Think of it kind of like a license to drive, but in this case a license to mill. All they have to do is pass a test and show proof of insurance. The payments are the insurance. Explaining how they will responsibly mill is the test. The test, (permit), is long, but almost over.
The state sets the standards for how the land will be reclaimed sometime in the future when milling activity stops. Bond payments are collected as insurance to make sure this happens.
It's a long and detailed process, but the company has really worked hard and done a pretty good job of wading through a red tape nightmare.
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