Revised Code of Washington - RCW Title 78 Mines, Minerals, And Petroleum - Chapter 78.56 Metals Mining And Milling Operations

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 ...

78.56.020 Definitions
The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Metals mining and milling operation" means a mining operation extracting from the earth ...

78.56.030 Operations subject to this chapter and other requirements
Metals mining and milling operations are subject to the requirements of this chapter in addition to the requirements established in other statutes and rules.[1994 c ...

78.56.040 Disclosures required with state environmental policy act checklist -- Public inspection of information
The department of ecology shall require each applicant submitting a checklist pursuant to chapter 43.21C RCW for a metals mining and milling operation to disclose ...

78.56.050 Environmental impact statement required -- Mitigation measures to be part of permit requirements -- Department of ecology to cooperate with affected local governments
(1) An environmental impact statement must be prepared for any proposed metals mining and milling operation. The department of ecology shall be the lead agency ...

78.56.060 Metals mining coordinator to be appointed -- Duties
The department of ecology will appoint a metals mining coordinator. The coordinator will maintain current information on the status of any metals mining and milling ...

78.56.070 Quarterly inspections by responsible state agencies required -- Cross-training and coordination of inspections encouraged
(1) State agencies with the responsibility for inspecting metals mining and milling operations regulated under this chapter shall conduct such inspections at least quarterly: PROVIDED, ...

78.56.080 Metals mining account -- Estimate of costs by department of ecology and department of natural resources -- Fee on operations to be established by department of ecology
(1) The metals mining account is created in the state treasury. Expenditures from this account are subject to appropriation. Expenditures from this account may only ...

78.56.090 Initial waste discharge permits for tailings facilities -- Siting criteria -- Primary screening process -- Technical site investigation -- Site selection report
(1) In the processing of an application for an initial waste discharge permit for a tailings facility pursuant to the requirements of chapter 90.48 RCW, ...

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 section
(1) In order to receive a waste discharge permit from the department of ecology pursuant to the requirements of chapter 90.48 RCW or in order ...

78.56.110 Performance security required -- Conditions -- Department of ecology authority to adopt requirements -- Liability under performance security
(1) The department of ecology shall not issue necessary permits to an applicant for a metals mining and milling operation until the applicant has deposited ...

78.56.120 Remediation or mitigation by department of ecology -- Order to submit performance security
The department of ecology may, with staff, equipment, and material under its control, or by contract with others, remediate or mitigate any impact of a ...

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
(1) The legislature finds that the construction and operation of large-scale metals mining and milling facilities may create new job opportunities and enhance local tax ...

78.56.140 Citizen action suits
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (5) of this section, any aggrieved person may commence a civil action on his or her own ...

78.56.150 Application of requirements to milling facilities not adjacent to mining operation
A milling facility which is not adjacent to or in the vicinity of the metals mining operation producing the ore to be milled and which ...

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
(1) Until June 30, 1996, there shall be a moratorium on metals mining and milling operations using the heap leach extraction process. The department of ...

78.56.900 Severability -- 1994 c 232
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application ...

78.56.901 Effective date -- 1994 c 232 §§ 1-5, 9-17, and 23-29
This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public ...

78.56.902 Effective date -- 1994 c 232 §§ 6-8 and 18-22
Sections 6 through 8 and 18 through 22 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1995.[1994 c 232 § 31.] ...