PURPOSE: This rule increases geologic resources fees for surface mining activities pursuant to section 256.700, RSMo.

1. (1) Any operator who applies for a permit pursuant to section 444.772, RSMo, except for operators of gravel mining operations where the annual tonnage of gravel mined by such operator is less than five thousand (5,000) tons, shall, in addition to all other authorized fees pursuant to such section, annually submit geologic resources fees as follows, in lieu of the amounts established in section 256.700.3, RSMo:

   1. (A) For each permit, a permit fee of seventy-five dollars ($75);
   2. (B) For each site listed on a permit, a site fee of seventy-five dollars ($75); and
   3. (C) For each acre permitted by the operator pursuant to section 444.772, RSMo, an acreage fee of eight dollars ($8) per acre for the first three hundred (300) acres and four dollars ($4) for each additional acre exceeding three hundred (300) acres.
2. (2) In no case shall the annual geologic resources fee portion for any permit issued under section 444.772, RSMo, be more than three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500).

AUTHORITY: section 256.700, RSMo Supp. 2024.* Original rule filed May 14, 2024, effective Jan. 30, 2025. *Original authority: 256.700, RSMo 2007, amended 2019, 2023.