The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee has introduced Senate Bill 25-054, titled "Mining Reclamation & Interstate Compact," to enhance the regulation of mining activities in Colorado. Key provisions of the bill include:
Reclamation-Only Permits: Establishes an expedited process for issuing reclamation-only permits for operations on less than five acres, effective July 1, 2025. These permits are not available for designated mining operations.
Financial Warranty Reforms: Updates restrictions and requirements concerning the posting and forfeiture of financial warranties related to mine reclamation projects, ensuring adequate financial assurance for reclamation efforts.
Interstate Mining Compact Membership: Enacts the Interstate Mining Compact, ratifying Colorado's membership in the associated Interstate Mining Commission. This membership facilitates collaboration with other states to promote effective mining regulation and reclamation practices. This legislative initiative aims to streamline the reclamation of small mining sites, strengthen financial safeguards for reclamation activities, and enhance interstate cooperation in mining oversight.
Summary
Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee. The bill
amends the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Act and the Colorado Land Reclamation Act for the Extraction of Construction Materials to:
•
Contemplate the expedited issuance of reclamation-only permits to persons desiring to conduct reclamation-only operations after July 1, 2025, on less than 5 acres; and
•
Update restrictions and requirements concerning the posting and forfeiture of financial warranties relating to mine reclamation projects.
The office of mined land reclamation may not issue a
reclamation-only permit to a designated mining operation.
The bill also enacts the Interstate Mining Compact and ratifies
Colorado's membership in the associated Interstate Mining Commission.
