Or what if the company instead of pulling out of the ground 350 tons of earth per day can only pull out 70 tons of earth per day?
The BLM regulations establish three levels of authorization, (1) casual use, (2) notice level, and (3) plans of operations. Casual use involves minor activity with hand tools, no explosives, and no mechanized earth moving equipment. No permit is required. Notice level activities involve use of explosives and/or earth moving equipment. The total annual unreclaimed surface disturbance must not exceed 5 acres per calendar year. A plan of operations is required for all other surface disturbance activities. A full environmental assessment and reclamation bonding are required.
How much earth can they move in a day using only a pickax, shovel, hammer, pails and burros?