Before making a determination pursuant to subdivision 45-6B-33(6), the board shall require the applicant to submit a socioeconomic impact study. The socioeconomic impact study shall be prepared at the operator's expense by a contractor approved by the board. An applicant may request board approval of a contractor at any time before or after filing a permit application.
The socioeconomic impact study shall evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed mining operation including the following areas:
(1) Population base;
(2) Employment and income;
(3) Tax base;
(4) Housing;
(5) Community services, including schools, law enforcement and fire protection, solid waste, water and wastewater, and roads; and
(6) Recreational opportunities or other beneficial uses of land within and adjacent to the permit area.
If applicable, a study shall include an evaluation of the cumulative impacts of the proposed operation considered together with existing operations in the surrounding region. If an applicant is required to submit a socioeconomic impact study to a county government pursuant to county zoning ordinance or requirements, the board shall determine upon receipt of an application for a mining operation permit whether the required county socioeconomic impact study will satisfy the board requirements for such a study as provided for in this section.