Bill > S462

This bill, titled the Quarry Safety and Reclamation Act, establishes new regulations for quarrying operations in the Commonwealth, overseen by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It mandates that all quarry operators obtain an operating permit, which will be valid for up to five years and renewable, requiring detailed maps, engineering plans, and information about the quarry's ownership and financial structure. Operators will also need to submit and receive approval for a reclamation plan outlining how the land will be restored to a condition compatible with its pre-excavation state, ensuring public safety and minimizing environmental impact. The bill requires operators to post a bond or provide other security to guarantee compliance with reclamation requirements, and establishes a quarry reclamation fund. Furthermore, it creates a quarry safety inspector within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to conduct annual inspections, investigate complaints, and ensure compliance with safety regulations, with the authority to order cessation of operations if dangerous conditions are found. The bill also outlines procedures for public notice and hearings on permit applications and reclamation plans, and clarifies that it does not supersede local zoning laws or private rights to legal action against nuisances.