(a) The supervisor, with the consultation of appropriate state and local agencies, may remediate or complete reclamation of abandoned mined lands that meet all of the following requirements: (1) No operator having both the responsibility and the financial ability to remediate or reclaim the mined lands can be found within the state. (2) No reclamation plan is in effect for the mined lands. (3) No financial assurances exist for the mined lands. (4) The mined lands are abandoned, as that term is used in paragraph (6) of subdivision (h) of Section 2770. (b) In deciding whether to act pursuant to subdivision (a), the supervisor shall consider whether the action would accomplish one of the following: (1) The protection of the public health and safety or the environment from the adverse effects of past surface mining operations. (2) The protection of property that is in danger as a result of past surface mining operations. (3) The restoration of land and water resources previously degraded by the adverse effects of surface mining operations. (c) The supervisor may also consider the potential liability to the state in deciding whether to act under this section. Neither the supervisor, the department, nor the state, or its appointees, employees, or agents, in conducting remediation or reclamation under this section, shall be liable under applicable state law, and it is the intent of the Legislature that those persons and entities not be liable for those actions under federal laws. (d) (1) The remediation or reclamation work performed under this section includes, but is not limited to, supervision of remediation or reclamation activities that, in the supervisorâs judgment, is required by the magnitude of the endeavor or the urgency for prompt action needed to protect the public health and safety or the environment. The action may be taken in default of, or in addition to, remedial work by any other person or governmental agency, and regardless of whether injunctive relief is being sought. (2) The supervisor may authorize the work to be performed through department staff, with the cooperation of any other governmental agency, or through contracts, and may use rented tools or equipment, either with or without operators furnished. (3) In cases of emergency where quick action is necessary, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the supervisor may enter into oral contracts for the work, and the contracts, whether written or oral, may include provisions for the rental of tools or equipment and in addition the furnishing of labor and materials necessary to accomplish the work. These emergency contracts are exempt from approval by the Department of General Services pursuant to Section 10295 of the Public Contract Code. (4) The supervisor shall be permitted reasonable access to the abandoned mined lands as necessary to perform any remediation or reclamation work. The access shall be obtained with the consent of the owner or possessor of the property or, if the consent is withheld or otherwise unobtainable, with a warrant duly issued pursuant to the procedure described in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. However, in the event of an emergency affecting the public health or safety, the supervisor may enter the property without consent or the issuance of a warrant. (e) For any remediation or reclamation work accomplished, or other necessary remedial action taken by any governmental agency, the operator, landowner, and the person or persons who allowed or caused any pollution or nuisance are liable to that governmental agency to the extent of the reasonable costs actually incurred in remediating, reclaiming, or taking other remedial action. The amount of the costs is recoverable in a civil action by, and paid to, the governmental agency and the supervisor to the extent of the supervisorâs contribution to the costs of the remediation, reclamation, cleanup, and abatement or other corrective
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