(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a remediating agency that has implemented an approved remediation plan, or a public agency that is effecting reclamation of a mine site pursuant to the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 2710) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code), shall not be deemed, based on the actions taken to implement the remediation plan or the reclamation, to be the owner or operator of the abandoned mined lands, or any structure, improvement, waste management unit, or facility on the abandoned mined lands, and shall not be deemed, based on the actions taken to implement the remediation plan or the reclamation, to be responsible for any discharge, or the results of any discharge, of abandoned mine waste on or from any abandoned mined lands, including discharges which have been affected by the activities of the remediating agency or the public agency effecting reclamation of a mine site.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370), and Section 13398.9, the responsibilities of a remediating agency are limited to the following:

(1) Submitting a remediation plan to the oversight agency for approval in accordance with Section 13398.3. A remediation plan may be submitted in connection with a remediation project that was commenced or completed prior to January 1, 1996.

(2) Implementing a remediation plan that has been approved by the oversight agency.

(3) If required by a remediation plan approved by the oversight agency, maintaining any structure, waste management unit, improvement, or other facility constructed, improved, or placed on the abandoned mined lands.

(4) Periodically monitoring and reporting as required by the oversight agency.

(5) (A) Determining if the remediation plan implemented by the remediating agency has been effective to provide a substantial improvement in water quality affected by abandoned mine waste.

(B) If the remediating agency determines that the remediation plan implemented by the agency is not effective, the remediating agency shall promptly report that determination to the oversight agency. If the remediating agency or the oversight agency determines that the remediation plan implemented by the remediating agency is not effective, the remediating agency shall submit a modified remediation plan to the oversight agency which includes a proposal to improve the plan to make it effective, or a proposal to cease remedial activities on the abandoned mined lands and return those lands, including the water quality on those lands, to a condition that approximates the quality that existed prior to commencing remedial activities. The remediating agency shall implement the modified remediation plan as approved by the oversight agency.

(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370), if the remediating agency implements or has implemented the approved remediation plan and any modifications to the plan approved by the oversight agency, the remediating agency, with regard to any discharge of abandoned mine waste that is the subject of the plan, shall not be required to achieve water quality objectives or to comply with other requirements of this division or other laws that are administered by the state board or the regional boards, and shall not be subject to any enforcement actions pursuant to state law based on actions taken to implement the approved remediation plan, except for violations involving gross negligence, including reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct, or intentional misconduct by the remediating agency.

(c) The responsibilities of a remediating agency that engages in surface mining operations, as defined in Section 2735 of the Public Resources Code, in conjunction with the remediation or reclamation of abandoned mine waste or that performs reclamation of a surface mining operation pursuant to Section 2773.1 or 2796 of the Public Resources Code, include performing the applicable requirements of Section 2207 of the Public Resources Code and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 2710) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code). The State Mining and Geology Board may grant an exemption from the requirements of Section 2207 of the Public Resources Code or from the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 to a remediating agency and its contractors solely for the purpose of removing abandoned mine waste in connection with the implementation of an approved remediation plan.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 878, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)