The operator of a nonmetallic mining site may report to the county at any time completion of reclamation for a portion of or the entire nonmetallic mining site pursuant to a reclamation plan prepared and approved pursuant to this chapter. Any report under this article shall be submitted on a form provided by the county.
The operator of a nonmetallic mining site may report completion of interim reclamation as specified in the reclamation plan for the site prepared and approved pursuant to this chapter. Reporting of interim reclamation shall be done according to the procedures in § 357-46.
A. 
Washington County shall inspect a nonmetallic mining site for which reporting of reclamation or interim reclamation has been submitted by the operator pursuant to this article and issue a determination in writing within 60 days of receipt of the report. The county may make a determination under this section that:
(1) 
Final reclamation is not yet complete;
(2) 
It is not possible to assess whether final reclamation is complete due to weather conditions, snow cover or other relevant factors;
(3) 
Final reclamation is complete in a part of the mine; or
(4) 
Final reclamation is fully complete.
B. 
If it is determined that interim or final reclamation is complete, including revegetation as specified in a reclamation plan that conforms with the requirements of this chapter, the county shall issue the mine operator a written certificate of completion for the applicable area.
If reclamation is certified by the county as complete under § 357-48 for part or all of a nonmetallic mining site, then:
A. 
No future annual fee shall be assessed under § 357-44 for the area so certified.
B. 
The financial assurance required by Article IV shall be released or appropriately reduced in the case of completion of final reclamation for a portion of the mining site.
C. 
For sites or portions of sites which are reported as interim reclaimed under § 357-47 and so certified under § 357-48, financial assurance for reclaiming the certified area may be reduced if the county determines that the balance remaining would be sufficient to ensure final reclamation for remaining portions of the site.
If within 60 days of receiving a report of completed reclamation, the county provides no written response as required by § 357-48, any annual fee paid to the county for the applicable area under § 357-44 shall be refunded.