AB 323

Current law generally prohibits a person engaged in nonferrous metallic

mining or engaged in ferrous metallic mining (iron mining) from destroying or filling

in a lake bed. This general prohibition does not apply to a person engaged in certain

iron mining activities if the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a

permit authorizing the person to engage in those activities and the permit is issued

in accordance with various laws that regulate wetlands, surface water, or

groundwater. This bill eliminates the exceptions to the general prohibition against

destroying or filling in a lake bed so that the prohibition applies to a person engaged

in iron mining activities regardless of whether DNR has issued other permits for

those activities.

This bill also prohibits DNR from authorizing a person who is engaged in

nonferrous metallic mining or iron mining from destroying or filling in a reservoir

or flowage or from withdrawing water from a reservoir or flowage. Additionally, the

bill prohibits DNR from authorizing a person conducting drilling operations for the

exploration or production of oil or gas to withdraw water from a reservoir or flowage.