(A) The city recognizes the extraction of minerals is essential to the continued economic well-being of the city and to the needs of society, and the reclamation of mined lands is necessary to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect the public health and safety. The city also recognizes that surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological and social conditions are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the specifications therefore may vary accordingly.
(B) The purpose and intent of this chapter is to regulate, in accordance with SMARA, surface mining operations and the reclamation thereof for protection of the public health, safety or welfare to ensure that:
(1) Subsequent beneficial uses of mined and reclaimed land are promoted and the land is returned to a usable condition;
(2) Values relating to groundwater supply, recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage and aesthetic enjoyment are given appropriate consideration in the planning process;
(3) Production and conservation of minerals is encouraged.
(`78 Code, § 19.04.010.) (Ord. 2386 § 1 (part), 1999.)