Missouri Mining Commission - PUB1257

Statute/ Authority

Statute 444.520

Number of Members

8

Number of Members Appointed by Governor

5

Legislative Approval

Senate confirmation is required for the five members appointed by the governor.

Membership Composition

The commission includes the state geologist, the director of the department of conservation, the director of staff of the clean water commission, and five other persons selected from the general public who shall have an interest in and knowledge of conservation and land reclamation, and one of whom shall in addition have training and experience in sub-surface mining, but not more than two can have a direct connection with the mining industry.

Terms

The terms are four years and shall continue until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified.

Political Affiliation

No more than three of the appointed members shall belong to the same political party.

Compensation

All members of the commission shall serve without compensation for their duties, but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

Geographic Consideration

The members of the commission must be residents of Missouri.

Responsibilities of the Commission/Members

The commission may:

• Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations
• Encourage and conduct investigation, research, experiments and demonstrations, and collect and disseminate information relating to mining and reclamation and conservation of lands and waters affected by mining
• Examine and pass on all applications and plans and specifications submitted by the operator for the method of operation and for the reclamation and conservation of the area of land affected
• Make investigations and inspections that are necessary to ensure compliance
• Order, after hearing, the revocation of any permit and to cease and desist operations for failure to comply with any of the provisions of law or any corrective order of the commission
• Order forfeiture of any bond for failure to comply with any provisions of law or any corrective order of the commission or other order of the commission
• Order, after hearing, an operator to adopt such corrective measures as are necessary to comply with the law
• Cause to be instituted in any court of competent jurisdiction legal proceedings for injunction or other appropriate relief to enforce this law and any order of the commission
• Retain, employ, provide for, and compensate such consultants, assistants, deputies,  clerks, and other employees on a full- or part-time basis as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of law and prescribe the times at which they shall be appointed and their powers and duties
• Study and develop plans for the reclamation of lands that have been strip mined prior to Sept. 28, 1971
• Accept, receive and administer grants or other funds or gifts from public and private agencies and individuals, including the federal government, for the purpose of carrying out any of the functions of law. The commission may promulgate such rules and regulations or enter into such contracts as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of this subdivision
• Budget and receive duly appropriated moneys for expenditures to carry out the provisions and purposes of law

Staff Contact

Guy Frazier, Director
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Land Reclamation Program
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
573-751-4041

Staff Assistant Contact

Steffanie Ruppel
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Land Reclamation Program
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
573-751-4041

Attorney General Office Contact

Timothy Duggan
Missouri Attorney General's Office
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0899
573-751-3321

Frequency of Meetings and Location(s)

Quarterly – once every 3 months, or as necessary. Meetings are the commission's discretion, usually located in Jefferson City.

Time Expended by Commissioners for Meetings and Preparation Thereof

Meetings 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (six hours); preparation/review of materials (four hours); and travel (four hours), for a total of 14 hours every other month.

Requirements for Inclusion of Items on Agenda

Submission to staff assistant on the first of the month with a meeting, about 20 days prior to meeting date.

Public Comment Opportunities at Meetings

The public is offered the opportunity to comment during a public meeting.