Solano County Municipal Code Art. IV Mineral Resource

29-36 Mineral resources protection

Mine development is encouraged in compatible areas before encroachment of conflicting uses. Mineral resource areas that have been classified by the State Department of Conservation’s California Geological Survey or designated by the State Board, as well as existing surface mining operations that remain in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be protected from intrusion by incompatible land uses that may impede or preclude mineral extraction or processing, to the extent possible for consistency with the county’s general plan.

The county’s general plan and resource maps will be prepared to reflect mineral information (classification and/or designation reports) within twelve (12) months of receipt from the State Board of such information. Land use decisions within the County of Solano will be guided by information provided on the location of identified mineral resources of statewide and regional significance. Conservation and potential development of identified mineral resource areas will be considered and encouraged. Recordation on property titles of the presence of important mineral resources within the identified mineral resource areas may be encouraged as a condition of approval of any development project in the impacted area. Proposed amendments to the mineral resources management policies shall require review and comment by the State Board.

Prior to approving a use that would otherwise be incompatible with mineral resource protection, a statement specifying its reason for permitting an incompatible use shall be forwarded to the State Geologist and State Board for review. Prior to approving a use that would otherwise be incompatible with mineral resource protection, conditions of approval may also be applied to encroaching development projects to minimize potential conflicts. County land use decisions involving areas designated as being of regional significance shall (1) be in accordance with the county’s mineral resource management policies and shall also, in balancing mineral values against alternative land uses, consider the importance of these minerals to their market region as a whole and not just their importance to the lead agency’s area of jurisdiction, and (2) consider the importance of the mineral resource to the state and nation as a whole.

Mineral resources management policies must include, but not limited to, (1) a summary of the information provided by the classification and/or designation reports, or incorporation of Public Resources Code Section 2710 et seq., and state policy by reference, together with maps of identified mineral deposits or incorporation by reference of the classification and/or designation maps provided by the State Board, (2) statements of policy in accordance with the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 2762(a), and (3) implementation measures.

(Ord. No. 1839, §3)