- Surface Mining and Reclamation
- Oil and Gas
- Geothermal
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Important Notice
A recent fee schedule adjustment approved in House Bill 1406 and effective on November 1, 2017: 1) replaces the current three-tier, tonnage-based annual fee structure to a single annual fee; 2) adjusts application fees; and 3) removes the Annual Production Report requirement.
In Washington, "reclamation" means rehabilitation of disturbed areas resulting from surface or underground mining. The basic objective of reclamation at mines is to reestablish the vegetative cover, soil stability, and water conditions at the site. As a second beneficial use, mines are reclaimed for fish and wildlife, grazing, forestry, wetlands, and commercial and industrial uses.
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RCWs & WACssm
The Surface Mining Act is a reclamation law that requires a permit for each mine that: (1) results in more than 3 acres of mine-related disturbance, or (2) has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees (RCW 78.44, chapter 332-18 WAC.
Local governments must formally approve mine sites and/or the subsequent use of the mine site (RCW 78.44.091) prior to receiving a reclamation permit. This approval process generally makes local jurisdictions the lead agency according to State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) rules (chapter 43.21C RCW).
Formssm
Application for Surface Mine Reclamation Permit Application for Reclamation Permit Form SM-8A Microsoft Word Instructions for form SM-8A PDF Additional information requirements for mines with potentially unstable or steep slopes Microsoft Word Additional information requirements for hydrologically sensitive areas Microsoft Word Additional information requirements for flood plain mines Microsoft Word Local Acknowledgement for Mining County or municipality acknowledgement for surface mining Form SM-6 PDF form Performance Security Forms, Instructions and Calculation Methods Surface mining reclamation bond Form SM-1 PDF form Instructions for performance securities Microsoft Word Surface mining savings account assignment Form SM-4 PDF form Surface mining savings certificate assignment Form SM-5 PDF form Standard performance security calculation Form SM-10 Microsoft Excel Irrevocable letter of credit Form SM-11
Bank must have office in Washington StateMicrosoft Word--Must be printed on bank letterhead Blanket performance security statement of financial ability Form SM-12 Microsoft Word Template Blanket performance security notice of risk of lien and landowner acknowledgment Form SM-13 Microsoft Word Surface mining reclamation blanket bond Form SM-14 Microsoft Word Transferring Permit or Changing Name of Permit Holder Request for transfer of surface mine reclamation permit Form SM-2B PDF State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Forms, Rules and Handbook SEPA forms—Department of Ecology Website Current SEPA actions Website Application for an Exploration Reclamation Permit Application for an exploration reclamation permit Form SM-2E Microsoft Word Mineral exploration well / drill hole plugging and abandonment PDF Precipitation Guides Washington's climate summaries website 10-year, 24-hour precipitaiton—isopluvials PDF 25-year, 24-hour precipitation—isopluvials PDF Feessm
As of November 1, 2017:
Application Fee Schedule New permits $4,500 Combining two or more permits $4,500 Expanding existing plan (depth and/or acreage) $4,500 Revising existing plan (same depth and acreage) $2,500 Annual Permit Fee Set fee (regardless of amount mined) $2,000
