632-035-0015 General Information (1) Information Requirements. The Department may require any information needed to determine the status of any surface mining. Information subject to ORS 517.901 will be held confidential. Information concerning the location and the identity of mine owners and operators are matters of public record, as are actions taken by the Department with regard to any mining operation or permit application. (2) Inspections. As provided by ORS 517.850 the Department may, after reasonable notice, inspect any surface mining site to determine status or compliance. The Department will report the results of these inspections to the permittee in writing. (a) Initial inspections may be conducted by the Department. Reasons for the inspections include but are not limited to: (A) Determining existing environmental conditions; (B) Reviewing the proposed mine operation; (C) Reviewing the proposed reclamation plan; (D) Collecting data to calculate a bond; (E) Monitoring the construction of facilities. (b) Annual and non-scheduled inspections may be conducted by the Department. Reasons for the inspection include but are not limited to: (A) Reviewing operating permit compliance; (B) Investigating public complaints; (C) Evaluating the site bond level. (3) Surface Mining on Federal Lands. Surface mining conducted on federal lands is subject to these rules. The Department shall coordinate with agencies of the federal government to minimize conflict or duplication in operating, reclamation and security requirements. The Board may enter into formal agreements with federal agencies to establish the means by which these rules are carried out. (4) Fees. Application fees for an operating permit issued under this rule division are established by the Department as authorized by ORS 517.920. Other fees, including annual fees, are established by ORS 517.800. (a) The application fee must accompany the application for an operating permit. (b) Each permittee or certificate holder shall pay the required annual fee and any other accrued fees on or before the last day of the month shown on the permit as the anniversary month. Each permittee or certificate holder shall submit an annual report to the Department on a form approved by the Department by the last day of the anniversary month. As a courtesy, the Department may notify the permittee with a notice of these requirements at least 45 days prior to the due date. Failure of the permittee to pay the fee may result in the issuance of a suspension or closure order by the Department. (c) Application fees are not refundable. (d) Fees may be prorated at the applicant's request in order to adjust the anniversary date. The prorated fee will be on the basis of one twelfth (1/12) of the annual fee per month. (5) Closure Orders and Invalidation. (a) The Department may issue a closure or suspension order when it finds that an operator is conducting surface mining: (A) For which a permit is required but has not been obtained; (B) Where a site has expanded outside the approved permit area without approval by the Department; (C) That is in violation of ORS 517.750 to 517.951 and the rules adopted thereunder, the reclamation plan, or permit conditions; or (D) Without having submitted the annual fee. (b) An operating permit may be terminated if the fees and annual report form have not been received by the Department in a timely manner, or at any time if any bond or alternate security has expired, or has been cancelled without replacement, but reclamation obligations continue until the site is reclaimed and reclamation is approved by the Department; (c) A limited exemption certificate becomes invalid upon the expiration date if renewal has not been made. (6) Reclamation by the Department: (a) If the permittee fails to comply with reclamation obligations established by reclamation plan or departmental order, the Department may perform the reclamation outlined in the reclamation plan to the extent possible. The Department may perform alternative reclamation depending on site conditions and any need to reclaim to the secondary beneficial use designated in the reclamation plan. (b) The Department may reclaim the site to: (A) Eliminate or minimize hazards to the health and safety of the public; (B) Eliminate or minimize any pollution or erosion; (C) Rectify abuses of natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat and restoring drainage; (D) Reach a condition compatible with local comprehensive plan and with federal and state laws. (7) Applicability of Laws and Rules. Permittees, at all times during the terms of the permit, are subject to the provisions of statutes and rules in effect at that time. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 517 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 517.775, 517.800, 517.850 & 517.920 History: DGMI 1-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-2-14 GMI 2-1988, f. 5-12-88, cert. ef. 5-2-88 GMI 2-1985, f. 11-19-85, ef. 11-20-85 GMI 3-1984, f. & ef. 12-12-84 GMI 2-1982, f. & ef. 8-13-82