FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 1, 2004
 CONTACT :
Craig Reynolds
(916) 319-2008

Senate Approves Wolk's Surface Mining Bill

Legislation allows Yolo County to use the CCRMP in place of a reclamation plan
SACRAMENTO – The State Senate passed legislation yesterday reinstating a section of Public Resources of Code establishing a site specific reclamation plan for surface mining and reclamation of mined lands in Yolo County. AB 1984, authored by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, reinstates Section 2715.5 of the Public Resources Code, which establishes the Cache Creek Resources Management Plan (CCRMP) as the equivalent of a standard reclamation plan under the State Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). The section's sunset date passed unnoticed December 31, 2004, and was stricken from the Public Resources Code.

"AB 1984 will remedy an oversight that could have damaging effects on my district," said Assemblywoman Wolk. "It is essential that the CCRMP be reinstated. Through the CCRMP, Yolo County has successfully implemented riparian habitat enhancement, erosion control, and flood control projects along lower Cache Creek in a timely manner, and in full compliance with all administrative and reporting requirements."

The CCRMP ensures that the Cache Creek watershed be viewed as an integrated system emphasizing the management of all creek resources. It recognizes that Cache Creek is integrally bound to the environmental and social resources of Yolo County including drainage, flood protection, water supply and conveyance, habitat, recreation, aggregate mining, and agricultural production.

AB 1984 is sponsored by Yolo County, as well as local agencies and organizations including the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, the Yolo County Flood Control & Water Conservation District, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and has no opposition. The bill passed the Senate on a 28-1 vote, and will next be presented to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signature.
###