RCRC Vice Chair Testifies in Opposition to SB 1270

On Wednesday, RCRC Vice Chair Lee Adams (Sierra County) testified in opposition to Senate Bill 1270 (Pavley), legislation that deals with changes to the authority over surface mining operations under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). The bill, somewhat softened from its original approach, passed out of the Committee despite local government and industry opposition, and concerns from Committee members regarding that opposition. 

Supervisor Adams testified that “the bill states that no one that has been employed by the county in the previous 12 months can perform an inspection of a county’s own mines. This provision shows a distinct lack of trust in counties.”

During the hearing, Senator Pavely and her staff agreed to continue working with the opposition, and committed to drafting additional amendments to try to resolve some of the concerns raised. SB 1270 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

To learn more about SB 1270, RCRC’s previous Barbed Wire article on the legislation can be accessed here. 

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Cyndi Hillery at (916) 447-4806 orchillery@rcrcnet.org.