These data show the approximate location of mines with active surface mining reclamation permits. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington Geological Survey administers the Surface Mine Reclamation Act. The intent of this law is that Washington’s surface mines are successfully reclaimed.

In general, surface mines are defined as areas where extraction of minerals (clay, coal, gravel, industrial minerals, metallic substances, peat, sand, stone, topsoil, etc) results in more than 3 acres of mine-related disturbance, or has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees.

In Washington, "reclamation" means rehabilitation of disturbed areas resulting from surface mining. The basic objective is to reestablish on a perpetual basis the vegetative cover, soil stability, and water conditions appropriate for the approved subsequent use and to prevent or mitigate future environmental degradation. Subsequent uses are consistent with local land use and zoning ordinances.

See Chapter 78.44 Revised Code of Washington [RCW] and Chapter 332-18 Washington Administrative Code [WAC].

A timestamp in mmddyyyy format is included in the name of the geodatabase as a currentness reference. For example, a geodatabase named "mine_sites_11042020" means the database was published on November 4, 2020

These data show the approximate location of mines with active surface mining reclamation permits. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington Geological Survey administers the Surface Mine Reclamation Act. The intent of this law is that Washington’s surface mines are successfully reclaimed.

In general, surface mines are defined as areas where extraction of minerals (clay, coal, gravel, industrial minerals, metallic substances, peat, sand, stone, topsoil, etc) results in more than 3 acres of mine-related disturbance, or has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees.

In Washington, "reclamation" means rehabilitation of disturbed areas resulting from surface mining. The basic objective is to reestablish on a perpetual basis the vegetative cover, soil stability, and water conditions appropriate for the approved subsequent use and to prevent or mitigate future environmental degradation. Subsequent uses are consistent with local land use and zoning ordinances.

See Chapter 78.44 Revised Code of Washington [RCW] and Chapter 332-18 Washington Administrative Code [WAC].

A timestamp in mmddyyyy format is included in the name of the geodatabase as a currentness reference. For example, a geodatabase named "mine_sites_11042020" means the database was published on November 4, 2020