The bright spots in the state's mineral resource picture are continuing natural gas and industrial minerals production. Every Oregon community benefits directly from indispensable supplies of sand and gravel, crushed rock and other building materials. Industrial minerals such as clay and pumice are used in countless ways, including many for environmental protection, and they provide a rural economic growth opportunity. Minerals exploration and production are regulated by the Mined Land Reclamation Program of the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in cooperation with other state, federal and local agencies to ensure the protection of the environment and future beneficial use of mined lands. Mineral Fuels Emerging concerns over energy supplies have prompted efforts to identify and develop traditional resources such as natural gas.
Private concerns continue to lease lands and explore for natural gas in Oregon.
The Mist Gas Field in Columbia County in northwestern Oregon is the only producing natural gas field in the Pacific Northwest. Also, depleted gas reservoirs at the Mist Gas Field store 15 billion cubic feet of imported pipeline gas during the summer to meet peak demands during the following winter. Ground Water Ground water is a crucial resource in Oregon. Endangered salmon point to the need for ground water resources to replace some surface water uses such as agriculture and domestic use. Watershed efforts including those of watershed councils are in need of geologic data and interpretation so they can properly understand their watersheds and design effective strategies for the future.