Surface mining: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Assembly Member Wallis proposes extending the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's authority to manage surface mining operations under a master reclamation plan through 2041, maintaining unified oversight of mining activities across six Southern California counties. The current authorization, which allows the District to operate under a consolidated plan rather than securing individual county approvals, expires January 1, 2026.

The master reclamation plan covers mining operations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties, with the State Mining and Geology Board serving as lead agency. Under the plan, the District must map all mining sites, implement maintenance protocols for idle periods, and submit detailed annual reports for each operation. The District remains prohibited from selling extracted materials to outside parties and must maintain financial assurances during non-operational phases.

The bill's findings cite the District's unique position in managing critical water infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions, serving approximately 19 million residents through 26 member agencies. According to these findings, centralized oversight through the Department of Conservation promotes consistent application of surface mining regulations, avoiding potentially conflicting requirements from individual counties. While the legislation creates a state-mandated local program, it specifies that local agencies may levy fees to cover any additional costs, requiring no state reimbursement.