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With a team of scientists
and other dedicated professionals, the
Department of Conservation administers a
variety of programs vital to California's
public safety, environment and economy. The
services DOC provides are designed to
balance today's needs with tomorrow's
obligations by fostering the wise use and
conservation of energy, land and mineral
resources.
Below, you'll find an overview of DOC
programs and links to more information.
Meet the DOC leadership team
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Beverage Container Recycling |
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By recycling glass, plastic, aluminum
and bimetal beverage containers,
Californians reduce litter while saving
energy, natural resources and landfill
space. The Department of Conservation
promotes bottle and can recycling
through education and outreach to
beverage retailers, consumers and
recycling centers.
Read an article about DOC's Division of
Recycling
Go to
the Division of Recycling
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Land Conservation |
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The Department of
Conservation administers or supports a
number of programs designed to promote
orderly growth in coordination with
agricultural endeavors. This is a
crucial job: The population of
California is expected to grow from its
current 34 million to 50 million by
2025, and the need for new homes will
put strain on the nation's leading
agricultural economy. Key DOC tools
available for land conservation planning
are conservation easement grants, tax
incentives to keep land in agriculture
or open space, and farmland mapping and
monitoring.
Read an article about DOC's Division of
Land Resource Protection
Go
to the Division of Land Resource
Protection
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Mine Reclamation |
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The reclamation of
mining land wasn't addressed in state
law before 1975. The Surface Mining and
Reclamation Act is the link between
producing the mineral products important
to California and protecting the
environment. Under SMARA, every mining
operation must have a permit to mine, an
approved reclamation plan (the mined
land must be restored or altered to a
condition agreed upon prior to mining),
and a sound financial ability to ensure
reclamation.
Read an article about DOC's Office of
Mine Reclamation
Go
to the Office of Mine Reclamation
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Geological Survey |
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In the United
States, only Alaska experiences more
earthquakes than California. Scientists
from DOC gather data on earthquakes and
map earthquake faults and related
hazards. This information is used to
make buildings and structures that are
better able to withstand earthquakes,
minimizing loss of life and property
damage. In addition, the Mineral
Resources Program gathers, analyzes and
distributes information on the state's
mineral resources to help prevent
valuable mineral deposits from being
lost.
Read an article about DOC's California
Geological Survey
Go to
the California Geological Survey
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Oil, Gas & Geothermal |
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DOC ensures the safe
exploration and development of energy
resources. It oversees the construction,
operation and closure of oil, gas and
geothermal wells, an important step in
guarding drinking and agricultural
waters against pollution. DOC also is
the clearinghouse for information about
the state's oil, gas and geothermal
industry, with more than 170,000 well
records, production and injection
statistics, well logs and field maps.
Read an article about DOC's Division of
Oil, Gas, & Geothermal Resources
Go to
the Division of Oil, Gas, & Geothermal
Resources
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State Mining & Geology Board |
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The State Mining
and Geology Board operates within the
Department of Conservation, and is
granted certain autonomous
responsibilities and obligations under
several statutes. The board's general
authority requires all nine board
members to "represent the general public
interest." The board serves as a
regulatory, policy and appeals body
representing the state's interest in
geology, geologic and seismologic
hazards, conservation of mineral
resources, and reclamation following
surface mining activities.
Go
the State Mining and Geology Board
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