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OSM Seal Subchapter T
Part 937, Oregon
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Following are the Office of Surface Mining regulations (30 CFR Parts 937.700 - 937.955) updated through April 2, 2001. To find specific references (words or Section numbers) use you browser "find in page" feature, or the index.
SUBCHAPTER T -- PROGRAMS FOR THE CONDUCT OF SURFACE MINING OPERATIONS WITHIN
     EACH STATE   
PART 937 -- OREGON

Sec.
937.700   Oregon Federal Program
937.701   General
937.702        Exemption for coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals
937.707        Exemption for coal extraction incident to government-financed highway or other construction
937.761        Areas designated unsuitable for surface coal mining by Act of Congress
937.762        Criteria for designating areas as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations
937.764        Process for designating areas unsuitable for surface coal mining operations
937.772        Requirements for coal exploration
937.773        Requirements for permits and permit processing
937.774        Revision; renewal; and transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights
937.775        Administrative and judicial review of decisions
937.777        General content requirements for permit applications
937.778        Permit applications   Minimum requirements for legal, financial, compliance, and related
               information
937.779        Surface mining permit applications   Minimum requirements for information on environmental
               resources
937.780        Surface mining permit applications   Minimum requirements for reclamation and operation plan 
937.783        Underground mining permit applications   Minimum requirements for information on
               environmental resources
937.784        Underground mining permit applications   Minimum requirements for reclamation and operation
               plan
937.785        Requirements for permits for special categories of mining
937.795        Small operator assistance program
937.800        General requirements for bonding of surface coal mining and reclamation operations under
               regulatory programs
937.815        Performance standards   Coal exploration
937.816        Performance standards   Surface mining activities
937.817        Performance standards   Underground mining activities
937.819        Special performance standards   Auger mining
937.823        Special performance standards   Operations on prime farmland
937.824        Special performance standards   Mountaintop removal
937.827        Special performance standards   Coal preparation plants not located within the permit area of a
               mine
937.828        Special performance standards   In situ processing
937.842        Federal inspections
937.843        Federal enforcement
937.845        Civil penalties
937.846        Individual civil penalties
937.955   Certification of blasters.          

AUTHORITY: Pub. L. 95-87, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq. ; and Pub. L 100-34. 

SOURCE: 47 FR 49822, Nov. 2, 1982, unless otherwise noted.

[For the list of Final Rules affecting these sections, as published in the Federal Register, see 
"Regulation History - Changes to the Regulations Parts 900-955, 3/13/79 - 6/30/00".]

30 CFR Sec. 937.700      Oregon Federal program.  

    (a) This part contains all rules that are applicable to surface coal mining operations in Oregon which have been
adopted under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.  

    (b) The rules in this part cross-reference pertinent parts of the permanent program regulations in this chapter. The
full text of a rule is in the permanent program rule cited under the relevant section of the Oregon Federal program.  

    ( c) The rules in this part apply to all surface coal mining operations in Oregon conducted on non-Federal and non-
Indian lands. The rules in Subchapter D of this chapter apply to operations on Federal lands in Oregon.  

    (d) The information collection requirements contained in this part do not require approval by the Office of
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3507 because there are fewer than ten respondents annually.  

    (e) The following provisions of Oregon laws provide, where applicable, for more stringent environmental control
and regulation of surface coal mining operations than do the provisions of the Act and the regulations in this chapter.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 505(b) of the Act, they shall not be construed to be inconsistent with the Act:  

    (1) Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 468.700-468.997, pertaining to the control of water pollution.  

    (2) ORS 498.002 and ORS 498.705, protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats.  

    (3) ORS 509.125, prohibiting deleterious substances from being introduced into State waters.  

    (4) ORS 509.140, requiring the approval of the Fish and Wildlife Commission before explosives may be used to
construct a dam or similar structure.  

    (5) ORS 509.600, prohibiting the injury or destruction of fish within 600 feet of any fishway. Prior approval of the
Director, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, is required before contructing a dam or obstruction in State waters. 

    (6) ORS 509.615, requiring that artificial watercourses must be screened.  

    (f) The following are Oregon laws that interfere with the achievement of the purposes and requirements of the Act
and are, in accordance with section 504(g) of the Act, pre-empted and superseded with respect to coal mining, except
to the extent they provide for regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations which are exempt from
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977:  

    (1) Oregon Surface Mining and Mine Land Reclamation Act, as amended, ORS 517.750-ORS 517.990.  

    (2) Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Division 30, Rules and
Regulations, Oregon Mined Land Reclamation Act, OAR 632-30-005 through OAR 632-30-060.  

    (3) ORS 273.551 and ORS 273.775 to ORS 273.790. The contractual and leasing responsibility of the Division of
Lands over State lands and minerals is not affected by this Federal program.  

    (4) ORS 275.340. Pre-empted to the extent that the State of Oregon construes this statute as delegating to cities
and counties the authority to issue surface coal mining permits and related exploration permits.  

[47 FR 49822, Nov. 2, 1982, as amended at 52 FR 13812, Apr. 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.701      General.  

    Sections 700.5, 700.11, 700.12, 700.13, 700.14, 700.15 and part 701 of this chapter shall apply to surface coal
mining operations in Oregon.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.702      Exemption for coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals.  

    Part 702 of this chapter, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incidental to the Extraction of Other Minerals, shall apply
to any person who conducts coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals for purposes of commercial
use or sale.  

[54 FR 52123, Dec. 20, 1989]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.707      Exemption for coal extraction incident to government-financed highway or other
                         construction.  

    Part 707 of this chapter, Exemption for Coal Extraction Incident to Government-financed Highway or Other
Construction, shall apply to surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.761      Areas designated unsuitable for surface coal mining by Act of Congress.  

    Part 761 of this chapter, Areas Designated by Act of Congress, shall apply to surface coal mining and reclamation
operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.762      Criteria for designating areas as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.  

    Part 762 of this chapter, Criteria for Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations, shall
apply to surface coal mine operations beginning one year after May 28, 1982.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.764      Process for designating areas unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.  

    Part 764 of this chapter, State Processes for Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations,
pertaining to petitioning, initial processing, hearing requirements, decisions, data base and inventory systems, public
information, and rith the February 26, 1980, May 16, 1980, and August 15, 1980, opinions and orders of the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia (In re: Permanent Surface Mining Regulation Litigation (Civ. Action No.
79-1144)).  

    (a) NDAC 69-05.2-25-0shall apply to any person who conducts or seeks to conduct coal exploration operations.  

    (b) The Office shall make every effort to act on an exploration application within 60 days of receipt or such longer
time as may be reasonable under the circumstances. If additional time is needed, OSMRE shall notify the applicant
that the application is being reviewed, but more time is necessary to complete such review, setting forth the reasons
and the additional time that is needed.  

    ( c) Where coal exploration is to occur on State lands or the minerals to be explored are owned by the State, a
mineral lease issued by the Oregon Division of Lands authorizing the coal exploration is required to be filed with the
permit application.  

[52 FR 13812, Apr. 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.772      Requirements for coal exploration.  

    (a) Part 772 of this Chapter, "Requirements for coal exploration," shall apply to any person who conducts or seeks
to conduct coal exploration operations.  

    (b) The Office shall make every effort to act on an exploration application within 60 days of receipt or such longer
time as may be reasonable under the circumstances. If additional time is needed, OSMRE shall notify the applicant
that the application is being reviewed, but more time is necessary to complete such review, setting forth the reasons
and the additional time that is needed.  

    ( c) Where coal exploration is to occur on State lands or the minerals to be explored are owned by the State, a
mineral lease issued by the Oregon Division of Lands authorizing the coal exploration is required to be filed with the
permit application.  

[52 FR 13812, April 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.773      Requirements for permits and permit processing.  

    (a) Part 773 of this chapter, Requirements for Permits and Permit Processing, shall apply to any person who
applies for a permit for surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

    (b) In addition to the requirements of part 773, the following permit application review procedures shall apply:  

    (1) Any person applying for a permit shall submit five copies of the application to the Office.  

    (2) The Office shall review an application for administrative completeness and acceptability for further review and
shall notify the applicant in writing of the findings. The Office may:  

    (i) Reject a flagrantly deficient application, notifying the application of the findings;  

    (ii) Request additional information required for completeness stating specifically what information must be
supplied and negotiate the date by which the information must be submitted; or  

    (iii) Judge the application administratively complete and acceptable for further review.  

    (3) Should the applicant not submit the information as required by Sec. 937.773(b)(2)(ii) by the specified date, the
office may reject the application. When the applicant submits the required information by the specified date, the
Office shall review it and advise the applicant concerning its acceptability.  

    (4) When the application is judged administratively complete, the applicant shall be advised by the Office to file
the public notice required by Sec. 773.6 of this chapter.  

    (5) A representative of the Office shall visit the proposed permit area to determine whether the operation and
reclamation plans are consistent with actual site conditions. The applicant will be notified in advance of the time of
the visit. At the time of the visit, the applicant shall have the locations of the proposed permit boundaries, topsoil
storage areas, sediment control structures, roads, and other significant features contained in the application marked
by flags.  

    ( c) In addition to the information required by subchapter G of this chapter, the Office may require an applicant to
submit supplementary information to ensure compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations other than the
Act.  

    (d) Where applicable, no person shall conduct surface coal exploration operations which result in the removal of
more than 250 tons in one location, or surface coal mining operations without permits issued and/or certificates
required by the State of Oregon, including compliance with Oregon's Statewide Planning Goals (ORS 197.180) and
any relevant Country Comprehensive Land Use Plans (ORS 197.005-ORS 197.775); license from the Division of
State Lands where mines or exploration are on State lands (ORS 273.005-273.815); Solid Waste Disposal Permits,
Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal Permits, Industrial Waste Disposal Permits issued by the Department
of Environmental Quality (ORS 459.005-ORS 459-850); leases issued by the county where county designated forest
lands are involved (ORS 275.340); noise restrictions enforced by the Department of Environmental Quality (ORS
467.010-467.990); Air Contaminant Discharge Permits (ORS 468.005-ORS 468.997), Water Pollution Control
Facilities Permits, Waste Discharge Permits (ORS 468.900-ORS 468.997), Energy Facility Site Certificates (ORS
469.300-ORS 469.570, ORS 469.990, ORS 469.992) issued by the Energy Facilities Siting Council; Department of
Fish and Wildlife issues permits for dam use (ORS 509.600), for use of explosives used to construct dams or similar
structures (ORS 509.140); the State Fire Marshall issues Certificates of Possession for persons having or using
explosives (ORS 480.210); the Division of State Lands issues license for use of dredging machines (ORS 517.611-
ORS 517.700); the Department of water Resources issues permits with respect to the use, appropriation or diversion
of State waters (ORS 537.130, ORS 537.135) and surface waters (ORS 537.135, ORS 537.140 and ORS 537.800),
and permits relative to the design, construction and maintenance of dams, dikes or other hydraulic structures or
works (ORS 540.350, ORS 540.400); matter may be removed from the beds and banks of State waters and fill may
be deposited in State waters once a permit is obtained from the Division of State Lands (ORS 541.605-ORS
541.990).  

[52 FR 13812, Apr. 24, 1987; 65 FR 79582, 79672, Dec. 19, 2000]  

[EFFECTIVE DATE NOTE: 65 FR 79582, 79672, Dec. 19, 2000, amended paragraph (b)(4), effective Jan. 18,
2001.] 

30 CFR Sec. 937.774      Revision; renewal; and transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights.  

    (a) Part 774 of this chapter, Revision; Renewal; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights, shall apply to
any such actions involving surface coal mining and reclamation operations permits.  

    (b) Any revision to the approved permit will be subject to review and approval by OSMRE.  

    (1) Significant revisions shall be processed as if they are new applications in accordance with the public notice
and hearing provisions of Secs. 773.6, 773.19(b) (1) and (2), and 778.21 and of part 775.  

    (2) OSMRE shall make every effort to approve or disapprove an application for permit revision within 60 days of
receipt or such longer time as may be reasonable under the circumstance. If additional time is needed, OSMRE shall
notify the applicant that the application is being reviewed, but more time is necessary to complete such review,
setting forth the reasons and the additional time that is needed.  

    ( c) In addition to the requirements of part 774 of this chapter, any person having an interest which is or may be
adversely affected by a decision on the transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights, including an official of any
Federal, State, or local government agency, may submit written comments on the application to the Office within
thirty days of either the publication of the newspaper advertisement required by Sec. 774.17(b)(2) of this chapter or
receipt of an administratively complete application, whichever is later.  

[52 FR 13813, Apr. 24, 1987; 65 FR 79582, 79672, Dec. 19, 2000]  

[EFFECTIVE DATE NOTE: 65 FR 79582, 79672, Dec. 19, 2000, amended paragraph (b)(1), effective Jan. 18,
2001.] 

30 CFR Sec. 937.775      Administrative and judicial review of decisions.  

    Part 775 of this chapter, Administrative and Judicial Review of Decisions, shall apply to all decisions on permits.  

[52 FR 13813, Apr. 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.777      General content requirements for permit applications.  

    Part 777 of this chapter, General Content Requirements for Permit Applications, shall apply to any person who
applies for a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

[52 FR 13813, Apr. 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.778      Permit applications -- minimum requirements for legal, financial, compliance, and related
                         information.  

    Part 778 of this chapter, Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance and
Related Information, shall apply to any person who applies for a permit to conduct surface coal mining and
reclamation operations.  

[52 FR 13813, Apr. 24, 1987]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.779      Surface mining permit applications -- minimum requirements for information on
                         environmental resources.  

    Part 779 of this chapter, Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Information on
Environmental Resources, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct surface mining and
reclamation operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.780      Surface mining permit applications -- minimum requirements for reclamation and
                         operation plan.  

    (a) Part 780 of this chapter, Surface Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirement for Reclamation and
Operation Plan, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation
operations on non-Federal and non-Indian lands.  

    (b) Any application for a permit shall demonstrate compliance with the air quality control laws (ORS 468.275
through ORS 468.350 and ORS 468.500 through ORS 468.580) administered by the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality and shall have obtained, where required, an Air Contaminant Discharge Permit from the
Department of Environmental Quality (ORS 468.275 through ORS 468.350).  


30 CFR Sec. 937.783      Underground mining permit applications -- minimum requirements for information on
                         environmental resources.  

    Part 783 of this chapter, Underground Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Information on
Environmental Resources, shall apply to any person who submits an application to conduct underground mining
operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.784      Underground mining permit applications -- minimum requirements for reclamation and
                         operation plan.  

    Part 784 of this chapter, Underground Mining Permit Applications--Minimum Requirements for Reclamation and
Operation Plan, shall apply to any person who makes application to conduct underground mining.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.785      Requirements for permits for special categories of mining.  

    Part 785 of this chapter, Requirements for Permits for Special Categories of Mining, shall apply to each person
who makes application for a permit to conduct certain categories of surface coal mining and reclamation operations
as specified therein.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.795      Small operator assistance.  

    Part 795 of this chapter, Small Operator Assistance, shall apply to any person making application for assistance
under the small operator assistance program.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.800      General requirements for bonding of surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

    Part 800 of this chapter, General Requirements for Bonding of Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations
Under Regulatory Programs, shall apply to all surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.815      Performance standards -- coal exploration.  

    Part 815 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards--Coal Exploration, shall apply to any person
conducting coal exploration operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.816      Performance standards -- surface mining activities.  

    Part 816 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards--Surface Mining Activities, shall apply to any
person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.817      Performance standards -- underground mining activities.  

    Part 817 of this chapter, Permanent Program Performance Standards--Underground Mining Activities, shall apply
to any person who conducts underground mining operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.819      Special performance standards -- auger mining.  

    Part 819 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards--Auger Mining, shall apply to any
person who conducts surface coal mining operations which include auger mining.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.823      Special performance standards -- operations on prime farmland.  

    Part 823 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards--Operations on Prime Farmland,
shall apply to any person who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations on prime farmlands.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.824      Special performance standards -- mountaintop removal.  

    Part 824 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards--Mountaintop Removal, shall apply
to any person who conducts surface coal mining operations constituting mountaintop removal mining.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.827      Special performance standards -- coal processing plants and support facilities not located
                         at or near the minesite or not within the permit area for a mine.  

    Part 827 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards--Coal Processing plants and Support
Facilities Not Located at or Near the Minesite or Not Within the Permit Area for a Mine, shall apply to any person
who conducts surface coal mining and reclamation operations which include the operation of coal processing plants
and support facilities not located at or near the minesite or not within the permit area for a mine.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.828      Special performance standards -- in situ processing.  

    Part 828 of this chapter, Special Permanent Program Performance Standards--In Situ Processing, shall apply to
any person who conducts in situ processing activities.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.842      Federal inspections.  

    (a) Part 842 of this chapter, Federal Inspections, shall apply to all exploration and surface coal mining and
reclamation operations.  

    (b) OSM will furnish a copy of each inspection report regarding inspections conducted pursuant to this subpart to
the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.843      Federal enforcement.  

    (a) Part 843 of this chapter, Federal Enforcement, shall apply when enforcement action is required for violations
on surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

    (b) OSM will furnish a copy of each enforcement action document and order to show cause issued pursuant to this
subpart to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.845      Civil penalties.  

    Part 845 of this chapter, Civil Penalties, shall apply when civil penalties are assessed for violations on surface
mining and reclamation operations.  

30 CFR Sec. 937.846      Individual civil penalties.  

    Part 846 of this chapter, Individual Civil Penalties, shall apply to the assessment of individual civil penalties under
section 518(f) of the Act.  

[53 FR 3676, Feb. 8, 1988]  

30 CFR Sec. 937.955      Certification of blasters.  

    Part 955 of this chapter, Certification of Blasters in Federal Program States and on Indian Lands, shall apply to the
training, examination and certification of blasters for surface coal mining and reclamation operations.  

[51 FR 19462, May 29, 1986]  












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