Suction Dredge Legislation Did Not Advance In 2015 Session
Moratorium Will Go Into Effect Jan. 2, 2016
Senate Bill 830, which proposed to consolidate state regulation of placer mining activities, including suction dredging and upland placer mining adjacent to streams, did not pass in this year's legislative session.
The bill named the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as the lead regulatory agency, and would have increased natural and cultural resource protections. It also would have lifted a moratorium on in-stream and upland motorized placer mining directed by a bill passed in the 2013 Oregon Legislature (Senate Bill 838).
As a result of Senate Bill 830's demise during the 2015 session, the moratorium is scheduled to go into effect in January 2016 and sunset in 2021.
What this means for miners
From now until the end of 2015, there are no changes to how motorized placer mining is regulated:
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) issues General Authorizations for this activity in Oregon waterways. SB 838 made some changes to regulations for waterways that are designated Essential Salmon Habitat (ESH) that remain in effect until the end of 2015.
Motorized in-stream and upland placer mining operations also require a water quality permit from DEQ, and in-stream operations using non-motorized mining equipment must comply with applicable permit terms.
Moratorium
Starting Jan. 2, 2016, miners will be prohibited from motorized mining in the following circumstances:
In all streams above the lowest extent of spawning habitat in rivers and tributaries containing ESH or naturally reproducing populations of bull trout.
In upland areas within 100 yards of these streams if the mining results in the removal or disturbance of vegetation in a manner that may affect water quality.
An interactive map shows the moratorium areas (see below).
The DEQ and DSL will continue to regulate motorized mining under current law, and will work over the next six months to inform miners, natural resource agencies, law enforcement and other groups about the 2016 moratorium and how/where placer mining operations may lawfully take place.
The Oregon Legislature in 2013 (SB 838) directed the Governor's Office to consult with affected stakeholders and make recommendations to the legislature by November 2014 on a proposed regulatory framework for placer mining in Oregon. These recommendations helped shape SB 830 which was introduced during the 2015 session by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Contact Info:
Julie Curtis, State Lands: 503-510-6860; julie.curtis@state.or.us
Jennifer Flynt, DEQ: 503-229-6585; jennifer.flynt@state.or.us
Additional information:
Moratorium FAQs: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Aquatic_Resource_Management/Documents/Moratorium%20QA%207-10-15.pdf
Department of Environmental Quality: http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/wqpermit/mining.htm
Department of State Lands: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/PERMITS/Pages/ga_placerinfo.aspx
SB 838 Study Group: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Pages/SB%20838%20Study%20Group.aspx
