The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
(a) The preservation of agriculture is essential to the continued economic and social well-being of the County. In certain limited circumstances, however, it is necessary to mine soil from an agricultural property in order to protect, maintain, and/or enhance its existing productivity. Although the County recognizes the need for agricultural surface mining, consideration must also be balanced by other societal values, including but not limited to soil conservation, public health and safety, and wildlife habitat;
(b) Due to concerns about the impacts of surface mining on crop and livestock productivity, mining will be minimized and will only be permitted where it is wholly integral and necessary to the conduct of agricultural activities, including but not limited to the following circumstances: to improve soil quality, as a by-product of land leveling, to develop aquaculture facilities, to create or enhance wildlife habitat, or to maintain or improve drainage and flood control facilities;
(c) The potential environmental impacts, operational methods, and reclaimed end uses of surface mining necessary for agricultural operations are significantly different from those associated with commercial surface mining. Thus, it is appropriate to provide performance standards, procedures, and findings for agricultural surface mining and reclamation activities in addition to those already included within the County Code, the Act, and the Regulations. These additional measures will ensure that the impacts created by agricultural mining and reclamation activities are addressed and that the unique interests of the farm community are protected;
(d) Agricultural surface mining and reclamation takes place in diverse areas, where the geologic, hydrologic, biological, and social conditions are significantly different. While agricultural mining permits and reclamation plans may vary to account for site-specific circumstances, they must also achieve the common goals of minimizing impacts on surrounding properties and providing for the long-term viability of on-site farming. Therefore, this chapter imposes general performance standards, by which agricultural surface mining and reclamation activities shall be regulated in order to limit their effects on surrounding properties and to safeguard productive farmland;
(e) Agricultural surface mining and reclamation must be carefully monitored, in order to reduce hazards to the public health and safety, minimize adverse effects on the environment, and to ensure the continued strength of the County’s farm economy. (§ 2, Ord. 1276, eff. December 6, 2001)