Surface Mining: Special Projects, Planning and Community Development Department

Mineral Resource-Related General Plan Amendments – The Mineral Resource-Related General Plan Amendments project, initiated by the Board of Supervisors in October 2005, proposes several amendments to policies, intent language and maps located in the General Plan Conservation Element as well as the County’s Land Use Diagram that address mineral resources in Sacramento County. Many of these amendments had several different proposed alternatives from various groups and organizations

Surface Mining-Related Zoning Code Amendments – On March 10, 2005, the County Board of Supervisors directed the County Planning Department to continue a previously initiated project to process surface mining-related Zoning Code Amendments. Numerous changes are being considered including mining-residential interface issues, hard rock mining regulations and evaluation of allowable uses within the Surface Mining Combining Zone (SM Zone). Planning staff have since taken public input at CPAC meetings and individual stakeholder meetings. A "Staff Recommendation Draft" was created in response to that input. The Staff Recommendation Draft was recently subject to review in September, 2007. The Zoning Code amendments are scheduled to be heard at the Project Planning Commission on December 10, 2007 and by the Board of Supervisors on January 23, 2008. See the webpage for more information and review documents.

East County Quarry Coordination Process – Sacramento County is currently processing applications for three large quarries in East Sacramento County. Because of the magnitude of these projects and the anticipated development in nearby areas, the County has created the “East County Quarry Coordination Process”. Although these projects are being processed individually, this additional process will help to create a coordinated, comprehensive approach to address issues that are likely to be common issues to all of the projects.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SMARA – Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975

Sacramento County Zoning Code Related to Mining – Sacramento County Zoning Code Chapter 35: Article 4: (SM) Surface Mining (Combining Land Use Zone).

Sacramento County Code Related to Mining – Sacramento County Code Title 20: Environmental Protection; Chapter 20.04: Surface Mining and Reclamation.

Sacramento County Mines – A list of all active mines in the Sacramento County area.

Map of Sacramento County Mines – A map of active mines in Sacramento County

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please address questions, written comments and requests, for placement on the project mailing list to:

Jeff Gamel, Senior Planner

Sacramento County Planning & Development
827 7th Street, Room 230
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone #: (916) 874-5835
Email: gamelj@SacCounty.net

SURFACE MINING IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY