Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 78.56 - Metals Mining and Milling Operations.
78.56.010 - Intent.

RCW 78.56.010
Intent.

It is in the best interests of the citizens of the state of Washington to insure the highest degree of environmental protection while allowing the proper development and use of its natural resources, including its mineral resources. Metals mining can have significant positive and adverse impacts on the state and on local communities. The purpose of this chapter is to assure that metals mineral mining or milling operations are designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that promotes both economic opportunities and environmental and public health safeguards for the citizens of the state. It is the intent of the legislature to create a regulatory framework which yields, to the greatest extent possible, a metals mining industry that is compatible with these policies.

[ 1994 c 232 § 1.]

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Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 78 - Mines, Minerals, and Petroleum

Chapter 78.56 - Metals Mining and Milling Operations.

78.56.010 - Intent.

78.56.020 - Definitions.

78.56.030 - Operations subject to this chapter and other requirements.

78.56.040 - Disclosures required with state environmental policy act checklist—Public inspection of information.

78.56.050 - Environmental impact statement required—Mitigation measures to be part of permit requirements—Department of ecology to cooperate with affected local governments.

78.56.060 - Metals mining coordinator to be appointed—Duties.

78.56.070 - Quarterly inspections by responsible state agencies required—Cross-training and coordination of inspections encouraged.

78.56.080 - Estimate of costs by department of ecology and department of natural resources—Fee on operations to be established by department of ecology.

78.56.090 - Initial waste discharge permits for tailings facilities—Siting criteria—Primary screening process—Technical site investigation—Site selection report.

78.56.100 - Waste discharge permits for metals mining and milling operations tailing facilities—Pollution control standards—Waste rock management plan—Citizen observation and verification of water samples—Voluntary reduction plan—Application of this...

78.56.110 - Performance security required—Conditions—Department of ecology authority to adopt requirements—Liability under performance security.

78.56.120 - Remediation or mitigation by department of ecology—Order to submit performance security.

78.56.130 - Legislative finding—Impact analysis required for large-scale operations—Impact fees by county legislative authority—Application of this section—Application of chapter 82.02 RCW.

78.56.140 - Citizen action suits.

78.56.150 - Application of requirements to milling facilities not adjacent to mining operation.

78.56.160 - Moratorium on use of heap leach extraction process—Joint review by department of ecology and department of natural resources—Permanent prohibition of in situ extraction.

78.56.901 - Effective date—1994 c 232 §§ 1-5, 9-17, and 23-29.

78.56.902 - Effective date—1994 c 232 §§ 6-8 and 18-22.