§ 156.01. TITLE, INTENT AND PURPOSE.

(A) Short title. This chapter shall be known, cited and referred to as the city Mining Ordinance; except as referred to herein, where it shall be known as "this chapter." This mining regulation is adopted pursuant to the authorization and policies contained in M.S. Chapter 394, as it may be amended from time to time.

(Prior Code, Ch. 901 § 1.1)

(B) Purpose. This chapter is adopted for the purpose of:

(1) Providing for the economic availability and removal of sand, gravel, rock, soil and other materials vital to the continued growth of the city;

(2) Establishing regulations, safeguards, and controls in the city regarding noise, dust, traffic, drainage, groundwater quality, and other factors which will minimize the environmental aesthetic impacts on mined or adjacent property;

(3) Reducing the potential for pollution caused by wind, soil erosion, and sedimentation;

(4) Establishing locations, orderly approval process and operating conditions under which mining operations will be allowed in the city and to establish conditions which ensure the restoration of mined areas consistent with the existing and planned land use patterns;

(5) Ensuring compliance with the regulations established in this chapter on those mining operations presently operating in the city; and

(6) Distinguishing between operations operating with a permit prior to the effective date of this chapter and operators who do not have a permit prior to the effective date of this chapter. Those operators with a permit shall be allowed to continue according to the terms and conditions of their pre-existing permit. Those operators without permits shall be allowed to continue, subject to obtaining a preliminary permit and shall be allowed to expand or continue their operation only if they comply with the terms and conditions of this chapter. The purpose of the preliminary permit is to bring operators without a permit into compliance with the performance standards of this chapter and established a time frame within which they must apply for a conditional use permit.

(Prior Code, Ch. 901 § 1.2)