632-033-0030 Department Action on an Exploration Permit Application (1) The department shall approve or deny a complete application in writing within 30 days of receipt. If an application is incomplete, the department shall notify the applicant of that fact in writing within 30 days of receipt and the department will specify the deficiencies therein. Within 60 days of receipt of a notice of incompleteness the applicant may appeal the determination of incompleteness or may resubmit the application with deficiencies corrected. The applicant may appeal by filing a written notice in accordance with OAR 632-033-0050. (2) The department may attach conditions to the Exploration Permit. These conditions may be added to reflect special concerns which are not adequately addressed in the reclamation or drill hole abandonment provisions and fall within the scope of these rules. The permittee may appeal these conditions by filing a written notice of appeal in accordance with OAR 632-033-0050. (3) Inspections. As provided by ORS 517.725 the department may inspect any exploration site to determine status or compliance. (a) Initial inspections may be conducted by the department. Reasons for the inspections include but are not limited to: (A) Determine existing environmental conditions; (B) Review the proposed exploration-activity; (C) Review the proposed reclamation; (D) Collect data to calculate a bond and; (E) Determine if a permit is required. (b) Annual inspections may be conducted by the Department. Reasons for such inspection include but are not limited to: (A) Reviewing exploration permit compliance; (B) Investigating public complaints; (C) Evaluating the permit bond level; and (D) Evaluating the reclamation and drill hole abandonment for bond release. (4) The Department will notify local planning authorities and other appropriate public agencies that it has received the application for review. If the Exploration Permit cannot be reviewed and accepted or rejected by the department within 30 days after receipt the department will notify the applicant. (5) If the department refuses to approve the Exploration Permit application for any reason, the department will notify the applicant in writing within five days of refusal stating the reasons, and including additional requirements as may be prescribed by the department for inclusion in the reclamation plan. Within 60 days after the receipt of a deficiency list or permit conditions, the applicant shall comply with the additional requirements prescribed by the department or file a written notice of appeal of the decision to the department in accordance with OAR 632-033-0050. Failure to comply with the additional requirements or file a notice of appeal within the 60-day period, unless an extension is granted by the department, shall result in the application for an Exploration Permit being denied. Informal requests for reconsideration may be submitted as provided for in OAR 632-033-0050. (6) The department will approve the applicant’s Exploration Permit if it adequately meets the provisions of the rules. (7) The approval of the reclamation plan and the issuance of the Exploration Permit by the department do not constitute a finding of compliance with statewide planning goals or local regulations implementing acknowledged comprehensive land use plans. The Exploration Permit may be issued prior to the local land use agency making such a determination. The permittee is responsible for obtaining local land use approval if required. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 517 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 517.725 History: DGMI 1-2000, f. & cert. ef. 7-20-00 GE 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-3-90