Whenever any surface-mining operation or portion of an operation subject to this chapter is sold, assigned, conveyed, exchanged, or otherwise transferred, the successor in interest shall be bound by the provisions of this chapter and shall notify the city hall and the maintenance department in writing of such transfer of ownership. Any existing financial assurances shall remain in force and shall not be released until new financial assurances are secured from the new successor in interest and approved in accordance with Section 2770 of the Public Resources Code and Section 17.52.090 of this chapter. (Ord. 95-01 § 15, 1995)