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Non-Coal Report
ONLINE VERSION UPDATED JULY 5, 2001
(Most Recent Printed Version is Dated March 1997)
INTRODUCTION
The Noncoal Section of the Environmental Affairs Committee of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) is responsible for reviewing and recommending activities and programs to the Compact that will enhance the Nation's ability to maintain a viable mineral resource base and assist member states in effectively dealing with noncoal mineral resource development and surface and underground mine reclamation. To achieve these purposes, the Committee in 1985 recognized the need to develop an extensive data base that would include information on noncoal mining and reclamation activities from each of the mineral-producing states. As a result, the Committee developed a Noncoal Solid Minerals Questionnaire which was sent to all states. The questionnaire identified individual state laws and regulations, permitting requirements, noncoal minerals mined, reclamation requirements and activities, problems associated with noncoal mining, and areas of state expertise relative to noncoal mining. The questionnaire was revised in 1996 and was sent to all the states for updating. The results of the updated questionnaire, which was completed and returned by 39 states, were summarized in a printed publication dated March 1997. Over the course of several months in 2000-2001, the states were asked to submit any substantial changes to the information printed in the report for their programs. Since most states had no substantial changes, the updated version is currently limited to this online version. Any changes submitted by July of 2001 are reflected in the following pages. Special thanks are extended to those states who took time to fill out and return the initial questionnaire, and to those who reviewd their information and submitted necessary changes. We hope that the following information will prove helpful to those who use it.
[WEB EDITOR'S NOTE: Any states are welcome to submit further updates for the information listed for their state to IMCC at any time. The updates will be entered as time permits. Please submit changes, in the same format as recorded in the report, to the attention of Beth Botsis at IMCC's mailing address.]
GENERAL OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The nature and extent of state regulation of noncoal mineral extraction has changed significantly since our last report seven years ago. Several states have amended their regulatory programs to address additional types of mineral extraction. Some states have expanded their programs to encompass new areas of regulation (such as abandoned mine lands) or areas of increased environmental concern (such as the handling of mine waste). Over the course of the past several years, some states have enacted substantial new legislation in the noncoal mineral arena, thereby strengthening their existing environmental protection programs. Overall, the states have continued the trend of identifying and meeting the environmental needs attending the development of the mineral resources within their borders.
The following responses to this new edition of the Noncoal Mineral Resources Questionnaire are presented in chart form and are basically self explanatory. A copy of the questionnaire accompanies this report and should be referred to for purposes of locating a specific question and noting how it is phrased. The questions themselves are summarized at the top of each response page. Copies of individual state responses are available from IMCC, as are copies of information (usually laws and/or rules) specifically referenced in the state responses.
Several states did not respond to this updated version of the questionnaire. An explanation follows:
- Although the states of Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Utah have significant mining activity within their borders, they chose not to reply to the recent questionnaire. Persons interested in the regulatory programs for these states should refer to the 1990 edition of the IMCC Noncoal Mineral Resources Report (available from IMCC) or may contact the following persons:
| Alaska |
Doug Toland
Department of Environmental Conservation
Solid Waste Program
410 Willoughby Avenue
Juneau, AK 99801-1795
(907)465-5160, or
Mitch Henning
Manager, Mine Permitting
Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 107016
Anchorage, AK 99510-7016
(907)762-2109 |
| Florida |
Joe Bakker, Chief
Bureau of Mine Reclamation
Department of Natural Resources
2051 East Dirac Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32310-3700
(904)488-8217 |
| Idaho |
Bruce Schuld
Division of Environmental Quality
1445 N. Orchard
Boise, ID 83706(208)334-0550 |
| Michigan |
Roger Whitener
Geological Survey Division
Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 30256
Lansing, MI 48909
(517)334-6976 |
| Montana |
Gary Amestoy
Department of Environmental Quality
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
(406)444-2074 |
| Utah |
Ron Daniels
Division of Oil, Gas & Mining
1594 West North Temple, Suite 1210
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5801
(801)538-5340 |
The states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island did not respond to our survey. In the past, however, they have reported that there is no major mining activity other than sand and gravel on-going within their borders. Several other states responded to the survey, but in a limited fashion. In Connecticut, mining is regulated at the town level. Each of the state's 169 towns may have slightly different regulations and arrangements. The State Department of Environmental Protection may regulate environmental aspects if such regulations are violated by mining operations. However, the state does not regulate mining per se.
Delaware has no state mining legislation, although several attempts have been made to enact such legislation. The only commodity mined in the state is sand and gravel.
Hawaii does not have any noncoal mining activity except for quarry operations related to sand and gravel for building construction. These operations are not regulated by state mining laws.
In Nebraska, the only noncoal solid mineral being mined is sand and gravel, which does not appear to be regulated. Contact Laura Bahr-Frew for further information at (402)471-2014.
The only mineral presently mined in Vermont is talc. Other quarry operations include granite, marble, slate, crushed rock and sand and gravel. Vermont has a broad-based land use and development law in place, Act 250. Due to the nature of this law; the number of departments, agencies and towns involved in the permitting process; and the lack of extensive mining activity, the majority of the questionnaire could not be answered accurately.
As you read the report, please note that where a state noted that it did not regulate underground mining activity, there will be no entry for that state in the pages that follow specifically related to underground mining.
Several abbreviations and terms are used throughout the report, as follows:
- "N/A" = Not Applicable (usually because there are no state regulations)
- "--" = No Response to the Question
- "Div." = Division
- "DNR" = Department of Natural Resources
- "DEQ" = Department of Environmental Quality
- "Dept." = Department
- "Recl." = Reclamation
- "Geol." = Geologist/Geology
- "Gov't." = Government
- "Govn'tal" = Governmental
Should you have any other questions regarding the report or desire additional information, please contact the IMCC office at (703) 709-8654.
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