Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 632 - DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES
Here’s a structured overview of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 632 — Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, with no external links included:
📘 Chapter 632: Divisions & Key Content
As of May 26, 2025, Chapter 632 establishes regulatory frameworks administered by DOGAMI. It includes the following divisions (oregon.public.law):
| Division | Subject Area | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Procedural Rules | OAR 632‑001‑0000 to ‑0015 | Notice of rulemaking, adoption of AG’s model procedures, public service fees, earthquake instrument fund, coordination protocols (records.sos.state.or.us) |
| 5 – Tsunami Inundation Zone | OAR 632‑005‑0000 to ‑0090 | Defines zones, applicability to essential and hazardous structures, mapping, referrals, consultation, exemptions, fees |
| 7 – Further Review Area Maps | OAR 632‑007‑0000 to ‑0030 | Implements landslide-related mapping consistent with ORS 195.260 for “further review areas” |
| 10 – Oil & Gas Rules | OAR 632‑010‑0002 to ‑0235 | Permitting, drilling, reports, safety, spacing, reservoir surveys, stimulation, blowout notifications |
| 15 – Information & Seismic Test Holes | OAR 632‑015‑0005 to ‑0060 | Governs drilling of seismic test holes for exploration and data gathering |
| 20 – Geothermal Regulations | OAR 632‑020‑0005 to ‑0180 | Permitting, environmental protection, groundwater monitoring, waste injection restrictions in coordination with other agencies |
| 30 – Mined Land Reclamation Act (Surface Mining) | OAR 632‑030‑0005 to ‑0070 | Procedures for permits, bonds, reclamation planning for surface mines (excluding coal/metal/chemical) |
| 33 – Reclamation Act (Exploration) | OAR 632‑033‑0005 to ‑0055 | Applies to exploration permits initiated after July 31, 1990 |
| 35 – Reclamation (Placer, Coal, Metal Mining) | OAR 632‑035‑0005 to ‑0060 | Covers placer, coal, and gravity-separation metal mining operations |
| 37 – Consolidated Permitting (Chemical Process Mining) | OAR 632‑037‑0005 to ‑0155 | Implements coordinated permitting (including public hearings, baseline data, environmental/socioeconomic review, technology standards, reclamation, financial security, appeals) |
| 38 – Voluntary Reclamation Program | OAR 632‑038‑0005 to ‑0080 | Defines incentives, application, coordination for optional reclamation efforts |
🔍 Highlights from Selected Divisions
Procedural Rules (Div. 1)
Rulemaking notice procedures, adoption of model procedural rules, public service fees (e.g., copying at $0.15/page, $20/hr labor), and establishment of the Earthquake Instrument Fund (records.sos.state.or.us).
Tsunami Zone (Div. 5)
DOGAMI defines tsunami-inundation zones and regulates development of essential, hazardous or high-occupancy structures via referrals, consents, exemptions, mapping, and related fees (records.sos.state.or.us).
Oil & Gas (Div. 10)
Detailed requirements for permit applications, drilling, well stimulation, logs, surface equipment, blowout reporting, well spacing, and reservoir surveys (records.sos.state.or.us).
Geothermal (Div. 20)
Permits for wells over 250 °F, baseline hydrological studies, multi-agency review, groundwater monitoring, waste disposal safeguards, and coordination with DEQ/DWR/ODFW (
Comprehensive process for chemical mining: from project notice, baseline data and environmental/socioeconomic analyses, through public hearings, technological standards, bond requirements, reclamation plans, to appeals and penalties .
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