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 Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)
 R645. Natural Resources, Oil, Gas and Mining; Coal
 R645-303. Coal Mine Permitting: Change, Renewal, and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights
 

  R645-303. Coal Mine Permitting: Change, Renewal, and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights  

R645-303-100. General Information on the Change, Renewal, Assignment or Sale of Permit Rights
Latest version.

110. Objectives. The objectives of R645-303 are to:

111. Provide procedures for the Division to review, change, and renew permits under the regulatory program; and

112. Provide procedures for transfer, sale, or assignment of rights granted in permits under the State Program.

120. Responsibilities of the Division. The Division will:

121. Ensure that permits are revised prior to changes in coal mining and reclamation operations;

122. Ensure that all permits are regularly reviewed to determine that coal mining and reclamation operations under these permits are conducted in compliance with the State Program;

123. Effectively review and act on applications to renew existing permits in a timely manner, to ensure that coal mining and reclamation operations continue, if they comply with the State Program; and

124. Ensure that no person conducts coal mining and reclamation operations, through the transfer, sale, or assignment of rights granted under permits, without the prior approval of the Division.
R645-303-200. Permit Review, Change and Renewal
Latest version.

210. Division Review of Permits.

211. The Division will review each permit issued and outstanding under the State Program during the term of the permit. This review will occur not later than the middle of each permit term and as follows:

211.100. Permits with a term longer than five years will be reviewed no less frequently than the permit midterm or every five years, whichever is more frequent;

211.200. Permits with variances granted in accordance with R645-302-220 and R645-302-280 will be reviewed no later than three years from the date of issuance of the permit unless, for variances issued in accordance with R645-302-220, the permittee affirmatively demonstrates that the proposed development is proceeding in accordance with the terms of the permit; and

211.300. Permits containing experimental practices issued in accordance with R645-302-210 and permits with a variance from approximate original contour requirements in accordance with R645-302-270 will be reviewed as set forth in the permit or at least every two and one-half years from the date of issuance as required by the Division in accordance with R645-302-217 and R645-302-273, respectively.

212. After the review required by R645-303-211, or at any time, the Division may, by order, require reasonable permit change in accordance with R645-303-220 to ensure compliance with the State Program.

213. Any order of the Division requiring permit change will be based upon written findings and will be subject to the provisions for administrative and judicial review under R645-300-200. Copies of the order will be sent to the permittee.

214. Permits may be suspended or revoked in accordance with R645-400.

220. Permit Changes.

221. At any time during the term of a permit, the permittee may submit to the Division, pursuant to R645-303-220, an Application for Permit Change. The Division will review and respond to an initial Application for a Permit Change within 15 days of receipt of the application.

222. The operator will obtain approval of a permit change by making application in accordance with R645-303-220 for changes in the method of conduct of mining or reclamation operations or in the conditions authorized or required under the approved permit; provided, however, that any extensions to the approved permit area, except for Incidental Boundary Changes, must be processed and approved using the procedural requirements of R645-303-226.

223. The Application for Permit Change will identify the proposed change, or changes, and include the information required under, R645-301, and R645-302 to the extent applicable to the proposed change or changes. The Application for Permit Change will be categorized as a Significant Permit Revision if it involves any of the changes or circumstances set forth in R645-303-224. All other Applications for Permit Change, including Incidental Boundary Changes, will be categorized as Permit Amendments.

224. An Application for Permit Change must be categorized and processed as a Significant Permit Revision for any of the following changes or circumstances:

224.100. An increase in the size of the surface or subsurface disturbed area in an amount of 15 percent, or greater, than the disturbed area under the approved permit;

224.200. Engaging in operations outside of the cumulative impact area as defined in the Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment (CHIA);

224.300. Engaging in operations in hydrologic basins other than those authorized in the approved permit;

224.400. In order to continue operation after the cancellation or material reduction of the liability insurance policy, capability of self-insurance, performance bond, or other equivalent guarantee upon which the original permit was issued; or

224.500. As otherwise required under applicable law or regulation.

225. Applications for Significant Permit revisions and Permit Amendments will be submitted to the Division at least 120 days and 60 days, respectively, before the change in operations is expected to be implemented.

226. Significant Permit Revisions as provided in R645-303-224 will be reviewed and processed by the Division in accordance with the requirements of R645-300-100 and R645-300-200, and the information requirements of R645-301 and R645-302, including requirements for notice, public participation, and notice of decision.

227. Permit Amendments will be processed in accordance with the requirements of R645-300-100 and R645-300-200, and the information requirements of R645-301 and R645-302, except that permit amendments will not be subject to requirements for notice, public participation, or notice of decision of R645-300-100.

228. The Division will approve or disapprove the Application for Significant Permit Revisions and Permit Amendments, within 120 days and 60 days, respectively, of receipt by the Division of the Administratively Complete Application for Permit Change. The Director may extend the designated time period if it is determined that due to weather conditions, or other considerations, it is physically impossible to perform the review of the Application for Permit Change within that time period.

230. Permit Renewals.

231. General. A valid permit, issued pursuant to the State Program, will carry with it the right of successive renewal, within the approved boundaries of the existing permit, upon expiration of the term of the permit.

232. Application Requirements and Procedures.

232.100. An application for renewal of a permit will be filed with the Division at least 120 days before expiration of the existing permit term.

232.200. An application for renewal of a permit will be in the form required by the Division and will include at a minimum:

232.220. Evidence that a liability insurance policy or adequate self-insurance under R645-301-800 will be provided by the applicant for the proposed period of renewal;

232.230. Evidence that the performance bond in effect for the operation will continue in full force and effect for any renewal requested, as well as any additional bond required by the Division pursuant to R645-301-800;

232.240. A copy of the proposed newspaper notice and proof of publication of same, as required by R645-300-121.100; and

232.250. Additional, revised, or updated information required by the Division.

232.300. Applications for renewal will be subject to the requirements of public notification and public participation contained in R645-300-120 and R645-300-152.

232.400. If an application for renewal includes any proposed revisions to the permit, such revisions will be identified and subject to the requirements of R645-303-220.

232.500. Irrespective of any other R645 rule requirements for permitting coal mining and reclamation operations, a permittee may renew a permit for the purpose of reclamation only if solely reclamation activities remain to be done and no coal will be extracted, processed, or handled. Obligations established under a permit will continue regardless of whether the authorization to extract, process, or handle coal has expired or has been terminated, revoked, or suspended.

233. Approval Process.

233.100. Criteria for approval. The Division will approve a complete and accurate application for permit renewal, unless it finds, in writing that:

233.110. The terms and conditions of the existing permit are not being satisfactorily met;

233.120. The present coal mining and reclamation operations are not in compliance with the environmental protection standards of the State Program;

233.130. The requested renewal substantially jeopardizes the operator's continuing ability to comply with the State Program on existing permit areas;

233.140. The operator has not provided evidence of having liability insurance or self-insurance as required in R645-301-890;

233.150. The operator has not provided evidence that any performance bond required to be in effect for the operation will continue in full force and effect for the proposed period of renewal, as well as any additional bond the Division might require pursuant to R645-301-800; or

233.160. Additional, revised, or updated information required by the Division under R645-303-232.250 has not been provided by the applicant.

233.200. Burden of Proof. In the determination of whether to approve or deny a renewal of a permit, the burden of proof will be on the opponents of renewal.

233.300. Alluvial Valley Floor Variance. If the coal mining and reclamation operation authorized by the original permit was not subject to the standards contained in sections 40-10-11(2)(e)(i) and (ii) of the Act and R645-302-320, because the permittee complied with the exceptions in the proviso to section 40-10-11(2)(e)(ii) of the Act, the portion of the application for renewal of the permit that addresses new land areas previously identified in the reclamation plan for the original permit will not be subject to the standards contained in sections 40-10-11(2)(e)(i) and (ii) of the Act and R645-302-320.

234. Renewal Term. Any permit renewal will be for a term not to exceed the period of the original permit established under R645-300-150.

235. Notice of Decision. The Division will send copies of its decision to the applicant, to each person who filed comments or objections on the renewal, to each party to any informal conference held on the permit renewal, and to the Office.

236. Administrative and Judicial Review. Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the decision of the Division will have the right to administrative and judicial review set forth in R645-300-200.
R645-303-300. Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights
Latest version.

310. General Information. No transfer, assignment, or sale of rights granted by a permit will be made without the prior written approval of the Division. At its discretion, the Division may allow a prospective successor in interest to engage in coal mining and reclamation operations under the permit during the pendency of an application for approval of a transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights submitted under R645-303-320, provided that the prospective successor in interest can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Division that sufficient bond coverage will remain in place.

320. Application Requirements. An applicant for approval of the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights will:

321. Provide the Division with an application for approval of the proposed transfer, assignment, or sale including:

321.100. The name and address of the existing permittee and permit number or other identifier;

321.200. A brief description of the proposed action requiring approval; and

321.300. The legal, financial, compliance, and related information required by R645-301-100 for the applicant for approval of the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights;

322. Advertise the filing of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the operations involved, indicating the name and address of the applicant, the permittee, the permit number or other identifier, the geographic location of the permit, and the address to which written comments may be sent; and

323. Obtain appropriate performance bond coverage in an amount sufficient to cover the proposed operations, as required under R645-301-800.

330. Public Participation. Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by a decision on the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights, including an official of any federal, state, or local government agency, may submit written comments on the application to the Division, within 30 days of the advertisement publication described under R645-303-322.

340. Criteria for Approval. The Division may allow a permittee to transfer, assign, or sell permit rights to a successor, if it finds in writing that the successor:

341. Is eligible to receive a permit in accordance with R645-300-132 and R645-300-133;

342. Has submitted a performance bond or other guarantee, or obtained the bond coverage of the original permittee, as required by R645-301-800; and

343. Meets any other requirements specified by the Division.

350. Notification.

351. The Division will notify the permittee, the successor, commentators, and the Office of its findings.

352. The successor will immediately provide notice to the Division of the consummation of the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights.

360. Continued Operation Under Existing Permit. The successor in interest will assume the liability and reclamation responsibilities of the existing permit and will conduct the coal mining and reclamation operations in full compliance with the State Program and the terms and conditions of the existing permit, unless the applicant has obtained a new or revised permit as provided in the R645-200, R645-300, R645-301, R645-302-100 through R645-302-290, R645-302-310, R645-302-320, and R645-303.