Score: -2
(2/4/4)
Calaveras County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Calaveras County Planning Department: Mining Operations and Reclamation
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The Planning Department does not update the Board of Supervisors on surface mining issues on a regular, annual basis, therefore the Board of Supervisors, as lead agency under SMARA, is unaware of the results of annual inspections, and is unable to adjust and approve annual financial assurance cost estimates or consider enforcement actions for surface mines within its jurisdiction.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department adopt a schedule for reporting the annual mine inspection results to the Board of Supervisors, including any recommendations for administrative action, on an annual basis or more frequently as deemed necessary, beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
R1b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors agendize annually, or more frequently when needed, a report from the Planning Department’s mine inspector as to the status of all surface mines within the County’s jurisdiction, with recommendations for administrative actions when warranted, beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
F2
The Planning Department does not appropriately note violations on annual mine inspection reports, which may be considered a substantial enough violation of the County’s administrative responsibilities under SMARA that those responsibilities could potentially be subject to assumption by the State Mining and Geology Board.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department clearly note violations pursuant to SMARA when conducting annual inspections, which includes review of the site-specific reclamation plan, specific conditions set forth in the use permit issued by the Planning Department, observations made during mine inspection visits, and annual financial assurances adjustments, beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department
R2b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department present an overview of the annual mine inspection reports to the Board of Supervisors, including any 14 recommendations for administrative action, on an annual basis or more frequently as deemed necessary, by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
F3
The Planning Department’s failure and reluctance to appropriately issue violations that may be subject to financial penalties and corrective actions in its inspection reports and in reporting to the Board of Supervisors negatively impacts the lead agency’s ability to maintain compliance across all surface mining operations within its jurisdiction, provide a level playing field for surface mining in the County, as well as avoid hidden financial liabilities that may increase substantially over time if left unaddressed.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department notify the Board of Supervisors of violations identified during annual surface mine inspections and recommend financial penalties and/or corrective actions, beginning by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
R3b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors, as the lead agency under SMARA, begin exercising their authority to issue financial penalties and/or corrective actions for non-compliant operators by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
F4
Without engineered scaled site maps, it is uncertain whether annual inspection reports prepared by the Planning Department reflect the true amount of disturbed acreage at each surface mining site.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department issue more comprehensive inspection reports, which include scaled site maps and annual annotated photo documentation of site conditions, beginning by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department
F5
The Planning Department depends on technical information provided by the surface mining operator and their respective consultants, which should include appropriately scaled maps of current site conditions, disturbed acreage, and financial assurance cost estimates, with minimal internal review for accuracy. Submitting inaccurate reports could be viewed as cause for the State Mining and Geology Board to assume the County’s administrative responsibilities under SMARA.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends all technical information provided by a surface mine operator or their consultant be verified that it was prepared by a California licensed 15 professional and be reviewed internally on behalf of the County by individuals qualified to review such information beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department
R5b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department request at the time of each annual inspection an updated engineered site map from surface mine operators at an appropriate scale for all surface mining operations beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department
F6
Instead of charging each surface mining operation the actual cost of time and materials associated with the completion of inspections, the Planning Department charges all operators the same amount regardless of the size of the operation and complexity of the issues associated with each one.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department charge each surface mine operator reasonable reimbursement rates for time and other expenses associated with its annual inspection, rather than charging a flat rate, beginning December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department
F7
Certain surface mining operations are operating under an Interim Management Plan that has lapsed or expired, which puts them out of compliance with the County’s responsibilities under SMARA regulations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors, as lead agency, inform the operator that the surface mining operation is out of compliance with SMARA and should promptly commence reclamation by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
F8
The Planning Department has neither conducted a comprehensive review nor analyzed the County’s existing quantities of permitted production of sand, gravel, and aggregate in relation to existing and future needs, which could impact the future availability of such materials as commercial and residential development and infrastructure repair increase throughout the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department partner with the California Geological Survey to assess the County’s existing supply of mineral resources and future needs, notably in regard to sand, gravel and aggregate, beginning by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department 16
F9
The Planning Department has mineral resource management objectives as part of the County’s General Plan which it does not regularly track or set as tasks to be performed and scheduled for implementation or completion, thereby decreasing the likelihood they will be implemented at all.
Related Recommendations (3)
R9a
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department establish and maintain mechanisms for tracking progress on mineral resource management goals and setting reasonable timetables for completion by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
R9b
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors establish a Mineral Advisory Committee for recommendations related to the management of mineral reserves countywide as suggested in the General Plan by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
R9c
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors designate a County Geologist, who is licensed to practice in the State of California, to provide continuity on geological matters across all departments in County government by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Planning Department
F10
Despite hundreds of abandoned mines dispersed throughout the County, the Planning Department does not maintain a current map or tabulation of abandoned mines within its jurisdiction for use by first responders and as a readily accessible and standardized reference across County departments.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department maintain a database of known abandoned mines in Calaveras County for internal use by all affected County and State departments, Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department Invited Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services
F11
The Planning Department provides no information or State Abandoned Mine Lands Unit guidelines to the general public as to how best to report or mitigate hazards associated with 17 abandoned mines, many of which are on private land and could become liabilities for property owners if they are not adequately secured or disclosed in property transfers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Planning Department institute a process, accessible through their website, whereby the public can report locations of abandoned mines to the County and/or be directed to resources about mitigating their associated hazards, by December 31, 2025. Required Response Calaveras County Planning Department Invited Response Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
Agency Responses 3
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.