OAR 635-420-0030: Standards for Wildlife Protection

Chemical process mining operations shall use the best available, practicable and necessary wildlife protection technologies to maintain an objective of zero wildlife mortality. Wildlife protection measures shall meet or exceed the following standards which are necessary to protect wildlife: (1) Chemical processing solutions shall be applied to heap leach pads by drip-irrigation systems or other methods which preclude ponding or other conditions which could result in the ingestion of or exposure to chemical processing solutions by wildlife. (2) Chemical processing solutions shall be contained, or shall be covered in accordance with OAR 635-420-0040 and fenced in accordance with 635-420-0050 to preclude access by wildlife. (3) Associated wastewaters shall be maintained in a condition that is not harmful to wildlife or shall be covered in accordance with OAR 635-420-0040 and fenced in accordance with 635-420-0050 to preclude access by wildlife. (4) Electrical power lines and other transmission facilities shall be designed an constructed to prevent electrocution hazard to wild birds by incorporating features such as armless poles, vertical separation of wires, pole extensions perches or line insulators. Designs shall be consistent with the specifications contained in “Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Powerlines” (Raptor Research Report No. 4, Raptor Research Foundation, Inc., 1981) or with equivalent specifications approved by the Department. (5) Access to a chemical process mine by mine employees and the public shall be controlled to minimize harassment of wildlife and collisions between vehicles and wildlife. On publically owned lands, these controls shall be developed in conjunction with, and shall be subject to the approval of, the applicable public land management agency. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]