Chapter 517 — Mining and Mining Claims

2011 EDITION

MINING AND MINING CLAIMS

MINERAL RESOURCES

MINING CLAIMS

(Veins or Lodes)

517.010 Location of mining claims upon veins or lodes

517.030 Recording copy of location notice; fee

517.040 Abandoned claims

(Placer Deposits)

517.042 “Legal subdivision” defined for ORS 517.042 to 517.052

517.044 Location of claims upon placer deposits; posting notice

517.046 Marking boundaries of claim or locating by legal subdivisions

517.052 Recording copy of location notice; fee

(General Provisions)

517.060 Correcting defective notice of location

517.065 Effect of noncompliance with law in locating claim

517.070 Certain locations subject to prior rights

517.080 Mining claims as realty

517.090 Application to claims of law governing transfers and mortgages of realty

517.100 Sums payable on redemption of claim; interest

517.110 Grubstaking contracts

PROSPECTING, SMALL SCALE MINING AND RECREATIONAL MINING

517.120 Definitions for ORS 517.120 to 517.133

517.123 Legislative findings

517.125 Rules to be adopted in consultation with affected parties

517.128 Restricting access to open mining area or mining claim prohibited

517.130 Mineral trespass

517.133 Interfering with a mining operation

517.135 Exemption from crimes of mineral trespass and interfering with a mining operation

MILLSITES

517.160 Location of nonmineral land as millsite; notice; fee

EXTINGUISHING DORMANT MINERAL INTEREST

517.170 Policy

517.180 Procedure for extinguishing dormant mineral interest

ASSESSMENT WORK

517.210 Recording affidavit of annual compliance

517.220 Affidavit or lack thereof as evidence; recording fee

517.230 Performance of assessment work by co-owners

517.240 Failure of co-owner to contribute; notice

517.250 Form of notice; service; publication

517.260 Notice; return and proof of service

517.270 Vesting of interest of delinquent co-owner

517.280 Certificate of ownership; issuance

517.290 Fee for certificate

517.300 Effect of certificate; certified copy of certificate, notice and return admissible as evidence

517.310 Recording and indexing certificate; fee; effect

517.320 Counteraffidavits of delinquent owner; suit to quiet title; judgment

517.330 Accounting for fees

MINING LEASES

517.430 Use of timber by lessee

517.440 Lessee, licensee, or operator of mine deemed bailee of yield until payment of lessor and workers

MINERAL EXPLORATION

517.702 Legislative findings

517.705 Exploration permit; application; information required; confidentiality of production records, mineral assessments or trade secrets

517.710 Fees

517.715 Exemptions from permit requirement

517.720 Persons with operating permit exempted

517.725 Department inspection of exploration site

517.730 Drill hole or well abandonment; rules

517.735 Exploration on land administered by Department of State Lands

517.740 Rules

RECLAMATION OF MINING LANDS

(Generally)

517.750 Definitions for ORS 517.702 to 517.989

517.755 Mining operations affecting more than five acres

517.760 Policy

517.770 Exemptions from reclamation requirements

517.775 Permit fee for certain landowners and operators; erosion stabilization at mining operations exempt from reclamation

517.780 Effect on county zoning laws or ordinances; rules; certain operations exempt

517.795 Department to consult with and cooperate with other agencies

517.797 Memorandum of agreement with Department of State Lands regarding permitting

517.800 Fees; rules

517.810 Requirement for bond or security; rules; other security in lieu of bond

517.815 Reclamation bond pooling program; requirements; rules

517.820 Extensions of time for submission of proposed reclamation plans; time limit for reclamation completion; consultation with state agencies

517.831 Modification of operating permit or reclamation plan; opportunity for alternative dispute resolution

517.832 Emergency operating permit; rules

517.833 Transfer of operating permit; rules

517.834 Temporary operating permit; rules

517.835 Conditions on operating permit or reclamation plan to prevent impact on ground water

517.836 Surveying or marking surface mining operations; rules

517.837 Annual report by permittee; rules

517.840 Administration and enforcement of ORS 517.702 to 517.989; rules

517.850 Inspection of permit area

517.855 Disruption of portion of mining property preserved from mining

517.860 Effect of failure to comply with operating permit or reclamation plan; department may perform work and assess costs against bond or security

517.862 Revocation, termination or refusal to renew operating permit

517.865 Effect of failure to perform reclamation and insufficient bond; lien; notice; priority; foreclosure

517.870 Adjustment of bond or security of operator upon satisfactory completion of reclamation work

517.880 Order for suspension of surface mining operation operating without required permit; enjoining operation upon failure of operator to comply; completion of reclamation by department

517.890 Review of final determination

517.901 Confidentiality of production records, mineral assessments and trade secrets

(Nonaggregate Mineral Surface Mines)

517.905 Applicability of ORS 517.910 to 517.989

517.910 Definitions for ORS 517.910 to 517.989

517.915 Additional operating permit requirements for nonaggregate mineral mines; denial of permit if reclamation not possible

517.920 Permit application fees under ORS 517.910 to 517.989

517.925 Time limit for action on permit application

517.930 Department inspection

517.935 Limit on reclamation lien by department against nonaggregate mineral operator

517.940 Reclamation expenditure by department

517.950 Bond or security deposit for nonaggregate mineral operating permit

517.951 Legislative intent not to assume exclusive jurisdiction

CHEMICAL PROCESS MINING

(Generally)

517.952 Definitions for ORS 517.702 to 517.989

517.953 Policy

517.954 Application of ORS 517.952 to 517.989

(Chemical Process Mines)

517.956 Standards for chemical process mining operation; rules

517.957 Department coordination of activities of affected agencies

517.958 Compliance with preapplication process; purpose

517.959 Public notice requirements for ORS 517.952 to 517.989; master list of interested parties; fees

517.961 Notice of intent to submit application; posting of notice

517.963 Department duties upon receipt of notice of intent

517.965 Project coordinating committee

517.967 Technical review team

517.969 Collection of baseline data; public informational meetings; collection methodology

517.971 Consolidated application

517.973 Fees; payment of expenses of department and permitting and cooperating agencies

517.975 Distribution of completed consolidated application; notice of receipt of application

517.977 Preparation of draft permits; public hearing; determination of completeness of consolidated application

517.978 Review of application; additional information

517.979 Environmental evaluation; review of baseline data; payment of costs of third party contractor

517.980 Socioeconomic impact analysis

517.981 Draft permit and permit conditions; denial of permit; time limits; public hearing on draft permit

517.982 Final permits; permit conditions submitted by cooperating agencies

517.983 Consolidated contested case hearing; judicial review; stay of permit

517.984 Modification of permit; project coordinating committee

517.985 Rulemaking

517.986 Time limit for final action on permit subject to consolidated application process

517.987 Reclamation bond or security; annual assessment of cost of reclamation; lien; release of security; post-reclamation security

517.988 Permit conditions by State Department of Fish and Wildlife; violations of State Department of Fish and Wildlife conditions

517.989 Statutes and rules applicable to consolidated application

PENALTIES

517.990 Criminal penalties

517.992 Civil penalties; rules

MINING CLAIMS

(Veins or Lodes)

517.010 Location of mining claims upon veins or lodes. (1) Any person, a citizen of the United States, or one who has declared an intention to become such, who discovers a vein or lode of mineral-bearing rock in place upon the unappropriated public domain of the United States within this state, may locate a claim upon such vein or lode by posting thereon a notice of such discovery and location. The notice shall contain:

(a) The name of the lode or claim.

(b) The names of the locators.

(d) The number of linear feet claimed along the vein or lode each way from the point of discovery, with the width on each side of the lode or vein.

(e) The general course or strike of the vein or lode as nearly as may be, with reference to some natural object or permanent monument in the vicinity, and by defining the boundaries upon the surface of each claim so that the same may be readily traced.

(2)(a) Such boundaries shall be marked within 30 days after posting of such notice by four substantial posts, projecting not less than three feet above the surface of the ground, and made of wood measuring not less than one and one-half inch by one and one-half inch, or by substantial mounds of stone, or earth and stone, at least two feet in height, one such post or mound of rock at each corner of such claims.

(b) During the course of normal maintenance of the claim location posts or monuments, any post that requires replacement and is not constructed of naturally occurring materials shall be replaced by posts that are made of wood measuring not less than one and one-half inch by one and one-half inch on a side and that project not less than three feet above the surface of the ground.

(3) At such time as any lode mining claim is declared invalid by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management or is otherwise dropped by the last claim holder of record without transfer through lease or sale to another person, all claim location posts not made of natural materials shall be removed from the public domain of the United States and at the same time any post made of natural materials shall be removed or dismantled. [Amended by 1991 c.215 §1]

517.020 [Repealed by 1971 c.228 §1]

517.030 Recording copy of location notice; fee. The locator shall, within 60 days from the posting of the location notices by the locator upon the lode or claim, record with the clerk of the county where the claim is situated, who shall be the custodian of mining records and miners’ liens, a copy of the notice posted by the locator upon the lode or claim and shall pay the clerk a fee for such recording as provided in ORS 205.320, which sum the clerk shall immediately pay over to the treasurer of the county and shall take a receipt therefor, as in case of other county funds coming into the possession of such officer. The clerk shall immediately record the location notice. [Amended by 1971 c.228 §2; 1971 c.621 §33; 1973 c.598 §4; 1975 c.607 §36; 1979 c.833 §31; 1991 c.230 §25; 1999 c.654 §28]

517.040 Abandoned claims. Abandoned claims are unappropriated mineral lands, and titles thereto shall be obtained as specified in ORS 517.010 and 517.030, without reference to any work previously done thereon.

(Placer Deposits)

517.042 “Legal subdivision” defined for ORS 517.042 to 517.052. As used in ORS 517.042 to 517.052, unless the context requires otherwise, “legal subdivision” means a subdivision of a state survey or of a United States survey which has been extended over the geographic area to be described. [1961 c.525 §1]

517.044 Location of claims upon placer deposits; posting notice. Any individual, a citizen of the United States, or one who has declared an intention to become such, who discovers a placer deposit of minerals upon the unappropriated public domain of the United States within this state, which minerals are subject to location under the mineral and mining laws of the United States, may locate a placer claim thereon by posting in a conspicuous place thereon a notice of such discovery and location. The notice shall contain:

(1) The name of the claim.

(2) The name of the individual or individuals locating the claim.

(3) The date of the location of the claim.

(4) The number of feet or acres claimed, together with a description, either by legal subdivisions, if practicable, or if not, then by reference to some natural object or permanent monument in the vicinity of the claim, which will identify the claim located. [1961 c.525 §2]

517.046 Marking boundaries of claim or locating by legal subdivisions. (1) Unless the claim for placer deposit referred to in ORS 517.044 is located by legal subdivisions, the surface boundaries of the claim must be marked so that the same may be readily traced. Such boundaries shall be marked within 30 days after the posting of the notice described in ORS 517.044 by substantial posts or other monuments of the same size, materials and dimensions as in the case of quartz claims. The boundaries of the claim shall be marked at each corner or angle, and, when any side or end of the claim extends for more than 1,320 feet without a corner or angle, then at intervals of not less than 1,320 feet along such side or end.

(2) Where the claim for placer deposit referred to in ORS 517.044 is taken by legal subdivisions, no other reference in the notice of claim required to be posted and filed under the provisions of ORS 517.042 to 517.052 than to the legal subdivisions shall be required and the boundaries of a claim so located and described need not be staked or monumented. The description by legal subdivisions in the notice required to be filed under ORS 517.052 shall be deemed the equivalent of marking the surface boundaries of the claim. [1961 c.525 §3]

517.048 [1961 c.525 §4; repealed by 1971 c.228 §1]

517.050 [Renumbered as part of 517.065]

517.052 Recording copy of location notice; fee. The individual locating a placer deposit shall, within 60 days from the posting of the location notice upon the claim, record with the clerk of the county where the claim is situated, a copy of the notice posted by the individual upon the claim. The fee for recording such location notice shall be the fee provided for in ORS 205.320. The clerk shall immediately record the location notice. [1961 c.525 §5; 1971 c.228 §3; 1991 c.230 §26; 1999 c.654 §29]

(General Provisions)

517.060 Correcting defective notice of location. If at any time an individual who has located a mining claim within the meaning of ORS 517.010 or 517.044, or the assigns of the individual, apprehends that the original notice of location of the mining claim was defective, erroneous, or that the requirements of the law had not been complied with before the filing of the notice, such locator or assigns may post and record in the manner now provided by law, an amended notice of the location which shall relate back to the date of the original location. However, the posting and recording of the amended notice of location shall not interfere with the existing rights of others at the time of posting the amended notice. [Amended by 1961 c.525 §7; 1991 c.230 §27]

517.065 Effect of noncompliance with law in locating claim. (1) Subject to ORS 517.060, all locations or attempted locations of quartz mining claims subsequent to December 31, 1898, that do not comply with ORS 517.010 and 517.030 are void.

(2) Except as provided in ORS 517.060, all locations or attempted locations of placer mining claims made after August 9, 1961, that do not comply with the provisions of ORS 517.042 to 517.052 are void. [Subsection (1) formerly 517.050; subsection (2) enacted as 1961 c.525 §6]

517.070 Certain locations subject to prior rights. Any location of any mining claim made upon any natural stream, or contiguous or near to any placer mine, or upon or below the dump of any placer mine, shall be subject to the prior right of all mines in operation prior to the making of such location, to discharge debris, gravel, earth, and slickens which were or may be discharged at the time of making such subsequent location.

517.080 Mining claims as realty. All mining claims, whether quartz or placer, are real estate. The owner of the possessory right thereto has a legal estate therein within the meaning of ORS 105.005.

517.090 Application to claims of law governing transfers and mortgages of realty. All conveyances of mining claims or of interests therein, either quartz or placer, whether patented or unpatented, are subject to the provisions governing transfers and mortgages of other realty as to execution, recordation, foreclosure, execution sale and redemption. However, such redemption by the judgment debtor must take place within 60 days from date of confirmation, or such right is lost. [Amended by 2003 c.14 §339]

517.100 Sums payable on redemption of claim; interest. In case of redemption from sale under judgment, the redemptioner shall pay such sums as are now required by law for redemption under execution sale, and such additional sum as may have been expended upon the property so redeemed by the purchaser under execution, or the assigns of the purchaser, in order to keep alive the possessory right thereto after the execution sale, not exceeding $100 for each claim, with 10 percent interest thereon from date of such expenditures. [Amended by 2003 c.576 §466]

517.110 Grubstaking contracts. All contracts of mining copartnership, commonly known as “grubstaking,” shall be in writing, and recorded with the clerk of the county wherein the locations thereunder are made. Unless contracts of mining copartnership contain the names of the parties thereto and the duration thereof, the contracts are void. [Amended by 1991 c.230 §28]

PROSPECTING, SMALL SCALE MINING AND RECREATIONAL MINING

517.120 Definitions for ORS 517.120 to 517.133. As used in ORS 517.120 to 517.133:

(1) “Mining” means the removal of gold, silver or other precious minerals from aggregate or a vein of ore.

(2) “Mining claim” means a portion of the public lands claimed for the valuable minerals occurring in those lands and for which the mineral rights are obtained under federal law or a right that is recognized by the United States Bureau of Land Management and given an identification number.

(3) “Prospecting” means to search or explore, using motorized or nonmotorized methods, for samples of gold, silver or other precious minerals from among small quantities of aggregate or ore.

(4) “Recreational mining” means mining in a manner that is consistent with a hobby or casual use, including use on public lands set aside or withdrawn from mineral entry for the purpose of recreational mining, or using pans, sluices, rocker boxes, other nonmotorized equipment and dredges with motors of 16 horsepower or less and a suction nozzle of four inches or less in diameter.

(5) “Small scale mining” means mining on a valid federal mining claim operating under a notice of intent or plan of operations while using whatever equipment is necessary, as approved by the notice of intent or plan of operations, to locate, remove and improve the claim. [1999 c.354 §1]

Note: 517.120 to 517.135 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 517 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.123 Legislative findings. The Legislative Assembly finds that prospecting, small scale mining and recreational mining:

(1) Are important parts of the heritage of the State of Oregon;

(2) Provide economic benefits to the state and local communities; and

(3) Can be conducted in a manner that is not harmful and may be beneficial to fish habitat and fish propagation. [1999 c.354 §2]

Note: See note under 517.120.

517.125 Rules to be adopted in consultation with affected parties. Any rule pertaining to recreational or small scale mining adopted after June 28, 1999, shall be adopted in consultation with affected parties. [1999 c.354 §3]

Note: See note under 517.120.

517.128 Restricting access to open mining area or mining claim prohibited. A person may not attempt to restrict access to any open mining area or valid mining claim or to harass or interfere in any way with a person engaged in lawful mining activities. [1999 c.354 §4]

Note: See note under 517.120.

517.130 Mineral trespass. (1) As used in this section:

(a) “Bedrock sluice” means a wood or metal flume or trough that is permanently attached to the bedrock of the creek and is equipped with transverse riffles across the bottom of the unit and used to recover heavy mineral sands.

(b) “Deface” includes but is not limited to altering, pulling down, damaging or destroying.

(c) “Dredge” means a subsurface hose from 1.5 to 10 inches in diameter that is powered by an engine and is used to draw up auriferous material that is then separated in the sluice portion of the unit.

(d) “Flume” means a trough used to convey water.

(e) “Quartz mill” means a facility for processing ores or gravel.

(f) “Rocker box” means a unit constructed of a short trough attached to curved supports that allow the unit to be rocked from side to side.

(g) “Sluice box” means a portable unit constructed of a wood or metal flume or trough equipped with transverse riffles across the bottom of the unit and that is used to recover heavy mineral sands.

(2) A person commits the crime of mineral trespass if the person intentionally and without the permission of the claim holder:

(a) Enters a mining claim posted as required in ORS 517.010 or 517.044 and disturbs, removes or attempts to remove any mineral from the claim site;

(b) Tampers with or disturbs a flume, rocker box, bedrock sluice, sluice box, dredge, quartz mill or other mining equipment at a posted mining claim; or

(c) Defaces a location stake, side post, corner post, landmark, monument or posted written notice within a posted mining claim.

(3) Mineral trespass is a Class C misdemeanor. [1999 c.354 §5]

Note: See note under 517.120.

517.133 Interfering with a mining operation. (1) As used in this section, “lawful mining operation” means any small scale mining operation that is in full compliance with state and federal laws.

(2) A person commits the crime of interfering with a mining operation if the person intentionally:

(a) Interferes with a lawful mining operation; or

(b) Stops, or causes to be stopped, a lawful mining operation.

(3) Interfering with a mining operation is a Class C misdemeanor. [1999 c.354 §6]

Note: See note under 517.120.

517.135 Exemption from crimes of mineral trespass and interfering with a mining operation. (1) ORS 517.128 to 517.133 do not apply to conduct that would otherwise constitute an offense when it is required or authorized by law or judicial decree or is performed by a public servant in the reasonable exercise of official powers, duties or functions.

(2) As used in subsection (1) of this section, “laws or judicial decrees” includes but is not limited to:

(a) Laws defining duties and functions of public servants;

(b) Laws defining duties of private citizens to assist public servants in the performance of certain of their functions; and

Note: See note under 517.120.

MILLSITES

517.160 Location of nonmineral land as millsite; notice; fee. (1) The proprietor of a vein or lode, or placer claim, or the owner of a quartz mill or reduction works, may locate not more than five acres of nonmineral land as a millsite. Such locations shall be made in the same manner as provided in ORS 517.044 for locating placer claims, except that no discovery or location work is required. Where a millsite is appurtenant to a mining claim, either lode or placer, the notice of location of such millsite shall describe by appropriate reference the mining claim to which it is appurtenant.

(2) The locator of a millsite shall, within 30 days from the date of posting a notice thereon, record a copy thereof with the same county officer. The fee for recording such location notice shall be the fee provided for in ORS 205.320. Such location notices shall be recorded in the same manner as location notices of quartz or placer claims but need have no affidavit of location work attached. [1963 c.123 §1; 1999 c.654 §30]

EXTINGUISHING DORMANT MINERAL INTEREST

517.170 Policy. It is in the interest of the State of Oregon to provide a mechanism for the removal of dormant encumbrances on property which prevent a landowner from using or developing that property in a manner which contributes to the economy and increases the state’s tax base. [1983 c.421 §1]

517.180 Procedure for extinguishing dormant mineral interest. (1) An owner of land in which another person holds a mineral interest, may extinguish the holder’s interest by publishing notice and submitting an affidavit of publication for recording as described in subsections (4) to (9) of this section, unless:

(a) Within the last 30 years, the holder of the mineral interest has submitted a statement of claim for recording in the manner set out in subsection (3) of this section; or

(b) The holder of the mineral interest acquired the mineral interest within the previous 30 years.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “Mineral interest” includes any interest that is created by an instrument transferring, either by grant, assignment, reservation or otherwise, an interest of any kind in coal, oil, gas or other minerals and geothermal resources, except an interest vested in the United States, the State of Oregon or a political subdivision of the State of Oregon. A mineral interest does not include an interest in sand or gravel.

(b) “Owner of land” includes a vested fee simple owner or a contract purchaser.

(3) The statement of claim referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be submitted for recording in the office of the clerk of the county in which the land affected by the mineral interest is located and shall contain:

(a) The name and address of the holder of the mineral interest as that name is shown in the instrument that created the original mineral interest; and

(b) The name and address of the current holder of the mineral interest.

(4) To extinguish the mineral interest held by another person, and acquire ownership of that interest, the owner of the land shall publish notice of the lapse of the mineral interest at least once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the lands affected by the mineral interest are located. If the address of the mineral interest holder is known or can be determined by due diligence, the notice shall also be mailed by the owner of the land to the holder of the mineral interest before the first publication.

(5) The notice required in subsection (4) of this section shall include:

(a) The name of the holder of the mineral interest, as shown of record;

(b) A reference to the instrument creating the original mineral interest, including where it is recorded;

(d) The name and address of the person giving the notice;

(e) The date of first publication of the notice; and

(f) A statement that the holder of the mineral interest must submit a statement of claim to the county clerk within 60 days after the date of the last publication or the mineral interest of the holder may be extinguished.

(6) A copy of the notice and an affidavit of publication of the notice, as described in subsection (7) of this section, shall be submitted to the county clerk within 15 days after the date of the last publication of the notice in the office of the clerk of the county where the lands affected by the mineral interest are located.

(7) The affidavit of publication shall contain either:

(a) A statement that a copy of the notice was mailed to the holder of the mineral interest and the address to which it was mailed; or

(b) If no copy of the notice was mailed, a detailed description, including dates, of the efforts made to determine with due diligence the address of the holder of the mineral interest.

(8) If the owner of the land affected by the mineral interest gives notice as required in subsection (4) of this section and submits a copy of the notice and the affidavit of publication for recording as required by subsection (6) of this section, the mineral interest of the holder shall be extinguished and become the property of the owner of the lands, unless the holder of the mineral interest submits a statement of claim to the county clerk within 60 days after the date of the last publication of the notice.

(9) Upon receipt, the clerk of the county shall record a statement of claim or a notice and affidavit of publication of notice in the Mineral and Mining Record. When possible, the clerk shall also indicate by marginal notation on the instrument creating the original mineral interest the recording of the statement of claim or notice and affidavit of publication of notice. The clerk of the county shall record a statement of claim by cross-referencing in the Mineral and Mining Record the name of the current holder of the mineral interest and the name of the original holder of the mineral interest as set out in the statement of claim.

(10) The provisions of this section may not be waived at any time. [1983 c.421 §2; 1997 c.819 §10; 1999 c.654 §31]

ASSESSMENT WORK

517.210 Recording affidavit of annual compliance. Within 30 days after the performance of labor or making of improvements, or making federal fee payments required by law to be annually performed or made upon any mining claim, the person in whose behalf such labor was performed or improvement or payment was made, or someone in behalf of the person, knowing the facts, shall make and have recorded in the Mineral and Mining Record of the county in which the mining claim is situated, an affidavit setting forth:

(1) The name of the claim or claims if grouped and a reference to the record where the location notice of each such claim is recorded.

(2) The number of days’ work done and the character and value of the improvements placed thereon, together with their location.

(3) The dates of performing the labor and making the improvements.

(4) At whose instance or request the work was done or improvements made.

(5) The actual amount paid for the labor and improvements, and by whom paid, when the same was not done by the claim owner.

(6) That the federal fee requirements have been met by the owner or agent and that the owner or agent intends to hold the claim in good standing for the applicable assessment year. [Amended by 1993 c.443 §1; 1999 c.654 §32]

517.220 Affidavit or lack thereof as evidence; recording fee. The affidavit described in ORS 517.210, when so recorded, or a duly certified copy thereof, is prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. Failure to file such affidavit within the prescribed time is prima facie evidence that such labor has not been done. The fee for recording the affidavit shall be the fee provided by ORS 205.320. [Amended by 1971 c.621 §34; 1975 c.607 §37; 1979 c.833 §32; 1991 c.230 §29; 1999 c.654 §33]

517.230 Performance of assessment work by co-owners. Whenever any quartz or placer mines are owned by one or more persons, or are owned in common by any persons, any person owning any legal or equitable interest in the mines may perform the annual assessment work upon them which is required by the laws of the United States and Oregon. Such work, when it complies with said laws, shall protect the mines from relocation.

517.240 Failure of co-owner to contribute; notice. Upon failure of any co-owner of any mine to contribute that co-owner’s proportion of expenditures required in assessment work, or to perform or pay for such proportion, the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the labor or assessment work, may, at the expiration of the year for which the assessment work was performed, give the delinquent co-owner notice that the assessment work for that year has been performed, stating by whom performed, the amount of work performed and the dates between which it was performed; together with a statement of the amount due from the delinquent co-owner for the delinquent co-owner’s proportion of the work, and requiring the delinquent co-owner, within 90 days from the date of service of the notice, to pay to the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed such work, the delinquent co-owner’s proportion. The notice shall further state that if the delinquent co-owner fails or refuses to contribute the proportion due for the work, the interest of the delinquent co-owner in the mine will become the property of the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work.

517.250 Form of notice; service; publication. The notice shall be in writing and signed by the co-owner who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work. It shall be served upon the delinquent co-owner personally by the sheriff of the county in which the mine is situated, if the delinquent co-owner is within the county. If the delinquent co-owner can be found in any other county, then the notice shall be served by the sheriff of that county. If the delinquent co-owner cannot be found within the state, or if at the time of giving the notice the delinquent co-owner is without the state, service of the notice shall be made by publication thereof in the weekly newspaper published in the county nearest to where the mine is situated. If there are two or more papers published in the county at the same distance from the mine, the co-owner giving notice may elect in which paper the notice shall be published. If no weekly newspaper is published within the county, service of the notice shall be made by publication in any other weekly newspaper within the state published nearest the mine. The notice shall be published at least once a week for a period of 90 days after the first publication.

517.260 Notice; return and proof of service. If the notice is served by any sheriff as provided in ORS 517.250, the sheriff shall make return by filing the notice with the return showing service with the county recorder, or if there is none, with the county clerk, for the county within which the mine is situated. If personal service cannot be had as provided in ORS 517.250, proof of service shall be made by filing with the county recorder, or if there is none, with the county clerk of the county in which the mine is situated, the notice as published, attached to an affidavit made by the printer, foreman, or publisher of the newspaper, to the effect that it is of general circulation throughout the county, is published weekly, and that the notice was published at least once a week in that newspaper for a period of not less than 90 days after the first publication of the notice.

517.270 Vesting of interest of delinquent co-owner. If at the expiration of 90 days from the date of personal service of the notice upon the delinquent co-owner or from the date of the last publication of the notice, the delinquent co-owner has not paid the proportion of the delinquent co-owner to the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work, the title to the interest of the delinquent co-owner in the mine shall be immediately vested in the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work.

517.280 Certificate of ownership; issuance. The co-owners who performed the assessment work may file with the county clerk of the county where the mine is situated, their affidavits that the payment has not been made. Upon the filing of such affidavits, the clerk shall record the notice, proof of service and affidavits in the Mineral and Mining Record. The clerk shall then and there issue to the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work, a certificate to the effect that the clerk has recorded the notice, proof of service and affidavits of nonpayment, and that the co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work have become and are the owners of all the right, title and interest of the delinquent co-owner or co-owners of the property. [Amended by 1991 c.230 §30; 1999 c.654 §34]

517.290 Fee for certificate. The certificate described in ORS 517.280 shall not be issued until the co-owners entitled to it pay to the clerk a fee as set by ORS 205.320. [Amended by 1971 c.621 §35; 1975 c.607 §38; 1979 c.833 §33; 1991 c.230 §31]

517.300 Effect of certificate; certified copy of certificate, notice and return admissible as evidence. (1) A certificate issued as provided in ORS 517.280 shall be equivalent to a deed from a delinquent co-owner of all the interest of the delinquent co-owner in and to all mines described in the notice, and shall convey the interest of the delinquent co-owner in the premises to the co-owner or co-owners who performed or caused to be performed the assessment work. The certificate may be introduced in evidence in any cause where ownership of the property may become material. When so introduced, it shall have the same force and effect as would a duly executed and delivered deed from the delinquent co-owner.

(2) A certified copy of the certificate, and of the notice and return, when made and certified to by the county clerk, shall be admissible in evidence in any trial where it is material to establish proof of service of the notice or ownership of the property.

517.310 Recording and indexing certificate; fee; effect. The certificate given by the county clerk shall be recorded in the office of the officer issuing it, upon payment of the fee established under ORS 205.320. The officer shall record and index the certificates in the Mineral and Mining Record. Such indexing and recording shall have the same force and effect as the indexing and recording of deeds to other real property, and shall give like constructive notice. [Amended by 1999 c.654 §35]

517.320 Counteraffidavits of delinquent owner; suit to quiet title; judgment. If prior to the issuing of the certificate there has been filed with the county clerk an affidavit by the delinquent co-owner that the payment has been made, the clerk shall not issue a certificate, but the parties shall be left to establish such fact by suit to quiet the title to the premises. If in the suit it appears either that the assessment work was not performed by the co-owners claiming to have performed it, or that the delinquent co-owner has performed or paid the delinquent co-owner’s proportion of the assessment work, a judgment shall be entered in the suit to that effect; but if it is established that the assessment has been performed by or has been caused to be performed by the co-owners so claiming and that the delinquent co-owner has not performed or paid the delinquent co-owner’s proportion, a judgment shall be entered providing that the co-owners who performed the assessment work to be the owners of all the interest of the delinquent co-owner in the premises. The judgment shall be entitled to record in the Mineral and Mining Record kept by the county clerk in the county, and shall be indexed in the Mineral and Mining Record for the county. [Amended by 1999 c.654 §36; 2003 c.576 §467]

517.330 Accounting for fees. All fees collected under ORS 517.290 and 517.310 are the property of the county in which they are collected, and shall be accounted for by the officer collecting them as other recording fees are accounted for.

517.410 [Amended by 1961 c.419 §1; part renumbered 273.920; remainder renumbered 273.355]

517.420 [Amended by 1955 c.528 §1; 1961 c.419 §2; 1983 c.740 §206; repealed by 1993 c.340 §2]

MINING LEASES

517.430 Use of timber by lessee. (1) The lessee of the Department of State Lands under ORS 273.551 may use down timber found on the premises for fuel, and may cut and use green timber in the construction of buildings required in the operation of a mine on the premises, or for lining test pits or shafts, or for timbering drifts or excavations, or for other mining purposes, but for no other purpose.

(2) The lessee of the State Forester under ORS 273.551 may use down timber found on the premises for fuel and may cut and use green timber for lining test pits or shafts, or for timbering drifts or excavations, or for other mining purposes, but for no other purpose. [Amended by 1953 c.65 §5]

517.440 Lessee, licensee, or operator of mine deemed bailee of yield until payment of lessor and workers. Any lessee, licensee, or person other than the owner, who operates or works a mine, lode, mining claim, or deposit yielding metal or mineral of any kind, has custody and control of whatever metal or mineral may be produced in such operation or work, as bailee only and not as owner, until the sum due the lessor is paid and the wages due from such lessee to the lessor or to any worker who has performed labor under contract of service on, in or about such mine, lode, mining claim, or deposit are wholly paid.

517.450 [Repealed by 1971 c.743 §432]

517.510 [Repealed by 1993 c.742 §114]

517.520 [Repealed by 1993 c.742 §114]

517.530 [Repealed by 1993 c.742 §114]

517.540 [Repealed by 1993 c.742 §114]

517.550 [Repealed by 1993 c.742 §114]

517.610 [Repealed by 1953 c.188 §2]

517.611 [1957 c.580 §1; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.620 [Repealed by 1953 c.188 §2]

517.621 [1957 c.580 §2; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.630 [Repealed by 1953 c.188 §2]

517.631 [1957 c.580 §3; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.640 [Repealed by 1953 c.188 §2]

517.641 [1957 c.580 §4; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.650 [1957 c.580 §5; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.660 [1957 c.580 §6; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.670 [1957 c.580 §7; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.680 [1957 c.580 §8; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.690 [1957 c.580 §9; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

517.700 [1957 c.580 §10; repealed by 1987 c.260 §1]

MINERAL EXPLORATION

517.702 Legislative findings. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) Mineral exploration is recognized as an integral part of the mineral industry with inherently less risk to the environment than surface or underground mining operations.

(b) Mineral exploration assists in the orderly identification of mineral resources in the state.

(2) The Legislative Assembly, therefore, declares that the purposes of ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920 are to encourage efficient and environmentally sound identification and development of the mineral resources of this state. [Formerly 517.960]

517.705 Exploration permit; application; information required; confidentiality of production records, mineral assessments or trade secrets. (1) Any person engaging in onshore exploration that disturbs more than one surface acre or involves drilling to greater than 50 feet shall obtain an exploration permit. Prior to receiving an exploration permit, an applicant shall submit a permit application on a form provided by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Information required shall include the information necessary to assess impacts of the proposed exploration, including but not limited to:

(a) The name and address of the surface owner and mineral owner.

(b) The names and addresses of the persons conducting the exploration.

(d) A brief description of the exploration activities, including but not limited to:

(A) The amount of road to be constructed;

(B) The number, depth and location of proposed drill holes;

(D) The number, length, width and depth of exploration trenches.

(e) Provisions for the reclamation of surface disturbance caused by exploration activities.

(f) Exploration drill hole or monitoring well abandonment procedures, including but not limited to:

(A) The capping of all holes;

(B) The plugging of any hole producing surface flow; and

(g) A map with the location of the proposed exploration and delineation of exploration boundaries.

(2) Any production records, mineral assessments or trade secrets submitted as part of the application under subsection (1) of this section shall be confidential. [Formerly 517.962; 1999 c.492 §11]

517.710 Fees. (1) A fee, not to exceed $400 shall accompany the application described in ORS 517.705. The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may renew the permit annually on the anniversary date of the issuance of the permit, provided the person conducting the exploration is not in violation of any provision of ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920 and pays a renewal fee not to exceed $300.

(2) A permit shall be subject to suspension and revocation as provided by ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920. [Formerly 517.964]

517.715 Exemptions from permit requirement. (1) When exploration will result in less than one acre of surface disturbance or drilling to 50 feet or less, any person conducting exploration is exempted from the requirements of the permit procedure described in ORS 517.702 to 517.740. However, nothing in this section exempts a person from the requirements of ORS chapter 273 or the requirements of other departments.

(2) All mineral exploration drill holes shall comply with the abandonment procedures specified in ORS 517.705 (1)(f). [Formerly 517.966; 1999 c.492 §12]

517.720 Persons with operating permit exempted. The provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.740 do not apply if the applicant has obtained an operating permit, described in ORS 517.790, for the area described in the exploration permit. [Formerly 517.968; 1999 c.492 §13]

517.725 Department inspection of exploration site. (1) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may inspect the exploration site prior to initiation of exploration to review the existing environmental conditions, assess impacts of the proposed exploration and establish the amount of financial assurance required.

(2) The department may inspect lands not later than 60 days following notification by the person conducting the exploration that reclamation is complete. If the department determines that the reclamation complies with the approved reclamation plan, including establishment of vegetation, the department may release the bond or other security required by ORS 517.810 within 60 days of that determination.

(3) The department is authorized to inspect any ongoing exploration site in order to establish compliance with ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920. [Formerly 517.970]

517.730 Drill hole or well abandonment; rules. (1) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall consult with the Water Resources Department on the development of rules covering drill hole or monitoring well abandonment procedures, including procedures for the abandonment of holes and wells for which no exploration permit is required in ORS 517.705.

(2) Nothing in ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920 prohibits the conversion of exploration drill holes or monitoring wells to water wells, provided that the conversion conforms to the standards and rules of the Water Resources Department. [Formerly 517.972]

517.735 Exploration on land administered by Department of State Lands. The Department of State Lands and the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall coordinate the regulation of any exploration project on land administered by the Department of State Lands. [Formerly 517.974]

517.740 Rules. In consultation with the Environmental Quality Commission, Water Resources Commission and the State Land Board, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries governing board shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810, 517.910 and 517.920. [Formerly 517.976]

RECLAMATION OF MINING LANDS

(Generally)

517.750 Definitions for ORS 517.702 to 517.989. As used in ORS 517.702 to 517.989, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Board” means the governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

(2) “Completion” means termination of surface mining activities including reclamation of the surface-mined land in accordance with the approved reclamation plan and operating permit.

(3) “Department” means the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

(4) “Exploration” means all activities conducted on or beneath the surface of the earth for the purpose of determining presence, location, extent, grade or economic viability of a deposit. “Exploration” does not include prospecting or chemical processing of minerals.

(5) “Explorer” means, notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 517.810 (2), any individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, agency, board or department of this state, any municipality, partnership, association, firm, trust, estate or any other legal entity whatsoever that is engaged in exploration.

(6) “Landowner” means:

(a) The person possessing fee title to the natural mineral deposit being surface mined or explored; and

(b) The owner of an equitable interest in land that is subject to a deed of trust.

(7) “Minerals” includes soil, coal, clay, stone, sand, gravel, metallic ore and any other solid material or substance excavated for commercial, industrial or construction use from natural deposits situated within or upon lands in this state.

(8) “Operator” means any individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, agency, board or department of this state, any municipality, partnership, association, firm, trust, estate or any other legal entity whatsoever that is engaged in surface mining operations.

(9) “Overburden” means the soil, rock and similar materials that lie above natural deposits of minerals.

(10) “Person” means any person, any federal agency or any public body, as defined in ORS 174.109.

(11) “Processing” includes, but is not limited to, crushing, washing, milling and screening as well as the batching and blending of mineral aggregate into asphalt and portland cement concrete located within the operating permit area.

(12) “Reclamation” means the employment in a surface mining operation or exploration of procedures reasonably designed to:

(a) Minimize, as much as practicable, the adverse effects of the surface mining operation or exploration on land, air and water resources; and

(b) Provide for the rehabilitation of surface resources adversely affected by the surface mining operations or exploration through the rehabilitation of plant cover, soil stability and water resources and through other measures that contribute to the subsequent beneficial use of the explored, mined or reclaimed lands.

(13) “Reclamation plan” means a written proposal, submitted to the department as required by ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and subsequently approved by the department as provided in ORS 517.702 to 517.989, for the reclamation of the land area adversely affected by a surface mining operation or exploration and including, but not limited to the following information:

(a) Proposed measures to be undertaken by the operator in protecting the natural resources of adjacent lands.

(b) Proposed measures for the rehabilitation of the explored or surface-mined lands and the procedures to be applied.

(c) The procedures to be applied in the surface mining operation or exploration to control the discharge of contaminants and the disposal of surface mining refuse.

(d) The procedures to be applied in the surface mining operation or exploration in the rehabilitation of affected stream channels and stream banks to a condition minimizing erosion, sedimentation and other factors of pollution.

(e) The map required by ORS 517.790 (1)(e) and such other maps and supporting documents as may be requested by the department.

(f) A proposed time schedule for the completion of reclamation operations.

(g) Requirements of the exploration permit.

(14) “Surface impacts of underground mining” means all waste materials produced by underground mining and placed upon the surface including, but not limited to, waste dumps, mill tailings, washing plant fines and all surface subsidence related to underground mining.

(15)(a) “Surface mining” includes:

(A) All or any part of the process of mining minerals by the removal of overburden and the extraction of natural mineral deposits thereby exposed by any method by which more than 5,000 cubic yards of minerals are extracted or by which at least one acre of land is affected within a period of 12 consecutive calendar months, including open-pit mining operations, auger mining operations, processing, surface impacts of underground mining, production of surface mining refuse and the construction of adjacent or off-site borrow pits (except those constructed for use as access roads).

(B) Removal or filling, or both, within the beds or banks of any waters of this state that is the subject of a memorandum of agreement between the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in which the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries is assigned sole responsibility for permitting as described in ORS 517.797.

(b) “Surface mining” does not include:

(A) Excavations of sand, gravel, clay, rock or other similar materials conducted by the landowner or tenant for the primary purpose of construction, reconstruction or maintenance of access roads on the same parcel or on an adjacent parcel that is under the same ownership as the parcel that is being excavated;

(B) Excavation or grading operations, reasonably necessary for farming;

(D) Removal of rock, gravel, sand, silt or other similar substances removed from the beds or banks of any waters of this state pursuant to a permit issued under ORS 196.800 to 196.900; or

(E) Excavations or reprocessing of aggregate material, or grading operations, within the highway right of way reasonably necessary for the construction, reconstruction or maintenance of a highway as defined in ORS 801.305.

(16) “Surface mining refuse” means all waste materials, soil, rock, mineral, liquid, vegetation and other materials resulting from or displaced by surface mining operations within the operating permit area, including all waste materials deposited in or upon lands within the operating permit area.

(17) “Underground mining” means all human-made excavations below the surface of the ground through shafts or adits for the purpose of exploring for, developing or producing valuable minerals. [1971 c.719 §2; 1975 c.724 §1; 1977 c.59 §1; 1981 c.622 §1; 1983 c.46 §1; 1985 c.292 §2; 1989 c.347 §12; 1999 c.353 §2; 2007 c.318 §5; 2009 c.279 §1; 2011 c.406 §2]

Note: Definitions for 517.702 to 517.989 are also found in 517.952.

517.755 Mining operations affecting more than five acres. Notwithstanding the yard and acre limitations of ORS 517.750 (15), as soon as any mining operation begun after July 1, 1975, affects more than five acres of land the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 apply to the mining operation. [1975 c.724 §1a; 1979 c.435 §3; 1985 c.292 §3; 1985 c.565 §80; 1989 c.347 §13; 1999 c.353 §7; 2007 c.318 §15]

Note: 517.755 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 517 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.760 Policy. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to recognize the important and essential contribution that the extraction of minerals makes to the economic well-being of the state and the nation and to prevent unacceptable adverse impacts to environmental, scenic, recreational, social, archaeological and historic resources of the state that may result from mining operations, while permitting operations that comply with the provisions set forth in ORS 517.702 to 517.951.

(b) Proper reclamation of surface-mined lands is necessary to prevent undesirable land and water conditions that would be detrimental to the general welfare, health, safety and property rights of the citizens of this state.

(c) Surface mining takes place in diverse areas where the geologic, topographic, climatic, biological and social conditions are significantly different and that reclamation operations and the specifications therefor must vary accordingly.

(d) It is not practical to extract minerals required by our society without disturbing the surface of the earth and producing waste materials and that the very character of many types of surface mining operations precludes complete restoration of the affected lands to their original condition.

(e) Reclamation of surface-mined lands as provided by ORS 517.702 to 517.951 will allow the mining of valuable minerals in a manner designed for the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed lands.

(2) The Legislative Assembly, therefore, declares that the purposes of ORS 517.702 to 517.951 are:

(a) To provide that the usefulness, productivity and scenic values of all lands and water resources affected by surface mining operations within this state shall receive the greatest practical degree of protection and reclamation necessary for their intended subsequent use.

(b) To provide for cooperation between private and governmental entities in carrying out the purposes of ORS 517.702 to 517.951 and reclamation of abandoned mined lands that may pose a hazard to public health, safety or the environment. [1971 c.719 §1; 1985 c.292 §4; 1993 c.342 §1]

517.770 Exemptions from reclamation requirements. (1) The following mining operations are exempt from the reclamation requirements set forth in ORS 517.702 to 517.989:

(a) Lands within the surfaces and contours of surface mines in existence on July 1, 1972, or vertical extensions of those surfaces and contours, provided that the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries issued a certificate of exemption to the mining operation on or before October 31, 2000.

(b) Lands within the surfaces and contours of surface mines in existence on July 1, 1972, or vertical extensions of those surfaces and contours, provided that:

(A) The surface mining operations at the site were allowed under a comparable certificate of exemption that was issued by a county and current on the date of repeal of a county zoning law or ordinance described in ORS 517.780 (1); and

(B) The landowner or operator applies for and receives a certificate of exemption from the department. An application for a certificate of exemption must be filed with the department within 90 days after the date the county’s repeal of a zoning law or ordinance becomes effective. If the department does not approve or disapprove the application within 90 days after the date the application is filed with the department, the application will be deemed to be approved.

(c) Lands within the surfaces and contours of surface mining operations that are owned or operated by a person that, on July 1, 1972, was a party to a surface mining contract that was valid on January 1, 1971, provided that the department issued a certificate of exemption to the mining operation on or before September 20, 1985.

(2) A certificate of exemption terminates if the landowner or operator does not renew the certificate annually. [1971 c.719 §15; 1973 c.709 §1; 1975 c.724 §2; 1985 c.292 §5; 1987 c.260 §2; 1987 c.361 §§1,1a; 1999 c.492 §1; 2009 c.270 §1]

517.775 Permit fee for certain landowners and operators; erosion stabilization at mining operations exempt from reclamation. Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 517.770:

(1) Any landowner or operator conducting surface mining on July 1, 1972, shall pay the permit fee as provided in ORS 517.800; and

(2) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall require the landowner or operator to complete erosion stabilization upon completion of mining at a mining operation exempt from reclamation under ORS 517.770. [1971 c.719 §17; 1979 c.435 §4; 1985 c.292 §17; 1987 c.260 §3; 1987 c.361 §2; 1999 c.492 §2; 2009 c.270 §2]

517.780 Effect on county zoning laws or ordinances; rules; certain operations exempt. (1)(a) The provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder do not supersede any county zoning laws or ordinances in effect on July 1, 1972. However, if the county zoning laws or ordinances are repealed on or after July 1, 1972, the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder are controlling. The governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may adopt rules and regulations with respect to matters covered by county zoning laws and ordinances in effect on July 1, 1972.

(b) If the county zoning laws or ordinances specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection are repealed by a county:

(A) The department may allow a surface mining operation that previously operated under a valid county operating permit and reclamation plan to continue to operate for a period not to exceed one year if the landowner or operator applies for an operating permit under ORS 517.790 within 60 days after the date the county’s repeal of the zoning laws or ordinances becomes effective, pays all applicable fees to the department and submits a bond or security to the department as required by ORS 517.810. Pending issuance of an operating permit and approval of a reclamation plan by the department, the county permit is deemed to remain in effect and is enforceable by the department.

(B) The department, in issuing a permit and approving a reclamation plan for a surface mining operation that previously operated under a valid county operating permit as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, may incorporate any provisions from the county operating permit into the permit issued by the department and the reclamation plan approved by the department if the department determines that the provisions provide adequate protection of the public health, safety and welfare and the environment.

(C) The department may issue a certificate of exemption from reclamation requirements as described in ORS 517.770 (1)(b).

(2) City or county operated surface mining operations that sell less than 5,000 cubic yards of minerals within a period of 12 consecutive calendar months are exempt from the state mining permit requirements of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 if the city or county adopts an ordinance that includes a general reclamation scheme establishing the means and methods of achieving reclamation for city or county operated surface mining sites exempted from the state permit requirements by this subsection. [1971 c.719 §16; 1975 c.724 §3; 1977 c.524 §1; 1979 c.435 §1; 1983 c.20 §1; 1985 c.292 §6; 1987 c.361 §9; 2003 c.14 §340; 2007 c.318 §6; 2009 c.270 §3]

517.785 [1983 c.20 §3; 1985 c.292 §7; 1987 c.361 §8; repealed by 2007 c.318 §28]

517.790 Operating permit required for surface mining on certain lands; application for permit; proposed reclamation plans; waiver of requirement for preparation and approval of reclamation plan; refusal to issue operating permit. (1) A landowner or operator may not allow or engage in surface mining on land not surface mined on July 1, 1972, without holding a valid operating permit from the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries for the surface mining operation. A separate permit is required for each separate surface mining operation. A person seeking an operating permit from the department shall submit an application on a form provided by the department that contains the following information:

(a) The name and address of the landowner and the operator and the names and addresses of any persons designated by them as their agents for the service of process.

(b) The materials for which the operation is to be conducted.

(d) The proposed date for the initiation of the operation.

(e) The size and legal description of the lands that will be affected by the operation, and, if more than 10 acres of land will be affected by the operation and if the department determines that the conditions warrant it, a map of the lands to be surface mined that includes the boundaries of the affected lands, topographic details of the lands, the location and names of all streams, roads, railroads, utility facilities, wells, irrigation ditches, ponds, stockpiles, buffers, setbacks and excavation boundaries within or adjacent to the lands, the location of all proposed access roads to be protected or constructed in conducting the operation and the names and addresses of the owners of all surface and mineral interests of the lands included within the surface mining area.

(f) If practicable, a plan for visual screening by vegetation or otherwise that will be established and maintained on the lands within the operation for the purpose of screening the operation from the view of persons using adjacent public highways, public parks and residential areas.

(g) The type of monitoring well abandonment procedures.

(h) A proposed reclamation plan that is acceptable to and approved by the department.

(i) Any other information that the department considers pertinent in its review of the application.

(2) The department may waive the requirement for preparation and approval of a reclamation plan if:

(a) The operation is conducted as part of the on-site construction of a building, public works project or other physical improvement of the subject property;

(b) The operation is reasonably necessary for such construction; and

(3) The department may not issue an operating permit to an operator other than the owner or owners of the surface and mineral interests of the lands included within the surface mining area unless the operator:

(a) Has written approval from the owner or owners of all surface and mineral interests of the lands included within the surface mining area; and

(b) Maintains a legal interest in the lands that is sufficient to ensure that the operator has the authority to operate and reclaim the lands as provided in the operating permit and reclamation plan.

(4) The department may refuse to issue an operating permit to a person who has not, in the determination of the department, substantially complied with the conditions of an operating permit or reclamation plan, the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted by the department to carry out the purposes of this chapter. [1971 c.719 §4; 1973 c.709 §2; 1987 c.361 §10; 1989 c.347 §10; 1999 c.353 §3; 2007 c.318 §7]

517.795 Department to consult with and cooperate with other agencies. (1) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall consult with other state agencies as necessary to ensure that rules developed by the department and those agencies regarding exploration or monitoring well requirements for sites described under ORS 517.790 do not conflict.

(2) The department and any other state agencies imposing requirements for exploration or monitoring wells for sites described under ORS 517.790 may enter into agreements for the department to act on behalf of the agencies in informing the landowner or operator of the requirements and overseeing enforcement of the requirements. [1997 c.184 §1]

Note: 517.795 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 517 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.797 Memorandum of agreement with Department of State Lands regarding permitting. (1) As used in this section, “surface mining” has the meaning given that term in ORS 517.750 and “waters of this state” has the meaning given that term in ORS 196.800.

(2) The Department of State Lands and the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may enter into a memorandum of agreement concerning surface mining as described in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) The memorandum described in subsection (2) of this section may assign sole responsibility for permitting to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries when the surface mining would otherwise be under the permitting jurisdiction of both the Department of State Lands and the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries because:

(a) Part of the surface mining is located within the beds or banks of any waters of this state; and

(b) Part of the surface mining is located upland from the beds or banks of any waters of this state.

(4) Prior to any permitting pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall consult with the Department of State Lands regarding any conditions necessary to protect the waters of this state. [2011 c.406 §1]

Note: 517.797 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 517 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.800 Fees; rules. (1)(a) Except for an application for a chemical process mining operation submitted under ORS 517.952 to 517.989, each applicant for an operating permit under ORS 517.702 to 517.989 shall pay to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries a fee established by the State Geologist in an amount not to exceed $1,260.

(b) If an application for a new permit or an amendment to an existing permit requires extraordinary department resources because of concerns about slope stability or proximity to waters of the state or other environmentally sensitive areas, the applicant shall pay to the department an additional fee in an amount determined by the State Geologist to be adequate to cover the additional costs for staff and other related expenses. The State Geologist shall consult with the applicant when determining the amount of the fee.

(2) Annually, each holder of an operating permit shall pay to the department a base fee of $635, plus $0.0075 per ton of aggregate or mineral ore extracted during the previous 12-month period.

(3) If a reclamation plan is changed, the operator may be assessed for staff time and other related costs an amount not to exceed $1,260 in addition to the annual renewal fee.

(4) If, at operator request, the department responds to requests for information required by a local government in making a land use planning decision on behalf of the operator for a specific site, the State Geologist may require the operator to pay the department a fee for staff time and related costs. The department shall notify the operator in advance of the estimated costs of providing the information, and the actual amount assessed shall not exceed the estimate provided by the department.

(5) The State Geologist may require the operator of a site to pay to the department a special inspection fee in an amount not to exceed $200 for an inspection conducted under the following circumstances:

(a) Investigation of surface mining operations conducted without the operating permit required under ORS 517.790; or

(b) Investigation of surface mining operations conducted outside the area authorized in an operating permit.

(6) Upon request of an applicant or operator, the department shall provide an itemized list and documentation of expenses used to determine a fee under subsection (1)(b), (3) or (4) of this section.

(7) Notwithstanding the per ton fee established in subsection (2) of this section, the governing board of the department may lower to zero or raise the per ton fee up to $0.0085 if necessary to provide financial certainty to the department or to reflect actual expenses of the department in administering ORS 517.702 to 517.951. If the per ton fee established in subsection (2) of this section is raised by the governing board, the additional amount of money collected by the department shall be deposited in the Mined Land Regulation and Reclamation Program Subaccount within the Geology and Mineral Industries Account.

(8) The governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries:

(a) Shall adopt by rule a procedure for the administrative review of the determinations of fees under this section.

(b) Shall adopt rules establishing the payment date for annual fees required under this section.

(c) May adopt rules establishing a late fee of up to five percent of the unpaid amount of an annual fee owed under this section if the annual fee is more than 60 days past due. [1971 c.719 §7; 1973 c.709 §3; 1977 c.524 §2; 1979 c.435 §2; 1981 c.274 §1; 1983 c.88 §1; 1985 c.292 §8; 1987 c.598 §1; 1989 c.346 §1; 1991 c.735 §28; 1993 c.399 §1; 1995 c.79 §297; 1997 c.62 §1; 1999 c.353 §4; 2003 c.520 §1; 2005 c.650 §§1,1a; 2007 c.318 §16]

517.810 Requirement for bond or security; rules; other security in lieu of bond. (1) Before issuing or reissuing an operating permit for any surface mining operation or issuing or reissuing an exploration permit for any exploration activity, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall require that the applicant for the permit file with it a bond or security acceptable to the department in a sum to be determined by the department but in an amount not to exceed the total cost for reclamation if the department were to perform the reclamation. The decision of the department may be appealed to the governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries as provided in ORS chapter 183. The bond or security shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the reclamation plan and of the other requirements of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and the rules adopted thereunder.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to any public body, as defined in ORS 174.109.

(3) In lieu of the bond or other security required of the applicant in subsection (1) of this section, the department may accept a similar security from the landowner, equal to the estimated cost of reclamation as determined by the department in consultation with the operator or explorer. The decision of the department may be appealed to the governing board as provided in ORS chapter 183.

(4) In lieu of the bond required by subsection (1) of this section, the department may accept a blanket bond covering two or more surface mining sites or exploration projects operated by a single company, owned by a single landowner or operated by all members of an established trade association, in an amount, established by the department, not to exceed the amount of the bonds that would be required for separate sites.

(5) The governing board shall identify by rule the procedures for the determination of the amount of the bond or other security required of an applicant for an operating permit or exploration permit. The rules:

(a) Shall provide an opportunity for participation by the applicant as part of the procedures; and

(b) May allow for the amount of the bond to be calculated and adjusted based upon the total area expected to be in a disturbed condition in the following year as a result of the surface mining or exploration operation. [1971 c.719 §8; 1975 c.724 §4; 1979 c.435 §5; 1983 c.497 §1; 1985 c.291 §1a; 1985 c.292 §9; 1987 c.361 §5; 1989 c.347 §11; 1999 c.492 §3; 2005 c.34 §6]

517.815 Reclamation bond pooling program; requirements; rules. (1) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may establish and administer a program that provides for the pooling of reclamation bonds to assist:

(a) An operator in complying with the reclamation bond requirements of ORS 517.810;

(b) A person engaging in small mining operations or small exploration projects on federally managed lands to comply with financial guarantee requirements imposed by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-579) or regulations adopted to implement the Act under 43 U.S.C. 1740; or

(c) A person engaging in any form of mining or exploration to comply with bonding requirements imposed pursuant to county ordinance.

(2) The program must:

(a) Be designed to reduce the financial burden of obtaining a reclamation bond for mining or exploration.

(b) Require each person participating in the program to:

(A) Pay an amount into the pool each year that is actuarially determined to enable the program to be self-sustaining and pay for the costs of the department in administering the program;

(B) Execute an agreement, on a form provided by the department, to indemnify the pool for any claims made against the reclamation bond; and

(C) Provide security approved by the State Geologist, if the State Geologist considers security necessary to ensure against the possible forfeiture of the reclamation bond.

(d) Provide a limit on the total bonded liability of any person that may be covered under the program.

(e) Provide conditions for the release or forfeiture of bonds.

(f) Provide that a person that participates in the program has obtained security acceptable to the department as required by ORS 517.810.

(3) The department may adopt rules relating to the development and administration of the program established under this section. [2003 c.646 §2]

Note: 517.815 was added to and made a part of 517.702 to 517.989 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.820 Extensions of time for submission of proposed reclamation plans; time limit for reclamation completion; consultation with state agencies. (1) Upon good cause shown, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may grant reasonable extensions of time for the completion by the landowner or operator and the submission to the department of a proposed reclamation plan required by ORS 517.790. Each reclamation plan submitted to the department must provide that all reclamation activities shall be completed within three years after the termination of mineral extraction from the surface mining operation conducted within each separate area for which an operating permit is requested. Each such reclamation plan shall be approved by the department if it adequately provides for the reclamation of surface-mined lands.

(2) The department, prior to approving a proposed reclamation plan, shall consult with all other interested state agencies and appropriate local planning authorities. [1971 c.719 §5; 1977 c.59 §2; 2007 c.318 §17]

517.830 Inspection of operating site; approval of application for operating permit; effect of failure to approve or refusal to approve reclamation plan; appeal from denial of plan; consolidated application process. (1) Upon receipt of an application for an operating permit, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall inspect the operating site described in the application. Within 90 days after the date that the application and the required permit fee are received, the department shall issue the operating permit applied for or, if it considers the application incomplete, return the application to the applicant for correction of the deficiencies indicated by the department.

(2) Failure by the department to act upon the reclamation plan submitted with an application for an operating permit within the 90-day period referred to in subsection (1) of this section is not a denial by the department of the operating permit applied for. The department, pending final approval of a reclamation plan, may issue a provisional permit subject to reasonable limitations that may be prescribed by the department and conditioned upon the applicant’s compliance with the bond and security requirements established by ORS 517.810.

(3)(a) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, if an application involves an aggregate site that requires a permit issued pursuant to ORS 215.427 or 227.178, and if the local jurisdiction requests that the application not be decided until the local jurisdiction has taken final action, the department shall make a final decision on the operating permit and reclamation plan no later than 165 days after the date a complete land use application is submitted to the local jurisdiction, unless the applicant agrees to allow additional time under ORS 215.427, 215.429, 227.178 or 227.179. If a plan amendment is required as part of issuance of a permit, the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection apply. The department may not approve an operating permit and reclamation plan if the land use application is denied.

(b) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, if an application involves an aggregate site that requires amendment to a comprehensive plan, as defined in ORS 197.015, and if the local jurisdiction requests that the application not be decided until the local jurisdiction has taken final action on the plan amendment, the department may not make a final decision on the operating permit and reclamation plan until the local jurisdiction has taken final action on the plan amendment. The department shall make its final decision within 45 days of the date that the local jurisdiction has taken final action on the plan amendment. The department may not approve an operating permit and reclamation plan if the plan amendment is denied.

(4) Conditions and requirements imposed on an operating permit and reclamation plan, and modifications thereto, issued subsequent to issuance of a local jurisdiction permit shall be compatible with the requirements and conditions of the local government permit, unless more stringent requirements are necessary to comply with the provisions of ORS 517.750 to 517.901.

(5) If a local jurisdiction does not request that the department delay a decision on an operating permit and reclamation plan as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the department shall:

(a) Give the local jurisdiction the opportunity to review and comment on the application; and

(b) Notify the local jurisdiction of the decision and requirements and conditions imposed by the department.

(6) If the department refuses to approve a submitted reclamation plan, it shall notify the applicant, in writing, of its reasons for the refusal to approve the reclamation plan, including additional requirements as may be prescribed by the department for inclusion in the reclamation plan. Within 60 days after the receipt of the notice, the applicant shall comply with the additional requirements prescribed by the department for the reclamation plan or file with the department a notice of appeal from the decision of the department with respect to the reclamation plan. If a notice of appeal is filed with the department by the applicant, the department may issue a provisional permit to the applicant.

(7) If an application is submitted as part of the consolidated application process under ORS 517.952 to 517.989, review of the application and approval or denial of the application shall be in accordance with ORS 517.952 to 517.989. However, the review and approval or denial shall take into consideration all policy considerations for issuing a permit under ORS 517.702 to 517.989. [1971 c.719 §6; 1975 c.724 §5; 1985 c.292 §10; 1991 c.243 §2; 1991 c.735 §29; 1999 c.353 §5; 1999 c.492 §4; 1999 c.533 §13; 2001 c.104 §226; 2007 c.318 §8]

517.831 Modification of operating permit or reclamation plan; opportunity for alternative dispute resolution. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may not modify an operating permit or reclamation plan without the consent of the operator.

(2) The department may modify an operating permit or reclamation plan without the consent of the operator if, because of changed conditions at the permitted site or because of information otherwise not available to the department at the time of permit issuance or reclamation plan establishment, the department finds, by substantial evidence, that a modification is justified due to the potential for:

(a) Substantial harm to off-site property;

(b) Harm to threatened or endangered species; or

(3) Modification of an operating permit or reclamation plan without the consent of the operator must be limited to the areas or matters affected by the changed conditions or new information.

(4) If the department modifies an operating permit or reclamation plan without the consent of the operator, the department must provide the operator with an opportunity for alternative dispute resolution in the manner provided in ORS 183.502. [2007 c.318 §4]

517.832 Emergency operating permit; rules. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.810 and 517.830, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may issue an emergency operating permit if:

(a) A natural disaster, including but not limited to a flood or an earthquake, or the effects of a natural disaster threaten significant damage to property or to natural resources; and

(b) A surface mining operation is necessary to abate the threat.

(2) The governing board of the department shall adopt rules governing the issuance of emergency operating permits. The rules shall include provisions:

(a) Ensuring that emergency operating permits are not issued over the objection of affected federal agencies or public bodies, as defined in ORS 174.109;

(b) Specifying the terms of an emergency operating permit;

(d) Establishing procedures for payment of fees under ORS 517.800. [2005 c.34 §3]

517.833 Transfer of operating permit; rules. (1) A person who by sale, assignment, lease or other means has succeeded in interest to an uncompleted surface mining operation may request that the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries release the existing operator from any reclamation obligations and transfer the operating permit to the successor. The department shall transfer the operating permit, unless:

(a) The successor does not agree to full assumption of the reclamation requirements in the operating permit and reclamation plan;

(b) The successor fails to provide a bond or security as required by ORS 517.810;

(c) More than one person has a claim to the property or operating permit and there is a dispute between the claimants that presents a justiciable controversy; or

(d) The successor, as the operator of another permitted site in this state, has failed to substantially comply with the conditions of an operating permit or reclamation plan, the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 or the rules adopted by the department to carry out the purposes of ORS 517.702 to 517.989.

(2) The governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may adopt rules relating to the responsibilities and duties of a person requesting a transfer of an operating permit under this section. [2007 c.318 §3]

517.834 Temporary operating permit; rules. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.810 and 517.830, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may issue a temporary operating permit to a person if:

(a) After consultation, the local jurisdiction with land use authority over the permitted site does not raise substantive objections to the issuance of the permit;

(b) All interested state agencies approve of the permit issuance; and

(2) A temporary operating permit issued under this section is subject to reasonable limitations that may be prescribed by the department.

(3) Within 30 days after issuing the temporary operating permit, the operator shall:

(a) Comply with the bond and security requirements established by ORS 517.810;

(b) Pay any applicable fee pursuant to ORS 517.800; and

(4) The governing board of the department shall adopt rules governing the issuance of temporary operating permits. The rules shall include provisions:

(a) Ensuring opportunities for notice and comment by federal agencies;

(b) Specifying the terms of a temporary operating permit; and

517.835 Conditions on operating permit or reclamation plan to prevent impact on ground water. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.831, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may require conditions on any new or existing surface mining operating permit or reclamation plan sufficient to prevent or mitigate off-site impacts to ground water resources from the removal of water from surface mining operations. The department may include ground water monitoring as one of the conditions.

(2) The department shall consult with the operator and the Water Resources Department in assessing off-site impacts and in developing prevention or mitigation measures prior to imposing any conditions on an operating permit or reclamation plan pursuant to this section. [2003 c.470 §2; 2007 c.318 §9]

Note: 517.835 was added to and made a part of 517.702 to 517.989 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.836 Surveying or marking surface mining operations; rules. (1)(a) The governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may adopt rules requiring the surveying or marking of surface mining operations.

(b) The rules may include, but are not limited to, requirements for maps or diagrams showing areas excavated or approved for excavation, setbacks or buffers established by the operating permit and the location of buildings, wells, ponds, haul roads, stockpiles, bodies of water and floodways.

(c) The rules may require that information required under this subsection be updated if the mining operations are subject to:

(A) A notice of violation under ORS 517.860;

(B) A suspension order under ORS 517.880; or

(d) The rules may exempt mining operations from survey or marking requirements based on the size or location of the operations or on the distance of the operations from ground and surface waters.

(e) The rules must allow for reasonable compliance schedules for existing mining operations.

(2) The governing board may adopt rules requiring surface mining operators to collect and report information relating to amount and nature of materials excavated or processed at a surface mining operation and the impacts of mining operations on ground or surface water. [2007 c.318 §4a]

517.837 Annual report by permittee; rules. A person holding an operating permit issued pursuant to ORS 517.830 shall, no later than March 31 of each year, file an annual report with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. The governing board of the department shall adopt rules describing the information relating to the permit and operations under the permit that must be included in the annual report. [2005 c.34 §2]

517.840 Administration and enforcement of ORS 517.702 to 517.989; rules. (1) The governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall administer and enforce the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and:

(a) May conduct or cause to be conducted investigations, research, experiments and demonstrations and may collect and disseminate information related to surface mining and the reclamation of surface-mined lands.

(b) May cooperate with other governmental and private agencies of this state or of other states and with agencies of the federal government, including the reimbursement for any services provided by such agencies to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries at its request.

(c) May apply for, accept and expend public and private funds made available for the reclamation of lands affected by surface mining in accordance with the purposes of ORS 517.702 to 517.989.

(d) May, in accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183, adopt rules to carry out the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989.

(e) Shall establish by rule a program to encourage voluntary reclamation practices that exceed the normal reclamation standards to provide maximum enhancement and benefits from mined lands. The program shall include incentives and other actions that will encourage voluntary reclamation practices.

(f) May receive and manage abandoned mined land funds received for abandoned mined land reclamation from the federal government.

(2) In consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality, the board shall identify those naturally occurring hazardous or toxic metals and minerals that, if present in sufficient concentrations at a surface mining site, subject the operator to the increased bond or security requirements of ORS 517.950. The metals and minerals shall include, but need not be limited to, arsenic, mercury, lead, uranium and asbestos. [1971 c.719 §3; 1985 c.292 §11; 1989 c.461 §1; 1993 c.342 §2; 1995 c.509 §2; 2007 c.318 §10]

517.850 Inspection of permit area. At such reasonable times as the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may elect, the department, after reasonable advance notice has been given to the operator, may cause the permitted site to be inspected to determine if the operator has complied with the operating permit, reclamation plan, this chapter and the rules of the department. [1971 c.719 §9; 1997 c.183 §2; 2007 c.318 §18]

517.855 Disruption of portion of mining property preserved from mining. (1) Any portion of a mining property that is preserved from mining, including, but not limited to, a setback, buffer zone or no-impact area, may be excavated, reduced, added to, elevated, reshaped, contoured, graded or otherwise disrupted for the purpose of facilitating the reclamation of the mined area or integrating the reclaimed area with its surroundings.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not permit the removal for profit of any valuable mineral. [1997 c.186 §2]

Note: 517.855 was added to and made a part of 517.702 to 517.989 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

517.860 Effect of failure to comply with operating permit or reclamation plan; department may perform work and assess costs against bond or security. (1) If, from inspections conducted pursuant to ORS 517.850 or from any other source, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries determines that the operator has not complied with or is not complying with the operating permit, the reclamation plan, the provisions of this chapter or the rules of the department, the department may issue either or both of the following to the operator:

(a) Written notice of the violation. The notice shall specifically outline the deficiencies.

(b) A compliance order. The order may specify a date by which the operator shall rectify any deficiencies. The department may extend the period if delays occasioned for causes beyond the operator’s control necessitate more time, but only when the operator is, in the opinion of the department, making a reasonable effort to comply with the order.

(2) The department may recover against the bond or alternative form of financial security and reclaim the area affected by surface mining if the department determines that an operator:

(a) Has failed to comply with a department order issued under subsection (1) of this section;

(b) Fails to complete reclamation in conformance with the reclamation plan on any segment of the permitted site or fails to complete reclamation in a timely manner; or

(3) If the department makes a claim on the bond or security filed pursuant to ORS 517.810, the surety on the bond or holder of the other security shall pay to the department the amount of the bond or other security required. The department may reclaim the surface-mined land in a manner determined by the department, including by public or private contractor. If the amount is not paid within 30 days, the Attorney General, upon request of the department, shall institute proceedings to recover the amount.

(4) If the landowner has given security as provided in ORS 517.810 (3) and the operator is in default as specified in subsection (2) of this section, the landowner shall be held responsible for complying with the reclamation plan of the operator. The department shall furnish written notice of the default to the landowner and require the landowner to complete the reclamation as specified in the operator’s reclamation plan acceptable to the department. If the landowner has not commenced action to rectify the deficiencies within 30 days after receiving notice, or if the landowner fails to diligently pursue reclamation in conformance with the plan, the department may demand payment of the amount of the bond or other security from the surety or other holder and otherwise proceed as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

(5) The department, in performing reclamation of surface-mined land, shall pursue a goal for reclamation designed to:

(a) Remove hazards;

(b) Protect from drainage problems and from pollution;

(d) Comply with all federal and state laws.

(6) The department may delay, for a reasonable time not to exceed one year, all or part of any reclamation activities if the department determines that it is likely that:

(a) Marketable mineral reserves exist at the permitted site; and

(b) A new operator will seek an operating permit for the site and assume all reclamation responsibilities. [1971 c.719 §10; 1975 c.724 §6; 1977 c.59 §3; 1983 c.497 §2; 1985 c.291 §3; 1997 c.183 §1; 1999 c.353 §6; 1999 c.492 §5; 2007 c.318 §11]

517.862 Revocation, termination or refusal to renew operating permit. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may not revoke, terminate or refuse to renew an operating permit if marketable reserves exist at the permitted site and if there is a significant potential for continued mining opportunities given reasonably foreseeable economic conditions.

(2) The department may revoke, terminate or refuse to renew an operating permit if the operator:

(a) Requests termination, provided that all reclamation requirements in the operating permit and reclamation plan have been satisfied;

(b) Fails to pay a fee as required by ORS 517.800 within 60 days of the due date;

(d) Fails to comply with an order issued under ORS 517.860; or

(e) Fails to comply with a suspension order issued under ORS 517.880.

(3) If an operating permit is revoked, terminated or not renewed, the operator may not perform any actions at the permitted site, except that the operator may, after receiving written approval from the department:

(a) Perform actions at the permitted site that are necessary to comply with reclamation requirements in the operating permit or reclamation plan, including but not limited to removal of mining-related stockpiles;

(b) Excavate materials at the permitted site that are necessary for reclamation; and

(c) Remove any excavated materials from buffers, setbacks or other areas not approved for disturbance and restore the areas to the approximate pre-mining contours with materials approved by the department.

(4) The department, in lieu of or in addition to revoking, terminating or refusing to renew an operating permit for the reasons specified in subsection (2) of this section, may recover against the bond or security filed pursuant to ORS 517.810 and reclaim the area affected by surface mining. [2007 c.318 §2]

517.865 Effect of failure to perform reclamation and insufficient bond; lien; notice; priority; foreclosure. (1) If an operator fails to faithfully perform the reclamation required by the reclamation plan and if the bond or security required by ORS 517.810 is not sufficient to compensate the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries for all reasonably necessary costs and expenses incurred by it in reclaiming the surface-mined land, the amount due shall be a lien in favor of the department upon all property, whether real or personal, belonging to the operator. However, for any operator that is first issued a permit after June 30, 1989, the lien shall not exceed $2,500 for each site plus $1,500 per acre.

(2) The lien shall attach upon the filing of a notice of claim of lien with the county clerk of the county in which the property is located. The notice of lien claim shall contain a true statement of the demand, the insufficiency of the bond or security to compensate the department and the failure of the operator to perform the reclamation required.

(3) The lien created by this section is prior to all other liens and encumbrances, except that the lien shall have equal priority with tax liens.

(4) The lien created by this section may be foreclosed by a suit in the circuit court in the manner provided by law for the foreclosure of other liens on real or personal property. [1975 c.724 §8; 1983 c.497 §3; 1985 c.291 §4; 1987 c.361 §7; 1999 c.492 §6; 2007 c.318 §19]

517.870 Adjustment of bond or security of operator upon satisfactory completion of reclamation work. Upon request of the operator, and when in the judgment of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries the reclamation has been completed in accordance with the reclamation plan, the operator shall be notified that the work has been found to be satisfactorily performed and is acceptable and the bond or security of the operator shall be adjusted accordingly. [1971 c.719 §11; 1999 c.492 §7; 2007 c.318 §20]

517.880 Order for suspension of surface mining operation operating without required permit; enjoining operation upon failure of operator to comply; completion of reclamation by department. (1) When the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries finds that an operator is conducting a surface mining operation for which an operating permit is required by ORS 517.702 to 517.989 or by rules adopted by the department, but has not been issued by the department, the department may issue an order to the operator to suspend the operation until an operating permit has been issued by the department for the surface mining operation or until the department is assured that the operator will comply with the requirement to obtain a permit.

(2) The department may issue an order to an operator to suspend operations if the operator has not complied with or is not complying with the operating permit, reclamation plan, this chapter or rules of the department. Failure to comply includes, but is not limited to, disturbing land within the permit boundary that has not been approved by the department for excavation, placement of debris or removal of vegetation.

(3) If the operator fails or refuses to comply with a suspension order, the Attorney General, at the request of the department, shall initiate any necessary legal proceeding to enjoin the surface mining operation and to provide for completion of the reclamation of the lands affected by the operation, including the restoration of buffers, setbacks or other areas not approved for disturbance. [1971 c.719 §12; 1985 c.292 §12; 1997 c.183 §3; 2007 c.318 §12]

517.890 Review of final determination. Any final determinations made by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in carrying out the provisions of ORS 517.702 to 517.989 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder may be reviewed in the manner provided by the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183. [1971 c.719 §13; 1985 c.292 §13; 1999 c.492 §8]

517.900 [1971 c.719 §14; 1985 c.292 §14; repealed by 1999 c.492 §9 (517.901 enacted in lieu of 517.900)]

517.901 Confidentiality of production records, mineral assessments and trade secrets. Any production records, mineral assessments and trade secrets submitted by a mine operator or landowner to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall be confidential. [1999 c.492 §10 (enacted in lieu of 517.900)]

(Nonaggregate Mineral Surface Mines)

517.905 Applicability of ORS 517.910 to 517.989. (1) ORS 517.910 to 517.989 only apply to surface mines for nonaggregate minerals that do not have a valid operating permit, a certificate of limited exemption or a certificate of total exemption based on the inactivity of a limited exempt site on August 16, 1981.

(2) ORS 517.910 to 517.989 do not apply to placer mining for gold or silver in which less than 5,000 cubic yards of material per year are extracted. [1981 c.622 §15]

517.910 Definitions for ORS 517.910 to 517.989. For the purposes of ORS 517.910 to 517.989:

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.750 (12), “reclamation” means the employment in a surface mining operation of procedures reasonably designed to minimize as much as practicable the disruption from the surface mining operation or surface mining processing operation, including cyanide leaching or any other chemical leaching processing at a processing site removed from the mining site and to provide for the rehabilitation of any such surface resources through the use of plant cover, soil stability techniques, and through the use of measures to protect the surface and subsurface water resources, including but not limited to domestic water use and agricultural water use, and other measures appropriate to the subsequent beneficial use of any land or water resource affected by a surface mining or processing operation.

(2) “Nonaggregate minerals” means coal and metal-bearing ores, including but not limited to ores that contain nickel, cobalt, lead, zinc, gold, molybdenum, uranium, silver, aluminum, chrome, copper or mercury. [1981 c.622 §3; 1987 c.158 §113; 1987 c.693 §5; 1989 c.347 §14; 1999 c.353 §8; 2007 c.318 §21]

517.915 Additional operating permit requirements for nonaggregate mineral mines; denial of permit if reclamation not possible. (1) In addition to any other provision of law, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall not issue an operating permit until:

(a) The department has received a reclamation plan that contains but is not limited to:

(A) A description of the proposed mining operation;

(B) A description of what is to be mined;

(C) The present use of the land, the planned subsequent beneficial use of the land and a list of plant species to be established;

(D) The measures that will adequately conserve the quantity and quality of the affected aquifers;

(E) A description of any toxic or radioactive materials known to be present in the ore, spoil, tailings, overburden or any other material involved in the mining operation and their approximate concentrations;

(F) A description of how the materials described in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph will be handled during mining and reclamation;

(G) Environmental baseline information as may be required by the department; and

(H) The name and address of the landowner, the owner of the surface estate, the operator and any parent corporations of the operator.

(b) The department has received a performance bond as it may require.

(c) The department finds that reclamation is possible and that the reclamation plan as approved will achieve the reclamation of affected lands.

(2) The reclamation plan, minus proprietary information, is a public document.

(3) If the department finds that reclamation cannot be accomplished, it shall not issue an operating permit.

(4) The department shall obtain, whenever possible, a list of plant species suitable for reseeding in the area pursuant to a reclamation plan and comments on the feasibility of permanent revegetation from the soil and water conservation district in which the mined land is situated.

(5) The department shall consult with the soil and water conservation district in which the mined land is situated regarding the feasibility of reclamation, with particular attention to possible impacts on ground water aquifers. [1981 c.622 §§4,5,9; 1985 c.292 §18; 1987 c.361 §3]

517.920 Permit application fees under ORS 517.910 to 517.989. (1) Each application for an operating permit under ORS 517.910 to 517.989 or exploration permit under this section and ORS 517.702 to 517.755, 517.790, 517.810 and 517.910 shall be accompanied by a fee sufficient to cover the costs of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in processing the application and monitoring compliance as determined by the department.

(2) If the application is for a chemical process mine, the application shall be accompanied by an additional fee at each stage of the process sufficient to cover the costs of the department in maintaining a regulatory permit program that allows for the extraction and processing of metals. [1981 c.622 §8; 1989 c.347 §15; 1989 c.461 §2; 1991 c.735 §30]

517.925 Time limit for action on permit application. The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall have 120 days to act upon a completed permit application. [1981 c.622 §6]

517.930 Department inspection. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.850, if the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries has reason to believe that the provisions of an operating permit are being violated or that a surface mining operation is being conducted without a valid operating permit, it may inspect such surface mining areas without prior notice.

(2) In addition to the department’s authority to inspect under ORS 517.850 and subsection (1) of this section, for a chemical process mine operating under a permit issued under ORS 517.952 to 517.989, a cooperating agency also may inspect the mining operation to assure that the operator is complying with conditions imposed on the operating permit by the cooperating agency under ORS 517.982 (2). [1981 c.622 §7; 1991 c.735 §31; 2007 c.318 §22]

517.935 Limit on reclamation lien by department against nonaggregate mineral operator. Notwithstanding ORS 517.865, for the purposes of ORS 517.910 to 517.989 the amount due on the lien under ORS 517.865 (1) shall not exceed $10,000 per acre. [1981 c.622 §12]

517.940 Reclamation expenditure by department. Notwithstanding ORS 517.860, for the purposes of ORS 517.910 to 517.989 the expenditure by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries for reclamation not completed by the operator shall not exceed $10,000 per acre. [1981 c.622 §11; 1985 c.291 §5; 2007 c.318 §23]

517.945 [1981 c.622 §13; repealed by 1999 c.353 §9]

517.947 [1987 c.693 §§2,3; 1989 c.171 §68; repealed by 1991 c.735 §39]

517.949 [1987 c.693 §4; repealed by 1991 c.735 §39]

517.950 Bond or security deposit for nonaggregate mineral operating permit. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 517.810, for the purposes of ORS 517.905 to 517.951 the bond or security deposit required shall not exceed $10,000 per acre of land to be surface mined under the terms of the operating permit.

(2) The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may increase the amount of the bond or security required under subsection (1) of this section to an amount not to exceed the lower of actual cost of reclamation or $100,000 per acre of land to be mined under the terms of the operating permit if the operating permit applies to extraction, processing or beneficiation techniques the result of which:

(a) Will increase the concentration of naturally occurring hazardous or toxic metals and minerals identified by the governing board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries under ORS 517.840 to a significantly higher level than that occurring naturally within the permitted site; and

(b) Is reasonably likely to present a threat to public health, safety or the environment.

(3) The increased bond or security deposit under subsection (2) of this section may be required only when the department determines that a threat to surface or subsurface waters is reasonably likely to exist as a result of the permitted activity. [1981 c.622 §10; 1985 c.292 §15; 1989 c.461 §3; 1995 c.79 §298; 2007 c.318 §24]

517.951 Legislative intent not to assume exclusive jurisdiction. The Legislative Assembly declares that ORS 517.910 to 517.989 are not intended to provide the legal basis for assumption by the State of Oregon of exclusive jurisdiction over the environmental regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations described in section 503 of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1253). [Formerly 517.955]

Note: 517.951 was added to and made a part of 517.702 to 517.989 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

CHEMICAL PROCESS MINING

(Generally)

517.952 Definitions for ORS 517.702 to 517.989. As used in ORS 517.702 to 517.989:

(1) “Affected agency” includes permitting agencies, cooperating agencies and commenting agencies.

(2) “Baseline data” means information gathered to characterize the natural and cultural environments of a mining operation site before a mining operation begins.

(3) “Chemical process mine” means a mining and processing operation for metal-bearing ores that uses chemicals to dissolve metals from ore.

(4) “Commenting agency” means any agency that makes recommendations to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries or to a permitting agency regarding permit conditions or whether to approve or deny a permit under the consolidated application process established under ORS 517.952 to 517.989.

(5) “Consolidated application” means the single application required under ORS 517.971.

(6) “Cooperating agency” means an agency that has statutory responsibility related to a chemical process mine but that does not issue a permit for the mining operation.

(7) “Environmental evaluation” means an analysis prepared under ORS 517.979 to address specific impacts of the chemical process mine operation to allow affected agencies to develop permit conditions.

(8) “Mitigation” means the reduction of adverse effects of a proposed chemical process mining operation by considering, in the following order:

(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;

(b) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation;

(d) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action by monitoring and taking appropriate corrective measures; or

(e) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing comparable substitute resources or environments.

(9) “Permitting agency” means an agency that has a separate permitting authority for a proposed chemical process mine.

(10) “Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, public interest organization, the State of Oregon or any political subdivision, board, agency or commission of the State of Oregon.

(11) “Project coordinating committee” means the interagency governmental committee established in accordance with ORS 517.965.

(12) “Technical review team” means the interagency group established in accordance with ORS 517.967. [1991 c.735 §3]

Note: Definitions for 517.702 to 517.989 are also found in 517.750.

517.953 Policy. Notwithstanding the policy set forth in ORS 517.760, the Legislative Assembly finds and declares that it is the policy of the State of Oregon to protect the environmental, scenic, recreational, social, archaeological and historic resources of this state from unacceptable adverse impacts that may result from chemical process mining operations, while permitting operations that comply with the provisions set forth in ORS 517.952 to 517.989 and assure the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and the environment. [1991 c.735 §2]

517.954 Application of ORS 517.952 to 517.989. ORS 517.952 to 517.989 apply only to chemical process mines for nonaggregate minerals. ORS 517.952 to 517.989 do not apply to placer mining. [1991 c.735 §3a]

517.955 [1981 c.622 §16; renumbered 517.951 in 1991]

(Chemical Process Mines)

517.956 Standards for chemical process mining operation; rules. Any chemical process mining operation in Oregon shall comply with the following standards:

(1) Chemical process mining, including extraction, processing and reclamation, shall be undertaken in a manner that minimizes environmental damage through the use of the best available, practicable and necessary technology to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

(2) Protection measures for fish and wildlife shall be consistent with policies of the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, including:

(a) Protective measures to maintain an objective of zero wildlife mortality. All chemical processing solutions and associated waste water shall be covered or contained to preclude access by wildlife or maintained in a condition that is not harmful to wildlife.

(b) On-site and off-site mitigation ensuring that there is no overall net loss of habitat value.

(d) Fish and wildlife mortality shall be reported in accordance with a monitoring and reporting plan approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

(e) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall establish by rule standards for review of a proposed chemical process mining operation for the purpose of developing conditions for fish and wildlife habitat protection that satisfy the terms of this section for inclusion in a consolidated permit by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

(3) Surface reclamation of a chemical process mine site shall:

(a) Ensure protection of human health and safety, as well as that of livestock, fish and wildlife;

(b) Ensure environmental protection;

(c) Require certification to the operator, by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Department of Agriculture, that a self-sustaining ecosystem, comparable to undamaged ecosystems in the area, has been established in satisfaction of the operator’s habitat restoration obligations; and

(d) Include backfilling or partial backfilling as determined on a case-by-case basis by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries when necessary to achieve reclamation objectives that cannot be achieved through other mitigation activities. [1991 c.735 §4; 2003 c.14 §341; 2007 c.318 §25]

517.957 Department coordination of activities of affected agencies. The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall coordinate the activities of the affected agencies related to the consolidated application process established under ORS 517.952 to 517.989. [1991 c.735 §5]

517.958 Compliance with preapplication process; purpose. Any person proposing to conduct a chemical process mining operation shall comply with the requirements for the preapplication process set forth in ORS 517.961 to 517.969. The purpose of such process shall be to identify significant issues to be addressed in the consolidated application process set forth in ORS 517.971 to 517.987. [1991 c.735 §6]

517.959 Public notice requirements for ORS 517.952 to 517.989; master list of interested parties; fees. (1) Whenever required in ORS 517.952 to 517.989, public notice shall include information sufficient to inform the public of the proposed activity or event and shall include:

(a) Notification to all permitting and cooperating agencies.

(b) Notice by mail to each owner of property located within one-half mile of the perimeter of the proposed site of the mining operation. As used in this paragraph, “owner” means the owner of the title to real property or the contract purchaser of real property of record as shown on the last available complete tax assessment roll.

(d) Notice by mail to mineral claimants for claims located within one-half mile of the proposed chemical process mining operation or as otherwise required by rule of a permitting or cooperating agency.

(e) Notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the state and in a local newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which the proposed chemical process mining operation is located. Notice by publication shall be given at least once each week for two weeks immediately preceding the action.

(2) The notice provided pursuant to this section shall satisfy any notice requirement of an individual permitting or cooperating agency related to a permit included in the consolidated application process established under ORS 517.952 to 517.989.

(3) As used in this section, “master list” means a consolidated list of all interested parties compiled by the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and each permitting and cooperating agency and maintained by the department. Any person may request in writing that the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries add the person’s name to the agency master list. The State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may establish a procedure for establishing and maintaining an agency master list, and the governing board of the department may establish a fee to be paid by a person requesting to be added to the master list. The fee shall be sufficient to defray the department’s costs of mailing notices to persons on the master list and maintaining the master list. [1991 c.735 §7]

517.960 [1989 c.347 §2; renumbered 517.702 in 1991]

517.961 Notice of intent to submit application; posting of notice. A prospective applicant for a permit to operate a chemical process mining operation shall file with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries a notice of intent to submit an application and post copies of the notice along the perimeter of the location of the proposed operation. The posting shall be sufficient to inform the public of the intended action and a legal description of the proposed mining operation location and shall comply with requirements adopted by rule by the governing board of the department. [1991 c.735 §8]

517.962 [1989 c.347 §3; renumbered 517.705 in 1991]

517.963 Department duties upon receipt of notice of intent. Upon receipt of a notice of intent under ORS 517.961, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall:

(1) Provide notice as required under ORS 517.959. The notice shall be sufficient to inform the public of the nature, size and location of the proposed chemical process mining operation.

(2) Activate a project coordinating committee for the proposed mining operation and coordinate the participation of federal agencies, affected agencies, local government agencies and the prospective applicant in the activities of the project coordinating committee.

(3) Activate a technical review team for the proposed mining operation.

(4) Identify to the prospective applicant all permitting and cooperating agencies that will be participating in the consolidated application process. [1991 c.735 §9]

517.964 [1989 c.347 §4; renumbered 517.710 in 1991]

517.965 Project coordinating committee. A project coordinating committee shall be composed of representatives from the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, all permitting and cooperating agencies, local government agencies and affected federal agencies. Each permitting and cooperating agency shall designate an appropriate staff member to the committee. The project coordinating committee shall share information and coordinate county, state and federal permitting requirements in order to avoid contradictory requirements, facilitate the exchange of ideas, optimize communication and avoid duplicative effort. If a chemical process mine is proposed on federal land, the project coordinating committee shall work with the affected federal agency in accordance with a memorandum of agreement established by the department and the federal agency to facilitate the state and federal application process and to coordinate the two processes to the fullest extent possible. In carrying out its responsibilities, the project coordinating committee shall include opportunities for public participation. [1991 c.735 §10]

517.966 [1989 c.347 §8; renumbered 517.715 in 1991]

517.967 Technical review team. (1) A technical review team shall be composed of representatives from the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and each permitting agency and cooperating agency. The technical review team shall:

(a) Establish methodology guidelines to be followed in the collection of baseline data;

(b) Coordinate with the applicant the use of baseline data collection methodologies as approved by the permitting and cooperating agencies; and

(c) Determine whether the chemical process mining operation as proposed in the consolidated application complies with the standards established in ORS 517.956 and any other applicable requirements for a permit listed under ORS 517.971.

(2) Each permitting agency and cooperating agency shall designate an appropriate staff member to serve on the technical review team. [1991 c.735 §11]

517.968 [1989 c.347 §6; renumbered 517.720 in 1991]

517.969 Collection of baseline data; public informational meetings; collection methodology. (1) Upon receipt of notice from a prospective applicant that the prospective applicant is ready to begin collecting baseline data, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries shall:

(a) Provide notice in accordance with ORS 517.959 that the prospective applicant intends to begin baseline data collection and the location where additional background information may be obtained or reviewed.

(b) Within 30 days after receiving the notice from the applicant, conduct two public information meetings. One public meeting shall be conducted in the population center closest to the site of the proposed mining operation and one public meeting shall be conducted in a major population center for the state, as determined by State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.

(c) Receive written comments from the public and affected agencies for 45 days after receiving notice under this subsection.

(2) The purpose of the public informational meetings and public comment period under subsection (1) of this section shall be to:

(a) Identify the issues raised by the proposed chemical process mining operation;

(b) Receive information from the public that the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the permitting and cooperating agencies may need to know in order to evaluate the application; and

(c) Determine the data that should be collected during the baseline data collection phase of the consolidated application process to address the issues identified.

(3) Upon receipt of notice under subsection (1) of this section, the technical review team activated under ORS 517.963 shall determine the specific methodologies to be applied by the applicant in collecting baseline data.

(4) The applicant shall collect data according to the methodology established by the permitting and cooperating agencies through the technical review team. The data collected shall be verified by the appropriate agency in accordance with procedures adopted by the agency. [1991 c.735 §12]

517.970 [1989 c.347 §5; renumbered 517.725 in 1991]

517.971 Consolidated application. Each applicant for a permit to operate a chemical process mining operation shall submit a consolidated application to the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. The department and the permitting and cooperating agencies shall not begin deliberating on whether to issue a permit until the department receives an application fee and a complete consolidated application that includes but is not limited to:

(1) Name and location of the proposed facility.