An annual inspection shall be conducted by the county for all active surface mining operations within six months of receipt of the operator’s annual report filed with the State Department of Conservation and upon payment of the inspection fee to the county. The purpose of the inspection is to evaluate continuing compliance with the permit and reclamation plan. A fee for such inspections is established by the county fee resolution. All inspections will be conducted using a form provided by the State Mining and Geology Board. An inspector shall not be used who has been employed by the mining operation in any capacity during the previous twelve months. The county will notify the operator and the state within thirty days of completion of the inspection and forward copies of the inspection form and any supporting documentation. Any surface mine subject to this inspection requirement for which the inspection fee remains unpaid thirty days or more from the time it becomes due constitutes grounds for revocation of such permit or plan. Surface mining operations which are determined to be in violation by the county or the state may be subject to administrative penalties not to exceed five thousand dollars per day, assessed from the original date of noncompliance, pursuant to Section 2774 of the Public Resources Code and as described in Section 23.10.022 of this title. (Ord. 2715 § 141 (part), 1995: Ord. 2592 § 9 (part), 1992)