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and Information fiom the Colorado ion of Minerals and Geoloa and the CO~Oradn M1lined Land Reclama~nn sos= - ,. _ ;, - - - ._ . . ~ D1VIG~_ =bulletin =:= _~Ioverriber=~ 6;199 8 - - Minerals Program -Public Participation and the Board Hearing Process How can you get involved in the iVlinerak Program's reclamation permitting process? ^ Once the application is filed, you can submit comments and objections during afive-to approximately 50-day period, depending on the permit type. (A 112 Rea laz Operation Permit, which applies to mines that cover ] 0 aces or more or will extract more than 70,000 tons of material, usually receives the most citizen scrutiny because of the extent of the mining opcmtioa.) ^ Watch your local newspaper. Operators applying fora 112 Permit must publish notices that include the due date for comments/objections for four consecutive weeks after the application is submitted. They must also notify the local county government, municipalities within 2 miles and all landowners within 200 feet of the mine's affected lands. ^ Following the 5nal publication date, interested people have 20 days to file an objection. If there are objections-or at the request of the applicant or local board of county cortrmissioners -the Division will schedule an informal conference among the parties. ^ After the conference and staff review of the application to make sort it complies with state r:gulations, the Division will make its decision. If it approves the permit when there have been objections filed within the timeframc, the Division will xhedule a hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board (MI,RB). At the hearing, objectors must present their evidence in opposition to the decision. (Boazd decisions can be appealed through the state court system. For more on the hearing process see page 2 of this Bulletin.) ^ Citizens can also comment when mine operations request release of a reclamation bond. At this time, operators .must prove they have reached the reclamation goals and met state standards. An itupection is done within 60 days to ensure reclamation has been completed to the Division's satisfaction. Although the operation is required to notify only the county and the owner of the property where the mine is located, any citizen can comment on the request and has 15 days from the date of the Division's decision to appeal it to the MLRB. How can I find oat more? ^ Call the Minerals Program (330/866-3567). A specialist can update you on the status'of a particular permit. The specialist can also answer questions about the specifics of the public comment process for all types of permits administered by the program. Pas• 1 OVER