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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
reclamation plans; aggregate mining; notice
Purpose
Specifies, retroactive to September 16, 2024, that the statutorily prescribed notice of proposed aggregate mining unit requirement applies only to new proposed reclamation plans for aggregate mining operations that are submitted on or after September 16, 2024, and may be satisfied by providing outlined public notice.
Background
An owner or operator of an aggregate mining facility may submit a single reclamation plan that covers multiple aggregate mining units of an aggregate mining facility. The proposed reclamation plan must include: 1) the names and addresses of the owner or operator and an individual who will be the regulatory contact; 2) a statement that the owner or operator assumes responsibility for the reclamation of surface disturbances that are attributable to the aggregate mining unit; 3) a description of the aggregate mining unit and the proposed surface disturbances that will be created; 4) the distance in feet and the direction from the closest existing occupied residential structures and aggregate mining facility; 5) a statement that the owner or operator has provided a notice of the proposed aggregate mining unit to each residential property owner whose property is located within a one-half mile radius of the aggregate mining operation as shown on the current property tax roll; and 6) other statutorily prescribed disclosures. The notice of the proposed aggregate mining unit must include the name and contact information of the owner's designated representative who will respond to questions regarding the proposed aggregate mining unit (A.R.S. § 27-1271).
An aggregate mining unit is an individual portion of an aggregate mining facility that encompasses one or more surface disturbances. Reclamation means measures that are taken on surface disturbances at exploration operations and aggregate mining units to achieve stability and safety consistent with post aggregate mining land use objectives specified in the reclamation plan (A.R.S. § 27-1201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Specifies that the statutorily prescribed notice of proposed aggregate mining unit requirement:
a) applies only to new proposed reclamation plans for new aggregate operations that are submitted to the State Mine Inspector on or after September 16, 2024; and
b) may be satisfied by providing prior public notices relating to special use permitting, rezoning or annexation application or by providing other public notices associated with the proposed aggregate mining unit if the public notices were published, distributed or displayed within at least one-half mile radius of the aggregate mining operation.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date, retroactive to September 16, 2024.
House Action
NREW 2/10/26 DP 9-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/23/26 46-11-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 12, 2026
SB/hk