There has been a great deal of hand wringing among the media about the current legilsative session, and indeed, the current fiscal crisis is proving to be difficult to resolve, however quite a few good bills have been passed and among them is nearly all of ARPA's legislative agenda.  Here's a quick update on ARPA's legislative agenda. 

 ARPA Bills 2009 Legislative Session

—Senate Bill 1183 (signed)

ARPA has been working on a project to channelize the Agua Fria River in an effort to increase the value of the surrounding land, make mining operations more productive and provide additional recreation and riparian areas. The law that enables participants to form the Special Channelization District was set to expire in 2010. Senate President Burns has sponsored a bill to eliminate the expiration date, but the bill was amended on the floor to extend it an additional five years.

—Senate Bill 1255 and its companion bill SB 1256 (signed)

ARPA has been working with the State Mine Inspector to establish mining reclamation funding authority that will provide the inspector with the re-sources needed in order to have reclamation plans reviewed for aggregate mined lands through July 1, 2010.   SB 1256 establishes authority to charge additional fees for review of “major modifications” to existing plans.

—Senate Bill 1259 (signed)

Changing market conditions and demand fluctuations can dramatically affect the economic viability of aggregate mines. SB 1259 allows the State Mine Inspector to consider these factors when deciding to extend the period in which to initiate reclamation of the mining property.

—Senate Bill 1260 (signed)

This bill exempts certain intermittently (borrow pits) used mines that meet a strict set of conditions from the reclamation provisions of state reclamation law. Must meet the conditions which include: the surface disturbance must be under 20 acres, a single pit not more than 10 acres, the depth does not exceed 25 acres, the material is for government projects only, the mining unit returned to a safe and stable condition, compliant with the local FCD and Clean Water Act and does NOT apply to mining units that are within the exterior boundaries of an incorporated city or town or in the unincorporated area of a county surrounded on all sides by one or more incorporated cities or towns.
 
— Senate Bill 1258 (vetoed)

Establishes ASMI funding authority for industry training. 

—General Plan Amendment

Rusty and Senator John Nelson were working on an amendment that would provide a place for mineral planning in general plans. The amendment is ready, but will likely take place next year.