Like reclamation bonds required by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) you must provide a Washington reclamation bond to the Department of Natural Resources in that state if you intend to engage in any type of mining or petroleum exploration activity. The State of Washington defines “reclamation” as the rehabilitation of disturbed areas resulting from surface or underground mining. The basic objective of reclamation at mines is to reestablish the vegetative cover, soil stability, and water conditions at the site. As a second beneficial use, mines are reclaimed for fish and wildlife, grazing, forestry, wetlands, and commercial and industrial uses. The Washington mining reclamation blanket bond is required under The Surface Mining Act for each operation that: (1) results in more than 3 acres of mine-related disturbance, or (2) has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees (chapter 78.44 Revised Code of Washington [RCW], chapter 332-18 Washington Administrative Code [WAC]). The original Surface Mining Act was amended in 1993 to assure that every mine in the state is thoroughly reclaimed. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for ensuring that reclamation follows completion of surface and underground mining. The DNR has exclusive authority to regulate mine reclamation, approve Washington reclamation bonds, and approve reclamation plans. Reclamation bonds in general are long term, non-cancelable surety bond obligations. The Washington reclamation bond is no exception to the long term risk and subjective opinion of the regulator as to what is proper “reclamation”, however the Washington reclamation bond form DOES include a rare cancellation provision. The reclmation bond obligation guarantees performance of the requirements of the underlying operations permit and Chapter 78.44 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), relating to mining and the reclamation of land. “Proper” reclamation includes such things as topsoil preservation, slope restoration, resetting the topography to match surrounding land, and effective revegetation. Washington surety leader, Surety One, Inc. is the ‘No. 1’ bonding resource for any operation requiring reclamation bonding. We offer reclamation bond capacity for oil, coal, uranium, metal mining, and hydraulic fracturing “fracking”. We will write these for ALL state departments of environmental protection, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Visit us at www.ReclamationBonds.com, call (787) 333-0222 or (800) 373-2804, or email Underwriting@SuretyOne.com for Washington reclamation bond application materials or further information regarding reclamation surety bonds in any state.
