Section 2081.5.

If an ongoing surface mining operation has been issued a permit pursuant to Section 2770 of the Public Resources Code by the lead agency, as defined in Section 2728 of the Public Resources Code, is in compliance with the permit with regard to matters relating to plants, and is in compliance with any memorandum of understanding with the department for any of the purposes specified in Section 2081 of this code, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) The surface mining operator is not liable for criminal prosecution pursuant to this code for any take of a threatened or endangered plant species that is incidental to the surface mining operation.

(b) If a plant species that exists on the private property of the surface mining operator is added to the list of threatened species or endangered species pursuant to this chapter after the date that the operator was issued the permit, or if a plant species on the list of threatened species or endangered species adopted pursuant to this chapter is newly discovered on the private property of the operator after that date, the department shall notify the operator by mail within 14 days of the addition to the list or knowledge of the new discovery by the department. Within 30 days from the date of the notification, the department shall meet with the operator to discuss an interim and permanent plan for the protection of the newly added or newly discovered plant species. Within 60 days of the initial meeting with the operator, the department shall issue reasonable and feasible interim management measures required to protect the newly added or newly discovered plant species that take into account the economic impact on the surface mining operation. The department shall work with the operator to develop and finalize a reasonable memorandum of understanding for one of the purposes specified in Section 2081 for the protection of the newly added or newly discovered plant species as expeditiously as possible. Both the interim management measures and the final memorandum of understanding shall, to the extent feasible, avoid interference with ongoing surface mining operations. The department shall send a copy of the final memorandum of understanding to the lead agency that issued the permit to the operator for the lead agency's information.

(c) The surface mining operator shall pay a fee to the department in the amount the department determines is necessary to pay the department's actual costs incurred in preparing interim management measures and developing and finalizing a memorandum of understanding for the protection of the newly added or newly discovered plant species. The fees shall be deposited in the Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund and, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, are continuously appropriated to the department for purposes of implementing this section.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1148, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)