It is the intent of the city council to create and maintain effective and comprehensive surface mining and reclamation policies and regulations to properly carry out the requirements of the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (section 2710 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code), hereinafter referred to as "SMARA," California Public Resources Code section 2207, as amended, and the California Code of Regulations adopted pursuant thereto (14 Cal. Code of Regs., section 3500 et seq.) to ensure that:
A. Adverse environmental and other effects of surface mining operations will be prevented or minimized and that the reclamation of mined lands will provide for the beneficial, sustainable, long-term productive use of the mined and reclaimed lands; and
B. The production and conservation of minerals will be encouraged, while eliminating hazards to public health and safety and avoiding or minimizing adverse effects on the environment, including but not limited to geologic subsidence, air pollution, water quality degradation, damage to biological resources, flooding, erosion, degradation of scenic quality, and noise pollution. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)