(1) Purpose. The primary purpose of this Mineral Resource Land Overlay District (or “MRLOD”) system is to implement the mineral resource lands designation provisions of the Comprehensive Plan, as established pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170, by allowing the type of activity that encourages and supports the opportunity for long-term commercial mineral extraction. This system is also designed to discourage incompatible uses from locating upon those lands where the extraction of minerals is occurring or can be anticipated.

(2) The MRLOD shall be an overlay district that shall replace the existing (prior) underlying zoning designation through legislative approval of an amendment to the County’s zoning map.

(3) Existing surface mines having reclamation permits from the State DNR as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section will be granted MRLOD status through a County-initiated Comprehensive Plan amendment process.

(4) Former mining operations with an additional documented source of material that meets County Roads Department specifications or construction aggregate specifications that previously held State DNR reclamation permits may also be eligible for MRLOD designation as determined through the annual Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle.

(5) In addition, any site having a written classification score of 150 or more (and obtaining not less than 15 points from the category of “underlying geology”) shall automatically be granted MRLOD status upon its compliance with CCC 33.62.010.