California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 5093.66

(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the enactment of this section is necessary in order to allow extraction and refinement of strategic metals at a site on Gasquet Mountain within the Smith River watershed.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 5093.54 or any other provisions of this chapter, Hardscrabble Creek and all of its tributaries, a tributary of the Smith River, are excluded from the system.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 5093.58 or any other provision of this chapter, Copper Creek and all of its tributaries, a tributary to the Smith River, located in Sections 26, 27, 28, 34, and 35 of Township 18 North, Range 1 East, within the County of Del Norte, are classified as recreational.

(d) In order to protect extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values within one-quarter mile of the north fork of the Smith River located in the County of Del Norte, no mining activity shall be permitted which would result in a significant adverse effect to these values within one-quarter mile of the north fork of the Smith River.

(e) Nothing in this section or Section 5093.67 is intended to modify or limit the regulatory authority of any state agency under any other provision of law.