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News and Intortnanon from [he Colorado <br />• D~n of Mint: als and Geology and [he <br />C n Mined Land Reclama_on 6os: <br />~--_ >Dl~IG~ ~~tlletin == November=6 998 - ; - <br />IVlinerals Program -Public Participation and the Board Hearing Process <br />Hoss• can you get involved in the iVIinerals Program's reclamation permitting process? <br />^ Once the application is filed, you can submit comments and objections during afive-to• <br />approximately 50-day period, depending on the permit type. (A 112 Rewlaz Operation, Permit, <br />which applies to mines that cover 10 acres or more or will extract more than 70,000 tons of material, <br />usually receives the most citizen scrutiny because of the extent of the mining operation.) <br />^ Watch your local newspaper. Operators applying fora 112 Permit must publish notices that <br />include the due date for comments objections for four consecutive weeks afrer the application is <br />submitted. They must also notify the local county sovernment, municipalities within 2 miles and all <br />landowners within 200 feet of the mine's affected lands. <br />^ Following the final publication date, interested people have 20 days to file an objection. If there <br />aze objections~r at a request of the applicant or local board of county commissioners -the <br />Division will schedule informal conference among the p~tties. <br />^ After the conference and staff review of the application to make sure it complies with state <br />r=wlations, the Division will make its decision. If it approves the permit when there have been <br />objections filed within the timeframe, the Division will schedule a hearing before the Mined Lana <br />Reclamation Board (MI,RB). At the hearing, objectors must present their evidence in opposition t,. <br />the decision. (Board decisions can be appealed through the state court system. For more on the <br />hearing process see page 2 of this Bulletin.) <br />^ Citizens can also comment when mine operations request release of a reclamation bond. At this <br />time, operators .must prove they have reached the reclamation goals and met state standazds. An <br />inspection is done within 60 days to ensure reclamation has been completed to the Division's <br />satisfaction. Although the operation is required to notify only the county and the owner of the <br />property where the mine is located, any citizen can comment on the request and has 15 days from <br />the date of the Division's decision to appeal it to the MLRB. <br />Hose can I find out more? <br />^ Call the Ivfinerals Program (330/866-3567). A specialist can update you on the stains"of a <br />particular permit. The specialist can also answer questions about the specifics of the public comment <br />process for all types of permits administered b}• the proararn. <br />Pa~• 1 <br />OVER <br /> <br />