(A) The chief of the division of mineral resources management may adopt, amend, and rescind rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code in order to prescribe procedures for submitting applications for permits, amendments to permits, and amendments to plans of mining and reclamation; filing annual reports and final reports; requesting inspection and approval of reclamation; paying permit and filing fees; and filing and obtaining the release of performance bonds deposited with the state. For the purpose of preventing damage to adjoining property or achieving one or more of the performance standards established in division (A)(10) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code, the chief may establish classes of mining industries, based upon industrial categories, combinations of minerals produced, and geological conditions in which surface or in-stream mining operations occur, and may prescribe different rules consistent with the performance standards for each class. For the purpose of apportioning the workload of the division of mineral resources management among the quarters of the year, the rules may require that applications for permits and annual reports be filed in different quarters of the year, depending upon the county in which the operation is located.

(B) The chief shall adopt rules under this section that do all of the following:

(1) With respect to in-stream mining, and in consultation with the chief of the division of water resources, determine periods of low flow, which are the only time periods during which in-stream mining is allowed, and develop and implement any criteria, in addition to the criteria established in section 1514.02 of the Revised Code, that the chief determines are necessary for the permitting of in-stream mining;

(2) Establish criteria and procedures for approving or disapproving the transfer of a surface or in-stream mining permit under division (F) of section 1514.02 of the Revised Code;

(3) Define when any of the following may be considered to be "significant" for purposes of section 1514.022 of the Revised Code:

(a) An amendment to a permit issued under section 1514.02 of the Revised Code for a surface or in-stream mining operation;

(b) An amendment to the plan of mining and reclamation that must be filed with an application for either permit under section 1514.02 of the Revised Code;

(c) Changes to that plan of mining and reclamation that are proposed in a permit renewal application filed under section 1514.021 of the Revised Code.

In defining "significant," the chief shall focus on changes that increase the likelihood that the mining operation may have a negative impact on the public.

(4) Establish a framework and procedures under which the amount of any bond required to be filed under this chapter to ensure the satisfactory performance of the reclamation measures required under this chapter may be reduced by subtracting a credit based on the operator's past compliance with this chapter and rules adopted and orders issued under it. The rules also shall apply to cash, an irrevocable letter of credit, or a certificate of deposit that is on deposit in lieu of a bond. In establishing the amount of credit that an operator or applicant may receive based on past compliance, the chief may consider past compliance with respect to any permit for a surface or in-stream mining operation that has been issued in this state to the operator or applicant.

(5) Establish criteria and procedures for granting a variance from compliance with the prohibitions established in divisions (E)(3) and (F)(3) of section 1514.10 of the Revised Code. The criteria shall ensure that an operator may obtain a variance only if compliance with the applicable prohibition is not necessary to prevent damage to the watercourse or surrounding areas.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 1/1/2016.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 7/17/2009.

Effective Date: 03-15-2002 .