Hardesty v. State Mining & Geology Bd.

In this suit under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) (Pub. Resources Code § 2710 et. seq. ),1 plaintiffs Joe and Yvette Hardesty (collectively, Hardesty), attack findings by the State Mining and Geology Board (Board). The Board's disputed findings conclude there are no vested rights to surface mine at the Big Cut Mine in El Dorado County (County, not a party herein). The findings in effect deny Hardesty a "grandfather" exemption from the need to obtain a County mining permit. (See § 2776, subd. (a).) The trial court denied Hardesty's mandamus petition, and Hardesty timely…