurance
(usually in the form of performance bonds) to guarantee the
proper closure of a facility when ore processing has ended. 
Under current agency rules, DEQ cannot require financial
assurance in excess of $100,000.

This legislation amends the Surface Mining Act to transfer the
responsibility for financial assurance for closure of cyanide
facilities from DEQ to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).  It
would require cyanide facilities to submit a closure plan for
approval and would require financial assurance to cover 110
percent of the estimated cost of closure.  There would be no
limit on the amount of financial assurance required.  

The existing authority for DEQ to regulate all aspects of a
cyanide operation, including closure activities and water quality
impacts, would remain the same as current law.
                                

                          FISCAL NOTE
                                
Enactment of the legislation would require DEQ and IDL to engage
in rulemaking to implement the legislation.  This rulemaking
would be completed with current agency appropriations.

Costs to implement the legislation will only be incurred if a
cyanide facility is proposed.  Current law allows DEQ to charge a
reasonable application fee, and the legislation allows IDL to
charge a similar fee.  The actual costs incurred to process an
application will depend on the size and scope of the proposed
facility.  

Oversight responsibilities would be incurred only if a facility
were approved and built.  The legislation does not impose any
additional oversight responsibilities on DEQ.  The additional IDL
oversight required by the legislation would be integrated into
existing IDL oversight responsibilities for reclamation
activities and would be coordinated with DEQ oversight of closure
activities.  Any additional incremental costs incurred by IDL
would depend on the size and scope of the facility.  
  

CONTACT:    Jack Lyman, Idaho Mining Association
            342-0031
       

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                    S 1169