California Senator Fran Pavley has introduced the Surface Mining Act Reform of 2014 (SB 1270) with a goal of reforming the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) to better serve industry, local governments, state government, and the public.  The Sierra Fund, a regional nonprofit based in Nevada City, is the sponsor of this bill. […]

SACRAMENTO, 1 October 2012 – Senate Bill 143 (Rubio), which will strengthen the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) regarding mines that are considered “idle,” was approved by Governor Jerry Brown in September and will become law on January 1, 2013. The Sierra Fund worked with Senator Michael Rubio to bring these amendments through […]

Legislation that The Sierra Fund sponsored to strengthen the Surface Mining and Reclamation Action, Senate Bill 143 (Rubio), passed the CA Senate floor yesterday with 26 aye votes, 10 no votes and 4 not voting. “The Sierra Fund and the Governor’s office worked closely with Mr. Rubio in developing this bill, and we are thrilled […]

In addition to our successful advocacy for suction dredge mining reform, The Sierra Fund has been working on two mining-related bills introduced in the current CA legislative session:  SB 143 (Rubio), which we support, would clarify the definition of an “idle” mine.  This bill was introduced at the request of The Sierra Fund in response […]