OAR 632-033-0010: Definitions

The definitions in ORS 517.750 apply to these regulations: (1) “Abandonment of Exploration” means the cessation of exploration without reclamation or notification to the department within a reasonable time. (2) A “Period of 12 Consecutive Calendar Months” as used in these rules begins on the date the exploration permit is issued. (3) “Board” means the Governing Board of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (4) “Closure Order” is a written notice from the department requiring the operator to cease and desist from exploration activities at the site described in the written notice. (5) “Department” means the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (6) “Disturbed or Disturbance” is any alteration within the permit area boundary where surface or subsurface resources are altered as a result of permitted exploration activities. (7) “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. (8) “Exploration Permit” is the permit issued by the department that allows the permittee to conduct exploration activities described in these rules and provides for reclamation as specified in ORS 517.750(13). (g) “Groundwater” means any water except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water within the boundaries of the state, whatever may be the geological formation or structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise moves. (10) “Mined Land Reclamation Act” or “Act” means the statutes codified at ORS 517.702 to 517.992. (11) “Permit Area” is defined by boundaries submitted on a map acceptable to the department and means the area to be covered by an Exploration Permit. The permit area shall be a contiguous parcel which is available to the permittee for exploration. (12) “Prospecting” for the purpose of these rules means activities conducted on or beneath the surface of the earth for the purpose of determining presence, location, extent, grade, or economic viability, but does not disturb more than one cumulative acre. (13) “Reclamation” means the employment in exploration of procedures reasonably designed to minimize as much as practicable the disruption of surface and subsurface resources from exploration (i.e., for example the use of measures to protect the surface and subsurface water resources including but not limited to drill hole abandonments, adit plugging/sealing and shaft plugging/sealing) and to provide for the rehabilitation of any surface resources adversely effected by such exploration through the rehabilitation of plant cover, soil stability water resources and other measures appropriate to subsequent beneficial use of such explored and reclaimed lands. (14) “Exemption” means exploration that is exempted from the requirements of these rules. The department may require certain information to be provided under OAR 632-033-0016(1) to establish exemptions.