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| COLUMBUS -- Governor Bob Taft signed legislation today which significantly strengthens the states oversight of mining for industrial minerals such as limestone, gravel and clay. Joining the Governor at the Ohio Statehouse were ODNR Director Sam Speck (left) ODNR Mineral Resources Chief Mike Sponsler (2nd from left) Ohio Environmental Council Aid Molly Flanagan, OEC Public Affairs Manager Jack Shaner, Governor Bob Taft (seated) ODNR Deputy Director Ron Kolbash, State Senator Jim Carnes of St. Clairsville (2nd from right) and State Rep. Tom Niehaus of New Richmond. (Click on image for higher resolution version.) |
COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Bob Taft today signed Senate Bill 83, giving inspectors with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) increased oversight of the mining of industrial minerals such as limestone, gravel and clay.
The law becomes effective in 90 days.
ODNR Director Sam Speck said the legislation (Senate Bill 83) represents the first comprehensive overhaul of the state's industrial minerals law since 1974.
This law significantly strengthens our ability to protect groundwater supplies through increased regulation of in-stream and near-stream mining. It also provides local communities with a stronger voice in decision-making as to the location of proposed mines or quarries, Speck said. And this legislation has considerable support from the mining industry as it brings the regulatory process up to date and make it more efficient and timely.
The law was sponsored by State Senator Jim Carnes of St. Clairsville.
Industrial minerals extracted in Ohio include sand and gravel, limestone, dolomite, salt, clay, sandstone, shale, gypsum and peat. According to ODNR, the industry generates sales of more than $750,000,000 annually and employs nearly 5,000 Ohioans in 86 of the states 88 counties.
Key features of the new industrial minerals law include:
- Increased citizen and local government involvement: The law provides improved access for public and local government involvement in the industrial mineral permitting process. Public notice requirements combined with the zoning information will allow the public and local authorities to proactively view proposed plans. Also, advertisements announcing the permit application will be run once a week in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks. In addition, public notification of significant revisions to a permit will be required.
- Regulation of in-stream and near-stream mining. This law adds permitting requirements and public notification for in-stream or near-stream permits. Before passage of the industrial minerals bill, no such rule existed.
- Strengthens communities negotiating positions. Community leaders will be discussing issues over a pending application rather than an issued permit. This will allow citizens and local authorities to deal with new operations in a pro-active mode before a permit decision has been made.
- Increased groundwater protection. Under provisions in the law, a mining permit application must include a groundwater modeling study, allowing local authorities and state regulators to take into account a proposed operation's impact on the region's hydrology. It also provides adjacent property owners with new protections against potential groundwater loss due to mining operations.
- Protection from effects of blasting. The legislation includes new requirements with regard to blasting at industrial mineral quarries and mines, affording greater protection for nearby homes and businesses. These include an increase in the permit term from 10 years to 15 years, updated bonding procedures and credits for companies demonstrating past good performance.